Born from the rib of the Asteriti Pharmacy on the Calabrian Sea, the family business has grown to become a partner and producer (and more) of major brands in the industry
“Galenic” is the preparation of drugs and remedies directly by pharmacists in their laboratories. Is it possible, in the era of “pharma,” more or less big, to be able to buy a more personalized product? The answer is “yes,” and that is what Laboratori Farmaceutici Asteriti, a company that combines tradition and innovation, of which Dr. Fabio Asteriti is sole director, does.
How was Laboratori Farmaceutici Asteriti born and how did it evolve?
«It was born almost 50 years ago, in Calabria, from a rib of the Asteriti pharmacy, founded by my father. It began as a small rural presidium in a tourist area in Le Castella, in the province of Crotone. Over the years it has evolved both technically and professionally, becoming a true point of reference and garrison for the community. It specialized in clinical galenics, orphan drugs for rare diseases, which I still deal with at the university level. I tried from an early age to absorb everything that was the profession from my father. After finishing my studies, with my wife, who is also a pharmacist, we decided to implement within the pharmacy a second laboratory, cosmetics and cosmeceuticals, maintaining the galenic method. We started doing contract formulation, research and development for national and international brands. In 2010, following a meeting with one of our partners and friend, Oasis Group Management, we decided to entrust them with marketing and communication. This led to the birth of the three new business units in Lazio, which now boast about 25 employees, in an area of 800 square meters».
What products do you offer?
«We formulate and manufacture dietary supplements, cosmetics and cosmeceuticals both for ourselves and for third parties. We have national and international clients, including Florence Organics, Acqua di Panarea, the Farmacie Indipendenti group, parapharmacies. We follow projects from idea to finished product, step by step. To do this we obviously had to invest in personnel, training, science — and conscience, above all».
What differentiates you from your competitors?
«We started from the galenic method and brought it into large-scale production. This has led us to have pharmaceutical-quality but artisanal production, where by artisanal I mean the care that goes into each product. In our laboratories, the 20 to 30,000 pieces that come out every day are checked through a four-step method with human control. Our employees are constantly trained and incentivized because we believe that human value is the real treasure of a company. And, in addition, we are able to produce from the very small to the very large batch. As a result, we are able to turn the start-ups that work with us into international brands. Then there is the attention to detail, the quality, the care, the love for what we do».
Family tradition, galenic method and research and development, the company’s driving force: these three factors are the basis of Laboratori Farmaceutici Asteriti‘s business philosophy.
We have seen the past and the present, what’s in the future?
«We recently acquired a 20-hectare facility in Umbria, including arable land, vineyards and olive groves. In addition there is also an accommodation facility, where we have started a research project. From the vineyard we obtain wine, but from the pomace we extract a dry extract titrated in polyphenols, a family of active antioxidants with a particular profile. We use our raw materials in products, to produce nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals that become unique, because only from our pomace do we get that profile of antioxidants. Same with oil and medicinal herbs. The heart of our company has always been R&D, which I personally take care of together with my wife and our “team.” Among the many Research projects I can mention Riepitelix Lipogel a special natural formulation for psoriasis, xerosis and atopic dermatitis: clinical studies have shown its effectiveness and uniqueness, it can be used daily and for long periods being cortisone-free».
The company always operates with respect for nature, ethics, and eco-bio: the laboratories are vegan and organic certified, and the advanced and sustainable production facilities integrate automation and artificial intelligence. The result is a high-quality product and efficient resource management. For a promise of eternal and, above all, virtuous beauty.
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