Our history and future

Company Story

Our history and future

Founded in 1926 by André Guerbet, our Group has left its mark on the history of radiology and contrast products, and continues to shape the future of medical imaging...

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A century-old player in the medical imaging of the future...

While the history of Guerbet dates back to 1901, with Marcel Guerbet's discovery of the world's first iodinated contrast medium, the laboratory was officially created on November 15, 1926. In 1965, it became SA Laboratoires André Guerbet. From 150 employees at that date, it saw its workforce grow to 1,000 in 1990, 1,500 in 2015 and over 2,900 today, following the acquisition of Mallinckrodt's “Contrast Media and Injection Systems” business in 2015. With this acquisition, Guerbet has achieved critical mass in every segment and geographic area, and joins the world's top 3 in medical imaging.

Intrasense joins Guerbet to create a major player in AI

In 2023, Guerbet will develop its new business based on digital and artificial intelligence technologies through an investment in INTRASENSE www.intrasense.fr .
The aim is twofold: to improve the productivity of radiologists with diagnostic support tools, and to obtain tissue characterization of tumors through imaging, so as to better guide treatment.

Pursuing innovation

In May 2024, Guerbet and Nuclidium www.nuclidium.com entered into a strategic partnership to support the development of radiotheranostics, which specifically target tumors with copper radioisotopes as part of cancer radiotherapy.

Lipiodol: A century of progress in the service of health

For over one hundred years, Lipiodol, Guerbet's flagship product, has played an essential role in medical imaging and radiological intervention. This iodinated oil-based product is used as a radiopaque contrast agent, enabling precise visualization of various anatomical and pathological structures.

  •    New fields of research
    Current research on Lipiodol is focused on improving its efficacy and applications. Notable innovations include
    - Vectorized Internal Radiotherapy (VIR): A new therapeutic composition, 188Re-SSS Lipiodol, has been developed to target liver tumor cells with enhanced precision.
    - Proteomic biomarkers: Identification of new biomarkers for HCC patients treated with Lipiodol TACE, enabling prediction of treatment outcome.
    Lipiodol continues to adapt to contemporary medical needs with expanded indications:
    - Conventional trans-arterial chemoembolization (cTACE): Use of Lipiodol Ultra-Fluid as an imaging agent and vehicle for anticancer drugs in the treatment of unresectable liver tumors.
    - Tumor visualization and localization: Lipiodol Ultra-Fluide is now approved for the visualization and localization of hepatocellular carcinoma during cTACE.


Guerbet also innovates with the launch of the LIPIOJOINT clinical trial, a transient liquid embolic agent designed for genicular artery embolization (GAE). This minimally invasive procedure, performed by an interventional radiologist, targets knee synovial neovessels arising in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). LIPIOJOINT aims to relieve pain and improve mobility in patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee.
Recently, the FDA granted LIPIOJOINT “breakthrough device” status, highlighting its potential as an innovative, targeted approach for KOA patients who have found no relief with non-surgical treatments.

Key dates in Guerbet history

This timeline illustrates the Guerbet Group's growth and major innovations.

1901 : Invention of Lipiodol®.

  • Marcel Guerbet develops an iodized oil, Lipiodol®. Its opacifying properties, discovered in 1918, made it the first iodinated contrast medium.

1926 : Birth of the Laboratory

  • Marcel Guerbet and his son André set up a chemical and pharmaceutical production site in Saint-Ouen. New contrast agents are used in uro-angiography, bronchography and hysterosalpingography.

1972 : An international dimension

  • Guerbet inaugurates its first international subsidiary in Brazil in 1972.

1980 : Lipiodol® in interventional radiology

  • The first chemoembolization procedures are performed in Japan using Lipiodol® Ultra-Fluid to treat patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma.

1987 : Acquisition of Simafex (fine chemicals) in 1987.

1989 : Launch of Dotarem® in MRI in France.

1993 : New products added to the MRI range: Lumirem® (1993), Xenetix® (1994, X-rays) and Endorem® (1995).

2006 : An international dimension 

After opening three new European affiliates in Spain, Switzerland (1987), and Austria (1996), Guerbet Spa is launched in Italy (2000). 

Guerbet continues with international expansion by strengthening its presence in Asia. The Japanese affiliate, which opened in 1978, is followed by South Korea (1998), Hong-Kong (2000), and Taiwan (1999). In 2002, Guerbet becomes established in the USA.  

In 2006, Guerbet launches innovation with a polypropylene softbag for Xenetix® (ScanBag® by Xenetix®). 

2013 : Dotarem® and Lipiodol® 

  • FDA approves Dotarem® and grants Orphan Drug designation to Lipiodol® for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Dotarem® is the first macrocyclic and ionic gadolinium-based contrast agent in the USA. 

2015 : Acquisition of Mallinckrodt's contrast media and delivery systems business 

  • Guerbet acquires Mallinckrodt’s contrast media and delivery systems business (“CMDS”), creating a new global leader in medical imaging solutions and services. 

2020 : David Hale appointed as CEO of the Guerbet group. 

2022: Launch of Elucirem™ in the US, Go Direct in India and China.

2023: Intrasense joins the Guerbet Group

2023: Marketing authorization for Elucirem™ (Gadopiclenol) is obtained in the European Union

2024: Strategic partnership between Guerbet and Nuclidium in radiotheranostics