Marking another significant milestone in its ongoing international expansion, the Company enters the rapidly-growing UK ophthalmology market, a key therapeutic area for the Group
Abano Terme/London, 3rd September 2025 – Fidia Farmaceutici (“Fidia”) – a leading global company specialising in the development, manufacturing and marketing of innovative products, primarily based on hyaluronic acid and its derivates, across joint, skin, eye, specialty and health and wellness care – today announces the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Altacor Ltd, a UK-based specialist ophthalmology company with a growing portfolio of products including Clinitas, a dedicated line for dry eye treatment.
Marking Fidia’s direct entry into the rapidly-growing UK ophthalmology market, the acquisition will expand the Company’s operational footprint and strengthen its positioning in a strategically important therapeutic area. The initiative represents a significant milestone in Fidia’s international growth strategy, which aims to create synergies in operations and distribution across high-potential markets and therapeutic segments.
The acquisition will enable Fidia to enhance Altacor’s existing portfolio and to introduce its own innovative products and treatments to the UK market. These include a wide range of high-quality artificial tears formulated with its unique patented Fidia Hyaluronic Acid (FHA 1.0), designed to address different forms of dry eye disease, as well as diagnostic stains for ocular surface diseases, a comprehensive line of ophthalmic food supplements and multiple platforms to support cataract and corneal crosslinking surgeries.
In addition to the takeover of Altacor, Fidia also announces the acquisition of Meditrina Pharmaceuticals S.r.l. (“Meditrina”), a Romanian company specialising in the distribution, promotion and marketing of medical devices, food supplements, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics in the areas of urology, gynecology and dermatology. Meditrina also operates in Moldova through its subsidiary Meditrina Pharmaceuticals S.r.l., Moldova.
These acquisitions form part of a broader €150 million investment plan for the 2025-26 period and mark the latest in a series of strategic international expansion initiatives carried out by Fidia. In 2024, the Company acquired a portfolio of six brands, consisting mainly of gynecological medicinal products of high therapeutic value, distributed in over 50 countries with a focus on Africa and the Middle East, from global pharmaceutical company Sanofi. In 2023, Fidia entered the Polish market through the acquisition of a Unipharm business unit, reinforcing its positioning in the eye care segment and establishing the local subsidiary Fidia Pharma Polska.
In 2024, Fidia reported revenues exceeding €500 million, up 10.1% year-on-year, with double-digit growth across all key markets: Italy (+10.9%), Europe (+13.6 %), MENA (+13.7%) and the U.S. (14.6%).
Carlo Pizzocaro, President and CEO of Fidia Farmaceutici, stated:
“Building on a series of strategic M&A operations completed in recent years, the acquisition of Altacor represents another milestone in our international growth journey. We are increasingly focusing our investments on high-potential markets, such as the UK, to strengthen our global presence and expand into new therapeutic areas. By broadening our product portfolio and gaining access to complementary channels, we will further reinforce our position as a leading international player, delivering innovative and effective solutions to meet patient needs in every country where we operate”.
Fidia was advised by McDermott Will & Emery on the legal aspects of the Altacor acquisition and by EY Tax & Law on tax aspects.
Fidia Farmaceutici
Founded in Italy in 1946, a world leader in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of innovative products, particularly products containing hyaluronic acid and its derivatives, working in strategic areas such as joint care, skin care, eye care, specialty care and health & wellness care. Fidia has been producing hyaluronic acid from different sources and with various molecular weights for a range of applications for over 60 years (over 1,400 international patents, of which over 1,200 involve hyaluronic acid). The company has a production plant and R&D laboratories at Abano Terme (PD), where the company’s head office is based, production plants in Paderno Dugnano (MI) and Monte Giberto (FM), as well as in Noto (SR), where there is also a specialized Research Unit. With over 1,700 employees worldwide, Fidia distributes its products in over 120 countries globally, through an established network of partners and distributors and with commercial subsidiaries in strategic markets such as the United States, Germany, Austria, Spain, France, Russia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Poland, Egypt, Turkey and the META region.
