Lorex Pharmaceuticals

Lorex Pharmaceuticals was a pharmaceutical joint venture established in 1985 between the French firm Synthelabo and the American company G.D. Searle & Co. The company was primarily focused on the development and commercialization of neurological and cardiovascular therapies within the United States market. Its most significant commercial success was the launch and marketing of Ambien (zolpidem tartrate), which became a blockbuster treatment for insomnia. Following the merger of Synthelabo with Sanofi and the acquisition of Searle by Pharmacia, the joint venture structure was eventually consolidated. In 2001, Sanofi-Synthelabo purchased the remaining interest in Lorex to gain full control of its product portfolio. The company is now inactive, with its legacy products integrated into the Sanofi organization.