Marino
Golinelli

  • ENTREPRENEUR
  • PHILANTHROPIST
  • RESEARCHER
1920 Born in San Felice sul Panaro (Modena), Italy. 1943 Graduated from the University of Bologna, degree in Pharmacy. 1948 Started Biochimici A.L.F.A, which later became Wassermann, and is today Alfasigma. 2022 passed away at the age of 101.
1920 Born in San Felice sul Panaro (Modena), Italy. 1943 Graduated from the University of Bologna, degree in Pharmacy. 1948 Started Biochimici A.L.F.A, which later became Wassermann, and is today Alfasigma. 2022 passed away at the age of 101.

Entrepreneur, philanthropist, researcher, lover of the fine arts in all its expressions, Marino Golinelli is a man who has an optimistic vision of the future and believes that knowledge is the foundation of all human progress

He firmly believes that successful entrepreneurs have a moral duty to give back part of their fortune: the company he founded in 1948, has evolved over time, becoming Alfasigma. Continuously growing over the years, thanks to constant investments in research and development, it has become one of the most important pharmaceutical companies in the world.

With this in mind, in 1988 - when the ninth centenary of the University of Bologna was being celebrated - he gave life to the Foundation that bears his name, with the aim of promoting education and professional development, spreading the culture of science, and fostering the intellectual, ethical and responsible growth of young individuals.

Alfasigma

1948 He takes over a small laboratory in Bologna and calls it Biochimici A.L.F.A., where he starts producing medicinal products. 1957 The construction of the new headquarters begins. The company is called Alfa Biochimici. 1962 - 63 Constant investments in research and development are crucial for the expansion of the company. With the completion of its new headquarters, the company changes its name to Alfa Farmaceutici. 1974 He acquires the majority stake of Schiapparelli Farmaceutici di Torino, a publicly traded company. 1982 Alfa Farmaceutici takes over the brand and other assets of Alfa Wassermann, a successful drug manufacturer present on the market since 1907. Meanwhile, the construction of a large production unit begins in Alanno Scalo (Pescara). 1987 - 88 Alfa Farmaceutici merges with Istituto Wassermann: Alfa Wassermann is formed. The production unit is concentrated in the Alanno plant.
1948 He takes over a small laboratory in Bologna and calls it Biochimici A.L.F.A., where he starts producing medicinal products. 1957 The construction of the new headquarters begins. The company is called Alfa Biochimici. 1962 - 63 Constant investments in research and development are crucial for the expansion of the company. With the completion of its new headquarters, the company changes its name to Alfa Farmaceutici. 1974 He acquires the majority stake of Schiapparelli Farmaceutici di Torino, a publicly traded company. 1982 Alfa Farmaceutici takes over the brand and other assets of Alfa Wassermann, a successful drug manufacturer present on the market since 1907. Meanwhile, the construction of a large production unit begins in Alanno Scalo (Pescara). 1987 - 88 Alfa Farmaceutici merges with Istituto Wassermann: Alfa Wassermann is formed. The production unit is concentrated in the Alanno plant.

Fondazione Golinelli

1988 Fondazione Marino Golinelli is officially established. 2000 The Life Learning Center is formed: a permanent division of research, training, and education in the Life Sciences. 2005 The first edition of "La scienza in piazza", later becoming "Arte e scienza in piazza" takes place: a project created to bring citizens of all ages and cultural backgrounds, children, students and educators closer to science, art and culture, transforming urban spaces into laboratories, exhibitions and environments for meetings and debates on science. 2010 START Creative Culture Laboratory is inaugurated, selected in 2012 among the best children centers in Europe. The first exhibition of Art and Science is held, with a successful format that continues to this day. 2013 The Trust Eureka is set up to create the "Enterprise Garden" project, an informal school of entrepreneurial culture. 2015 Thanks to a pioneering urban redevelopment project, Opificio Golinelli is inaugurated in Bologna, a citadel of knowledge and culture serving as headquarters for the activities of Fondazione Golinelli: the foundation's new name. 2017 The Golinelli Arts and Sciences Center is inaugurated. 2018 The Incubator and the Accelerator for new entrepreneurial realities is launched.
1988 Fondazione Marino Golinelli is officially established. 2000 The Life Learning Center is formed: a permanent division of research, training, and education in the Life Sciences. 2005 The first edition of "La scienza in piazza", later becoming "Arte e scienza in piazza" takes place: a project created to bring citizens of all ages and cultural backgrounds, children, students and educators closer to science, art and culture, transforming urban spaces into laboratories, exhibitions and environments for meetings and debates on science. 2010 START Creative Culture Laboratory is inaugurated, selected in 2012 among the best children centers in Europe. The first exhibition of Art and Science is held, with a successful format that continues to this day. 2013 The Trust Eureka is set up to create the "Enterprise Garden" project, an informal school of entrepreneurial culture. 2015 Thanks to a pioneering urban redevelopment project, Opificio Golinelli is inaugurated in Bologna, a citadel of knowledge and culture serving as headquarters for the activities of Fondazione Golinelli: the foundation's new name. 2017 The Golinelli Arts and Sciences Center is inaugurated. 2018 The Incubator and the Accelerator for new entrepreneurial realities is launched.
Marino Golinelli has invested 85 million euros of his own personal wealth in the Foundation

Acknowledgements

1979 Marino Golinelli is bestowed with the honorary title of “Cavaliere del Lavoro” by the Italian President of the Republic. 2001 He receives an honorary degree in Conservation of Cultural Heritage from the University of Bologna "for his ability to develop innovative and original training and communication projects and for fostering science and knowledge of artistic culture". 2010 He is awarded with the Nettuno d'Oro by the Municipality of Bologna "for having honored his city with his professional activity and public service". 2015 He is conferred honorary citizenship by the Municipality of San Felice sul Panaro. 2016 He participates in the "Jubilee of Industry" held in the Vatican, giving a speech on the ethical values and social responsibility of entrepreneurs, in the presence of Pope Francis and more than 9,000 representatives of the business world gathered in Sala Nervi. In the same year, he receives the "Seal of Honor" from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. 2018 He receives an honorary degree in Medical Biotechnology from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia "for his strong scientific and cultural contribution to the Emilian community and to the entire country". 2019 On October 11, 2019, on the occasion of his 99th birthday, his wife Paola and the Foundation organize a great event: "Through a Century, Looking to the Future" to recount 99 years of life and career, inextricably linked to the cultural and economic development of the country. 2020 On the centenary of his birthday, on October 11th he was honored by the Mayor of Bologna, Virginia Merola, with a birthday vellum from the Municipal Administration and all its citizens. In October, he also received the Paul Harris Fellow Award, the highest honor Rotary Club Bologna awards to "individuals with particular merits in civil society".
1979 Marino Golinelli is bestowed with the honorary title of “Cavaliere del Lavoro” by the Italian President of the Republic. 2001 He receives an honorary degree in Conservation of Cultural Heritage from the University of Bologna "for his ability to develop innovative and original training and communication projects and for fostering science and knowledge of artistic culture". 2010 He is awarded with the Nettuno d'Oro by the Municipality of Bologna "for having honored his city with his professional activity and public service". 2015 He is conferred honorary citizenship by the Municipality of San Felice sul Panaro. 2016 He participates in the "Jubilee of Industry" held in the Vatican, giving a speech on the ethical values and social responsibility of entrepreneurs, in the presence of Pope Francis and more than 9,000 representatives of the business world gathered in Sala Nervi. In the same year, he receives the "Seal of Honor" from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. 2018 He receives an honorary degree in Medical Biotechnology from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia "for his strong scientific and cultural contribution to the Emilian community and to the entire country". 2019 On October 11, 2019, on the occasion of his 99th birthday, his wife Paola and the Foundation organize a great event: "Through a Century, Looking to the Future" to recount 99 years of life and career, inextricably linked to the cultural and economic development of the country. 2020 On the centenary of his birthday, on October 11th he was honored by the Mayor of Bologna, Virginia Merola, with a birthday vellum from the Municipal Administration and all its citizens. In October, he also received the Paul Harris Fellow Award, the highest honor Rotary Club Bologna awards to "individuals with particular merits in civil society".

Passion for the arts and the sciences

Marino Golinelli's interest in art has continued to grow over time, as has his art collection, curated together with his wife, Paola.

He is one of the first members of the Advisory Committee of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. His entrepreneurial activity, supported by a multifaceted personal curiosity that he shares with his wife, has led them to travel all over the world, from Africa to Asia, passing through the main capitals of the world, allowing them to experience different cultures, visit museums, galleries, international fairs and meet several artists.

He prefers the term "researcher" rather than "art collector" to define himself, because he considers the works of art that he has acquired over time to be instruments, keys to open the fundamental interpretation of reality and decipher the world. He feels the same way about music, especially classical music, which holds a special place in his heart: a source of emotions, discoveries, passions, and questions that have yet to be asked.

It is not all not just aesthetic, it is the ethics of art.

In this context, his philanthropic activity is carried out in the daily practices of Fondazione Golinelli, and his support is extended to important institutions such as the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, the Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna, the Venice opera house Teatro La Fenice, and with the "Nuova Musica" project dedicated to young composers, and the Teatro alla Scala with the Fondazione "Milano per la Scala".

His Playlist

  • “Solitude” by Louis Armstrong
  • “Strangers in the night” by Frank Sinatra
  • “Rhapsody in blue” by George Gershwin
  • “Teresa non sparare” by Fred Buscaglione
  • “Tu vuo’ fa’ l’americano” by Renato Carosone
  • “E lucevan le stelle” by Giacomo Puccini
  • “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” by Giuseppe Verdi
  • “Nel blu dipinto di blu” by Domenico Modugno
  • “Yesterday” by the Beatles
  • “Nessun dorma” by Giacomo Puccini