Malesci: 175 Years of Italian Pharmaceutical History

After 175 years in business, Malesci stands alone as Italy’s oldest pharmaceutical company and one of the most enduring in the world. The company marked this milestone on May 19th in Florence—the city where Pietro Malesci first opened his drugstore and pharmacy at 18 Borgo SS Apostoli back in 1850.

A pivotal moment came in 1896, when the company established its Pharmaceutical Workshop to manufacture galenic preparations and medicinal specialties. A growing focus on cardiovascular disease led to the construction of a new headquarters in Campo di Marte, shaping a corporate identity that would stand the test of time. In 1946, Malesci introduced aminophylline: the first xanthine-based drug to transform how doctors treated asthma attacks and bronchospasm. This knack for staying ahead of therapeutic trends resurfaced decades later in 2012, when the company brought a cutting-edge non-drowsy antihistamine to market.

The year 1978 marked the beginning of a major growth phase, as Malesci joined the Menarini Group. This strategic partnership enabled the company to expand its research and development capabilities while holding on to what made it distinctive.

Since the 1980s, Malesci’s portfolio has been enriched with innovative molecules. Omeprazole, the first proton pump inhibitor, transformed the treatment of acid-related diseases. In 2002, the company consolidated its leadership in gastroenterology with the launch of the first second-generation proton pump inhibitor. True to its cardiological vocation, in 2005 Malesci marketed an angiotensin II antagonist, and in 2019, it launched a third-generation beta-blocker, developed through Menarini’s research.

Not even wartime bombing in 1944 or the devastating Florence flood of 1966 could derail the company’s progress. If anything, these hardships only sharpened its resolve to keep innovating—proof that resilience is forged in adversity.

Today, Malesci operates in four strategic therapeutic areas: respiratory, cardiology, gastroenterology, and antibiotics. With more than 280 employees, Malesci represents a model of responsibility and sustainability—an Italian excellence that blends tradition with innovation, approaching social responsibility in a way that goes beyond the pharmaceutical business.

Malesci is a unique presence in the Italian pharmaceutical landscape: a company that has managed to navigate three centuries, preserving its identity while evolving to meet the challenges of the global market. Thanks to its integration into the Menarini Group, Malesci has gained the resources to compete internationally without losing its connection to the local area and the Florentine tradition.

During the 175th-anniversary celebrations, Lucia and Alberto Giovanni Aleotti honored employees with over thirty years of service, recognizing that the company’s true wealth lies in its human capital.

These 175 years are not a destination but a launchpad. With deep roots in the past and a clear view of the future, Malesci is ready for whatever therapeutic challenges lie ahead.