Jacques

Jean CHIBRET passed on his entrepreneurial, innovative and exportation passion to his two sons Henri and Jacques. Biophysic Medical was created in 1974 and marketed an automatic electrophysiological device (Pantops). The research for this project was carried out in collaboration with the Ophthalmology Service of Clermont-Ferrand's University Hospital (CHU) with Professors Rouher, Solé and Alfieri.

Professor Jean Haut from CHNO, Quinze-Vingts in Paris and Doctor Pujol helped Biophysic Medical to develop the up-and-coming sonogram technique. Jean Haut and Florence Pinon played a determining role in the elaboration of the first European ophthalmic argon laser used in the treatment of retinopathies. The first YAG laser used for the treatment of secondary cataracts was developed with Professor Aron Rosa in 1983.

He also built the first carbon dioxide laser for gynecological coelioscopic surgery with Professor Bruhat (Clermont-Ferrand).

Under Jacques' leadership, Biophysic Medical became world leader in ophthalmic sonograms and second in the field of ophthalmic lasers.

As with Chibret Laboratories, Biophysic Medical became a 'large company that was too small' in the 1980's. To become a major player on the American market which represented 70% of the global market, Biophysic Medical joined the French group Synthelabo Biomedical via the principal shareholder - l'Oréal. Thus Biophysic Medical USA was created in 1984 with Alain Charmant as Director and was very rapidly successful.

Jacques firmly believed in the potential of the Excimer laser for refractive corneal surgery and developed a prototype with Doctor Philippe Crozafon and the University of Nice. This project was suddenly interrupted by Jacques' tragic death in Africa. He was fatally injured in February 1989 during a hunting trip to Cameroon. He had gone there to bring home his father, Jean Chibret's, personal belongings. Jean himself had passed away just a few weeks before. 1989 will forever remain a black year in the family's memory.