Early Life
Ernesto Silvio Maurizio Bertarelli was born in Rome, Italy, on September 22, 1965. His family relocated to Switzerland in 1977. He graduated from Babson College in 1989 with a degree in business administration and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1993.
Rise to Success
Bertarelli's career is marked by his leadership at Serono, a pharmaceutical company founded by his grandfather. He became CEO in 1996, shifting the company's focus to biotechnology and leading it to significant revenue growth, from $809 million in 1996 to $2.8 billion in 2006. In 2007, he sold Serono to Merck KGaA for $13.3 billion. He also founded the yachting syndicate Team Alinghi, which won the America's Cup in 2003 and 2007. After the sale of Serono, Bertarelli established B-Flexion, an investment firm managing a broad portfolio across industries.
Key Business Strategies
Bertarelli's key business strategies included transforming Serono from a traditional pharmaceutical company to a biotech leader. He focused on developing innovative treatments, particularly for infertility, multiple sclerosis, and growth hormone deficiencies. His ability to anticipate industry trends and make strategic shifts significantly contributed to the company's success and his personal wealth.
Philanthropy
Bertarelli, along with his sister Dona, co-chairs the Bertarelli Foundation, which focuses on marine conservation and neuroscience research. The foundation supports research and education in these areas and has partnered with various organizations, including Harvard Medical School and the British government.