Recordati has acquired Orphan Europe, a European pharmaceutical group specialized in the development and marketing of drugs for rare diseases, based in Paris, for 135 million euros. Orphan, with 120 employees, branches in 9 European countries and the United Arab Emirates, has 40 million in revenues and 7.6 million in operating profit, focusing on a rapidly growing niche sector. Indeed, it is estimated that there are 6,000 to 8,000 rare diseases but only some of them are treated with drugs. Orphan Europe currently markets ten products for the treatment of predominantly chronic and life-threatening diseases and has further products in development. The Republic of 09/30/2007 ed. national p. 51
