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Reigniting Recordati’s Vision – A New Purpose for a Global Healthcare Leader

Founded in 1926, Recordati is a renowned European pharmaceutical company recognised for its innovation in rare and common diseases. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Recordati operates in over 150 countries, offering treatments for hypertension, urology, pain management, and more. Its rare disease portfolio, covering metabolic disorders and other life-threatening conditions, solidifies its commitment to patients with highly specialised healthcare needs.

While Recordati has long been a pillar of reliability in the pharmaceutical industry, the rapid changes in healthcare—shifting patient expectations, regulatory landscapes, and demands for sustainability—prompted leadership to rethink the company’s overarching direction. Despite steady growth and clinical advancements, Recordati recognised a more profound necessity: a Purpose that resonates across its global workforce aligns with modern healthcare demands and motivates innovation at every level.


The Need for a Defined Purpose

Recordati’s leadership identified that a clear and compelling Purpose could serve as a north star, guiding the company through the evolving healthcare landscape. As stakeholders increasingly demand transparency and ethical responsibility, a well-defined Purpose is crucial to inspire both internal and external audiences. Recordati wanted to move beyond being just a pharmaceutical company that delivers results—it aimed to be a transformative force in global healthcare, dedicated to elevating patient care, fostering innovation, and driving sustainability.

A Purpose isn’t merely a statement. It serves as the lens through which decisions are made, strategies are built, and corporate culture is fostered. Recordati realised that its Purpose needed to:


  • Unify all 4,300 employees across diverse markets under a shared mission.

  • Empower innovation within its R&D teams, helping create the next generation of life-changing therapies.

  • Elevate its reputation as a trusted partner for healthcare professionals and patients, especially in its rapidly growing rare diseases division.

  • Address modern global challenges like sustainability, ethical corporate practices, and equitable access to healthcare.


Crafting a New Purpose

Recordati’s Purpose project began with in-depth research and conversations across the organisation. This discovery phase involved stakeholders at every level—from executives and department heads to scientists and frontline employees. The goal was to capture the heart of Recordati’s existing values while projecting its vision for the future.

During workshops and interviews, several key themes emerged. Employees were passionate about the company’s commitment to improving quality of life, especially in the rare disease sector. There was also a clear drive to make healthcare more accessible and to address complex challenges, such as ageing populations and unmet medical needs.


From these insights, a new Purpose was shaped:

“Unlocking the full potential of life.”

This Purpose reflected Recordati’s role in producing innovative treatments and making a meaningful impact on the communities it serves. It encapsulated the company’s commitment to delivering healthcare solutions that truly improve lives while driving forward-thinking scientific discovery.



Impact of the New Purpose

Once the Purpose was defined, it was woven into the fabric of Recordati’s strategy, culture, and communications. The Purpose informed everything from leadership decisions to daily operations, providing a unified direction for all employees, no matter their function or location. Here’s how the Purpose transformed Recordati’s key areas:

R&D and Innovation

R&D is the heart of any pharmaceutical company, and Recordati’s new Purpose energized innovation within its research teams. With a clear directive to improve lives through innovation, Recordati invested even more heavily in expanding its rare disease portfolio and developing therapies that address unmet medical needs.

For example, the company accelerated clinical trials for treatments addressing rare metabolic and endocrine disorders, guided by the belief that innovative science should be accessible to the patients who need it most.


Corporate Culture and Employee Engagement

The Purpose resonated strongly within Recordati’s global workforce. By placing patients and innovation at the centre of its mission, Recordati fostered a culture of purpose-driven work. Employees were encouraged to view their roles as vital contributors to improving health worldwide. Whether in R&D, marketing, or operations, every employee had a clear understanding of how their work aligned with the company’s broader mission.

This led to increased employee engagement, stronger cross-functional collaboration, and a more cohesive organisational culture. Teams worked together with renewed purpose, and internal surveys showed a marked increase in job satisfaction and alignment with the company’s goals.



Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability

As part of its Purpose, Recordati is committed to driving sustainable growth and ensuring that its operations support ethical practices. This included focusing on reducing the environmental impact of its manufacturing processes, promoting diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and supporting equitable access to healthcare in underserved communities.

Recordati’s Purpose informed its decision to collaborate with non-profits and global health organisations to ensure that its life-saving treatments reached those who needed them most, regardless of geographic or economic barriers.

External Communications and Brand Perception

Externally, Recordati’s new Purpose strengthened its relationships with healthcare providers, patients, and partners. By explicitly stating its commitment to improving lives and driving innovation, Recordati positioned itself as a forward-thinking leader in the pharmaceutical industry. This shift in positioning led to enhanced trust and credibility with healthcare professionals and regulatory bodies, as well as a stronger emotional connection with patients.

Moreover, the company’s Purpose-driven messaging resonated with investors and stakeholders who were increasingly seeking to align with companies that prioritized ethical, sustainable business practices.

Conclusion

Recordati’s newly defined Purpose—“Improving lives, driving innovation”—provided the company with a powerful platform to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare. By uniting its workforce under a shared mission, empowering innovative science, and demonstrating its commitment to ethical practices, Recordati not only bolstered its market position but also reinforced its reputation as a company that truly makes a difference in people’s lives.

In a world where Purpose is becoming the defining factor of successful, sustainable organizations, Recordati has embraced its role as a leader in transforming healthcare for the better.

This case study provides a comprehensive narrative highlighting the need for and impact of, the new Purpose at Recordati. Let me know if you’d like to adjust any elements further.