THE PIONEERING AGE
Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A was founded in 1935 in Parma, Italy, when Giacomo Chiesi, a chemist who dreamed of doing research, bought the Laboratorio Farmaceutico Parmense and embarked on his entrepreneurial adventure.
In the 1940s, the Chiesi laboratory expanded steadily and soon began exporting its products abroad as far as Eritrea. During the Second World War, parts of the company were destroyed in a bombing raid in 1944, bringing all activities to a stop until the end of the war.
When the laboratory resumed work, the first scientific collaborator was hired and Chiesi launched its first penicillin-based ointment. In 1955 Giacomo Chiesi succeeded in constructing a purpose built factory. The new pharmaceutical factory had 50 employees and manufactured an extensive range of successful drugs.
INDUSTRIALISATION
In 1966 Giacomo Chiesi handed over the management of the company to his two sons Alberto and Paolo Chiesi. Chiesi Farmaceutici was a small company at that time, yet it had already had some success in international markets.
At the end of the 1970s the brothers opened the first office abroad, in Brazil. 1979 represented a significant turning point in the company’s reputation as an expert in respiratory diseases with the launch of its first asthma medicine.
INTERNATIONALISATION AND THE THIRD CHIESI GENERATION
From the 1980s onwards, Chiesi’s interest extended to areas such as anti-inflammatory drugs and medicines for pain relief. In 1989 the company launched its first anti-inflammatory drug. The drug was soon certified for sale in the USA, received an international patent, and was then available for sale in more than 60 countries.
Ten years after opening the office in Brazil, the Group had also expanded across European, and non-European countries and today there are 26 affiliates across the world. The company also expanded its services in the respiratory and cardiovascular therapeutic areas and began increasing its research into, and production of, pharmaceutical products for neonatal diseases and rare diseases, as well as musculoskeletal and vascular disorders.
Inspired by the vision and example of Alberto and Paolo Chiesi, their children: Alessandro, Andrea, Giacomo and Maria Paola Chiesi joined the Company. Their drive and ambition has opened up new lines of research and development at Chiesi in all therapeutic areas. In 2008, Chiesi founded Holostem Advanced Therapies Ltd., thus dedicating itself to the field of regenerative medicine. In 2013, Chiesi acquired the Danish biopharmaceutical company Zymenex A/S, thereby extending its influence in the field of biotechnology.
Previously known as Trinity Pharmaceuticals and acquired by the Italian company, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A in 1999, Chiesi Ltd. is proud of its entrepreneurial heritage. Established in 1995, the then Huddersfield-based Trinity Pharmaceuticals specialised in cardiology, musculoskeletal and respiratory medicines. A modest sized company with real ambition, Trinity’s core objective was to satisfy patient needs whilst meeting those of the NHS.
A clear synergy existed between the two organisations making this a very successful combination.
UK-CHI-2300346 June 2023
