Claudio Cavazza
Encyclopedia
Claudio Cavazza is an Italian entrepreneur, Chairman and founder of the Sigma-Tau
pharmaceutical company.
, which quickly established itself as one of the most important events dedicated to matters of science and epistemology of our times.
After having graduated with a degree in pharmaceutical chemistry and studied for some time under Professor Noris Siliprandi, Professor of Biochemistry
at the University of Padua
, Cavazza soon made the decision to dedicate himself to entrepreneurial activities.
His entrepreneurial breakthrough into the pharmaceutical sector happened in the mid 1960s, thanks to the launch of Rekord B12, which soon became one of the highest selling medicines in Italy
and elsewhere. Its success originated from the discovery that vitamin B12
develops an antiasthenic and antidepressant effect at high doses.
The medicine was also distinctively packaged in a particularly innovatively designed tube, which was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York
.
An equally fundamental step in the history of Sigma-Tau
group was the decision – resulting from the passion and determination of Claudio Cavazza – to dedicate significant resources to scientific research into the study of carnitine
, an endogenous substance of natural origin that is without side effects, which intervenes in the processes that allow cells to produce their own energy sources. The study of carnitine
produced preparations of proven efficiency, able to correct metabolic defects, whether congenital or acquired, in different clinical situations.
Over the years, Sigma-Tau
group has broadened its presence in the international scene with branches not only in the major European countries of France
, Switzerland
, Holland, Belgium
, Portugal
, Germany
, and the United Kingdom
, but also in India
, and with two production plants in the United States
and Spain
. Sigma-Tau
group has around 2,500 employees, 400 of whom are researchers involved in the most advanced sectors of national and worldwide research in which it reinvests 16% of its turnover.
He was a member of the presiding committee of the Italian employers’ federation, Confindustria
, subsequently invited to join Confindustria
’s technical education committee and the steering committee formed by the Confindustria
Health Commission. In January 2008, Cavazza was made manager of the industrial innovation project “Nuove Tecnologie della Vita” (New life science technologies) within the Italian Ministry of Economic Development
. He is a member of the board of EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations), of which he was Vice President from 1992 to 1994. He is also member of the Council of IFPMA
(International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association).
in Medicine
. He was awarded an honorary degree
in International Business Strategies from LUSTICO, the Free International University for International Studies of Ostia. In recognition of his commitment to research and development activities for rare diseases in the United States
, in 1995 the county of Maryland
established the Claudio Cavazza Science Award. In June 2005 he was awarded the Pharma-Finance award for biotechnologies, and in December 2009 was given the title of meritorious member of the non-profit Italian association for fragile X syndrome (Associazione Italiana Sindrome X Fragile Onlus) for the commitment he has shown towards those affected by the syndrome.
, intended to introduce the concepts of entirety and complexity of the humanities into entrepreneurial planning and medicine, in order to promote academic and cultural debate and encourage scientific progress.
Cavazza founded the Sigma-Tau
publishing house in 1988, producing the scientific magazine Sfera, an editorial project of 43 parts published between 1988 and 1995. Through its innovation it gained two awards, the Galileo in Italy in 1989, and the Prix Caméra in Paris in 1991.
(Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Italian National Research Council) consulting committees:
For the Italian Ministry of Research he has also participated in:
He was Vice President of the committee of Aspen Institute Italia, an institute that promotes collaboration and research at international level on the policies of development in large global areas.
Sigma-Tau
Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite, referred to as Sigma-Tau, emerges in 1957 from the entrepreneurial initiative of research chemist Claudio Cavazza...
pharmaceutical company.
History
Instigator and promoter of the scientific section of the Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds) in Spoleto, SpoletoScienza, organized by the Fondazione Sigma-TauFondazione Sigma-Tau
-Aims:Fondazione Sigma-Tau is an institution that aims to promote and share scientific knowledge and interdisciplinary dialogue between branches of learning. It was created as a charitable organization and is recognized by law with Presidential Decree No. 648 of 4 August 1986...
, which quickly established itself as one of the most important events dedicated to matters of science and epistemology of our times.
After having graduated with a degree in pharmaceutical chemistry and studied for some time under Professor Noris Siliprandi, Professor of Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
at the University of Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
, Cavazza soon made the decision to dedicate himself to entrepreneurial activities.
His entrepreneurial breakthrough into the pharmaceutical sector happened in the mid 1960s, thanks to the launch of Rekord B12, which soon became one of the highest selling medicines in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and elsewhere. Its success originated from the discovery that vitamin B12
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12, vitamin B12 or vitamin B-12, also called cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is one of the eight B vitamins...
develops an antiasthenic and antidepressant effect at high doses.
The medicine was also distinctively packaged in a particularly innovatively designed tube, which was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
An equally fundamental step in the history of Sigma-Tau
Sigma-Tau
Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite, referred to as Sigma-Tau, emerges in 1957 from the entrepreneurial initiative of research chemist Claudio Cavazza...
group was the decision – resulting from the passion and determination of Claudio Cavazza – to dedicate significant resources to scientific research into the study of carnitine
Carnitine
Carnitine is a quaternary ammonium compound biosynthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine. In living cells, it is required for the transport of fatty acids from the cytosol into the mitochondria during the breakdown of lipids for the generation of metabolic energy. It is widely...
, an endogenous substance of natural origin that is without side effects, which intervenes in the processes that allow cells to produce their own energy sources. The study of carnitine
Carnitine
Carnitine is a quaternary ammonium compound biosynthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine. In living cells, it is required for the transport of fatty acids from the cytosol into the mitochondria during the breakdown of lipids for the generation of metabolic energy. It is widely...
produced preparations of proven efficiency, able to correct metabolic defects, whether congenital or acquired, in different clinical situations.
Over the years, Sigma-Tau
Sigma-Tau
Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite, referred to as Sigma-Tau, emerges in 1957 from the entrepreneurial initiative of research chemist Claudio Cavazza...
group has broadened its presence in the international scene with branches not only in the major European countries of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Holland, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, but also in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and with two production plants in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Sigma-Tau
Sigma-Tau
Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite, referred to as Sigma-Tau, emerges in 1957 from the entrepreneurial initiative of research chemist Claudio Cavazza...
group has around 2,500 employees, 400 of whom are researchers involved in the most advanced sectors of national and worldwide research in which it reinvests 16% of its turnover.
Roles
Claudio Cavazza was Chairman of Italian pharmaceutical industry association, Farmindustria, from 1986 to 1992.He was a member of the presiding committee of the Italian employers’ federation, Confindustria
Confindustria
Confindustria is the Italian employers' federation, founded in 1910. It groups together more than 113,000 voluntary member companies, accounting for nearly 4,200,000 individuals. It aims to help Italy's economic growth, assisting, in doing so, its members...
, subsequently invited to join Confindustria
Confindustria
Confindustria is the Italian employers' federation, founded in 1910. It groups together more than 113,000 voluntary member companies, accounting for nearly 4,200,000 individuals. It aims to help Italy's economic growth, assisting, in doing so, its members...
’s technical education committee and the steering committee formed by the Confindustria
Confindustria
Confindustria is the Italian employers' federation, founded in 1910. It groups together more than 113,000 voluntary member companies, accounting for nearly 4,200,000 individuals. It aims to help Italy's economic growth, assisting, in doing so, its members...
Health Commission. In January 2008, Cavazza was made manager of the industrial innovation project “Nuove Tecnologie della Vita” (New life science technologies) within the Italian Ministry of Economic Development
Ministry of Economic Development
Ministry of Economic Development may refer to:* Ministry of Economic Development * Ministry of Economic Development * Ministry of Finance and Economic Development * Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development...
. He is a member of the board of EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations), of which he was Vice President from 1992 to 1994. He is also member of the Council of IFPMA
IFPMA
The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations is the global non-profit NGO representing the research-based pharmaceutical industry, including the biotech and vaccine sectors. Its members comprise 25 leading international companies and 45 national and regional industry...
(International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association).
Recognition
Cavazza was appointed to the order of Knight of Labour in 1987. In 2005, the University of Genoa awarded him an honorary degreeHonorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
in Medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
. He was awarded an honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
in International Business Strategies from LUSTICO, the Free International University for International Studies of Ostia. In recognition of his commitment to research and development activities for rare diseases in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, in 1995 the county of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
established the Claudio Cavazza Science Award. In June 2005 he was awarded the Pharma-Finance award for biotechnologies, and in December 2009 was given the title of meritorious member of the non-profit Italian association for fragile X syndrome (Associazione Italiana Sindrome X Fragile Onlus) for the commitment he has shown towards those affected by the syndrome.
Commitment to culture
In 1986 Claudio Cavazza instigated the creation of the Fondazione Sigma-TauFondazione Sigma-Tau
-Aims:Fondazione Sigma-Tau is an institution that aims to promote and share scientific knowledge and interdisciplinary dialogue between branches of learning. It was created as a charitable organization and is recognized by law with Presidential Decree No. 648 of 4 August 1986...
, intended to introduce the concepts of entirety and complexity of the humanities into entrepreneurial planning and medicine, in order to promote academic and cultural debate and encourage scientific progress.
Cavazza founded the Sigma-Tau
Sigma-Tau
Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite, referred to as Sigma-Tau, emerges in 1957 from the entrepreneurial initiative of research chemist Claudio Cavazza...
publishing house in 1988, producing the scientific magazine Sfera, an editorial project of 43 parts published between 1988 and 1995. Through its innovation it gained two awards, the Galileo in Italy in 1989, and the Prix Caméra in Paris in 1991.
Involvement in activities in the public interest
Cavazza has taken part in numerous CNRCNR
-Science, technology, computing and communications:*Carrier-to-noise ratio *CNR , the quantity "Contrast to Noise Ratio" in diagnostic imaging*Cisco Network Registrar, a DHCP, DNS and TFTP server suite offered by Cisco...
(Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Italian National Research Council) consulting committees:
- National Committee for Chemical Sciences
- Scientific committee for the Preventive and Rehabilitative Medicine Project
- Scientific committee for the project on ageing
- Commission of the Target Project Biotechnology and Bioinstrumentation.
For the Italian Ministry of Research he has also participated in:
- National Drug Committee
- National Committee for Biology
He was Vice President of the committee of Aspen Institute Italia, an institute that promotes collaboration and research at international level on the policies of development in large global areas.
Sources
- G.Rossi, B. Chiavazzo, Capitani coraggiosi, Memori, 2005.
- AAVV, SpoletoScienza, n°32, anno XVIII, 2006.
- AAVV, SpoletoScienza, n°36, anno XX, 2008.
- AAVV, SpoletoScienza, n°37, anno XXI, 2009.
- AAVV, SpoletoScienza, n°38, anno XXI, 2009.
- AAVV, SpoletoScienza, n°39, anno XXII, 2010.
- AAVV, SpoletoScienza, n°41, anno XXII, 2011.