Lorex

Lorex Pharmaceuticals was a pharmaceutical company established in 1982 as a joint venture between the French firm Synthelabo (then the pharmaceutical subsidiary of L'Oreal) and the American company G.D. Searle. The company focused on the development and commercialization of central nervous system and cardiovascular therapies in the United States and United Kingdom. Lorex is most notably recognized for launching the blockbuster insomnia medication Ambien (zolpidem) and the beta-blocker Kerlone (betaxolol). In 1991, Synthelabo acquired Searle's 50% stake in the venture for approximately $100 million, making Lorex a wholly-owned subsidiary. Following the 1999 merger of Synthelabo and Sanofi, the company's operations were fully integrated into the Sanofi corporate structure.