Company
COMECER S.p.A. High-Technology Systems for Pharma, Radiopharma, And ATMP
Comecer is an Italian company based in Castel Bolognese (Ravenna), founded in 1975 as a small business specializing in nuclear technologies. Over time, it has expanded rapidly and become a global leader in containment systems for the pharmaceutical, radiopharmaceutical, and advanced therapy medical product (ATMP) sectors.
Comecer designs and manufactures high-tech systems for aseptic processing and containment in the pharmaceutical and nuclear medicine industries, with a particular focus on isolation technology solutions for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Since 2019, Comecer has been part of ATS (Automation Tooling Systems Inc.) Life Sciences Group, a Canadian company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and a leading provider of industrial automation solutions for manufacturers across all production sectors.
The company consists of three large business applications. Comecer operates in the Radiophamraceutical sector through the production of shielding systems and equipment for special applications, in the Pharmaceutical field with the production of isolators for aseptic filling and / or dispensing systems for the treatment of sterile and toxic substances, and in the regenerative medicine sector for the handling, expansion and production of Advanced Therapies Products (ATMP).
Comecer products are known and used in hospitals, universities, research centres, pharmaceutical companies and large industrial groups.
Our History
Founded in the 1970s as a supplier to the Italian Nuclear Agency (Agenzia Nucleare Italiana), Comecer established partnerships with ENEA and Ansaldo, collaborating on numerous research projects. In 1987, following the Italian government’s decision to halt nuclear energy development, Comecer shifted its focus and transferred its technology and know-how to the medical field. The company formed key agreements with technology and research partners, and by 2000, it had established itself as a leading manufacturer of shielded cells for the nuclear medicine industry.
From 2005 onward, Comecer experienced exponential growth in production, driven by its expanding international business. In March 2011, Fondo Italiano d’Investimento, a private equity vehicle initiated by the Italian Ministry of Finance, acquired a minority stake in the Comecer Group.
In 2012, with the aim of expanding its range of products and services, Comecer acquired two companies, Veenstra and Vitrae Czech, thereby strengthening its presence in the field of electronic technologies and software programs for both the pharmaceutical and radiopharmaceutical sectors.
Then, in November 2015, the fund Principia SGR, an asset management company, replaced Fondo Italiano d’Investimento, taking a 45% stake in Comecer. This investment supported the company’s growth and development, with the long-term goal of eventually listing the company on the stock exchange.
On March 1st, 2019, Comecer entered a new phase by becoming part of the ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. Group, a multinational Canadian company and leader in industrial automation solutions.
Timeline
The Comecer Group has been growing steadily since its beginnings in the early 1970′s.
| 1970′s | Comecer was founded as a technology supplier for the Italian Nuclear Agency (ANI). Partnership with ENEA and Ansaldo are established developing multiple prototypes and innovative products. |
| 1980′s | Due to the 1987 nuclear energy development stop in Italy, Comecer moved its competence and know-how to the medical field (safety solutions for nuclear medicine labs). |
| 1990′s | Acquisition and mastering of the stainless steel manufacturing technology with wide application on Comecer products. |
| 2000′s | Development of key agreements with research and technology partners for customized nuclear medicine product development. |
| 2010 | Since the late’00s Comecer has become a reference partner for designing, manufacturing, and the offer of high tech solutions focusing on improving accuracy and safety in the nuclear medicine and isolation technology sectors. |
| 2011 | Fondo Italiano di Investimento has reached an agreement for the entry with a minority stake in Comecer. |
| 2012 | Acquisition by Comecer S.p.a. of Veenstra Instrumenten B.V. (Netherlands) and Brita Trade (Czech Republic). |
| 2015 | The operator Principia SGR acquired the minority stake in the company, taking over the Italian Investment Fund with the medium-term objective of listing the company on the Stock Exchange. |
| 2019 | Comecer S.p.A. becomes part of ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc., an industry-leading automation solutions provider. |
| 2021 | Comecer S.p.A acquires DF Siena, a company specialized in the supply of specialized production equipment and systems mainly aimed at the pharmaceutical market, with a growing presence also in other markets, including the food market. |
