What Scharper SpA does

Scharper S.p.A. is an Italian pharmaceutical company headquartered at Viale Ortles 12, Milan, with roots traced to 1958 and a dedicated focus on dietary supplements since 1995. Since 2012 the company has operated under the direction and coordination of IdB Holding S.p.A. (ex art. 2497 of the Italian Civil Code), sitting alongside sister company Indena SpA — the originator of the proprietary Fitosoma® phytosome delivery technology — and Bernett Srl, a botanical extraction facility. The company develops and commercializes three product families: pharmaceutical specialties (respiratory antibiotics, mucolytics and corticosteroids; gastrointestinal antispastics; cardiovascular antihypertensives, anticholesterols and vasoprotectors; gynecological antimycotics and vaginal lactobacilli), a dietary supplement portfolio (QuercImmun, QuercImmun Bambini, Eufortyn, Eufortyn Colesterolo Plus, Prodigest, Ronfolin, Movart, Vocalen, Acuval Audio, Acuval Vert, Fiorilac PS), and Class IIa medical devices (Ipersal, Ipersal Sterile, AcquaSal, Salsogyne) based on sulfato-calcium-magnesium and salsobromoiodic thermal water.

The technical backbone is the Fitosoma® delivery system, a phospholipid-based vehicle that increases solubility and bioavailability of standardized botanical actives without modifying their chemical structure. Scharper commercializes several Indena-developed patented formulations built on this platform, including Curcuma Fitosoma®, QUERCEFIT® (standardized quercetin from Sophora japonica L. with demonstrated 20× greater solubility versus standard quercetin), VAZGUARD® (bergamot polyphenolic fraction phytosome produced via eco-sustainable water-based extraction), and Ubiqsome® (high-solubility CoQ10). Supporting extraction methods include water-only bergamot extraction, supercritical CO2 extraction for ginger, and ethanol/water extraction for artichoke leaf.

Scharper's go-to-market is hybrid: a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront at scharper.it (with GLS home delivery across Italy, free shipping above €60, and credit card / PayPal payment), distribution through Italian pharmacies, para-pharmacies, and online pharmacies, and an enterprise field sales motion targeting healthcare professionals (physicians and pharmacists) for prescription and recommendation of supplements supported by pre-clinical and clinical documentation. Pricing is unit-based with active promotional discounting (e.g., Prodigest 20cps €9.50 vs €14.00 list; Movart 30cpr €22.13 vs €29.50; Ronfolin 30ml €17.50 vs €22.00). Scientific communications and an SINut-patronized 2020 Consensus Paper on botanical supplement quality reinforce medical-channel credibility.

Name

Scharper SpA

Legal name

Scharper S.p.A.

Website

https://scharper.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Scharper S.p.A. is an Italian pharmaceutical company, part of the IdB Holding group, that develops and commercializes dietary supplements, medical devices, and pharmaceutical specialties built on proprietary Fitosoma® phytosome technology, sold to Italian consumers through pharmacies, para-pharmacies, online pharmacies, and a direct e-commerce storefront, and promoted to physicians and pharmacists via scientific communication.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dietary Supplements and Pharmaceutical Products

NAICS

Food (Health) Supplement Retailers (456191)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Condition Supplements (Sleep, Stress, Heart, Joint, Gut, Immunity) (CRADAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Healthy Aging & Cognitive Support Supplements (CRADAGAM)

Keywords

• Dietary supplements
• Pharmaceutical products
• Medical devices
• Botanical extracts
• Phytosome technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Products: Commercialization of pharmaceutical specialties in therapeutic areas including respiratory (antibiotics, mucolytics, corticosteroids), gastrointestinal (antispastics), cardiovascular (antihypertensives, anticholesterol, vasoprotectors), and gynecological (antimycotics, vaginal lactobacilli).
2. Dietary Supplements: Development and commercialization of dietary supplements (integratori alimentari) sold through pharmacies, para-pharmacies, online pharmacies, and direct e-commerce. Products include ProDigest, Movart, Eufortyn, Quercimmun, and Ronfolin.
3. Medical Devices: Commercialization of medical devices including IPERSAL, IPERSAL STERILE, ACQUASAL, and SALSOGYNE for respiratory and gynecological health.
4. E-commerce Sales: Direct online sales through www.scharper.it e-commerce platform with credit card and PayPal payment options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Scharper SpA is an Italian pharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes dietary supplements, pharmaceutical specialties, and medical devices. Its portfolio spans immune support (QuercImmun), digestive health (Prodigest), fatigue reduction (Eufortyn), cardiovascular support (Eufortyn Colesterolo Plus), sleep and relaxation (Ronfolin), joint health (Movart), and ENT/gynecological medical devices (Ipersal, Ipersal Sterile, AcquaSal, Salsogyne). Products are built on proprietary Fitosoma® phytosome technology sourced from sister company Indena SpA, and are sold in Italy through pharmacies, para-pharmacies, online pharmacies, and the company's own e-commerce site.

Product overview

Scharper SpA is an Italian pharmaceutical company founded in 1958 that develops and commercializes dietary supplements, medical devices, and pharmaceutical products. The product portfolio includes immune support supplements (QuercImmun, QuercImmun Bambini), digestive health (Prodigest), fatigue reduction (Eufortyn, Eufortyn Colesterolo Plus), sleep support (Ronfolin), joint health (Movart), and various medical devices for nasal and gynecological care (Ipersal, Ipersal Sterile, AcquaSal, Salsogyne). The company leverages botanical extracts and proprietary technologies including Fitosoma delivery systems, leveraging its affiliation with IdB Holding and access to Indena's expertise in natural plant-derived active ingredients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• QuercImmun Immune support dietary supplement featuring Quercefit (quercetin phytosome) and zinc, contributing to normal immune system function. For adult consumers seeking natural immune support.
• QuercImmun Bambini Children's immune support dietary supplement in stick format with Quercetina Fitosoma (Quercefit), zinc, and vitamin C. For pediatric consumers requiring immune support.
• Eufortyn Dietary supplement containing ginseng and B vitamins (PP, B2, B5, B6, B12) that helps reduce physical and mental fatigue. Available in orosoluble (LiOs) and liquid formats. For consumers experiencing seasonal or work-related tiredness.
• Eufortyn Colesterolo Plus Cholesterol management dietary supplement combining VAZGUARD, PYCRINIL, Cynara scolymus, Ubiqsome (high-solubility CoQ10), and zinc. For consumers managing cholesterol levels.
• Prodigest Digestive health dietary supplement combining artichoke and ginger extracts to support natural digestive function and liver health. For consumers experiencing bloating, post-meal heaviness, and digestive discomfort.
• Ronfolin Sleep and relaxation dietary supplement containing melatonin, L-Tryptophan, lemon balm, and passionflower. For consumers experiencing sleep onset or sleep quality issues.
• Movart Joint health dietary supplement with Curcuma Fitosoma and Echinacea Angustifolia that contributes to natural body defenses. For consumers seeking joint and immune support.
• Ipersal Hypertonic nasal solution based on sulfato-calcium-magnesium sulfurous water without propellant gases. For patients requiring nasal decongestion and respiratory hygiene.
• Ipersal Sterile Sterile hypertonic saline solution at 3% in single-use sterile vials. Class IIa medical device. For patients requiring sterile nasal irrigation.
• AcquaSal Isotonic solution with salsobromoiodic thermal water from Terme di Salsomaggiore, available in spray and single-dose vials. For nasal and upper respiratory care.
• Salsogyne Ready-to-use gynecological solution based on salsobromoiodic thermal water from Terme di Salsomaggiore in single-dose vials. For gynecological hygiene and care.
• Acuval Audio Dietary supplement supporting auditory wellness.
• Acuval Vert Dietary supplement supporting vestibular wellness.
• Fiorilac PS Dietary supplement in the Scharper product portfolio.
• Vocalen Voice and throat wellness dietary supplement available in capsule and spray formats.
• Pharmaceutical Specialties Commercial pharmaceutical specialties in therapeutic areas including respiratory (antibiotics, mucolytics, corticosteroids), gastrointestinal (antispastics), cardiovascular (antihypertensives, anticholesterol, vasoprotectors), and gynecological (antimycotics, vaginal lactobacilli). For patients requiring prescription treatment in these therapeutic areas.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20x greater solubility
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• IdB Holding S.p.A.coreOthersIdB Holding (Inverni della Beffa Holding) is a private equity company based in Italy that groups together Indena SpA, Bernett Srl and Scharper SpA. Scharper was integrated into the IdB Holding group in 2012. IdB Holding provides direction and coordination (Direzione e coordinamento ex art. 2497 C.C.) for the group companies.
• Indena SpAcoreTechnology or IntegrationIndena SpA is the world leader in natural products of vegetable origin, specializing in identification, development and production of botanical active ingredients for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutritional supplement companies. Scharper uses Indena's proprietary Fitosoma® technology and standardized botanical extracts. Both companies are part of IdB Holding group.
• SINut (Società Italiana di Nutraceutica)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree non-profit association that develops, promotes and supports research and studies in the nutraceutical field. Granted patronage (egida) to the Consensus Paper 'Integratori di origine botanica: approccio multidisciplinare alla qualità' recognizing its scientific value and coherence with association objectives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aboca: Italian natural health company specializing in botanical-based medical devices, supplements, and OTC products with strong pharmacy distribution in Italy. Directly comparable to Scharper in scientific botanical positioning, Italian channel focus, and combined supplement/medical-device portfolio.
• Specchiasol: Italian herbal/natural supplement brand with pharmacy and para-pharmacy distribution across Italy. Comparable to Scharper in therapeutic-area supplement portfolio, Italian regulatory expertise, and premium positioning within pharmacy channel.
• ESI Italia: Italy-based nutraceutical and dietary supplement company with broad product range across immunity, digestion, joint, sleep, and energy categories. Comparable to Scharper in product breadth, Italian pharmacy distribution, and OTC supplement positioning.
• Erba Vita: Italian herbal/botanical supplement manufacturer with multi-channel Italian pharmacy and para-pharmacy distribution. Comparable to Scharper in botanical extraction focus, Italian heritage, and natural supplement positioning.
• Named (NAMED Group): Italian nutraceutical and supplement producer with pharmacy distribution across multiple therapeutic areas. Comparable to Scharper in Italian market focus, supplement portfolio breadth, and HCP-targeted marketing.

Broad incumbents

• Solgar: Global premium vitamins and supplements brand with significant distribution in Italian pharmacies and online channels. Comparable as an incumbent premium supplement player overlapping Scharper's positioning in pharmacy and specialty health categories.
• Bayer Consumer Health: Global pharmaceutical major with substantial consumer health/supplement portfolio (Berocca, Supradyn) sold through Italian pharmacies. Overlaps with Scharper in OTC supplement and pharmacy channel, but operates much broader global portfolio.
• Sanofi Consumer Healthcare: Global pharma major with consumer health supplement portfolio distributed across Italy. Overlaps with Scharper in pharmacy/OTC supplement positioning but as part of much broader global healthcare portfolio.

Regional players

• Zambon: Italian pharmaceutical company with consumer health and supplement lines distributed through Italian pharmacy channel. Compares as a regional Italian pharma/supplement player with overlapping therapeutic categories and pharmacy distribution.
• Chiesi Farmaceutici: Italian-headquartered global pharma company with some consumer health/OTC presence in Italy. Overlaps as a regional Italian pharma competitor with pharmacy distribution, though Scharper's supplements focus is narrower than Chiesi's respiratory/specialty pharma core.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/integratorischarper

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scharper SpA