From the Heart of Naples to the Future of Medicine: the New Talents of the PharmaTech Academy

PharmaTech Academy is a unique program in Italy, dedicated to the training of professionals in the research, development, and regulation of gene therapy and RNA-based treatments. Thanks to a learning-by-doing approach, students gained direct experience through internships with leading pharmaceutical and biotech firms, including: Anemocyte S.r.l., Novartis, Nouscom Srl, Deloitte, Italfarmaco S.p.A., Dompé Farmaceutici S.p.A., Genetic Officina Farmaceutica, Elysium Cell Bio Ita, PBL Srl, ReiThera Srl, Sanofi S.r.l., Stevanato Group, Takis S.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., and Integrated Drug Discovery – IRBM.

Many of these companies are expected to welcome graduates back as they transition from trainees to contributors in real-world therapeutic development.

Graduates leave the PharmaTechAcademy well-equipped to address the growing demand for Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products (ATMPs)—including therapies based on DNA, RNA, cells, and tissues, which are increasingly being adopted across Europe. According to industry data, the European gene and cell therapy market, valued at $2.17 billion in 2022, is projected to reach $15.15 billion by 2028.

In Italy, national spending on ATMPs grew by 6014% over four years, highlighting the sector’s rapid expansion and strategic importance. This is driving the Italian market for advanced therapies with an expected growth from €462.2 million in 2024 to €2.5 billion by 2028, a 449% increase (Businesscoot, 2025). These trends underline the relevance of programs like PharmaTech Academy in developing a workforce ready to tackle tomorrow’s most pressing medical challenges.