Life sciences in Italy
Italy is a major European pharmaceutical producer and runs many clinical trials. Danish, Swedish and Finnish biotech and medtech companies hire here for clinical operations, regulatory work and medical affairs, often a year or two before opening an Italian company.
Usual CCNL
Chemical-Pharmaceutical (Chimico-farmaceutico) for most roles; Commerce and services for commercial roles in distribution.
Roles
Clinical research associates, clinical trial managers, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, medical science liaisons, market access, medical sales reps.
Where
Milan and Lombardy, Rome and Lazio (including the Latina area), Tuscany (Siena, Florence), Naples. Many CRAs are home-based and travel to sites.
Salary bands
| Role | Gross annual salary |
|---|---|
| Clinical research associate | [€ range to verify] |
| Regulatory affairs specialist | [€ range to verify] |
| Medical science liaison | [€ range to verify] |
Points to settle
- Regulated roles. Positions such as the pharmacovigilance contact or the scientific information manager may need registration with the Italian medicines agency (AIFA). [confirm which roles require a local entity or registration]
- Medical reps. Informing doctors about medicines is regulated in Italy, with qualification and reporting duties. Recruit reps who already satisfy them.
- Territory and car. Field roles cover a defined territory with a company car; we manage car, fuel and expenses.
- Confidentiality. Clauses on trial data, patient data and inventions, aligned with GDPR.
- CCNL benefits. The Chemical-Pharmaceutical CCNL includes a supplementary pension fund and a health fund with employer contributions.
- Later, your own company. When you register products or open an office, we transfer staff without a break in service.
Cost example
A home-based CRA on [€ gross]: salary, contributions, 13th month, TFR, sector funds, travel on actuals, plus €250 a month. A CRA from outside the EU adds €2,500 for the permit case.