Morocco’s Bennis family moves to take full control of rival drugmaker Polymedic after building pharmaceutical operations across Europe

Morocco’s Bennis family is moving to take full control of pharmaceutical rival Polymedic as its Laprophan group continues an acquisition drive spanning Morocco and Europe. Laprophan has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Corporate Investment Holding, the parent company of Polymedic.

• Bennis family-controlled Laprophan has agreed to acquire Polymedic’s parent company.
• The transaction would give Laprophan full control of the Moroccan drugmaker.
• Polymedic employs nearly 280 people and sells more than 200 pharmaceutical products.
• Completion remains subject to approval from Morocco’s Competition Council.

The companies did not disclose the transaction price or how the acquisition would be financed.

The proposed takeover has been notified to Morocco’s Competition Council and cannot be completed until the regulator grants its approval.

If cleared, the transaction would add Polymedic’s manufacturing facilities, medicine registrations, brands and distribution network to one of Morocco’s largest family-controlled pharmaceutical groups.

Moroccan business publication Médias24 reported⁠ that the agreement covers Polymedic’s entire holding company and is intended to create industrial, product and distribution synergies between the businesses.

Polymedic adds more than 200 medicines

Established in 1964, Polymedic develops, manufactures and markets medicines under its own portfolio and through licensing agreements with international pharmaceutical groups.

The company has nearly 280 employees and operates a 9,600-square-metre manufacturing facility in Casablanca.

Its portfolio covers more than 200 commercialised products supported by 138 marketing authorisations across 12 therapeutic areas.

Polymedic has established positions in dermatology, cardiovascular medicine, treatments for the central nervous system, respiratory care and rheumatology.

The company also owns Promaceutique, a subsidiary responsible for medical promotion and engagement with healthcare professionals.

Laprophan said the acquisition could strengthen local production, expand the combined product range and produce savings across manufacturing, logistics, distribution and commercial operations.

Bennis family expands beyond Morocco

Laprophan was founded by Abderrahim Bennis and remains controlled by the Bennis family. Farid Bennis leads the group, while other family members hold senior management responsibilities.

The proposed Polymedic transaction follows a series of acquisitions undertaken since 2020.

In 2024, Laprophan acquired all of Amanys Pharma, a manufacturer active in hospital medicines, oncology and beta-lactam antibiotics. It also purchased 75% of Botanic Pharma, which produces food supplements and wellness products.

Laprophan expanded into Europe in 2026 by acquiring 60% of Swiss pharmaceutical company Rivopharm.

That transaction gave the group a manufacturing site in Manno, Switzerland, alongside subsidiaries in Germany, England and Lithuania. Rivopharm’s factory holds approvals including Swissmedic, European good-manufacturing-practice certification and certification from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Laprophan now employs approximately 1,450 people and holds more than 1,300 marketing authorisations across 15 therapeutic areas. Its medicines are sold directly or indirectly in more than 50 countries.

Its four existing production facilities in Morocco and Switzerland have more than 76,500 square metres of built space and combined capacity exceeding 180 million consumer units annually.

Polymedic would strengthen Laprophan’s domestic manufacturing base while adding established brands and therapeutic products to a portfolio that has become increasingly international.

The transaction, however, remains a proposed acquisition. Laprophan cannot take control until Morocco’s competition regulator approves the deal and the remaining completion conditions are met.