A Vision Beyond Medicine

At the intersection of science, empathy, and innovation stands Barbara Maglione, As the Head of Research and Development at Farmaceutici Damor SpA, Maglione has dedicated her career to pushing the boundaries of medicine while never losing sight of the human stories at the heart of healthcare.

Her vision is bold yet profoundly simple: to lead teams not just in creating groundbreaking medicines, but in reimagining healthcare as a deeply patient-centered experience. “It’s about seeing the patient, not just the disease,” she says. This philosophy, rooted in both scientific rigor and compassion, has not only defined her leadership style but also set her apart as a guiding light in one of the most challenging and competitive industries in the world.

The Spark of a Calling

Barbara Maglione’s journey into pharmaceuticals was never just about science. It was about impact. From an early fascination with how human health could be transformed by research, she carried a belief that medicine was not simply about curing illnesses, it was about alleviating suffering at scale.

What began as curiosity soon evolved into a career path. She recalls how moving into leadership roles felt like a natural extension of her work. “It wasn’t just about contributing to a single project,” she reflects, “but about shaping a culture where innovation could thrive at scale.”

A Leader Who Orchestrates Innovation

In an industry that thrives on both precision and creativity, Maglione has mastered the delicate art of balancing scientific rigor with innovation. Early in her career, she was more hands-on, deeply involved in the technical details. Today, her role has shifted into that of a strategic orchestrator, connecting disparate ideas, nurturing cross-disciplinary collaboration, and clearing obstacles so her teams can innovate boldly.

“My leadership style is collaborative and empowerment-focused,” she explains. “I believe in hiring brilliant people and giving them the autonomy and resources to succeed.”

Navigating Storms with Transparency

No leadership journey is without its trials, and for Maglione, one of the defining moments came during a period of budget cuts and corporate restructuring. Faced with difficult decisions that directly affected her team, she chose transparency over silence.

“I communicated the ‘why’ behind every decision, involved my team in finding solutions, and worked hard to protect our core research projects,” she recalls. That period, though challenging, cemented her belief that leadership is not just about driving vision but also about leading with empathy in times of uncertainty.

Farmaceutici Damor SpA: Science with a Soul

At the helm of R&D at Farmaceutici Damor SpA, Maglione is part of a company whose mission is both ambitious and humane: to develop innovative solutions that improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Unlike many large pharmaceutical giants chasing blockbuster drugs, Farmaceutici Damor has carved out a distinctive niche. Its strength lies in agility, a boutique approach to innovation, and a deliberate focus on therapeutic areas with high unmet needs.

Breakthroughs That Defined a Career

One of the most significant milestones in Maglione’s career was leading a project to develop New approaches in treating superficial dermatological lesions and inflammations, alternative to antibiotics. These approaches relate to the new Fitostimoline® plus line, a milestone in curating superficial burns and lesions which consists of the union between the Damor patented triticum vulgare extract and polyhexanide, an antiseptic, not an antibiotic, having antimicrobic activities on the germs contaminating the lesions. What began as a long shot, fraught with failures, ultimately became a defining success.

“The success of this project didn’t just validate our scientific approach,” she recalls. “It galvanized our team and put our company on the map.”

Building a Future-Ready R&D Powerhouse

Under Maglione’s leadership, Farmaceutici Damor’s R&D capabilities have grown from a small, single-focus lab into a multidisciplinary powerhouse. Investments in state-of-the-art technology, Based on AI-driven drug discovery, have revolutionized the way the team works. Experts from diverse fields, including bioinformatics and data science, now collaborate under one roof, ensuring that innovation is not siloed but interconnected.

Innovation with Impact

Maglione’s team has built a reputation for tackling some of the most overlooked areas in healthcare. Ginecology and dermatology have become their specialty, addressing gaps where patients often have few, if any, treatment options.

Their work includes targeted therapies for Improving patients quality of life without any side effect.

The Digital Transformation of Discovery

Technology is no longer a supporting player in pharma; it is a catalyst for discovery. Maglione and her team have embraced this reality wholeheartedly.

“AI and digital transformation have revolutionized our workflow,” she notes. From predictive modeling in drug discovery to big data analytics in clinical trials, technology has drastically shortened development timelines while improving accuracy.

Preparing for a Personalized Future

Looking ahead, Maglione envisions a healthcare future that is highly personalized and data-driven. Her team is already investing in digital health solutions, like remote monitoring tools, that extend care beyond the clinic.

Lessons from Mentors and Setbacks

No journey is complete without influences and turning points. For Maglione, one of the most profound influences was Prof. Bruno Trimarco, an early supervisor who encouraged her to never let bureaucracy stifle curiosity. “The most important lesson I learned from him,” she says, “was to always put the science first, even when it’s difficult.”

The Person Behind the Scientist

Beyond the lab and boardroom, Maglione finds grounding in gardening and hiking. “Gardening requires patience, care, and understanding of cycles, much like R&D,” she reflects. Hiking, meanwhile, offers her perspective and renewal.

A Legacy of Empowerment and Integrity

As she looks toward the future, Barbara Maglione is clear about the legacy she hopes to leave. It’s not just about the therapies her teams bring to market, but about the culture of innovation and empowerment she builds along the way.

“I want to create a future where aspiring scientists, especially women, see that they can break barriers and lead with both strength and compassion,” she says.

Conclusion: A Force for Humanity in Pharma

In a world where pharmaceutical innovation often risks becoming a race for profits, Barbara Maglione represents a different paradigm, one where science serves humanity first.

Her journey from a curious young scientist to a global leader in pharma innovation reflects a rare combination of technical brilliance, emotional intelligence, and unwavering ethics.