Author: Mauro Magnani
I founded Diatheva in 2002, in collaboration with a business angel, as an academic start-up in the biotechnology sector. From the outset, the company was based in the Municipality of Fano (PU), operating in rented facilities. Thanks to its success in competitive European research funding programs, Diatheva was able to recruit highly qualified young researchers, all holding PhDs. Many of them are still part of the team and represent a strategic asset for the company.
At the same time, Diatheva launched its first diagnostic products on the market, becoming a reliable partner for numerous public and private research centers in the biotechnology sector.
Mission and Vision
The company was founded with a clear mission, captured in its slogan “Bringing Research to Applications”. Diatheva has always been committed to providing expertise, technologies, and know-how to facilitate technology transfer—bridging the gap between academic research and concrete industrial applications.
Expansion and Recognition
A key moment in Diatheva’s growth was the entry of the University of Urbino into the company’s shareholding structure through the contribution of a laboratory for the production of recombinant proteins. This enabled the company to activate a second manufacturing facility.
In 2005, the company obtained authorization from the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) for the production of recombinant proteins for therapeutic use in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), in line with the highest standards of the biotech sector. In the following years, these proteins were used for vaccines (in Italy and South Africa), the treatment of rare metabolic diseases (in the United Kingdom), cancer therapies (in Italy), and preclinical studies in various contexts.
Corporate Development
In 2012, a turning point marked a new phase for Diatheva: the entry of SOL S.p.A., which acquired majority ownership and control of the company. The University of Urbino exited the shareholding structure, receiving compensation for its stake.
In 2016, with the support of SOL S.p.A., Diatheva inaugurated a new 2,200 sqm facility, equipped with modern and functional infrastructures. Becoming part of a large international group brought new resources and a broader industrial vision.
Diatheva Today
Today, Diatheva is a highly innovative biotechnology company operating in the biomedical sector. It boasts a proprietary portfolio of products and a highly specialized team, over 70% of whom hold PhDs. The company is strongly oriented toward international markets while remaining steadfast in its commitment to research and innovation.
The original dream of fostering collaboration between research and industry remains a top priority. This vision continues to promote synergies between academia and industry, both nationally and internationally, contributing to the development of innovative biotechnological solutions for the benefit of patients and the environment, following a One Health integrated approach.
Mauro Magnani is Co-founder and Scientific Director of Diatheva, and Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry at the University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”. With over four decades of research in molecular biology and biotechnology, he has made key contributions to drug delivery, recombinant proteins, and diagnostics. He is a member of the Italian National Committee for Biosafety, Biotechnology, and Life Sciences under the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, and has authored more than 400 scientific publications. His career is marked by numerous international collaborations and awards for scientific excellence and innovation.