A roundup of some of the biggest pharma and healthcare stories coming out of Italy, including the country’s ever-falling birth rate; Chiesi’s new manufacturing investment; Doc Generici’s rebrand to DOC Pharma; Menarini’s oncology partnership with Insilico Medicine, and Angelini’s brain health deal with Cureverse.

 

Italian drug maker Recordati boosts 2025 core profit, revenue forecast (Reuters)

Italian drug maker Recordati raised on Thursday its core profit (EBITDA) forecast to a range between 970 million euros and 1 billion euros ($1.01-$1.04 billion) with an around 37.5% EBITDA margin, from previous guidance at around 37%.
The pharmaceutical firm’s 2025 revenue forecast has also improved to a range of 2.60 billion euros to 2.67 billion euros from a previous indication of above 2.4 billion euros, as it sees a double-digit growth across all metrics, boosted by its rare disease products.

Italy’s demographic crisis worsens as births hit record low (Reuters)

Italy’s demographic crisis deepened in 2024 as the number of births hit a new record low, emigration accelerated and the population continued to shrink, national statistics bureau ISTAT said on Monday.
Italy’s ever-falling birth rate is considered a national emergency, but despite Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her predecessors pledging to make it a priority, none have so far been able to halt the drop.

 

Chiesi acquires new manufacturing site in Nerviano (European Pharmaceutical Manufacturer)

Chiesi Group, a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Parma, Italy, has announced an investment in Nerviano (Milan, Italy), with the construction of a new facility for the production of its therapeutic solutions.

The project entails the revitalisation of this historical production site, first established in 1965 as an oncology research centre for Farmitalia Carlo Erba and subsequently subjected to several ownership changes, until its closure in 2024. The facility will be primarily dedicated to manufacturing carbon minimal inhalers, reinforcing the company’s commitment to both patients’ health and sustainable healthcare solutions. Dry powder inhalers and sterile biological products will also be developed in Nerviano.

 

Doc Generici Becomes DOC Pharma As Diversification Continues (Citeline)

A journey began eight years ago continues for Doc Generici – now rebranded as DOC Pharma – as it continues to diversify its offerings beyond conventional generic prescription pharmaceuticals.

Italian generics specialist Doc Generici says it is “expanding its strategy, broadening its business lines, and defining a new vision,” after acquiring a local nutraceuticals firm and rebranding under the name DOC Pharma.

 

Chiesi bails on TiumBio’s $75 mil. respiratory drug deal (KBR)

TiumBio is getting its respiratory drug NCE401 back—but it’s already moved on. On Wednesday, Italy-based Chiesi Farmaceutici scrapped its licensing deal, handing back the rights to the Korean biotech after failing to develop a viable candidate.

The move effectively ends a six-year, $75 million partnership, leaving TiumBio to double down on immunotherapy and reproductive health.

 

Menarini, Insilico Partner on Novel KAT6A Inhibitor for Oncology (Contract Pharma)

The Menarini Group, an international pharmaceutical and diagnostics company, Stemline Therapeutics Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Menarini Group, and Insilico Medicine, a clinical stage generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven biotechnology company, have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement granting Stemline the global rights to develop and commercialize a preclinical small molecule targeting high unmet needs in oncology.

The asset is a highly selective and potentially best-in-class small molecule inhibitor targeting a broad range of solid tumor cancers, developed with the help of Chemistry42, Insilico’s generative chemistry engine, and Insilico’s drug discovery team. The asset has successfully completed preclinical development and has demonstrated broad anti-tumor activity in selected cancers.

Angelini secures global rights to brain health asset (The Pharma Letter)

Angelini Pharma, part of Italy’s Angelini Industries, has entered into an exclusive option agreement with South Korea-based Cureverse for the global development and commercialization of a clinical-stage brain health asset.

The deal focuses on CV-01, a novel compound with potential applications across several neurological conditions, including epilepsy. CV-01 is currently in Phase I clinical trials in South Korea for Alzheimer’s disease.