Our first 100 years
In the 19th century the Recordati family began a small pharmacy, in Correggio, Northern Italy, serving their local community. In 1926, Giovanni Recordati moves from experimenting in the back of that same pharmacy, to founding a company at 28 years old “Laboratorio Farmacologico Reggiano”.
Recordati Rare Diseases is a dedicated business unit focused on rare diseases within the Recordati Group, which has delivered life enhancing and life changing medicines for 100 years.
One hundred years later, in 2026, we stand as a global pharmaceutical group with a presence in over 150 countries, committed to unlocking the full potential of life. Our centenary is not just a celebration of longevity—it is a confirmation of our purpose, values, continuity and care. As we mark this milestone, we honour the legacy of the people, patients and partners who shaped our journey, and embrace the responsibility of shaping the next hundred years.
When our company was born, Giovanni pioneered the production of medicines focused on chronic conditions – and within just two decades his small team grows to over 300 people. He sadly passed in 1952, before he could see his ambitious plans for expansion come to life, but his eldest son Arrigo and the generations thereafter, protected his legacy – and his dream lived on in the heart of his family, and the growing family in the Recordati company.
Recordati started by focussing on where help was needed most – common illnesses that affect large populations day-to-day. The illnesses right in front of us, where we knew more could be done to help – from heart conditions, mental illness to prostate cancer. But as the world has grown around us, so has the need.
Today, 100 years and three generations later, Giovanni’s focus and determination lives on. His company, Recordati, is now a global pharmaceutical group, listed on the Italian stock exchange, with around 4,580 employees.
Developing and making medicines are still at our core, with two chemical plants and seven manufacturing sites worldwide, and a focus to continuously develop new specialties, new treatments, and invest in medical innovations that bring a brighter future.
Every day, in every way, we do everything possible so that people can live full lives – we do this together, working closely with suppliers, partners and doctors from Brazil to the Far East, in around 150 countries. We will always continue to build with our people, planet, community, and our own roots, at our heart.
The future is where our purpose comes alive. 100 years behind us. Infinite possibilities ahead.
The next century has not yet been written. But its clear our purpose will remain:
Unlocking the full potential of life.
MILESTONES
Giovanni Recordati founds the Laboratorio Farmacologico Reggiano in Correggio (RE, Italy)
Transfer of headquarters to Milan
Recordati – Syntex (now part of Roche) licence agreement. Located in Silicon Valley, Syntex was a pioneering company in the study and synthesis of steroid hormones
Inauguration of the pharmaceutical chemical plant in Campoverde di Aprilia
Listing on the Italian Stock Exchange
Beginning the process of internationalisation – Establishment of a subsidiary in Spain, now called Casen Recordati
Acquisition of Doms Adrian (France)
Acquisition of Bouchara (France)
Establishment of Bouchara Recordati in France
- Acquisition of Merckle Recordati in Germany, now Recordati Pharma
- Establishment of Recordati Pharmaceuticals in the United Kingdom
- Establishment of Recordati Hellas in Greece
- Establishment of the new pharmaceutical chemical plant in Cork, Ireland
Acquisition of the Grupo Jaba companies in Portugal, today Jaba Recordati
Entry to the rare diseases sector with the acquisition of Orphan Europe, now Recordati Rare Diseases
- Acquisition of FIC and FIC Médical, dedicated to the registration and promotion of pharmaceutical products in Russia and other Commonwealth of Independent States (C.I.S.) countries
- Acquisition of Yeni Ilaç in Turkey, today Recordati Ilaç
Acquisition of Herbacos-Bofarma in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, today Herbacos Recordati
Acquisition of ArtMed International in Romania, now Recordati Romania
Acquisition of Dr. F. Frik Ilaç in Turkey, now Recordati Ilaç
- Entry into the US market rare diseases sector
- Acquisition of product portfolio for the treatment of a number of rare diseases in the US
- Acquisition of Farma-Projekt in Poland, now Recordati Polska
- Acquisition of Opalia Pharma and its cGMP certified production facilities in Tunisia, now Opalia Recordati
- Acquisition of Laboratorios Casen Fleet and its cGMP certified production facilities in Spain, now Casen Recordati
Establishment of new subsidiaries in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia
- SPC and OTC portfolio strengthened
- Acquisition of Italchimici in Italy
- Acquisition of Pro Farma AG, now Recordati AG, in Switzerland and Austria
- Acquisition of Natural Point in Italy
- Acquisition of Tonipharm in France
- Establishment of new subsidiaries in Japan and Australia
- Expansion of the rare diseases product portfolio: entry into the endocrinology sector
- Establishment of Recordati Bulgaria
- Acquisition of EUSA Pharma (UK) Ltd, a global specialist pharmaceutical company focused on rare diseases and niche oncology
- Agreement with GSK to commercialize Avodart® (dutasteride) and Combodart®/Duodart®
- Agreement with Sanofi to acquire the global rights to Enjaymo®, strengthening our rare diseases franchise
- License and supply agreement with Amarin to commercialise Vazkepa® strengthening our cardiovascular franchise