Hygie31 enters into a strategic partnership with GalileoLife to accelerate its development in Western Europe

Hygie31 group - leading player in healthcare in Europe - announces the conclusion of a strategic partnership with the Italian company GalileoLife, an established specialist in customer loyalty and sales promotion for independent pharmacies. Following the successful rollout of the ‘Pharmacie Lafayette’ model in Spain, this alliance marks a new stage in the Group's internationalisation strategy. In an Italian market undergoing rapid change, marked by the opening of pharmacy ownership and the rise of integrated chains, the Group is affirming its commitment to defending the model of independent chain-affiliated pharmacies. This strategic partnership illustrates our commitment: supporting entrepreneurial pharmacists, strengthening their role as ‘first point of contact for healthcare’ and guaranteeing access to healthcare for all, throughout Europe.

GalileoLife: leading Italian player in customer loyalty and sales promotion for independent pharmacies

Founded in 2002 in Maglie (Apulia) by Vincenzo Cosi and Andrea Donno, GalileoLife is an Italian company that offers the Uniclub loyalty programme now deployed across a network of 690 partner pharmacies and parapharmacies. The company provides a unique offering with high added value: :

● For clients-patients: the Uniclub card allows you to collect points when purchasing parapharmacy products, entitling you to exclusive gifts and benefits available in an online catalogue.
● For partner pharmacies: Uniclub is a powerful tool for building customer loyalty and increasing revenue, while capitalising on brand awareness.

In addition to this loyalty programme, GalileoLife provides pharmacists with a catalogue of over 80 own-brand products, digital tools and back-office management support, proprietary training programmes and commercial support from specialist consultants.

With its team of 90 people, the Group has a consolidated turnover of nearly €970 million and also stands out for its strong social commitment. GalileoLife has been rewarded for the quality of its working environment and won the Great Place to Work Italia 2025 award and even set up a company childcare centre for its employees. Strongly rooted locally as a premium sponsor of US Lecce, the Group is also involved internationally through solidarity initiatives, such as financing wells in several villages in Africa, thereby contributing to improving sustainable access to drinking water.

A clear strategic vision: accelerate the development of the Uniclub model by enhancing it with new services and expanding the brand “Pharmacie Lafayette” in Italy

With this alliance, Hygie31 is taking a new step forward in its European development. After successfully deploying the Pharmacie Lafayette model in Spain through its partnership with Farmacias Ecoceutics (network of 140 independent pharmacies, including 43 pharmacies converted to the new model in two years, with average post-conversion revenue growth of +25%), the Group now intends to establish itself in Italy. The strategic partnership with GalileoLife is therefore based on a dual objective:

● Consolidate and accelerate the Uniclub model in Italy by enriching its offering with private labels and services developed by Hygie31.

● Roll out the concept “Pharmacie Lafayette” in Italy by creating an independent purchasing group and aiming to convert 90 pharmacies to the brand by 2029.

This rollout responds to strong demand from Italian pharmacists, who are faced with two options: joining integrated chains (Boots, Hippocrates) at the cost of losing all independence, or affiliating with captive wholesaler groups offering limited services. The brand model offered by Hygie31 represents a third option: safeguard the independence of pharmacists while benefiting from a powerful brand, effective tools and optimised purchasing conditions.

An ambitious roadmap, driven by the synergies of Hygie31’s ‘ecHosystem’

This union is part of the dynamic of a real "ecosystem" supporting independent pharmacies in Italy, combining the respective strengths of GalileoLife and Hygie31.

● GalileoLife offers its historical roots, its in-depth knowledge of the Italian market, its solid network of 690 partner pharmacies, its private label catalogue and its recognised expertise in customer loyalty and commercial promotion for pharmacies through the Uniclub programme.

● Hygie31 offers the proven model “Pharmacie Lafayette” and its catalogue of services (digitisation, training, private labels), as well as its network of partner laboratories and its expertise in negotiating commercial agreements, with the unique ability to provide European agreements already covering France and Spain, now extended to Italy.

Together, both companies will build a unique platform capable of offering Italian pharmacists a high-performance, sustainable alternative to integrated consolidation platforms by leveraging several strategic levers:

● Creation of laboratory service agreements thanks to the combination of local strengths of GalileoLife and Hygie31’s pan-European bargaining power (generic medicines, distribution, parapharmacy).

● Conversions to the concept “Pharmacie Lafayette” with the aim of achieving a network of 90 pharmacies converted to the new model by 2029, creating a network of independent pharmacies that are powerfully interconnected.

● Rollout of Hygie31’s exclusive brands across Uniclub’s network, generating an immediate improvement in the competitiveness of affiliated pharmacies.

● Enrichment of the service offering by combining the unique solutions developed by each of the two companies – digital, training and back office for Hygie31; customer loyalty and network management for GalileoLife. This combination will create an expanded portfolio of services, benefiting not only the Italian market but also all of Hygie31’s subsidiaries in Europe.

● Affirmation of social and regional commitment: GalileoLife is strongly rooted in its local area, with particular emphasis on supporting local initiatives and social and cultural sponsorship. These commitments are in line with Hygie31's vision which places social responsibility and local impact at the very core of its model. Together, both groups will strengthen their actions in the area of sustainable development, accessible healthcare and support for local communities.

"This partnership is a decisive step in the internationalisation of our model. After France and Spain, Italy represents a strategic market where the independence of pharmacists must be protected and strengthened. We share the same vision with GalileoLife: that of an independent, efficient, and modern pharmacy accessible to all. Together, we are building a strong European network, providing local healthcare services that are accessible to all.” Hervé Jouves, President of Hygie31 group

“For over twenty years, GalileoLife has been supporting Italian pharmacies with Uniclub, a unique loyalty scheme. By joining forces with Hygie31, we will be able to enhance this value proposition and offer Italian pharmacists a strong alternative, allowing them to remain independent while becoming more competitive. Our partnership is also based on shared human values and a commitment to society, including our common desire to provide accessible healthcare to all local communities. “ Vincenzo Cosi, Co-founder and President of GalileoLife

“This partnership significantly strengthens our position in negotiations with laboratories. Thanks to synergies between France, Spain and Italy, we can secure more advantageous Product Listing Agreements while guaranteeing affiliates optimised conditions and patients the most competitive prices. It is a concrete performance lever for our pharmacies.” Pascal Fontaine Sales Director of Hygie31 group

“This alliance represents a new turning point for independent pharmacies in Italy. We share with Hygie31 the common goal of providing pharmacists with practical tools to develop and remain competitive. We believe that the future belongs to those who know how to innovate without compromising their identity, because a pharmacy is not just a business, but a healthcare provider and a point of reference for the community. Together, we are strengthening our mission: to make health and wellbeing accessible to all, while defending the independence and human and social value of pharmacists. “ Andrea Donno, Co-founder and Executive Director of GalileoLife