Menarini was established 125 years ago (1886) in a small laboratory in Naples, Italy. In 1915, the laboratories were transferred to Florence, where the Menarini head office has always been based.

Even in the 1960s, the company already understood the importance of expanding its horizons beyond national borders. The foundation of the Menarini Laboratories in Barcelona dates from this period.

When Dr Alberto Aleotti was appointed CEO of Menarini in 1964, the company had 188 employees and was ranked 352nd place of all European pharmaceutical companies.

The 1970s were characterised by strengthening the position of Menarini in Italy. This strategy was consolidated in the following decade through numerous agreements made with other large Italian pharmaceutical companies.

It was under the leadership of Dr Aleotti that Menarini successfully developed its various expansion strategies. He is still the President of the Menarini Group, assisted by his daughter Lucia and son Alberto Giovanni.