Gentium S.p.A., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the research, development, and manufacture of drugs to treat and prevent various vascular diseases and conditions related to cancer and cancer treatments. It develops and manufactures defibrotide, DNA based drug derived from pig intestines, to treat and prevent hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), a condition in which some of the veins in the liver are blocked as a result of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy prior to stem cell transplantation. The company conducts a phase III clinical trial of defibrotide to treat severe VOD in the United States, Canada, and Israel. It also conducts a phase II/III clinical trial of defibrotide in Europe to prevent VOD in children. In addition, the company offers Sulglicotide that is developed from swine duodenum and has ulcer healing and gastrointestinal protective properties; and Urokinase to treat various vascular disorders, such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. The company was formerly known as Pharma Research S.r.L. and changed its name to Gentium S.p.A. in July 2001. Gentium S.p.A was founded in 1993 and is based in Villa Guardia, Italy.
