A roundup of some of the most important recent stories from Italian pharma, including an in-depth interview with Menarini CEO Elcin Barker Ergun, a public health management crisis in the south of the country, Chiesi’s latest mobile health partnership, and the potential rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in January 2021.

 

Menarini Group: committed to fighting today’s COVID-19 pandemic with an eye to averting similar health crises in the future

https://www.menarini.com/Home/Menarini-News/News/News-details/ArticleId/2720/Menarini-Group-committed-to-fighting-todays-COVID-19-pandemic-with-an-eye-to-averting-similar-health-crises-in-the-future

In a recent interview with ANSA, the CEO of the Menarini Group, Elcin Barker Ergun, commented “As we go through one of the biggest health challenges in this century, Menarini Group continues to be a key actor in the fight against the pandemic by bringing crucial Covid-19 tests to market and recently extending into therapeutic solutions joining forces with Tuscany Life Sciences to bring an antibody against Covid-19.”

 

Italy’s health minister hopes first COVID-19 vaccines can start in January (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-italy/italys-health-minister-hopes-first-covid-vaccines-can-start-in-january-idUSKBN28C14F

Italy will launch a huge, free coronavirus vaccination programme early next year, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Wednesday, as the government readies restrictions to avoid a surge in infections during the winter holidays.

 

Alfasigma launches its first full digital hackathon – Alfathon (PR Newswire)

https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/alfasigma-launches-its-first-full-digital-hackathon-alfathon-805245972.html

Three challenges to contribute to pharmaceutical research and innovation.

Final prize of 5,000 euros for those who propose the best project

All projects will be evaluated for a further development

 

Health service in Italy’s poor south at mercy of Covid and crime (FT)

https://www.ft.com/content/8bd6b9ce-55e3-4e31-b8d3-a65888b6b112

A public health management crisis in Italy’s poorest region has left Rome scrambling to contain coronavirus in the most vulnerable part of the country’s hospital system already weakened by vast debts and infiltration by organised crime.

 

Kaia Health teams with Chiesi Group to commercialise COPD app in Europe (mobihealthnews)

mobihealthnews.com/news/emea/kaia-health-teams-chiesi-group-commercialise-copd-app-europe

The solution aims to support pulmonary rehabilitation through behavioural change rather than relying on pharmacology.