The value of sustainability

In June 1985, as he crossed the threshold of that laboratory on the brink of failure, Arturo Licenziati thought about how he could transform that small reality.
The future of the new IBSA could not be limited to economic development: it had to include sustainability.

For Licenziati, the word sustainability held a very broad meaning, closely tied to the concept of regeneration, where beauty, the centrality of people, balance, and ethics are the core elements of every strategic decision.

In May 2001, Licenziati expressed his intention to develop a project on the only undeveloped plot of land in Pian Scairolo, in Canton Ticino (Switzerland), with the aim of bringing together all of IBSA’s activities.  Building was not enough: it was necessary to preserve resources, improve them, and turn every intervention into an opportunity to create beauty and harmony.

In 2024, the PQ4 Garaveggia district plan (also known as the CorPharma district) was officially approved by the cantonal authorities and the municipalities of Lugano and Collina d’Oro. The CorPharma district project, born from Licenziati’s original vision, became a reality.

Looking to the future with the awareness that every enterprise, beyond economic results, has a duty to give back value to the community and the territory is the philosophy that led to defining the pillars on which IBSA is founded: Person, Innovation, Quality and Responsibility.

In 2021, the IBSA. Close to You claim was born, a vision embracing the values of sharing, sustainability, innovation, and beauty, translated into actions and investments for the community. This common thread gave life to a series of projects, concretising the company’s commitment.
 

At the heart of this vision is the symbol of the four-leaf clover, IBSA. Close to You, which signifies placing people at the centre of the ecosystem, growing and evolving, and establishing oneself as an actor and promoter of real change.

Sustainability as a foundational and cross-cutting value

The path IBSA has chosen for its future is one of sustainability integrated into social, environmental, and economic domains. This commitment was formalised for the first time in 2015 with the publication of the first Sustainability Report. In 2024, IBSA published its sixth Report, showing how far the company has progressed and how strong its determination is to be present in the therapeutic field and – above all – to promote well-being and innovation.

Thus, the journey evolved from a clear vision – reconciling innovation and sustainability – to a defined goal: creating a balance between technological progress, social well-being, and respect for the environment. A sustainability that is not limited to the environment, but becomes a cross-cutting value, permeating every aspect of the corporate strategy, including initiatives aimed at improving employee well-being and generating a positive impact on the community.
Workplace safety, professional growth opportunities, and training programmes are the cornerstones of a commitment that looks to the future of people and the planet.

In line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), IBSA integrated 8 of the 17 goals into its corporate strategy, focusing on those that best reflect its impact and contribution. This commitment has translated into concrete actions, such as joining the UN Global Compact in 2023, a choice that strengthens the company’s responsibility in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment, and the fight against corruption.

The Sustainability Manifesto: a shared commitment

IBSA’s commitment to sustainability has been a step-by-step process, developing over time from Licenziati’s far-sighted vision. Today, this commitment is a reality that embraces every level of the company, guiding its present and future development. A journey that led to building a multinational company solid in its values and sensitive to the environment, and that enabled the design of a district comprising buildings, offices and facilities perfectly aligned with this premise. To give shape to this integrated approach, in 2024 IBSA decided to codify its philosophy in a strategic document that serves as a reference for all its activities.

Enter the Sustainability Manifesto, as a declaration of intent and a guide for future challenges. This document consolidates the values that have always driven IBSA, projecting them toward ambitious goals, organised around three fundamental pillars: circular prosperity, social harmony, and environmental care.

1. Circular prosperity: creating shared economic value by promoting sustainable and collaborative business models.
2. Social harmony: fostering people’s well-being through initiatives that improve quality of life and promote inclusion.
3. Environmental care: integrating sustainable practices into every phase of the production process, from the selection of raw materials to product distribution.

Beyond sustainability

What sets IBSA apart is its ability to go beyond the traditional boundaries of responsibility, embracing a much broader concept. It is not just about offsetting environmental impact, but actively contributing to building a better future. An approach that is also reflected in the desire to engage in a dialogue with younger generations, transmitting the values of ethics, care, and innovation.

Licenziati chose to communicate through concrete actions, leveraging quality, innovation and responsibility, attributing a critical role to social responsibility – a role that over the years has given rise to:

IBSA Foundation for children, established in 2008 to provide tangible support to the company’s employees and promote a better balance between parenthood and work commitments. Today, the Nido Primi Passi nursery is also open to the local community, and has been officially recognised by the Canton Ticino authorities.

IBSA Foundation for scientific research, established in 2012 to promote a “science for all”, through initiatives that foster dialogue between humanistic and scientific knowledge, with approaches involving the community at all levels (from institutions to schools) and creative, innovative language to educate younger generations and inspire their growth paths.