Early Life
Wolfgang Marguerre was born in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1941. He was raised and educated in Heidelberg, studying Political and Economic Science at Heidelberg University. He later pursued an MBA at INSEAD in 1972.
Rise to Success
Before founding Octapharma in 1983, Marguerre held several managerial positions in pharmaceutical companies, including Pharmaplast, Baxter-Travenol Europe, and Revlon Healthcare Group. In 1983, he co-founded Octapharma with Robert Taub. Under Marguerre's leadership, Octapharma has become a leading manufacturer of medicines derived from human proteins, specializing in treatments for hematology, immunology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. The company has a global presence, with products available in 120 countries and reaching hundreds of thousands of patients annually.
Key Business Strategies
Octapharma's success is attributed to its focus on human protein-based therapies, derived from human plasma and human cell lines. The company has invested heavily in research and development and has seven R&D sites and five state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. Octapharma sources its plasma from its own donation centers and external sources. The company continues to expand its production and enhance its portfolio in adjacent areas, aiming for long-term sustainable growth.
Philanthropy
Marguerre is actively involved in philanthropy, supporting various causes. He has donated significantly to renovate the Heidelberg Theater and integrate refugees in Heidelberg. He is a sponsor of 70 children with bleeding disorders in India, Nepal, Romania, and the Philippines through Octapharma's corporate sponsorship of Save One Life.
