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.
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.
2008
2009
International expansion continues with the establishment of subsidiaries in India and Belgium.
2012
Launch of the anti-malarial drug, later registered in endemic countries of Africa and Asia and today distributed in more than 30 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.
Alfasigma expands its footprint in the U.S. through the acquisition of PamLab (from Nestlé Health Science), a US-based company active in manufacturing and distribution of medical foods.
2021
Inauguration of the new laboratories dedicated to pharmaceutical technology and analytical chemistry, LABIO 4.0 Marino Golinelli.
2022
An important investment plan and expansion of the production plants leads to the creation of a new Soft-gel department in the manufacturing plant of Pomezia (Rome-Italy) and, in the Alanno (Pescara-Italy) plant, to the creation of two new aseptic areas for the production of injectables. One of which was recently authorized by the Italian Medicines Agency for production of immunological products such as vaccines.
Alfasigma completes the acquisition process of Sofar, consolidating its leadership in the gastrointestinal area and its research focus on microbiota.
The internationalization path marks a new milestone with the opening of the branch in Munich, Germany.
2023
Acquisition of Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical American company, focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to treat rare and serious liver diseases.
2024
Alfasigma has signed an agreement to acquire the Jyseleca® business from Galapagos, a global biotech company headquartered in Belgium to expand its European presence through an innovative product specializing in the rheumatology and gastrointestinal areas.