Stories

 and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) are protein messengers that play a vital role in nerve cell health and function (

began in the 1950s with the landmark discovery of 

NGF by the Italian neurobiologist, Professor Rita Levi-Montalcini, and her colleague Dr. Stanley Cohen. For this discovery, they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986 (

Dompé played a key role in this advancement by successfully engineering and manufacturing the first recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) after years of dedicated research.

This breakthrough fueled further research focused on the potential of neurotrophins to treat a wide range of conditions. Scientists worldwide are now working to expand the potential of neurotrophins in areas of ophthalmology, and the Central Nervous System (

This is the focus of the upcoming conference, "

" organized by Nature and sponsored by Dompé farmaceutici.

Stay tuned and follow us to remain updated on the latest advancements.

To learn more about the science behind Dompé's recombinant human Nerve Growth Factor, visit our 

1. Eric J Huang, Louis F Reichardt Neurotrophins: Roles in Neuronal Development and Function Annu Rev Neurosci. 2001 ; 24: 677–736. doi:10.1146/annurev.neuro.24.1.677 

2. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1986

3. Luigi Aloe, Maria Luisa Rocco, Bijorn Omar Balzamino, Alessandra Micera Nerve Growth Factor: A Focus on Neuroscience and Therapy Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015 May; 13(3): 294–303. Published online 2015 May. doi: 10.2174/1570159X13666150403231920

*The images on this page are for illustrative purposes only. 

Translational research on neurotrophins from corneal disease to the central nervous system

Translational Research on Neurotrophins                            Ocular Disease and Central Nervous System

Why early detection of neurotrophic keratitis is crucial

Understanding disease and diagnosis factors

Neurotrophic keratitis is considered a rare disease (1), but it is likely underdiagnosed as there is no routine testing for it (2). Given risk factors include common procedures and behaviors such as 

laser eye surgery and contact lens wear or over wear (3), the prevalence of NK could be greater than currently understood.

This disease of the corneal epithelium (the cornea's outermost layer) occurs when the sensory nerves to the cornea are damaged and stop functioning as they should. Breakdown of the corneal epithelium happens over time due to a loss or abnormality in the sensory nerves which provide trophic support to the cornea and elicit protective blink/tear reflexes in response to touch, pain and temperature (4). If, for example, a particle of dust is blown into a healthy eye, the sensory nerves detect it and elicit a blink reflex as well as create tears to protect the surface of the eye. As sensory innervation is impaired, the cornea becomes vulnerable to injury and when it does sustain an injury, it heals itself slower (5).

Potential outcomes can be devastating, including ulcers, perforation, infection, scarring, and ultimately, sight loss (2). Importantly, it can easily go undetected precisely because the damage to corneal nerve endings means people may not experience symptoms and may delay seeking care.

Given neurotrophic keratitis is a degenerative disease, it progresses from mild to moderate to severe – and detecting it as early as possible is crucial. Patients with Stage 1 NK may experience blurred vision, red eyes and photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light) (6).

Even mild neurotrophic keratitis can lead to changes in vision (7); if left undiagnosed or identified late, the disease can progress quickly.

Once in the moderate to severe stages, risks include profound vision loss, corneal scarring and perforation. The surface of the eye develops epithelial defect or ulcers and these open wounds are at risk for infection. In later stages, the inner layer can also break down leading to stromal ‘melting’. This can ultimately result in an opening to the inside of the eye, and potentially the loss of the eye (8).

Various factors can lead to neurotrophic keratitis, including conditions like herpetic infections, diabetes and multiple sclerosis or a deficiency in vitamin A (9). The chronic use of topical eye medications, such as IOP-lowering eye drops (10) for glaucoma and certain topical NSAIDS are a known cause due to preservative toxicity that can cause the corneal nerve damage. Ocular surgery, such as laser vision correction procedures or cataract or glaucoma surgery, raises risk (11). Chemical and physical burns can cause neurotrophic keratitis and although less common, some genetic disorders (Riley-Day syndrome (12), Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome (13), and Mobius syndrome

, familial corneal hypoesthesia (15) are associated as well. Risk also increases with age (18).

If there is a suspicion of neurotrophic keratitis based on assessment of medical history and evaluation of corneal staining, a corneal sensitivity test must be performed. Testing corneal sensitivity can reveal decreased corneal nerve function and when done with additional tests, can confirm the diagnosis (2). Additionally, if a patient is being treated for dry eye disease and not seeing an improvement, evaluation of their medical, ocular, and medication history may reveal a raised risk of neurotrophic keratitis which has so far gone undiagnosed

(17). Corneal sensitivity testing takes seconds, but can allow early interventions.

Once neurotrophic keratitis is diagnosed, careful monitoring of patients is required, as disease progression can be asymptomatic (2)

Like many other diseases, early detection is fundamental to patients affected by Neurotrophic keratitis.

Unleashing Innovation: Dompé's Journey into the Digital Age of Pharma

 fully outsourced IT service, mostly focused on commodities and operational duties to

 a global, highly skilled internal force of 16. From clinical studies to quality processes, transitioning from off-line to digital, and embracing the cloud across 3 Countries to leverage the potential of AI. Dompé has transformed in just five years from a mostly regional pharmaceutical company to an international biopharmaceutical company with offices in the United States, Albania and China.

The IT department has been a critical part of this huge change, bringing in state-of-the-art technologies and tools to better serve staff members and patients. 

Chief Information Officer & Digital Transformation

 in 2021 to spearhead this evolution, keeping both patients and Dompé employees at the center of every decision. Here’s where he focuses his efforts.

As Dompé transitioned to become a truly global and highly dynamic business, Rizzo set up what he refers to as “a brilliant team where new, fresh energies have integrated the historical know-how of a few expert members”. Knowing the importance of digital, “we hired high-potential professionals. “Most of the team is recruited from top consulting companies or listed companies”, he explains. With career development key to these talented employees, Dompé invested in them, offering roles that would grow and stretch them.

Rizzo and his team have streamlined business processes, making information easily accessible across different countries and cultures. IT needed to seamlessly connect supply chains and provide market access, but more than that, “Digital proved to be a real cultural glue”, says Rizzo. There was a clear plan, based on different pillars, incorporating modernization of the infrastructure, improving cybersecurity, reinforcing security and risk management, simplifying digital access, and streamlining workflows.

When Rizzo arrived, many processes were still run offline. The number of documents signed electronically has increased by 40% over the last year alone; clinical studies, which were held in a paper archive, are now provided with a digital, first-in class infrastructure – improving access. HR, again previously offline, is now run over a global digital platform.

You might assume IT is all about adding digital tools, but as Rizzo points out, “part of the journey is to take technology out of the picture”. He gives an example: “We had 14 different applications just to manage the purchase to pay process, which makes things difficult to support, share and access so part of our commitment was also to lower the number of application technologies, adopting more strategic platforms.”

Investing in technology is key, but so too is making sure everyone is on board with changes. “Part of the investment was providing all employees with state of the art tools, mobiles, tablets, a new software workplace infrastructure, conferencing rooms, and easier access”, says Rizzo. There have been vast improvements to the IT service itself, which Rizzo says has created a bridge between IT and users. “We have invested into educational programmes, training courses, and we have established a personal, trusting relationship between the IT team and employees. We consider that a fundamental step”. He cites what a huge change it has been for employees to move from keeping their own core resources to moving them into a wider, more accessible digital space. “We worked hard at creating a high level of trust to make people comfortable”, he says. “We’re still very much committed to providing such trust and credibility.”

Artificial intelligence is a hot topic, and Rizzo and his team are exploring AI’s potential at Dompé. “

We have provided 50 users with some AI capabilities, to let them understand what the potential of this new technology is. We’re going to promote more investment into knowledge sharing and definition of use cases around AI.”  

AI is already proving to be hugely helpful in the medical space, so how could it help a biopharmaceutical company? For Rizzo, the drug development process involves a huge amount of data and information, so he believes the right use of AI could speed that up, ultimately bringing new drugs to patients sooner. 

“From project management to product delivery, AI can benefit all the processes. In a pharma company, faster processes mean treatments are delivered faster.  W

e need to be prudent about changes, but we are accelerating our learning to then agree on a path forward”, he says.

Data is crucial, too. “The real core of our business is about information”, says Rizzo. “Information of how molecules interact with the human body, drug development, adverse reactions. Our product is not a piece of complex machinery. What is complex is the information, so data.” By streamlining dataflows, whichever specialist needs information about drug correlations, interactions or potentials can access it with ease. Effectively, “the value of data is its potential to get novel drugs to market quicker for patients.”

Rizzo also states that data will help us have a better understanding about drug potential, sometimes in unexpected ways. “Many antibiotics in their early stages were developed for something else”, he says. “A better understanding of the biological impact of medical principles is something that we can improve through better data management.” This has a direct impact on patients, “we can reach patients requiring our care”, says Rizzo.  

Of course cyber security and data protection are key, when fully scaling digital capabilities including data governance, data privacy, data classification, data protection and so on. Rizzo has a clear litmus test, “if we’ve got enough trust in our capability to treat the cyber threat, we will move part of our business into digital. If not, we won’t.”  When it comes to data level of access rights to data, Rizzo describes the approach as “rightly very conservative. We are building the foundational capabilities in order to move to the next stage.”

Rizzo joined the company having led the IT  for various companies, including some listed ones, in the space of retail and food services. In terms of challenges, he explains how “it’s a truly different context working in a pharmaceutical company. It’s much more information and skills intensive. There is also a strong medical culture, which doesn’t always match with the digital one.” He threw himself into getting a full understanding of those differences, one of which is the value and the relevance of data. “If you’re in a food company, yes you have a lot of data, but a recipe for a panini is not comparable to the complexity and sensitivity of the information we manage here.”

Rizzo and his team have integrated in Dompé specialized software solutions for the pharmaceutical industry and  a tool to set up their IT infrastructure and IT management processes as well as handle relationships with users. Meanwhile the Cloud adoption has been key. “Using Cloud is not just a technology change, it’s also going to change financial investment and cost profiles, it’s going to change organizational IT skills”, says Rizzo. The cloud system used at Dompé is “a top level, professional Cloud provided for hyper-scalers, which makes things secure and accessible.” 

So what’s next for this talented IT team? “It’s about changing IT governance, bringing IT to the boardroom, taking business decisions considering technology, and making AI part of that eventually”, says Rizzo. Having driven such a transformation, Rizzo also still keeps people and patients at the center of his work, “it’s about looking at the human dimension of this change. We are investing into changing the IT governance process, so business leaders take part in product decisions, strategic technology decisions. Will AI be part of that? Surely. I don't know how, but that’s part of the next phase.” 

Expanding operations by investing in people and tech – and our plans for what’s still to come 

INVESTING IN TRAINING: “I’ve gained valuable insights to help my team meet key timelines for clinical trials”

Rare Disease Day 2024

Investire nella formazione " Ho acquisito preziose informazioni  per aiutare il mio team a rispettare le scadenze fondamentali per gli studi clinici"

Rare DIsease Day 2024

 novel drugs, but there is an ongoing battle that requires increasing attention. It is the one on  rare diseases, and today we celebrate the annual Rare Disease Day to remind us of its importance.

A pathology is considered rare when it affects 5 people per 10,000 or fewer, but it is estimated that 

 worldwide are affected by rare diseases. Over 

 characterized by a wide diversity of symptoms and disorders not only test patients but also their families and caregivers. 

Symptoms, sometimes seemingly common, can conceal underlying rare diseases, leading to misdiagnoses and treatment delays. These diseases are mostly disabling, impacting patients' quality of life due to the chronic, progressive, degenerative, and often dangerous aspects of the disease. The fact that effective cures often do not exist adds to the high level of pain and suffering endured by patients and their families.

The long-term goal of the Rare Disease Day campaign is to ensure equitable access to diagnosis, treatment, healthcare, social support, and social opportunities for people affected by a rare disease.

Rare Disease Day is an excellent example of ongoing progress, with events held worldwide every year. Since 2008, events have begun taking place in 18 countries; since then, Rare Disease Day has been observed annually, with activities held in over 100 countries.

Together, we can make difference. But how?

Dompé has chosen to raise awareness about these lesser-known diseases by launching a message of support and awareness.

We have transformed our corporate spaces, hosting a photographic event that featured Dompé employees.

We decided to give voice to words by organizing an internal photographic campaign. Phrases like "Rare but not invisible," "Every story counts," and "Love is not rare" illuminated the faces of our employees, conveying a message of unity and solidarity. Each projected word represented a tangible commitment to support those living with rare diseases and to promote research and access to treatment. Employees demonstrated their commitment to the rare disease cause, offering smiling faces and supportive gestures.

Dompé's commitment extends beyond Rare Disease Day, continuing throughout the year in pursuing the mission of improving people's lives through innovation and scientific research.

A look into our commitment to develop our researchers' skills to better meet patient's needs

a group of US and Italian employees from the Dompé R&D Clinical operation team headed to Italy to participate in a project management course, and they returned brimming with new insights and innovative approaches. 

Preregistration Scientific Liaison Director, put it, “T

his experience has equipped the team and myself with the tools necessary for the evolution of the research and development team.”

 the training also provided an important opportunity

relations. “I was able to connect directly with the team, including project managers, project directors, and clinical development colleagues”, she reflected. “I not only strengthened my knowledge of project management concepts, I was also able to gain additional perspective from the other members.”

The course was far-reaching and designed specifically to meet the needs of Dompé employees, in line with company’s commitment to invest in developing researchers' skills to better meet patient's needs.

Topics ranged from project set-up and careful analysis to risk assessment. Crucial considerations for scientists around the impact of research was a key aspect, as was advice for comprehensively planning essential milestones and target dates in an informed way, where their feasibility was carefully – and continually – analyzed.

For Butler, good training requires “clear, concise information with strong theoretical backing.” And this 

met her expectations “to understand why we do things the way we do them is essential – being able to walk away from training with the knowledge, tools, and skills to apply to our job immediately”, she said, adding that now she’s back in her day-to-day role, she notes how the training has “positively impacted our daily work.”

Transparent communication with stakeholders, and the willingness – and techniques needed – to explore potential outcomes via what-if scenarios was covered, to help

employees better predict both positive and potentially negative effects on project objectives. Again, this was appreciated by Butler: “I think it is essential as a team to have this formal education that supports our daily work and connects us to explore how to work better and support each other based on real-life experiences”, she said.

Team members were also provided with tools and techniques to achieve seamless planning; exploring how to make accurate and achievable performance indicators and targets early in projects

will be taking all of this on board with her team:

“We will adopt new tools for managing risk assessments, such as evaluating risks as early as the protocol-writing stage. Moreover, I will prioritize cross-functional communication among all stakeholders by implementing cohesive team plans. I've also gained valuable insights into practical activities and resource planning to achieve milestones and meet expected timelines for our clinical trials,” she said.

There was also, of course, special focus on ensuring human subject protection and the reliability of trial results, pre-empting and addressing challenges and emphasis on keeping everyone updated and informed, to proactively addressing any deviations or challenges that may crop up. This matters to Dompé employees: “Our motivation stems from the awareness that individuals, patients and loved ones, suffer from various diseases,” says 

. “As a team, through clinical trials, we have the opportunity to bridge the gap between science and the potential for new therapeutics. This opportunity to transform lives is profoundly rewarding.”

There was also space for a more relaxed approach within the course: “The recreational team-building activities allowed for camaraderie amongst the team and allowed us to have fun, making this experience extra special,” says Butler.

 see continuous training as a must, and appreciate it’s something that Dompé prioritizes. “In addition to ever-changing regulations and guidance on a global scale, there are new medications, treatments, ways of working better, and new discoveries of technology to treat patients,” says Butler. “Every opportunity to test and observe is a chance to understand better how a disease works and how we can improve not only on the current treatment of patients but also for future patients.”

Those who attended the course return to their offices, labs  – and teams – with renewed focus. As a science-driven company working tirelessly to address patients’ medical needs, training will always be part of Dompé’s offering, because we know that it translates to better results for everybody.

Investing in training: “I’ve gained valuable insights to help my team meet key timelines for clinical trials”

Exscalate - Meet our partners: Torsten Schwede, Vice President for Research - University of Basel

Exscalate - Meet our partners: Pieter Stouten, Exscalate’s Consultant for Computational Technologies in Pharma

Exscalate - Meet our partners: Pieter Stouten, Consulente Tecnologie Computazionali

Exscalate - Meet our partners: Giulio Vistoli, full professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences - University of Milan

Exscalate - Meet our partners: Giulio Vistoli, professore ordinario di Chimica Farmaceutica - Università degli Studi di Milano

Exscalate - Meet our partners: Gianluca Palermo,  Full Professor of Computer Engineering at Politecnico di Milano

What are the challenges of using AI in healthcare? Machine learning and predictive models can help accelerate drug development and bring new treatments to patients faster. We discussed this with 

, Exscalate’s Consultant for Computational Technologies in Pharma, during the NEXT - Nurture Exscalate Technology meeting in Naples.

Stouten has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 30 years and has leveraged artificial intelligence almost from the beginning of its use in life sciences. His specialty is using AI to develop predictive models helping scientists create the best possible drugs. This is particularly important when small quantities of a product or medication are impossible to test without synthesizing.

“Rita Levi Montalcini” scholars: supporting young pioneers in  neuroscience

The future generation of Life Sciences

From the impact of environmental pollutants on neurodevelopment to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases and to precision and personalized medicine or the root causes of schizophrenic hallucinations, these are just some of the topics  DompéFoundation fellows are working on. 

As today’s scientific progress often arises from interdisciplinary and innovative studies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and data science, aspiring STEM leaders need a training journey embracing different disciplines and technologies.

That’s why our scholarships and fellowships focus on degrees that embody this forward-looking approach. In the 2023-24 Academic year, the Foundation will support up to 28 students from 8 institutions in Italy and 16 Master’s/Ph.D. students or post-doc researchers in neuroscience in the US in diverse fields.

 run by Humanitas University and Milan’s Politecnico to the

 Master’s degree in Molecular and Medical Biotechnology at the University of Verona

 are all the programs covered by our scholarships.

To understand more about how this new generation of budding scientists dreams of changing the world, explore Eleonora, Philippo, and Michele’s work and personal journey 

How can Exscalate boost the development of new drugs? We caught up with Gianluca Palermo, Full Professor at Politecnico di Milano, 

in Naples for the 2023 NEXT - Nurture Exscalate Technology meeting to discuss how the platform features are evolving.

Palermo has worked directly on  Exscalate as the platform's initial development started with the Antares project which became the launch pad for the urgent computing approach which later led to the 

How can molecular docking help in the identification of new potential drugs? What is the importance of the Exscalate platform in the field of drug discovery? 

full professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Milan

The collaboration with Giulio Vistoli began twenty years ago: his involvement in the development of the platform was fundamental and still plays a key role in future developments. His expertises in molecular docking is a precious resource for us. In the interview, Vistoli explain the growing importance of molecular docking in the field of drug discovery as it can be a valuable tool for identifying new potential drugs, especially for targets that are difficult to study experimentally.

Exscalate - Meet our partners: Giulio Vistoli, full professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry - University of Milan

Sergio Dompé, Executive President, Dompé farmaceutici and President of the Leonardo Committee was also present.

TG1: Il Capo dello Stato ha incontrato i vincitori del Premio Leonardo, che seleziona le eccellenze del Paese in diversi settori

TG1: Sergio Mattarella, President of Italy, meets the winners of "Premio Leonardo"

The Dompé Foundation kicks off the 2023/2024 program with 44 scholarship in US and Italy 

The Dompé Foundation is offering 44 scholarships to the most promising candidates enrolled in top-tier STEM degrees for the academic year 2023/2024 in US and Italian Universities..  

This new round of scholarships is aimed at 28 students from eight   Italian institutions (University of Milan, Bocconi University, Politecnico di Milano, Humanitas University, University of Pavia, University of Verona, University of Bari Aldo Moro, and the University of Trento), and to 16 students admitted to a Master’s, PhD or post-doc programs in neuroscience/neurobiology across the US.

From a 6-year degree course in Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, to a Master’s degree in Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, and to a PhD in Neurobiology, the Foundation’s scholarships cover all levels and areas of STEM graduate education. All the programs sponsored by the Foundation share a commitment to multidisciplinary learning, technological education, and the opportunity to access an international network. 

Three are the main novelties in the 2023/2024 scholarships program:: the doubling of the budget for the “Rita Levi Montalcini” scholarships for the US, the addition of the University of Trento to the network of Italian universities, and the launch of two tuition waivers for two female students attending the Master’s in Business of Events at Bocconi, a funding opportunity in memory of the late sportsman and Dompé farmaceutici founder, Franco Dompé. Curious to learn more? Explore all active calls for applications 

What are the challenges of quantum computing? And how can it help the development of a new generation of drugs? We asked 

Vice President of Research at the University of Basel in Switzerland

Schwede's team has long been a partner and user of the Exscalate platform, and is involved in a project led by Dompé farmaceutici for the modeling of the structure of proteins of pharmacological interest. Schwede also emphasizes how computational tools are becoming increasingly important for bringing better drugs to patients more quickly.

"The authenticity appreciated by horses reveals leadership ability"

At Dompé, we cultivate a culture centered on continuous learning, supporting personal development of our teams. This is why we strive to advance leadership through innovative methods.

A few weeks ago at Angera Woods Village, near Lake Maggiore, the first group of our talents experimented with equine guided learning, a novel approach designed to stimulate self-awareness and personal growth. The classroom is a paddock and most of the tutors have four legs and a tail. Participants are guided to uncover the potency of their own intentions and the alignment between their emotions, thoughts, and actions.

Horses have an innate ability to attune themselves to people and discern the harmony or discord within their emotional landscape. They respond with specific reactions, mirroring what they perceive. The adept trainers, skilled in decoding these equine behaviors, effectively "translate" them into valuable feedback for the participants. This guidance aids in surmounting resistance fostering an environment conducive to learning and contemplation, all without overly structured interventions.

"People perform well when they are in touch with themselves - says Margherita Treves, Head of HR Corporate & EU at Dompé Pharmaceuticals - To build good relationships with others and advance in your career, you need to know yourself, be authentic and inclusive, have effective communication skills, and have a deep understanding of the company you work for. We expect a lot from our employees but also want to give a lot in return. Training is voluntary, but it is available to everyone."

Working with horses to develop our leadership abilities

"Our scholarship program supports students at all levels of study and across a variety of subjects. By funding highly innovative degrees, our Foundation also strives to contribute to the development of new professional profiles, especially within the life sciences" 

Discover more about the Dompé Foundation: here's the new video

Dompé illumina la Notte dei Ricercatori con “Sharper”

Dompé torna a illuminare La Notte dei Ricercatori con Sharper

What does carbon dioxide do if it reaches -80°C? How are our internal organs made and what is the secret of vision? These are just some of the questions that the informative workshops set up last Friday by Dompé in L'Aquila's Piazza Duomo at the 10th edition of Sharper for Researchers' Night decided to answer. 

In the "Ice Lab," we used dry ice to show participants of all ages the phenomenon of sublimation, that is, how carbon dioxide in the solid state goes from being ice directly to the gaseous state without creating any liquid.

In the "Optics Lab," we reserved an opportunity for young minds who, through anatomical models and various demonstrations, got a glimpse of the intricacies of ocular physiology.

For the youngest children, we animated the "Kids Science Lab," a real laboratory of wonders where everyone could experiment with various experiments, learning science in an active and engaging way.

Finally, we organized the "Big Science Lab," where chemistry, physics and renewable energy sources were the focus of the activity. 

See you next year, with the same desire to share our passion for science!

Dompé Lights Up The Researchers' Night with “Sharper”

Dompé Lights Up the Researchers' Night with “Sharper”

TETA seminar: an opportunity for personal growth

The TETA® seminar is a training experience designed to foster the development of am individual's leadership skills. 

More than ten managers had the opportunity to participate in the first Teta seminar held in Dompé in 2023. Over four days, participants were immersed in a new environment away from the stress of the office. There they were able to explore the importance of managing their strengths and weaknesses and discovering how to overcome those self-imposed limitations that can hinder success. 

Moreover, through in-depth discussions and practical exercises, participants worked on stress management, learning techniques for turning mistakes into opportunities and developing human potential. Important goals of the seminar were to keep motivation high at work and to achieve greater self-motivation, organization and control of everyone. 

By investing in this kind of activity, at Dompé we aim to promote a personal growth and self-improvement that will benefit all talents and managers. 

In fact, one of the highlights of this path was the approach to individual analysis and group interaction.

Incentivizing strengths and promoting personal and professional growth are among the many strategies the company has wanted to invest in over the years. 

People make the difference and lead the company to success. 

TETA® seminar: an opportunity for personal growth

Discover the story of Akash, from Assam to Naples

Scopri la storia di Akash, dall’Assam a Napoli 

Forty hours of travel. That is the distance from home for Akash Deep Biswas, a 33-year-old Computational Chemist at Dompé’s 

 laboratory. For almost a year, Akash, who arrived in Italy in 2016, has been in Naples, but for him home always remains in Tezpur, a city of 60,000 inhabitants on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, which in India connects the snows of Tibet to the Bay of Bengal.

At high school, Akash already knew what he wanted to be when he grew up: a computational engineer. In India, places to enter public universities are extremely limited and the entrance exam requires years of study. The first two attempts were unsuccessful but Akash did not give up and decided to explore other paths.: "I found out that there were 14 places available in a course for Biosciences and Bioinformatics at Tezpur University in India and, determined not to miss this opportunity" - he explains - "I applied and, surpassing 10,000 other students, I won one of the 14 places". After his master's degree, he began working on research projects, such as the biomolecular simulation of metalloproteins or the development of a Matlab code for the crosslinking of a polymer in different locations, including the IIT (Indian Institute of Technology).

Fascinated by the work of Vincenzo Barone, professor of theoretical and computational chemistry at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, Italy, Akash discovered the existence of a scholarship for a doctorate in methods and models of molecular sciences at the same university. He applied and won, thus leaving for Italy, a country so far from his homeland.

However, his dream was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic: the young scientist found himself far from his family without the possibility of reaching them. He felt alone, like many people at that time, but he decided to turn this difficulty into an opportunity to help Italy, the country that had given him so many opportunities up to that point. He started a fundraising project to support the hospitals of Pisa and Florence, donating his entire month's salary to make a tangible contribution to the fight against the virus. His initiative inspired many people and raised 38,000 euros, distributed equally between the two hospitals.

But Akash did not stop there. He wanted to help and contribute even further to the fight against the virus that was killing thousands of people and, while reading online articles, he discovered Exscalate4Cov, the most advanced competence center in Europe aimed at fighting the coronavirus by combining the best resources of supercomputing and artificial intelligence coordinated by Dompé farmaceutici. "I immediately understood that that was what I wanted to do, it was my destiny" - explains Akash - "I studied all the online materials, followed all the social channels and wrote to all the people involved, including Andrea Beccari, Head of Discovery Platform Senior Director, Dompé and Carmine Talarico, Discovery Biology Senior Specialist, Dompé, to demonstrate my enthusiasm to want to be part of the Dompé project".

After six months, in March 2021, Akash finally had the opportunity to start his career as a research assistant with Professor Giulio Vistoli at the University of Milan at Exscalate, combining his passion for molecular science with the desire to contribute to research against COVID-19 and in September 2021 he completed his doctorate from the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, Italy.

His dedication, tenacity and love of science led him to become a full-time research assistant until March 2023, when he finally achieved his dream of working with Exscalate, becoming a Computational Chemist. Akash’s journey is a testament to how determination and passion can open the doors to unexpected opportunities. 

To the question "What is your Reason Why?" Akash replies: "Failure. To succeed, you must not fail twice in the same way...it is by choosing different paths that we advance knowledge and arrive at a solution."

Stage on Stage: la parola agli stagisti

"Stage on Stage" is a project launched by Dompé in June 2023 for the inclusion and enhancement of active internships at our L'Aquila headquarters.

The initiative, in addition to engaging each or our interns in a proactive way, provides the company and other employees with an opportunity for better interdepartmental interaction and collaboration. The program is proving to be a strong lever of cohesion and team building. The interaction and work shared by the various teams has led to new proposals, innovative ideas and useful projects for the development and continuous improvement of the Site. 

Through collaboration with Universities, the program aims to promote integration between industry and territory, combine research with the drive for technological innovation that has always distinguished the pharmaceutical sector, and create job opportunities for young talents .

This year's edition involved 8 young people, who, flanked by several mentors, were able to learn about the Dompé reality. The participants were: Rosa Vorzillo (R&D Discovery), Anna Centi (QC), Emilia Orillo

(R&D Formulation), Francesca Di Norscia (Production), Simona Bartolotti (HR), Gaia Leonardis

(Engineering), Serena Anna Gatti (Supply Chain) and Marco Massimo (MS&T).

Stage on Stage from the voice of our interns

Dompé Pharmaceuticals’ Environmental Commitment

The company cannot exist outside of its territory. For this reason, it must now strive to protect the habitat in which us humans live, by reducing polluting emissions, recycling materials used, and optimizing energy consumption. Dompé has a strong connection to the Abruzzo region, where 30 years ago it opened its production hub which supplies all its markets. Thus, environmental sustainability has always gone hand in hand with human health in its development strategies.

At the end of 2022, the company launched a new environmental investment plan of over three million euros. By the end of 2023, at the production plant in Via Campo di Pile, L'Aquila, a state-of-the-art trigeneration plant will be operational. With this upgrade, 70% of the energy needed for the 170,000 square meter site will be locally produced from sustainable sources. Apart from offices, the plant houses research and development laboratories and facilities where over 1,500 tons of granules and over 2 million liters of drops and syrups are produced each year, totaling 700 million doses annually, including over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, and medical devices.

"The system," explains Chief Industrial Officer Stefano Arena, "will allow us, with a single process, to produce electricity, hot water, and steam, and supply the temperature and humidity control systems required in a biopharmaceutical company."

One of the distinctive features of the new plant is its Hydrogen Ready status. "Currently, using methane, which is already considered the cleanest fuel among fossil energy sources, makes this trigeneration plant sustainable. When natural gas suppliers will be able to provide hydrogen through their networks, we’ll be able to easily switch to this even more environmentally friendly source. All the new boilers we are installing have Hydrogen Ready burners."

Making a trigeneration plant even more ecologically sustainable is the energy autonomy it provides to a company. "We aim," says Arena, "to achieve at least 70% energy autonomy. This will not only save on energy costs (which have been a major concern for everyone in the last two years), but also help reduce our carbon footprint. "Thanks to the trigeneration plant, Dompé aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4.5%”, which is equivalent to 400 tons of CO2.

"In addition to this," Arena concludes, "in the past years, and currently, we have undertaken many other small and large initiatives for environmental sustainability. For example, we have been able to purify all wastewater from processes and are planning to use a large part of this water for irrigation of surrounding lands. Regarding electricity, we are interested in understanding how we can participate in the process that will lead to the birth of renewable energy communities in the coming years. More as consumers - since the pharmaceutical industry is energy-intensive - than as producers."

Dompé Pharmaceuticals’ Environmental Commitment 

MBTI: a Leadership That Thrives in Diversity

Esplorando il potere della leadership: il progetto MBTI 

In the world of leadership, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Each person's unique personality traits and preferences play a significant role in shaping their behavior, communication style, and decision-making process.

To help our employees delve deeper into their inner selves and uncover their unique combination of personality preferences, Dompé has been using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment sessions in our company. The MBTI is a self-reflective questionnaire that reveals various psychological preferences in individuals' perception of the world and approach to decision-making. Over the years, the MBTI has gained traction in the field of leadership as well, especially relational leadership.

As part of our Leadership Development program, we organized a series of facilitated sessions for our people managers focused on MBTI and Relational Leadership. More than 50 members of our people managers from cross-functional teams in Europe were engaged in different exercises to gain a deeper understanding of how personality traits influence their leadership style and how they can adapt it to unlock the full potential of their teams. All the sessions were guided by a facilitator who was skilled in guiding participants through self-discovery.

With a clear vision in mind, the facilitator provided our people managers with valuable insights and wisdom, inviting them to reflect on the multifaceted challenges they encounter as leaders. One thought-provoking exercise involved the exploration of each participant's childhood hero. Each person described their chosen hero, whether it was a fictional character, historical figure, or someone close to their hearts. In delving into the qualities and virtues that made these heroes remarkable, the participants discovered profound connections to their own values and beliefs and understood how the values represented in their chosen heroes shaped their leadership styles.

In a practical turn, role playing was employed to involve the teams in an engaging scenario ranging from mediating conflicts to negotiating with others from different perspectives. The participants were encouraged to step into the shoes of other people, learning to view situations from multiple angles and understanding the nuances of each person's motivations and concerns. The role plays became a laboratory for experimenting with different approaches to negotiation skills, giving participants the opportunity to refine their communication skills as well.

Throughout the workshop, it became evident that effective people leadership goes beyond individual brilliance. It thrives in an environment where people are able to understand and appreciate their own personality preferences, as well as those of others. By understanding how their personality traits influence their behavior, leaders can become more self-aware and effective in their interactions with others.

The sessions were a valuable learning experience for all participants, and they left with a deeper understanding of how their personality traits influence their leadership style. They also gained valuable insights into how they can adapt their leadership style to unlock the full potential of their teams.

"Equine Guided Learning”: Un viaggio alla scoperta delle nostre capacità manageriali

Equine Guided Learning:  A journey of self-discovery to empower managers with leadership skills

At Dompé we foster a culture of learning, paving the way for people’s lifelong growth. That is why we invest in the development of leadership, with new approaches. 

For example, at Angera woods village, near Lake Maggiore, some managers engaged in a new self-awareness and personal growth initiative: Equine Guided Learning. Within a natural space, participants are guided to discover the strength of their own intentions and the coherence between emotions, thoughts, and actions.

Horses attune themselves to people and read the coherence between their emotions, reflecting with specific responses what they perceive. The trainers, capable of decoding these behaviors, "translate" them into feedback for the participants: guiding them, overcoming their resistance, and creating spaces for learning and reflection without excessively structured mediations.

It's a learning experience that emphasizes the dimension of presence, connection, and focus while eliminating the use of words and explanations from a "manual."

“It was a unique training opportunity that highlighted the importance of non-verbal communication and the coherence between gestures and intentions” said Giada Licari, Head of Marketing Director - Primary & Specialty Care.  The new learning format is aimed to expand their perspectives on authentic leadership and improve their managerial skills, including guiding, providing constructive feedback, expressing assertiveness and clarifying personal intentions before taking action.

"Engaging with the horses allowed me to recognize the importance of living in the present moment and fostering genuine connections with others. With their remarkable ability to stay in the now, the horses taught me the significance of such coherence, as they don't dwell on the past or worry about the future” said Elisa Spitti, Commercial Excellence & Solutions Associate Director.

Sometimes, the most important lessons come from unexpected teachers. In our case, the honest and real-time feedback and the wisdom imparted by equine partners was invaluable for the participants to deepen their self-awareness, nurturing empathy, and cultivating a stronger sense of trust within their teams.