Giuseppe Accogli took the helm of Chiesi Group after a quarter‑century in the med‑tech arena, a background he says equips him to steer the company’s global expansion and innovation agenda.
From med‑tech roles to chief executive
Accogli’s résumé spans sales, marketing, research and development, mergers and acquisitions, and product strategy. Working for multinational firms gave him insight into how different business functions intersect and how market conditions shift across regions. He credits that breadth for his ability to guide Chiesi’s growth, noting that his experience “has been instrumental in driving … impressive growth and reaching our sustainability goals.”
Opening a biotech hub in Parma
Among his achievements, Accogli highlights the inauguration of Chiesi’s Biotech Centre of Excellence in Parma. The facility not only bolsters the company’s research capacity but also creates skilled jobs in the area. Its focus on rare‑disease therapies is expected to “change the lives of patients,” a point that resonates with the firm’s broader mission.
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Challenges confronting European biotech
Accogli points to a slate of external pressures shaping the industry. Armed conflicts, shifting geopolitical alliances, energy constraints and rapid advances in artificial intelligence all create uncertainty. He argues that Europe must narrow the innovation gap with the United States and China by investing in skills, accelerating research, and easing regulatory hurdles.
The ongoing review of pharmaceutical legislation, he notes, will be “key” for the sector’s future. Reducing dependence on critical raw materials and strengthening R&D capabilities are also high on the agenda. Despite these obstacles, Chiesi continues to pour resources into drug development for respiratory illnesses, rare conditions and speciality care, while striving to balance growth with sustainability.
Motivation behind the pharma work
Accogli says the “profound impact … on patients’ lives” across therapeutic areas that include neonatology and transplantation drives him. He frames the work as more than medicine, describing it as a chance to “make a meaningful difference in people’s lives worldwide.” That sense of purpose fuels daily effort.
Short‑term and long‑term goals
In the near term, Chiesi plans to broaden its footprint in the United States, Europe and China, aiming to reach more patients. The company is also advancing low‑carbon inhaler technology, with trials targeting up to a 90 % reduction in greenhouse‑gas emissions.
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Looking ahead, the firm targets net‑zero emissions by 2035 and intends to deepen investment in biotechnology and emerging technologies. Accogli says the strategy ties together sustainability, patient engagement and employee‑well‑being, positioning Chiesi as an employer of choice.
With more than 7,000 employees and 31 affiliates worldwide, the group leverages its 85‑year history to pursue a mission of improving quality of life while acting responsibly toward the community and the planet.
Looking beyond the horizon
Accogli acknowledges that the path forward will not be smooth. Supply‑chain vulnerabilities, regulatory complexity and the need for private R&D investment remain pressing issues. Yet he maintains that Chiesi’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and patient focus equips it to meet those hurdles. The company’s next steps will likely involve further expansion of its R&D network and continued rollout of low‑carbon products, all while keeping an eye on the evolving legislative environment.
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