ABSTRACT
This chapter illustrates in detail the case of an Italian biotech firm, Fidia Advanced Biopolymers srl, now Anika Therapeutics, located in the Veneto region of Italy, near Padua. The firm was spun out from a pharmaceutical firm specializing in neurological treatments to utilize some unused patent regarding hyaluronic acid, extracted initially from the cockscomb plant. The foundational elements of the new emerging business model in the biotech industry has become those of technological alliances. Over the years, research alliances have been established with more than 50 Italian and foreign universities. The company developed a significant number of proprietary technologies and more than 150 international patent. The best strategy for maximizing the value of the firm, considering the difficulties in building an efficient independent business, is the condition of being acquired by one of the existing larger pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical firms.
