The Story of Pharmalp

Pharmalp: Science, Nature, and Innovation at the Heart of the Swiss Alps

Pharmalp was born in 2009 from the meeting between Dorothée Sineux and Philippe Meuwly, both working at the time for companies in the health sector. It was through a joint project on probiotics that they discovered how complementary their expertise was: Philippe’s in scientific research, plant biology, and biotechnology; Dorothée’s in international development and marketing of dietary supplements.

In 2012, they took the leap into entrepreneurship and founded Pharmalp together.

Their ambition?
To create natural health products, backed by science, and accessible to all those who wish to take care of their health responsibly. From the very beginning, their families supported the venture and still contribute today to the brand’s identity (name, logo, marketing ideas). Together, they laid the foundation for a deeply human, collaborative, and locally rooted company.

Everything outside of Pharmalp’s core business is entrusted to trusted Swiss partners, allowing the company to remain agile and maximize created value without heavy industrial investments.

Scientific research, in partnership with leading Swiss academic institutions (HES-SO Valais, Universities of Geneva, Lausanne, and Basel, Agroscope, Mediplant…).

Focus on Research

Alpine Plants Serving Human Health

One of Pharmalp’s major commitments is to promote the rich biodiversity of the Swiss Alps by studying the unique properties and traditional uses of its medicinal plants. Through collaborations with researchers and institutions, and using extraction technologies developed at PhytoArk in Conthey, Valais, Pharmalp transforms these plants into highly concentrated active ingredients to be incorporated into safe and effective health products targeting real needs.

A Constantly Evolving Product Range

Since 2013, Pharmalp has launched innovative products every year, using ingredients of natural origin and supported by solid scientific data. Flagship products include:

SPIRUL-1 (iron and vitality),
PHARMALP MICROBIOTA (microbiota balance),
INUROLA (urinary discomfort),
HIBISCOL^® (cardiovascular health prevention),
PASTILLES DES ALPES (Immunity or Digest).

Sustainable, Local, and High-Quality Products

Sustainability and local anchoring are at the core of Pharmalp’s approach:

Alpine plants are cultivated and harvested by certified organic mountain farmers;
Plant extraction is carried out at PhytoArk in Valais;
All logistics and packaging operations are handled by Polyval, a socially driven industrial company employing individuals with disabilities or reintegration challenges in the canton of Vaud;
Most manufacturing operations follow GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), including secondary packaging certified by Swissmedic at Polyval when required;
All research and development is conducted in Switzerland.

2025 : A New Chapter

Since January 1st, 2025, Pharmalp has entered a new phase of development with co-leadership by Dorothée Sineux, co-founder, and Severin Ruoff, co-CEO.

Philippe Meuwly remains actively involved as Vice President of the Board of Directors, continuing to guide Pharmalp’s strategy with his scientific and entrepreneurial vision.

April 2012

Founding of Pharmalp SA. Research funds from The Ark invested in women’s health

2013

Launch of 3 specific probiotic formulas for “Immunity,” “Food intolerances,” and “Digestive comfort”

2014

Launch of SPIRUL-1, a unique, natural, and highly bioavailable iron supplement

April 2015

First patent filed (Patent Cooperation Treaty, PCT), granted in the US and Europe in 2019: “Epilobium and C. albicans infections”

2016

Launch of Pastilles des Alpes

2017

Launch of BOOST / SLEEP / RELAXKIT range

2017 - 2022

Innosuisse funding for a research project on plant extracts in preventing and treating urinary tract infections, in collaboration with HES-SO Valais (Life Sciences Institute) and the University of Basel (School of Pharmacy)