Imaging the world today

Bracco, founded in 1927 by the family who gave it its name and which has been at its helm for three generations and still runs it today, is an integrated Healthcare Group, world leader in global solutions for the diagnostic imaging field.

Born as a pharmaceuticals trading concern, throughout the decades the Company developed an independent industrial production and research activity, specializing its R&D capacities in a specific field - that of diagnostic imaging: in the 1970's, Bracco's laboratories discovered and developed the iopamidol molecule, the first ready-to-use non-ionic contrast medium. This important benchmark was followed in 1987 by an internationalisation plan that is still underway today. A few key developments along the way bear mentioning: the creation of DIBRA (1988), today BRACCO IMAGING, the Group company that manufactures fine chemicals for exportation; the founding of the RESEARCH CENTER in Geneva (1989); the birth of BRACCO INTERNATIONAL (1991), the international marketing company in Lugano; the joint ventures with Eisai (1991) for the Japanese market, and with Byk-Gulden (1993) - today Altana Pharma GmbH - for central European countries. In 1994, the company expands into the United States founding BRACCO DIAGNOSTICS INC. and BRACCO RESEARCH USA in Princeton, New Jersey. The United States represent today the Group's largest market in the sector of contrast agents for medical diagnistics.

In April 2002 SPIN, the second largest plant in terms of capacity after the one in Ceriano Laghetto (Milan), was inaugurated at Torviscosa (Udine), in NorthEastern Italy. The new site produces X-ray contrast media.

In late 1999, the Bracco family announces the buy-back of the 50% company share held by the Merck Company of Darmstadt, Germany for all group pharmaceutical and diagnostic imaging activities. The agreement, a unique case in the Italian drugs business, paves the way for Bracco to concentrate its energies and investments on the further international development of its international diagnostic imaging core business and on its growth in the pharmaceuticals sector in Italy.

The Bracco Group has created a leading edge international research network with its three Research Centers located in Geneva, Milan and Princeton, each one highly specialized in different areas and techniques. This network represents perhaps the largest single research structure in the world wholly dedicated to contrast media study and to the development of new products for the sophisticated demands of new diagnostic techniques such as magnetic resonance and sonography.

In this holistic research program a key role is played by Esaote, a leading biomedical company fully owned by Bracco; based in Genoa, and with research centres in Florence and Maastricht (Nederlands), Esaote is European leader in Ultrasound equipment and recognized leader at International level in the field of dedicated Magnetic Resonance. Bracco and Esaote co-founded Ebit S@nità, an initiative aimed at providing integrated solutions for the use of communications and information technology in healthcare. To contrast agents and diagnostic equipment other products and companies have been subsequently added: such as advanced injection systems for contrast media by Acist Medical Systems Inc., a leading US company operating in the field. More recently, Volume Interactions, a Singapore-based company specialized in the development of advanced software applications for the medical field.

In Italy, Bracco's Pharmaceuticals Division occupies an important position in its sector, particularly in the strategically significant areas of gastroenterology, neurology, endocrinology and cardiovascular therapy. Bracco markets and sells its own trademark products, as well as those of major international partners through licensing agreements. Well-known to the general public are Bracco's market-leading product lines, Cebion and Alfa eye care.

The Group also includes the DIANA DE SILVA COSMETIQUES Company (1987), the leading cosmetics company in Italy, and FRUCTAMINE (1988), a company active in the natural flavorings industry.

The Bracco Group ended 2001 with an annual turnover of €1,054.3 million, 64% of which from foreign sales. Bracco is present in 115 countries and employs more than 3,500 people worldwide, more than 600 of these engaged in research. In 2001, 16% of relevant turnover was invested in Research & Development.