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Parma, 17 June 2010 – The dream of a pharmacist from a small town becomes reality. This is the story of Chiesi Farmaceutici, which today is celebrating its 75^th anniversary and looking toward the future with ever stronger entrepreneurial esprit. From a small family business profoundly rooted to the local reality, Chiesi has become a large international group. Over the last few years, it has recorded triple the average growth for the world pharmaceutical market - the company is now getting ready to drop anchor in Belgium as well with a new affiliate by the end of 2010. These are some of the topics discussed during the press conference held this morning in Parma. Among the guests, there was also the Councillor for the Office of Economic Development for Emilia-Romagna.

 

A journey that has lasted three-quarters of a century - during this time, the company has faced and overcome many market challenges because of its capacity to innovate, its policy of investing eagerly in R&D, and its sturdy internationalisation process. With over 3,500 employees around the world today, the Chiesi Group produces and distributes successful drugs in 65 countries, and is present on 5 continents with 23 direct affiliates, 4 research centres, and 3 production sites. Respiratory pathologies, special care medicine, and cardiovascular disease are its traditional areas of expertise where it offers many therapeutic options recognized for their effectiveness.

 

“Chiesi’s 75^th anniversary makes us aware that the milestones we have reached so far have been possible thanks to the passion and commitment of the many people who have contributed to making this company grow,” declared Alberto Chiesi, President and CEO of the company. “Yet this occasion is not a moment for self-congratulation, because we are strongly oriented toward the ongoing, continuous and sustainable growth which has characterised our development, particularly over the last five years. In 2009 for example, total sales reached € 872 million, for a total growth of 16.5% compared to the previous year, and 65.4% of total turnover was in foreign markets.”

 

The constant commitment to Research & Development has allowed Chiesi to gain renown and prestige in the medical and scientific fields internationally. This is substantiated by the € 480 million invested in research over the last 5 years, the 1,273 patents active worldwide on 31 December 2009, the 123 patents obtained last year, and yet another 17 new patent requests filed. According to a recent classification by the European Commission (European Commission - 2009 EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard), Chiesi is in 1^st place among Italian investors in Research & Development in the pharmaceutical sector, in 8^th place in the classification list for all companies in the country, and in 13^th among European pharmaceutical multinationals.

 

“We are convinced that innovation,” explained Paolo Chiesi, Company Vice-President and Director of Research & Development, “is the best resource for measuring one’s existence in the ever more competitive pharmaceutical sector. Contrary to global tendencies, our investments in R&D have increased constantly from year to year: in 2009 investments reach € 132.6 million, equal to 15.2% of turnover (+22% over 2008). On the results front, we have developed three new chemical entities for the treatment of respiratory diseases and we have enriched our offering in neonatology with Nymusa, which has been centrally approved in the 27 EU countries for respiratory apnoea in premature newborns. We are also continuing regulatory development of some of our most important drugs for new indications, new patient populations, and new pharmaceutical forms.”

 

Furthermore, the Chiesi Group works on joint scientific research for specific projects with numerous academic institutions and research centres in Europe and the United States. An example of this synergy is the partnership established with the University of Parma.

“The joint work between academia and business favours the exchange of experience and the enrichment of knowledge; it promotes the aggregation of critical mass in expertise, and encourages the opportunities for comparison, which is necessary for stimulating innovative capacity in researchers,” commented Dario Olivieri, Professorof Respiratory Apparatus Diseases, University of Parma. “Particularly in the field of clinical research, it is indispensable that there be continuous critical comparison at an international level so that we can check whether diagnosis and treatment protocols are shared and adopted. In-depth accumulation of knowledge and checking adopted approaches bring about priceless results for the patient.”

 

Among the many things discussed at the press conference, the Councillor for the Office of Economic Development for Emilia-Romagna spoke of the relationship between research, innovation, and development in the country. In this sense, the pharmaceutical sector offers promising prospects: not only does it contribute to improving health, but it also produces value which is to the advantage of the entire community.

"A pharmaceutical company that achieves a milestone as important as the vote for product innovation and excellence is a reason for the Emilia-Romagna Region to be proud," underscored Regional Councillor for the Office of Economic Development, Gian Carlo Muzzarelli. "In terms of economics, competitiveness, and expertise, the important factor is value contribution; this determines both productivity in the Region and employment numbers. In fact, we are firmly convinced that dedicating significant sums of one’s own turnover to Research & Development, investing in product quality, and investing in personnel training all lead down the best road for competitiveness. Producing innovation, guaranteeing business and social responsibility, providing sure and quality-oriented work show you are a cut above the others on the market, and this is the key for asserting and strengthening one’s presence in Italy and in the world ".