Roussel Laboratories

Roussel Uclaf was a prominent French pharmaceutical company founded in 1920 by Gaston Roussel, specializing in steroid chemistry and endocrinology. The company is most famous for developing mifepristone (RU-486), the first antiprogestogen used for medical termination of pregnancy, which sparked significant international debate. Beyond reproductive health, Roussel was a leader in the development of cephalosporin antibiotics, notably cefotaxime (Claforan), and various corticosteroids. The company's UK operations were conducted under the name Roussel Laboratories. Following a majority acquisition by Hoechst AG in 1968 and a full merger in 1997, the company's assets were eventually integrated into Sanofi.