43 TWENTYFOURSEVENBIOPHARMA Issue 1 / March 2025 INTERVIEW Flamma is celebrating 75 years in 2025. How is the company using the lessons learned over this period to push innovation and expand globally? Flamma started from very humble beginnings when Dr. Marco Maria Negrisoli and his wife, Dr. Edmea Kullmann, infused the company with not only their passion for chemistry but also unwavering principles of ethics and humanity. That passion has continued under Gian Paolo Negrisoli’s leadership after he took over for his father. We have always been focused on relationships. The relationship with the customer is critical not only to our success but also to their success. Each project provides the opportunity to learn how to get better, how to become more efficient, and how to build success. At Flamma, we have been working hard to be the best CDMO we can possibly be. Still family owned and run, we are an example of longevity and consistency. From the days of establishing locations outside of Italy, Flamma has continued to infuse our work ethic with employees that give their best every day to find innovative ways to solve problems. This involves new technologies such as flow chemistry, filtration using inverted basket centrifuges, enhanced hydrogenation capabilities as well as the addition of more capacity with state-ofthe-art equipment and reactors. Reinvesting into the future at Flamma shows our customers that we are serious about their molecules. We do Chemistry with a Human Touch. Looking back over 75 years, what have been some key turning points and milestones that Flamma can look back upon as contributors to its growth and evolution in the pharmaceutical industry? Flamma started in a small laboratory in Bergamo. It became clear that to continue to grow, we would need to move to a more industrial area, thus we relocated close by to Chignolo D’Isola, our current headquarters. Once Flamma was inspected by the FDA, we were able to service more companies. Drawing from our expertise in amino acids, Flamma was instrumental in a variety of pipelines where this expertise was extremely useful to the innovator company. Solving problems to clear the path for making key parts of a molecule, or the entire molecule, helped fuel Flamma’s growth as word spread about our commitment to excellence. The bold move of Gian Paolo Negrisoli to start his own company in China avoided the pitfalls of the numerous failed joint ventures that other companies attempted. The investment to be a full service CDMO that can secure ones supply chain was noticed by many companies. The addition of two other Italian locations close to the headquarters has allowed Flamma to grow in capacity and headcount. The addition of a site in the USA allowed Flamma to provide work on early-stage drug materials. The Malvern, PA site near Philadelphia was acquired right before the pandemic, which was not ideal timing, but it has blossomed into a vibrant site providing key materials for numerous customers while being an entry point into the Flamma network. Flamma recently welcomed Giorgio Bertolini as the new General Manager for Italy. What is the thinking behind this leadership change, and how does Mr Bertolini’s appointment fit into the goals set by the company? The hiring of Giorgio was strategic for Flamma. Tasked with a newly created role as General Manager of the three Italian sites, he brings a wealth of knowledge from previous experience. Flamma’s continued growth requires a clear vision but also additional skill and organizational changes. Giorgio’s vision coincides with Gian Paolo and Gianmarco Negrisoli’s and he will lead and implement the necessary organizational changes. We look forward to his continued leadership to make Flamma even more desirable for placing small molecule projects. 75 years of Flamma: A legacy unveiled in 5 questions With contributions from Gian Paolo Negrisoli, CEO and Allison Vavala, Sr. Director BD
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