What Alter does

Grupo Alter is a privately-held, family-influenced Spanish healthcare and consumer products group founded in 1939 and headquartered at Calle Mateo Inurria 30, Madrid. The group operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries across five sectors: pharmaceuticals (Laboratorios Alter S.A., Alter Genéricos with 117+ active ingredients and 286 presentations across 10 therapeutic lines, Alter Médica covering urology, neurology, cardiovascular and diabetes), consumer health cosmetics (GERMINAL, market leader in flash-effect cosmetics since 1980, built on the proprietary Double Effect Flash technology), infant nutrition (Nutribén with standard, special-medical, organic and premium cereal lines), clinical nutrition for adults (Adubén, launched March 2025), and wineries (Grupo Solar de Samaniego with Bodegas Solar de Samaniego in DOCa Rioja and Bodegas Durón in DO Ribera del Duero). The group also owns Algry Química, a nutritional ingredients manufacturer in Huelva.

The group's core technology base is pharmaceutical manufacturing and formulation development, supported by a GDP-certified central logistics warehouse in Meco (Madrid) running a proprietary warehouse management system (DISAL) integrated with SAP ERP, plus EU-compliant pharmaceutical serialisation. Manufacturing is conducted at owned facilities in Madrid, Meco, and Palos de la Frontera. The product portfolio is anchored on several proprietary technologies: Germinal Double Effect Flash (an instant lifting/firming effect used across GERMINAL ampoules, creams, serums and foundations), the REDOTIOXIL antioxidant complex, the Nutribén Hydrolysed Rice Formula for cow's milk protein allergy management, and the BPL1 HT postbiotic used in Nutribén innova ZERO% cereals. Certifications include ISO 14001, ISO 22000, FSSC v.5, ISO 17025, ISO 45001, and EU Directive 2011/62/EU serialisation compliance.

The business model is a multi-vertical, product-driven sale of goods. Revenue comes from (i) prescription and OTC pharmaceutical products sold through pharmacies, hospital channels, and healthcare institutions; (ii) consumer health products — cosmetics, baby food, and clinical nutrition — sold through pharmacies, retail, and direct e-commerce; and (iii) premium wines sold through direct sales, an online store, a 65,000-member wine club, wine tourism, and distributor networks. The group goes to market through a combination of sales-led, enterprise field sales (including specialist physician conferences such as Alter Urology, Neurorecordings, and Impuls), and channel-partner distribution in over 60 countries across all five continents. Customers are diversified across healthcare professionals, parents, cosmetics consumers, and wine enthusiasts; no single end-customer concentration is visible in the data.

Name

Alter

Legal name

Alter S.L.

Website

https://alter.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Grupo Alter is a privately-held Spanish healthcare and consumer products group, founded in 1939, operating pharmaceuticals, baby food, cosmetics, clinical nutrition, and wineries through wholly-owned subsidiaries and distributing in over 60 countries across five continents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Diversified Healthcare Products

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (32541), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Generic Hospital & Institutional Products (HLAIABAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Medical & Clinical Nutrition Beverage Production (Oral Nutritional Supplements) (AFAFAFAJ)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Generic medicines
• Infant nutrition
• Anti-aging cosmetics
• Clinical nutrition

Headquarters

HQ city

Coina

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Products: Revenue from manufacturing and selling prescription generic medicines (Alter Genéricos with 117+ active ingredients, 286 presentations, 10 therapeutic lines) and branded pharmaceutical products (Alter Médica covering urology, neurology, diabetes, cardiovascular). Includes pharmacovigilance services and regulatory compliance.
2. Consumer Health Products: Revenue from OTC cosmetics (Germinal brand, market leader in flash-effect cosmetics since 1980) and baby food (Nutribén brand) sold through pharmacies, retail, and direct-to-consumer channels including e-commerce.
3. Clinical Nutrition: Revenue from clinical nutrition products for adults (Adubén brand) targeting hospital and healthcare professionals, launched commercially in March 2025 with products for diabetes, high-calorie, and high-protein nutritional needs.
4. Wine Sales and Wine Tourism: Revenue from Grupo Solar de Samaniego wineries (DOCa Rioja, DO Ribera del Duero wines) sold through direct sales, wine tourism experiences (Beber Entre Líneas), retail, and distributor networks. Includes premium wines like Valcavada, Óptimo de Durón, and Cueva del Raposo.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Grupo Alter manufactures and distributes pharmaceutical products (generic medicines via Alter Genéricos with 117+ active ingredients, branded specialty medicines via Alter Médica), consumer health products (Germinal anti-aging cosmetics and Nutribén infant nutrition), adult clinical nutrition (Adubén brand), nutritional ingredients (Algry Química), and premium wines (Solar de Samaniego and Bodegas Durón). The group operates its own manufacturing facilities in Spain and distributes products to 27+ countries across five continents through own subsidiaries and distributor networks, primarily via pharmacy, hospital, and retail channels.

Product overview

Grupo Alter is a diversified Spanish healthcare group founded in 1939 operating across multiple business sectors through its subsidiaries. The portfolio includes: (1) Pharmaceutical products via LABORATORIOS ALTER, ALTER FARMACIA, and Alter Genéricos (generic medicines with 117+ active ingredients) plus Alter Médica (specializing in urology and diabetes); (2) Consumer health via GERMINAL® cosmetics (flash-effect anti-aging skincare with Double Effect Flash technology) and baby food via Nutribén® (infant formulas, cereals including organic and premium innova lines); (3) Clinical nutrition via Adubén® brand (launched March 2025) for adult nutritional needs; (4) Wineries via Solar de Samaniego (DOCa Rioja) and Bodegas Durón (Ribera del Duero); (5) Nutritional ingredients via Algry Química. The group distributes products in 27 countries through own subsidiaries and distributors, operates its own manufacturing facilities in Spain, and has central logistics operations in Meco (Madrid).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GERMINAL: Cosmetics brand, market leader in flash-effect cosmetics since 1980, known for Double Effect Flash products and anti-aging skincare lines including Radiance collection.
• Nutribén
• Adubén
• Alter Genéricos
• Alter Médica
• Bodegas Solar de Samaniego
• Bodegas Durón

Products and services

• Nutribén Baby food brand offering infant formulas, cereals, and specialized nutritional products for infants and babies. Includes standard formulas, special medical formulas (Confort, Elemental), organic cereals (eco line), and premium cereals (innova line). Sold through pharmacies, retail, and the Nutribén Club with online paediatrician consultation service.
• Germinal Leading pharmaceutical cosmetics brand specializing in flash-effect skincare and anti-aging products. Market leader in flash-effect cosmetics since 1980, with products including ampoules, creams, serums, and foundations featuring the proprietary Double Effect Flash technology. Sold through pharmacies and health & beauty stores.
• Alter Genéricos Generic medicines unit with over 117 active ingredients and 286 presentations across 10 therapeutic lines including cardiovascular, antidiabetic, and urology treatments. Includes a dedicated sales force targeting the medical and pharmaceutical community with 25 years of experience.
• Alter Médica Medical division specializing in urology, cardiovascular, and diabetes treatments. Organizes scientific conferences for specialists including Alter Urology and Neurorecordings conferences. Products include Disit and Disimet for diabetes treatment.
• Adubén Clinical nutrition brand for adults launched March 2025 by Laboratorios Alter. Product range includes normal protein/high-calorie formulas, high-protein/high-calorie with/without fiber, specific/diabetes formulas, and nutritional modules. Developed under strict pharmaceutical quality standards for hospital and healthcare sector.
• Solar de Samaniego Winery group in DOCa Rioja region. Features industrial architecture with concrete vats, operates Cofradía Solar de Samaniego wine club with 65,000+ members. Produces wines including 7 Cepas Reserva collection.
• Bodegas Durón Winery in Ribera del Duero region with vineyards in Roa and La Horra. Produces wines including Durón Reserva, Durón Crianza, Maestro de Durón, Cueva del Raposo, and Óptimo de Durón. Features Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo varieties.
• Algry Química Nutritional ingredients manufacturing division with facilities in Palos de la Frontera (Huelva), Spain. Part of the group's diversified product portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• GERMINAL Ultra Hyaluronic [5] Lifting Serum: 65% increase in moisture and 78% extra firmness visible in 30 minutes
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Spanish Urology Association (AEU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2019Laboratorios Alter became Silver Sponsor of the AEU through an agreement signed at AEU headquarters. President Dr Manuel Esteban Fuertes signed for AEU and Chairman Alberto Alonso Jentoft signed for Grupo Alter. Reflects Alter's commitment to urological diseases and Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy treatments. The 2nd Alter Urology national scientific conference was subsequently organised.
• NeurorecordingscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlter Médica co-organised the 8th Neurorecordings Conference on Alzheimer's, Movement Disorders and Epilepsy with 250+ neurologist attendees. Alter Médica has been a consistent partner in organising neurology conferences since at least 2018.
• UNESCO Cultural Landscapes and Heritage ChairminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBodegas Solar de Samaniego organised an international competition in collaboration with UNESCO's Cultural Landscapes and Heritage Chair to integrate the winery into the Rioja natural and cultural landscape. An international jury including Petra Blaisse, Guido van Helten, and Manuel Gallego evaluated proposals for the winery's exterior renovation.
• Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) / Teófilo Hernando Foundation InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Nutrinfant Professorship in Child Health and Nutrition was established in May 2017 through an agreement between UAM, its Foundation (FUAM), and Nutribén, under the auspices of the Teófilo Hernando Foundation Institute (IFTH) led by Professor Antonio García García. Professor García leads joint research and academic activities.
• Instituto de Diversificación y Ahorro Energético (IDAE) / European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)coreOthersLABORATORIOS ALTER received co-financing from ERDF through IDAE for its energy saving and efficiency project at new facilities in Meco, Madrid. The project consists of thermal cooling system replacement with potential annual savings of 180.42 toe. Managed by autonomous regions under the National Energy Efficiency Fund.
• Packnet (Spanish Technological Platform for Containers and Packaging)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNutribén was presented as a successful model at the Packnet workshop on Braille labelling. The workshop was organised in response to ONCE campaign promoting Braille labelling on consumer packaging for accessibility.
• Niño Jesús University Children's Hospital (Madrid)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNutribén held a symposium with Dr Jorge Martínez Pérez from the Gastroenterology and Nutrition Department on false myths about food allergies. Part of ongoing professional education initiatives.
• DISAL Software Provider (Internal Development)coreTechnology or IntegrationDISAL warehouse management system was developed internally by ALTER's Information Technology Department. Validated for pharmaceutical logistics management by a prestigious external validation company. Fully integrated with SAP ERP system.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries: Global leader in generic medicines with international distribution and broad therapeutic-line portfolio. Comparable to Alter Genéricos at global scale in generic-pharma breadth and multi-market registration capabilities.
• STADA Arzneimittel: Large European generics and consumer healthcare group with multi-country distribution and broad therapeutic coverage. Comparable to Alter at a much larger scale in European generics, branded pharma, and consumer health.

Direct peers

• Ordesa: Spanish infant nutrition and baby food company (Blemil, Sanutri brands) with own manufacturing and pharmacy distribution. The most direct peer for Alter's Nutribén business across Spanish infant formula and cereals.
• Kern Pharma: Spanish generic medicines manufacturer (Indukern Group subsidiary) operating across multiple therapeutic lines. Directly comparable to Alter Genéricos in generic-pharma portfolio depth, Spanish-pharmacy distribution, and ANDA-equivalent product strategy.
• Laboratorios Normon: Spanish family-owned generic pharmaceutical manufacturer with broad therapeutic coverage. Mirrors Alter's structure as a vertically integrated Iberian generics manufacturer with own APIs/formulations.
• Reig Jofre: Spanish pharmaceutical manufacturer with specialties in antibiotics, injectable hospital products, and OTC. Comparable to Alter in Spanish pharma manufacturing and hospital/institutional sales focus.
• Cinfa: Spanish generics-led pharmaceutical manufacturer with broad OTC and consumer health portfolio sold through Spanish pharmacies. Closely comparable to Alter in generic pharma scale, Iberian distribution footprint, and pharmacy-channel GTM strategy.
• Laboratorios Rovi: Spanish specialty pharma with manufacturing and proprietary products across hospital and retail channels. Comparable to Alter in Spanish pharma manufacturing focus and hospital-channel commercial capabilities.
• Grupo Ferrer Internacional: Family-controlled Spanish diversified healthcare group with pharma, consumer health, and adjacent businesses, plus international subsidiaries. Closely comparable to Alter's diversified multi-vertical structure under family ownership.
• Faes Farma: Spanish pharmaceutical company with branded pharma, OTC, and consumer health products sold via pharmacies and international distributors. Comparable to Alter in Iberian pharma depth, OTC/consumer health breadth, and international expansion ambition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alter