Our story

In 1919, a 32-year-old pharmacist from region of Le Marche, Francesco Angelini, created a company with two partners for the production and sale of medicinal products. The company was based in Ancona, where Francesco’s pharmacy was located. In 1922, the company adopted the name ANFERA. It made its mark with the development of a network for delivering medicinal products directly to pharmacies in central-southern Italy, becoming the first Italian distributor in the sector in 1939.

The years following the Second World War witnessed the industrial growth of the company headed by Angelini. It had its first commercial success with a drug called The years following the Second World War witnessed the industrial growth of the company headed by Angelini. It had its first commercial success with a drug calle Dobetin, a response to the serious medical need to combat the pernicious anaemia that had spread among the Italian population from the severe hunger suffered during the war., a response to the serious medical need to combat the pernicious anaemia that had spread among the Italian population from the severe hunger suffered during the war.

Angelini invested in pharmaceutical research and began producing its first original and patented molecules: oxolamine (anti-cough), benzydamine (anti-inflammatory), trazodone (antidepressant) and dapiprazole (anti-glaucoma). During the same decade, Fater made its way into the homes of Italian families with the Lines brand, revolutionising the country’s hygienic-sanitary market with the first disposable baby diapers and feminine hygiene products.

In 1972, benzydamine-based Tantum Verde and trazodone-based Trittico arrived on the market. Fameccanica was founded in 1975 in Abruzzo and specialized in the production of machinery for the absorbent hygiene product market. During this period, Angelini expanded beyond its domestic borders: in 1979, Barcelona-based pharmaceutical group Lepori was acquired, marking the beginnings of an international expansion process that began with Spain and Portugal.

In 1985, Angelini understood the potential of the analgesic ibuprofen for the Italian market and launched Moment®, an over-the-counter analgesic product specifically for headaches and a prime example, in Italy, of marketing applied to pharmaceutical products.

In 1992, Angelini further consolidated its position in the hygienic-sanitary sector through a joint venture with Procter & Gamble for the management of Fater and Fameccanica. In 1994, the group entered the wine sector with the acquisition of three Tuscan wineries: Trerose, Val di Suga and San Leonino; as well as the fragrances market, with the acquisition of the Spanish company Idesa Parfums.

In 2000, Angelini acquired Amuchina, a company known for its disinfectant and sanitisers. Fameccanica expanded into China and North America. In the wine sector, the Puiatti and Bertani wineries, located in Friuli and Valpolicella respectively, were acquired; the latter is particularly famous for being one of the most prestigious producers of Amarone.

In the pharmaceutical sector, Angelini focused its efforts on the therapeutic areas of pain and inflammatory disorders, nervous system disorders and diseases, and paediatrics. The launch of the antipsychotic Latuda, for which Angelini is the Marketing Authorisation Holder, bore testament to its commitment to the field of mental health.

Angelini celebrated its 100th birthday, looking forward with a renewed entrepreneurial spirit, as expressed by Francesco Angelini:

“It is with great emotion that we approach the celebration of our group’s 100th anniversary. We look to the future with a deep respect for its founding principles and corporate philosophy, which are being given a new lease of life today, thanks in part to the dedication of the younger generation and in particular my daughter, Thea Paola, and her husband Sergio. I want to thank all the people who work for Angelini, our clients, and the partners and stakeholders who have placed their trust in our company for the last 100 years.”

2020 begins with the definition of a new group governance model, which combines an industrial-style holding company with the independence and accountability of operating companies. The concept of taking care is identified as the underlying theme of Angelini’s activities in all of the sectors in which it operates. The next step is the identification of a new name and visual identity: as of December 3, 2021, the Angelini Group becomes Angelini Industries. A new name that reflects its nature as a multinational company, rooted in the local community, proudly industrial, that believes in innovation and creates value in many different sectors.
In the baby food sector, MadreNatura was created as part of a joint venture with Hero Group. In pharmaceuticals, there was growth in internationalization and innovation, as confirmed by the acquisition of the ThermaCare brand and biotech company Arvelle Therapeutics (2021), which will give Angelini an increasingly multinational dimension. The commitment in the field of industrial technology is strengthened by becoming increasingly strategic: 2022 is marked by the acquisition of all shares in Fameccanica and the creation of Angelini Technologies, the division dedicated to the design and development of technologies, products and services to improve industrial processes. Also in 2022, Angelini Industries made its entry into the field of venture capital applied to digital health and biotech with the creation of Angelini Ventures.