Angelini Pharma : Health is Wealth

Cameron LawrenceLucy Pilgrim
Cameron Lawrence - Project Manager Lucy Pilgrim - Senior Editor
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Highlights
  • Angelini Pharma originated as a small pharmaceutical laboratory in Italy almost 100 years ago and can now be considered a healthcare leader in the fields of mental health, brain health, and epilepsy.
  • From its own laboratories to collaborating with leading scientists worldwide, the company’s research output ranges from the discovery of new molecules to the development of novel OTC pharmaceutical products.
  • Angelini Pharma believes that the widespread, responsible promotion of self-care can play an important role in improving European economies, productivity, and patient wait times.

As a leading supplier of consumer and specialist pharmaceuticals worldwide, Angelini Pharma is dedicated to improving its patient’s quality of life whilst perusing exemplary clinical and non-clinical research.

HEALTH IS WEALTH

Marketed in over 70 countries, employing around 3,000 people worldwide, and with a reported turnover of €1.2 billion in 2022, Angelini Pharma (Angelini), the pharmaceutical division of Angelini Industries, emerges as a global giant of the industry. 

The company originated as a small pharmaceutical laboratory in Italy almost 100 years ago and can now be considered a healthcare leader, particularly in the fields of mental health, brain health, and epilepsy.  

Angelini’s extensive R&D capabilities are wide-reaching, and the company is particularly committed to researching new paediatric treatments. Meanwhile, the company boasts a thriving consumer health segment, with especially successful over-the-counter (OTC) brands worldwide.  

Angelini prides itself on having powerful public-private partnerships with recognised academic institutions around the world, whilst, as part of its globalisation strategy, it has also focused on developing its products in countries with high growth potential.  

Driven by its vision to develop an innovative, leading European pharmaceuticals company that makes a noticeable difference to its patients’ lives, Angelini realises its ambition by cultivating strong collaborations with research institutions, maintaining valuable partnerships with its strategic allies, and investing in a robust growth pipeline. 

ADVANCED RESEARCH, PROGRESSIVE PARTNERSHIPS

Angelini boasts over 50 years of expertise in medical R&D. From its own laboratories to collaborating with leading scientists worldwide, the company’s research output ranges from the discovery of new molecules to the development of novel OTC pharmaceutical products. 

As a result of its internalised philosophy of improving patient health and quality of life, Angelini places high importance on supporting independent clinical and non-clinical trials by providing funding and research services.   

Clinical investigator-initiated trials (IITs) and non-clinical research-initiated studies (RIS) play a crucial role in generating new hypotheses, addressing data gaps, and answering medical and scientific questions.  

Two essential drugs that have emerged out of Angelini’s research are topical anti-inflammatory benzydamine and anti-depressant trazodone. Benzydamine is a locally acting nonsteroidal drug with local anaesthetic and analgesic properties for pain relief and alleviating inflammatory conditions, whilst trazodone is an oral medication used to treat forms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia.  

Benzydamine and trazodone, alongside other Angelini products, are commercialised worldwide as a result of licencing and export agreements with over 40 global partners, including ThermaCare®, a key consumer healthcare brand, which Angelini acquired the global rights for in March 2020.  

The company continues to cultivate strong partnerships with research institutions and global suppliers, which serves to maintain its formidable reputation.

people stacking hands during group therapy session

PROGRESSIVE PAEDIATRIC CARE

With a strong belief in the concept of patient care, Angelini’s areas of therapeutic interventions are not limited to small molecules. Its fundamental R&D on molecular appropriate targets is also relevant to non-pharmacological interventions and medical devices, and widely aimed at advancing patient care, whilst implementing a therapeutic approach to patient needs.  

As such, Angelini is particularly committed to paediatric healthcare, from newborns to adolescents, noting the key differences between developmental stages. Thus, much of the company’s R&D is concerned with the development of novel drug formulations based on the paediatric patient’s age, growth stage, physiological condition, and treatment-specific needs.  

To develop and deliver innovative paediatric methodologies and treatments effectively, Angelini actively partners with a broad spectrum of professionals, institutions, research networks, and working groups. Notably, this includes the Italian Network for Paediatric Clinical Trials (INCiPiT) and the European Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology Network (ECAPN). 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The brain, the body’s most complex organ, contains over 100 billion neurons and around 50 chemicals. Thus, Angelini believes that taking care of the brain means looking after the entire person.  

This belief drove the company to commit to improving brain health as one of its primary care outputs, and it continues to believe that working in the field of psychiatric and neurological diseases is the real health challenge of today. 

Central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as depression, bipolar, and schizophrenia, and neurological disorders such as dementia and epilepsy, are statistically proven to be the leading cause of premature death in many high-income countries across Europe. This is why Angelini has worked tirelessly for over 50 years to prioritise treating brain health.  

The company seeks new solutions and invests in research to improve the quality of life for patients with mental health and neurological disorders. It works to dispel false myths by investing in projects and initiatives that combat social taboos that still weigh on those suffering from poor mental and neurological health.  

For example, HEADWAY, a project initiated in 2017 in partnership with The European House – Ambrosetti, aims to design a roadmap and provide a comprehensive overview of brain health in Europe. The project focuses on social as well as economic aspects.  

In addition, Lampi, a short film presented by Angelini, is aimed at raising brain health awareness and tackling the stigma surrounding it, whilst the company set up harmoniamentis.com to provide accurate and correct information on mental health, based on Angelini’s belief that circulating information is the first step in combating prejudice.  

Through its actions, Angelini promotes its goal of standing by those who suffer from poor mental health and leaving no one behind. 

CONSUMER HEALTH

In recent years, Angelini has noted a rise in its patients becoming increasingly active in their own health management.  

A rapid boom in the sales of OTC and self-medication is set to continue in the coming years, which will see the promotion of autonomy and proactivity within patients managing their own health.  

Angelini places the needs of its patients at the centre of everything it does. Therefore, guided by a strong belief in patient empowerment, Angelini continues to strive towards achieving growth as a market-leading pharmaceutical business that invests in research for consumer health.  

Thus, the company cultivates close partnerships with its highly diversified OTC drug portfolio, including medications to treat children, adults, women, and the elderly.  

Angelini believes that the widespread, responsible promotion of self-care can play an important role in improving European economies, productivity, and patient wait times. Therefore, the company provides guidance for some of the best ways to self-treat common illnesses.  

For example, the common headache, which has burdened Europe for years, can be treated through OTC medication. Treating headaches quickly and effectively with self-administered, cost-saving OTC remedies can improve economies whilst preventing patients from a predisposition to more severe associated illnesses.  

In addition, female intimate hygiene can be effectively managed by consumer self-care. Simple OTC medications can be used to effectively maintain female intimate hygiene, preventing the possibility of more complex associated health issues such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virustype 2 (HSV-2), and trichomoniasis.  

Angelini also recognises that upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), such as the common cold, are some of the most widespread illnesses in the population, and the leading cause of people missing work or school. In most cases, URTIs are self-limiting and can be managed at home. 

SOCIETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Alongside its healthcare commitments, Angelini places high importance on its social, environmental, and economic performance – a perspective that is closely aligned with the company’s mission to care for and build a better future for all.  

Angelini is committed to establishing an open and constructive dialogue with its stakeholders and follows international principles such as the universal Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards. As such, it has developed a sustainability report that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into its management and corporate governance systems.  

A dedication to social issues has always been intrinsic to the company, as has the well-being of its local community. Thus, in recent years, Angelini has closely monitored the effects of corporate actions on society and the environment, as well as associated risks and opportunities, to pursue continuous improvement in ESG-related areas.  

In terms of diversity and inclusion, Angelini prides itself on caring for its people as much as its patients.  

The company benefits from a diverse workforce, whose willingness to work together and share their life experiences and goals is a source of pride. Angelini’s overall aim is to create an empowering workplace that guarantees real inclusion with equal opportunities which enables its staff to fulfil their professional potential.  

Notably, Angelini seeks to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued, which aligns with the company’s overall values of inclusivity.

ANGELILI PHARMA PARTNERS

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By Cameron Lawrence Project Manager
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Cameron Lawrence is Project Manager for Healthcare Outlook, responsible for showcasing companies, leaders, and c-suite executives in the healthcare sectors across Africa, APAC and EME regions.