Montedison

Montedison was a major Italian industrial conglomerate that played a transformative role in the pharmaceutical industry during the 20th century. Through its primary healthcare subsidiary, Farmitalia Carlo Erba, the company became a global leader in oncology research and development. Montedison is most notably credited with the discovery and commercialization of the anthracycline class of chemotherapy agents, including the blockbuster drugs doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and epirubicin. In 1993, the company sold its pharmaceutical interests to Pharmacia as part of a major corporate restructuring. These assets eventually became part of Pfizer, and the drugs developed by Montedison remain standard-of-care treatments in modern oncology.