1948
Biochimici Alfa is established in Bologna (Italy), later to become Alfa Wassermann.
Our Company / Our Legacy
A leading role
in the history of pharmaceutical industry,
since 1948
1948, the time of our foundation, coincides with a crucial moment in human history: the year in which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed. In that same year, in Bologna, Marino Golinelli, just out of college with a degree in pharmaceutical sciences, establishes the company Biochimici Alfa, later to become Alfa Wassermann. The company grows steadily, year after year, thanks to a strong development strategy and a rigorous acquisition plan.
2015-2017. Alfasigma, an all-Italian pharmaceutical company, was founded: the outcome of the union between the Alfa Wassermann and Sigma-Tau groups. The new company immediately gains a spot in the top tier of private players in the pharmaceutical industry, capitalising on the know-how, potential and specialisation of the companies from which it originated.
1957
Year of establishment of Sigma-Tau Ifr S.p.A. in Pomezia (Rome, Italy), which in a few years becomes a leading company in Italy’s pharmaceutical industry.
1960
Inauguration of Alfa Wassermann’s research laboratories in Bologna (Italy), soon to play a crucial role in the company’s success.
1966
The innovative packaging of Rekord B12 is exhibited at the MoMA in New York.
1970
Long-range plan of investments in technology and innovation launched for the facility of Alanno (Pescara, Italy), which will last for 20 years.
1977
Sigma-Tau synthesises the biologically active form of acetyl-L-carnitine, which will lead to the formulation of Nicetile.
1979
Establishment of Biosint S.p.A. Chemical-Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Company in Sermoneta (Latina, Italy), a leading Italian manufacturer of API for human and veterinary use.
1982
Establishment of Avantgarde S.p.A., dedicated to research and development of innovative OTC products.
1989
The international division of Alfa Wassermann is born and a network of distributors and licensees is created in over 60 countries in the world.
1999
Sigma-Tau strengthens its international presence through subsidiaries in Europe (France, Spain and Switzerland) and the United States.
2001
Establishment of Biofutura Pharma S.p.A. (Milan, Italy), marking the expansion into the Italian market of ethical drugs.
2003
International acquisitions: Barcelona-based Bama-Geve S.l.u. and Lisbon-based Biosaúde - Produtos farmacêuticos Lda.
2004
Distribution of active ingredient Rifaximin-α in the United States under the Xifaxan brand.
2008
2009
International expansion continues with the establishment of subsidiaries in India and Belgium.
2012
Launch of the anti-malarial drug Eurartesim, later to be registered in endemic countries of Africa and Asia and today distributed in 32 African countries.
The acquisition plan started 10 years earlier is at its highest point, bringing companies from various European and extra-European countries to the group: United States, China, Russia, Mexico, Tunisia, France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Holland, Poland, Romania.
2015
Alfasigma is created by the aggregation of Alfa Wassermann and Sigma-Tau: the activities of two of the most important privately held pharmaceutical groups in Italy converge through a major industrial project.
2017
Alfasigma, the outcome of the union between the Alfa Wassermann and Sigma-Tau groups, an all-Italian pharmaceutical company, immediately become one of the top five operators in the pharmaceutical sector in Italy.
In the same year, Alfasigma launches the new financial plan, aimed at boosting development in the area of specialty drugs and the international presence of the group.
2020
Construction begins in Pomezia (Rome, Italy) on the new Pharmaceutical Technological Development Centre (La.Bio 4.0), which solidifies the group’s R&D footprint along with the centre in Bologna (Italy).
With the explosion of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alfasigma proceeds to lock down its administrative offices, while production and R&D continue their activities on-site. Activities continue in remote working mode for over two months, until 4 May, start date of Phase 2 under the aegis of the #RESTART project.