Castres (AFP)
The spread of the computer virus has been stopped, the pharmaceutical group Pierre Fabre, France's third largest laboratory, said Thursday after being the victim of a cyberattack which led to the shutdown of "a large part" of its production.
"Less than 24 hours after the computer attack", Wednesday morning, "the spread of the computer virus is completely contained. In parallel, the remediation operations (repair, note) started on March 31 to allow a gradual return to the normal ", indicates the company based in the Tarn.
The group's computer system was "immediately put on standby to prevent the spread of the virus. This led to the gradual and temporary shutdown of a large part of production activities, with the exception of the production site of pharmaceutical active ingredients. and cosmetics from Gaillac in the Tarn ", specifies the management in a press release.
The group ensures that the availability of its products to patients and consumers "continues to be assured. The drug distribution site in Ussel (Corrèze) notably ensures the distribution of cancer treatments which are delivered directly to pharmacists or hospitals" .
The company did not communicate the origin of the cyberattack and a possible complaint.
Pierre Fabre, an unlisted group, achieved a turnover of 2.2 billion euros in 2020, of which 65% abroad.
It has several business segments, dermo-cosmetics constituting the majority of its sales (around 60%).
Pierre Fabre, a pharmacist born in Castres (Tarn), founded this company in 1962, which today presents itself as the 2nd largest dermo-cosmetic laboratory in the world and the leader in France of products sold without prescription in pharmacies.
The entrepreneur died in July 2013 at the age of 87.
The group is 86% owned by the Pierre Fabre Foundation.
The group has developed internationally but remains very established in the Tarn, with industrial sites near Castres and Lavaur in particular.
© 2021 AFP