Arrigo Recordati profile
"Research is the only true engine of growth for the pharmaceutical industry" - Arrigo Recordati
Arrigo Recordati believed research was the most powerful asset for the pharmaceutical industry. Taking charge of the family business in 1951, at the age of 23, he transformed the family pharmaceutical laboratory employing 325 people into a global company listed on the
Italian Stock Exchange. Arrigo Recordati’s remarkable life came to a premature end at the age of 71, in 1999.
Under his direction, in 1953 the company’s headquarters and pharmaceutical plant moved from Correggio, a small town in the Emilia region of Italy, to Milan – the Italian business capital city. During this time Arrigo Recordati gave the company a stronger competitive advantage by updating research facilities with advanced pharmacological laboratories.
In the 1950s and 60s, Arrigo Recordati relied on two strong beliefs: scientific research and internationalization. To maximize the results of Recordati research, he established subsidiaries in Brazil and Mexico. Arrigo Recordati also fostered a tight relationship with the United States, signing among other things a strategic partnership agreement with Syntex Corporation (acquired by Roche Corporation in 1990) – at that time a cutting-edge company in research on the synthesis of steroid hormones.
Arrigo Recordati strongly believed in the power of scientific research to drive the growth of the pharmaceutical industry and provide products beneficial to public health and individual well being. Efloxate (1955), a coronary vasodilator for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, was the first compound to originate from Recordati’s research laboratories during Arrigo Recordati’s leadership. Other original molecules developed and marketed during his leadership include: dimefline (1958), a respiratory analeptic, flavoxate (1957), a urinary anti-spasmodic, tibezonium iodide (1971), an oral antiseptic, fenticonazole (1978), an antimycotic and lercanidipine (1984), a calcium channel blocker for the treatment of hypertension. In particular, flavoxate was the first original New Chemical Entity developed by an Italian company to be approved by FDA.
Arrigo Recordati also believed that even small companies – if managed with vigor and imagination – can compete effectively in the pharmaceutical arena. In 1984 Recordati was listed on the
Italian Stock Exchange, completing its transformation from a typical, small, family operation to a modern, professional, publicly quoted company.
Recordati continues to dedicate a substantial amount of its resources on research and development, specializing in urological and cardiovascular treatments.
After 48 years of intense and challenging leadership, Arrigo Recordati passed away, leaving his Company a solid, international business projected into the future.
