Profarmaco was founded in 1946 by a group of Italian pharmaceutical executives. Initially, the plant was located in an apartment in Milan where the founders produced simple molecules based on their knowledge of organic synthesis.
Post-war demand for pharmaceuticals increased and the company grew rapidly. In 1956, production was moved to a real manufacturing facility located in Via Siusi, Milan.
From 1962 to 1964, the company moved manufacturing and R&D to a chemical factory in Paullo. In 1967, the company completed a chemical-physical wastewater treatment plant. In the 1970's the company constructed an incinerator for liquids, the first of its kind in Italy, affirming their commitment to the environment.
In the 60's and 70's the company continued to look to new markets to which they could expand. The United States posed the greatest potential due to the strict regulatory environment and stringent process controls for API's. In 1964, the company received its first FDA (Food & Drug Administration) inspection permitting the company to become one of an elite number of suppliers to the US pharmaceutical market.
In the 1980's the company reorganized to increase their focus on customer service, quality, reliability, and flexibility. Their strong reputation made them an attractive acquisition target, and in 1989 was purchased by Nobel Industries.
In 1994, Cambrex purchased the company following the merger of Nobel and Akzo (1993). Today, Cambrex Profarmaco Milano is the cornerstone of the Cambrex Generic API business. The company perpetuates the guiding principles of service, quality, reliability, and flexibility set forth by the founders, and combines it with the Cambrex infrastructure and commitment to being a leading supplier to the pharmaceutical industry. |
