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Our commitment to science-backed innovation in digestive health

For almost 80 years, Alfasigma has been committed to advancing digestive health through research, innovation and collaboration

Who we are Science & Innovation
Digestive health

We focus on developing and delivering solutions that address a wide spectrum of digestive health needs – from everyday disorders to complex chronic and rare conditions

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1/2 Digestive health

Why digestive health matters

Digestive health conditions affect millions of people worldwide and can range from common everyday discomforts to chronic and debilitating diseases, with a significant impact on quality of life and overall wellbeing.

They can influence many aspects of daily life, including nutrition, sleep, work productivity, emotional wellbeing and social interactions.

In some cases, these conditions are temporary and manageable. In others, they may require ongoing care and long-term disease management.

Many people living with digestive health conditions may also experience anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and social stigma.[1]

As awareness around digestive health continues to grow, improving access to information, care and therapeutic solutions remains essential.

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Conditions we focus on

Digestive disorders comprise a wide range of conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, liver, pancreas and biliary system.[2] These include:

  • Microbiota imbalance, including disruption caused by antibiotic treatments, which can alter the gut microbiome and lead to long-lasting changes in microbial composition [2b]
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including chronic inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common condition that affects the stomach and intestines
  • Reflux and upper digestive disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affecting the upper digestive tract
  • Liver and biliary conditions
  • Intestinal and colorectal disorders, including functional constipation
  • Gastrointestinal cancers.[3]

 

Products

Alfasigma’s portfolio is diverse, ranging from over-the-counter solutions to prescription medicines designed to meet a wide spectrum of health needs

Discover our products

Digestive health worldwide: key facts and figures

40%

of people worldwide are estimated to experience chronic digestive health conditions [4]

11%

of people worldwide live with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with women more commonly affected than men [5]

12-17%

of adults worldwide are affected by constipation, making it one of the most common digestive disorders [6]

~5 million

people globally are estimated to live with ulcerative colitis (UC), an immune-mediated inflammatory disease [7]

Millions

of people worldwide live with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), with global prevalence continuing to rise [8]

All ages

can be affected by diarrhoeal diseases, particularly ageing adults and young children

Because better digestive health doesn’t just ease symptoms, it helps people live better.

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A comprehensive approach across digestive health

  • Advancing clinical research and expanding therapeutic options
  • Supporting healthcare education
  • Promoting disease awareness and patient education
  • Collaborating with patient organisations
This is how we do it: we call it “the science of ingenuity”

We have a long-term commitment to understanding real needs and creating solutions grounded in scientific expertise and human insight. It is about clarity, care and innovation designed to make a real change in people’s lives.

Our Strategy
  • [1] Sundas A, Sampath H, Lamtha SC, et al. Psychosocial quality-of-life correlates in functional gastrointestinal disorders. Rev Gastroenterol Mex 2024;89(1):11-18.
  • [2] Lancet Editorial. Tackling the burden of digestive disorders in Europe. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023;8(2):95.
  • [2b] Nature Microbiology, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-018-0257-9?
  • [3] Wang F, Hu D, Sun H, et al. Global, regional, and national burden of digestive diseases: findings from the global burden of disease study 2019. Front Public Health 2023;11:1-14.
  • [4] UZ Leuven. 40 per cent of the worldwide population suffers from chronic gastrointestinal problems. Available at: https://www.uzleuven.be/en/news/40-cent-worldwide-population-suffers-chronic-gastrointestinal-problems. Last accessed: November 2025.
  • [5] Drossman DA, Hasler WL. Rome IV–Functional GI Disorders: Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction. Gastroenterology 2016;150(6):1257-1261.
  • [6] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langas/article/PIIS2468-1253%2821%2900111-4/fulltext
  • [7] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)00966-2/abstract
  • [8] https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12889-025-25121-w.pdf