Unifarco, project starts with Gemelli in Rome on longevity markers

new research and development projects alongside national and international universities and institutions for Unifarco, based in Santa Giustina (Belluno), which is active in the Italian and European markets with branches in Germany, Spain and France and sales networks in Austria, Belgium and Switzerland, and more than 6,300 customer pharmacies.

The company is a leader in Italy in the research, production and distribution to pharmacies of cosmetics, nutraceuticals, dermatological products and medical devices. At work is an in-house team of over 50 professionals in the scientific area, more than 20 of whom are constantly studying and developing new product lines and innovative formulations. Now, the opening of centres of excellence to enhance the ability to propose ever better formulas.

"The numerous collaborations show how attentive Unifarco is to investing in study projects," says Gianni Baratto, Science & Research vice president of Unifarco. "We confirm ourselves as a reference partner for universities and scientific institutions globally, from which we also draw new talent."

So far there are 21 patents filed and six in-house laboratories; the scientific network created over the years now boasts collaborations with Italian and foreign universities (including Padua, Ferrara and Seville) and European institutes of excellence (including Vitroscreen, Mérieux Nutrisciences and Biobasic Europe). In detail, currently being launched is the pro-longevity pilot project with Rome's Gemelli Hospital, led by Professor Francesco Landi - Director of the Department of Ageing, Orthopaedic and Rheumatology Sciences - aimed at analysing certain haematochemical and anthropometric health parameters as markers of longevity. The study, involving 30 volunteers of both sexes over the age of 70, aims to explore new frontiers in the treatment and improvement of the quality of life of the population with a view to prevention for healthy longevity.

The Dafnae of Padua and Veneto Agricoltura are exploring the zero-kilometre cultivation of mountain species in the Triveneto region. The project aims to promote the cultivation of new species through the study and experimentation of ecological, sustainable and innovative cultivation methods. Furthermore, the research contract with the Csic of Barcelona has been renewed with the aim of discovering new systems for conveying substances to improve the efficacy of products for topical use, while the collaboration with a spin-off of the University of Bordeaux is entering its final phase, for the in vitro study of a new pool of functional active ingredients for skin health.