In 2008, as part of its global expansion strategy, Menarini made a decisive move: establishing its own affiliate in Mexico, one of the world’s largest and most challenging pharmaceutical markets. This was not an isolated venture: Menarini’s internationalisation project had begun more than thirty years earlier with its first subsidiary in Guatemala, gradually extending across Central America, the Dominican Republic, and eventually reaching agreements with local pharmaceutical laboratories in Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.

Today, the Menarini Group distributes its products in over 100 countries across five continents conducting its own research and development through five research centres worldwide, employing nearly 16,000 people globally with almost 600 direct positions in Latin America alone.

The Mexican Chapter Begins

The Mexican team was modest in size – just 89 people – and the portfolio limited to three products. The early months proved difficult: at one point, shipments were not even reaching the country. Yet what defined that period was the team’s resilience. The real turning point came in February 2009, when Menarini Mexico launched two molecules: the foundation of what would become an expanding portfolio. Today, the company offers more than 14 molecules in the Mexican market across five therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, pain management, respiratory and allergies, gastroenterology, and sexual health. Through innovative products and biotechnological processes, Menarini México continues to bring cutting-edge treatments to healthcare professionals across the country.

Luis De Carvalho, now General Manager, joined the affiliate during a pivotal phase. He had been working as Business Area Manager when a phone call from Michele Bosso changed the course of his career. What struck him most, however, was the people. He found a team eager for direction and deeply committed to the company’s mission. Together, they restructured operations and refined their commercial strategy, and the results followed. In 2024, De Carvalho’s first year as General Manager, the affiliate reached 101% of its annual target for the first time in fifteen years.

Today, Menarini Mexico employs 236 people and has surpassed the 100-million-dollar mark in revenue. The company maintains its headquarters in Mexico City, with a presence in the country’s principal cities. Operating under the highest ethical standards and promoting its corporate values, Menarini Mexico has built a reputation for excellence in the Mexican pharmaceutical market.

Yet the figures do not tell the whole story. Behind them are warehouse staff working through the night to ensure timely deliveries, and sales representatives enduring hours of traffic to attend a single appointment.

«We have built something meaningful here», says De Carvalho. «A culture grounded in honesty, respect, and genuine care for one another. There is a real sense of family».

The objectives for the coming years are ambitious: 150 million dollars in revenue and a workforce exceeding 400. A multidisciplinary team is already working to bring new products to Mexico that will benefit patients’ health, supported by the Group’s five global research centres.

Menarini’s journey beyond Italian borders spans more than five decades – a testament to the company’s vision and tenacity. What began as a family pharmaceutical business in Florence has transformed into a truly global enterprise, with the Group steadily building its international network through a combination of direct subsidiaries and strategic partnerships. The expansion into Latin America, which started over thirty years ago with the first subsidiary in Guatemala, exemplifies this patient, methodical approach to growth. This long-term commitment to internationalisation – guided by the twin pillars of research excellence and geographic expansion – laid the groundwork for what would become one of the Group’s most dynamic markets: Mexico.