Wise Equity Acquires E-Pharma Trento Majority Stake

Wise Equity has secured a controlling interest in E-Pharma Trento spa, a prominent contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in effervescent and soluble pharmaceutical forms. The transaction sees Wisequity VI, the firm's latest fund, acquire the majority stake from Unifarm spa, a leading pharmaceutical distributor in Italy. Unifarm will retain a significant minority position, signaling continued commitment to E-Pharma's growth trajectory and ongoing collaboration with its management team.

E-Pharma Trento, established in 1993, has carved out a strong niche in the consumer health and nutraceutical sectors. The company offers end-to-end services, from formulation research and regulatory development to large-scale industrial production. Operating from two facilities in Trento, E-Pharma boasts an annual production capacity of approximately 900 million units. Its client roster includes major Italian and international pharmaceutical groups, for whom it manufactures products sold under leading European pharmacy brands. In 2025, the company reported revenues exceeding €55 million, with nearly half of its sales generated internationally, underscoring its global reach.

The nutraceutical segment has emerged as a key growth engine for E-Pharma, now accounting for roughly one-third of its revenue. This strategic focus aligns with the new industrial plan developed jointly by Wise Equity and Unifarm. Future initiatives are set to concentrate on bolstering commercial efforts within the Italian nutraceutical market, expanding into key European territories, increasing investment in research and development, and potentially pursuing strategic acquisitions to broaden its technological capabilities and international manufacturing footprint.

This acquisition marks a significant step in Unifarm's strategic evolution. The Trentino-based pharmaceutical distribution cooperative, serving approximately 800 pharmacists across several Italian regions, has been actively enhancing its industrial and financial operations. This move follows Unifarm's recent divestment of a 9.9% stake in its subsidiary Finafarm to Banca Valsabbina, part of a broader industrial partnership that maintained Unifarm's control.

Paolo Cainelli, President of Unifarm, emphasized that Wise Equity's involvement is a strategic move to support E-Pharma's next growth phase, reiterating Unifarm's intention to remain a key investor. Echoing this sentiment, Stefano Ghetti, Senior Partner at Wise Equity, highlighted E-Pharma's unique technological expertise in a specialized European market. He identified the nutraceutical sector as a primary driver for future expansion, aligning with Wise Equity's investment thesis.

The transaction represents the eighth investment from the Wisequity VI fund, which launched in 2023 with €400 million in capital commitments. This deal underscores Wise Equity's strategy of targeting companies with strong technological foundations and significant growth potential, particularly within specialized niches like pharmaceutical manufacturing and the expanding nutraceutical market. The pharmaceutical CDMO market is projected to grow substantially, driven by increasing outsourcing by pharmaceutical companies and the demand for specialized manufacturing capabilities, creating a favorable environment for companies like E-Pharma Trento.