Farmaceutici Italia

Farmitalia, originally established as Farmaceutici Italia in 1935, was a premier Italian pharmaceutical firm renowned for its significant contributions to oncology. The company's research laboratories in Milan were the site of the discovery of the anthracycline class of chemotherapy drugs, including doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and daunorubicin. In 1978, it merged with Carlo Erba to form Farmitalia Carlo Erba, which became a leader in the Italian pharmaceutical market. The company's research efforts also led to the development of second-generation anthracyclines like epirubicin and idarubicin. In 1993, the company was acquired by the Swedish firm Pharmacia, and its legacy assets and research programs are now part of Pfizer following subsequent mergers. The discovery of Adriamycin is considered one of the most important milestones in 20th-century cancer pharmacology.