Horus Pharma, the second largest independent ophthalmological laboratory in France and a leading player in Europe, has reached a new strategic stage in its international development, and is now distributing its ophthalmological solutions in North Africa and the Near and Middle East. With a presence in 8 new countries, Horus Pharma is positioning this region as a major growth lever for the coming years.
A strategic presence in a high-potential region
Thanks to these distribution contracts covering a large part of this region, the company is continuing its market penetration, supported by the #ETIncelles program, of which it has been a member since 2023. The ophthalmology market in the Near and Middle East is booming. Often associated with the African market by the pharmaceutical industry, they together represented $3 billion in 2024, and are expected to reach $4.5 billion by 2032, the main contributors of which are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Turkey in which Horus Pharma has a presence.
This dynamic is driven by several factors: an ageing population, the increase in the prevalence of eye diseases (cataracts, glaucoma, AMD, diabetic retinopathy) and the rapid adoption of new medical technologies (OCT, artificial intelligence, telemedicine).
To expand in the Near and Middle East, Horus Pharma wishes to promote French expertise in ophthalmology and offer innovative solutions adapted to the needs of this market.
“With these new partnerships, we are now established in 9 countries in the Near and Middle East. This is an important step in our internationalisation strategy. This diverse and rapidly developing region represents a major area of development for us, in which we wish to promote French expertise in eye health. Overall, exports are an essential lever for growth for Horus Pharma,” said Nicolas Claret, international director, Horus Pharma.
An agile and ambitious international strategy
With 15% of its turnover generated outside France, Horus Pharma is making international expansion part of its strategic lever for growth. The company aims to double this share within three years. The company’s long-term strategic vision, based on an agile international development model resolutely focused on local proximity, should enable it to do so. The laboratory combines several growth levers: creation of subsidiaries, targeted joint ventures and carefully selected distribution agreements, enabling it to be set up in line with the economic, regulatory and cultural realities of each territory.
This multi-model strategy has already enabled it to establish a lasting foothold in Europe – particularly in Spain, the Benelux countries, Switzerland, the Nordic countries, Monaco and Romania – while extending its distribution to more than 30 countries in Europe, North Africa and therefore the Near and Middle East.
Continued expansion through the promotion of French excellence in health
With a portfolio of 70 products covering all eye health needs for common and rare diseases – medicinal products, medical devices, human tissues, dermo-cosmetic products and food supplements – Horus Pharma intends to continue its growth by promoting French excellence, recognised for its scientific rigor and industrial quality.
This international momentum is part of a sustained growth trajectory: the company recorded a 43% increase in its turnover between 2020 and 2023, which led it to join the Les Echos/Statista ranking, which puts the spotlight on the 400 French companies with the strongest growth over three years. Horus Pharma and its 250 employees ended 2024 with a turnover of €107 million (+14%).
