Dermo-cosmetics is already one of the principal contributors to the turnover of the pharmaceutical company, which reached almost €1.7bn in 2007.
By investing €71m in its manufacturing facilities near Castres, France, Pierre Fabre plans to increase its production capacity by 60m units.
Focus on international markets
Pierre Fabre said the investment would help the company develop its activities in dermo-cosmetics, especially in international markets.
The company currently has a number of dermo-cosmetic brands including Klorane, Avène and Glytone and carries out skin care research into ageing, inflammation, pigmentation and the barrier function.
Work on the new 15,000m2 site will begin in the first half of 2010 and the facilities are expected to become operational from the middle of the following year.
The creation of 150 jobs at the site will be welcomed in Castres, which is not connected to the motorway network in France and has fallen into economic decline since the end of the Second World War.
Pierre Fabre said the expansion of the site confirms its willingness to invest in France and in particular in its region of origin, where half of its manpower is concentrated.
New CEO retains interest in health
Pierre Fabre has been run since September by Jean-Pierre Garner, the former head of GlaxoSmithKline, and the company continues to remain active in the health sphere.
After having signed an agreement with Forest in December for the development and marketing of milnacipran, the French pharmaceutical group has received approval from the FDA for the use of the molecule to treat fibromyalgie, a condition characterised by muscular aches and pains.