Lipha

Lipha, formally known as Laboratoires Lipha, was a prominent French pharmaceutical company headquartered in Lyon that specialized in metabolic and cardiovascular health. The company is most distinguished for its pioneering role in the development of metformin, marketed under the brand name Glucophage, which remains the global gold standard for treating type 2 diabetes. Beyond its success in diabetes, Lipha maintained a robust portfolio of small molecule therapies for conditions such as hypertension and peripheral vascular disease. In 1995, the company was fully acquired by the German conglomerate Merck KGaA, a move that significantly expanded Merck's global footprint in the metabolic disease market. Today, Lipha's legacy continues through the widespread use of its flagship products within Merck's healthcare division.