Joint Interview
Our commitment to health
Interview with Alain and Alexandre Mérieux
Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Institut Mérieux
Institut Mérieux is approaching its 130th anniversary. What remains constant?
Alain Mérieux
“For four generations, our vision has remained unchanged: that of a Pasteurian medicine open to all, without borders between humans and animals, global in scope and long-term in outlook. It is at the heart of our history and shapes our future. We have weathered health crises, scientific revolutions and industrial transformations, yet we have always held this course: anticipating infectious threats to act and protect populations, everywhere in the world.”
Alexandre Mérieux
“I would say that what remains unchanged is our commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation to address emerging global public health challenges, while developing our companies’ business over the long term.”
What do you see as the major public health challenges of tomorrow?
Alain Mérieux
“Infectious diseases remain a major threat. The COVID-19 pandemic showed that the health of each person depends on that of others, that human health depends on animal health and our ecosystems. But there are also threats advancing quietly, such as antimicrobial resistance, which could become the leading cause of mortality worldwide if we fail to act.”
Alexandre Mérieux
“We must also address systemic challenges: feeding 8 billion people with safe and sustainable food, fighting the scourge of cancer with innovative approaches, and investing today in the technologies that will transform the health of tomorrow. These challenges demand a holistic approach, integrating human, animal and environmental health.”
How do you address these challenges in an increasingly complex world?
Alain Mérieux
“The world has become complex, discontinuous, often brutal. Our companies must be ready to respond to public health challenges in this uncertain context. I am confident because we know how to fight and we remain mobilized for a cause that inspires us and is greater than ourselves.”
Alexandre Mérieux
“There are risks, of course. But also opportunities for our companies. They are solid: that is the strength of our family ownership, and a genuine advantage in uncertain times. Because we have all the assets to prepare for the future: a robust industrial model, innovation capabilities, committed teams and the agility to seize opportunities.”
How do you balance economic performance with societal responsibility?
Alain Mérieux
“We have a unique model: the performance of our industrial companies directly supports our philanthropic commitments. The Fondation Mérieux, a shareholder of the Institut through our family holding company, is a concrete illustration of this. This model allows us to act over the long term, wherever needed, and to develop partnerships with field actors to bring healthcare to the most vulnerable populations.”
Alexandre Mérieux
“This commitment – shared by our family and by Institut Mérieux – is upheld with equal conviction by all the group’s companies. We are very proud and glad of this. Because performance has never been an end in itself. It gives us the means to support initiatives we consider crucial – such as the bioMérieux Education endowment fund. It also enables us to support local initiatives close to our operations, and thus to anchor our companies in a broader purpose that goes beyond economic performance alone.”