Therapeutic Areas / Gastroenterology

Focus on
Gastroenterology

Through constant work alongside medical specialists and patient associations, we strive to improve the lives of those suffering from often disabling gastro-intestinal disorders, with prescription and over-the-counter drugs. We are committed to providing better therapeutic solutions for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases where gut microbiota alteration plays an essential role, such as functional disorders (e.g. IBS) and bacterial gastroenteritis, but also hepatic encephalopathy, chronic liver disease (cirrhosis) and gastro-oesophageal reflux, all the way to offering bowel preparations for a successful colonscopy.

11%

of the population

is affected by IBS1, women are affected more commonly than men

35

years

is the age before which patients most frequently report IBS1 symptoms

2

million people

in the world die each year from liver diseases2
Gastroenterology research
More than 70 years of history have led to a portfolio of mature products that we are constantly strengthening and expanding, especially through an incremental development model. Among these, our main product is Rifaximin-α, a poorly absorbed and therefore safe antibiotic, used in the treatment of gastrointestinal tract disorders. Sold in Italy under the Normix brand starting in the early 80s and in the United States as Xifaxan, it was the first and only antibiotic in the sector of reference recognised by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of traveller’s diarrhoea (since 2004), prevention of hepatic encephalopathy (since 2010) and for irritable bowel syndrome (since 2015). Today, Rifaximin-α is sold in about 80 countries worldwide through our direct affiliates, commercial partners and distributors. Rifaximin-α has an especially relevant role in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. The disorder, which represents one of the most common complications of chronic liver disease, takes a heavy toll on the quality of life of sufferers and their families, and is an enormous cost for the health system in terms of direct and indirect costs. Our Research and Development commitment is continuous work, both to study new possibilities of use for our drug pipeline and to search for new therapeutic opportunities being developed or already available in the world and which can benefit patients. Efficacy, safety and the highest quality standards are the parameters guiding this research.

1 A group of disorders classified by GI symptoms related to any combination of: motility disturbance, visceral hypersensitivity, altered mucosal and immune function, altered gut microbiota, altered CNS processing. Ref. Rome IV, Functional GI Disorders: Disorders of Brain-Gut Interaction.
2 European Association For The Study Of The Liver (EASL) 2019

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Our Research & Development Department is focused on three main therapeutic areas: gastroenterology, vascular disease & neuroscience disorders.
With over 55 products in 9 therapeutic areas, Alfasigma is a key player in the Italian pharmaceutical industry, boasting a portfolio ranging from prescription specialties and over-the-counter products all the way to nutraceuticals.
Vascular investigation is a company corporate mission. Venous diseases, lower extremity artery disease, diabetic microangiopathies and ventricular arrhythmia are the main pathologies in which we offer solutions.
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