Avantea Srl is a laboratory of advanced technologies for animal reproduction and biotechnology research. The laboratory activity began in 1991 with Cesare Galli and Giovanna Lazzari but it was only in 2008 that it took on the name of Avantea Srl, maintaining all the know-how developed thanks to the research carried out in the zootechnical and biomedical field, together with the skills and professionalism built in about twenty years of activity.

Credibility and experience make Avantea a highly specialized and reliable clinic, which has built its reputation thanks to cutting-edge research and important scientific achievements. Today Avantea is the European leader in the field of assisted reproduction of farm animals and receives requests for professional services and scientific collaborations from numerous international stakeholders.

Avantea aims to develop innovative solutions in the field of reproductive biotechnology, both in the zootechnical and biomedical fields, to contribute to a more prosperous future, also by disseminating the knowledge accumulated during years of scientific research at the highest levels. Avantea research activity is assessed by an independent Ethics Committee, which includes leading experts in animal health and welfare, bioethics, genetics, law and forensic medicine and it is in agreement with the guidelines for the application of Article 48 of the Ethics Code of the National Federation of Italian Veterinarians.

Avantea has a Quality Management System and obtained the Quality Certification according to UNI EN 9001:2015.


Avantea's experience and solid scientific reputation can be traced back to Prof. Cesare Galli and Dr. Giovanna Lazzari, founders of Avantea in 2008.

Prof. Cesare Galli

Prof. Cesare Galli is a founding member and Managing Director of Avantea srl. After graduating in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Milan, he carried out a post - doctoral degree in Cambridge (UK) where he developed numerous scientific interests in reproductive biotechnologies from in vitro embryo production to embryo manipulation and animal cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer in a range of different species such as cattle, horse and pig, and the creation of animal models for biomedical research. Back in Italy, he obtained the first bovine clone of an adult bull (1999) and the first equine clone in the world (2003). In 2008 he received the ICAR Simmet Award for Animal Reproduction following his important scientific contributions. In 2017, he was awarded the prestigious Pioneer Award by the European Association of Embryo Technologies in recognition of the achievements in animal assisted reproduction research from the beginning of his thirty - year long career. He was President of the European Embryo Transfer Association (1997 - 2000) and Associate Professor of Reproductive Biotechnology at the University of Bologna. He is the author of over 180 publications in international scientific journals  

 

Dott.ssa Giovanna Lazzari

Dr. Giovanna Lazzari is a founding member of Avantea srl. She graduated in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Milan with full marks and honors. After a period of training at the university surgical clinic, she carried out a post - graduate specialization in Cambridge (UK) where s he sharpened her knowledge of the field of animal reproduction. Once back in Italy, she concentrated her professional activity and research on assisted reproduction techniques obtaining numerous grants in collaboration with European universities and veterinary clinics. In the meantime, she has represented the embryo transfer professionals in the role of first President of the Italian Embryo Transfer Society (1999 - 2002) and then of the European Embryo Transfer Association (2007 - 2008). In Avantea she leads the activities of the assisted reproduction laboratory through a process of continuous improvement, as well as coordinating services to customers. She is the author of numerous scientific publications in international scientific journals


Avantea has developed a wide range of assisted reproduction technologies that cover various animal species such as horses, cattle, buffalo and pigs.

 

Some of these have been developed directly by Avantea, such as, for example, the production of in vitro equine embryos and equine cloning, for which Avantea holds an international leadership; others have been significantly optimized by Avantea and made available as commercial services. Among these are the production of in vitro bovine and buffalo embryos, an activity that places Avantea among the largest laboratories in Europe, and more recently the OPU-ICSI service for equines, which represents a more recent and notable sector of growth.

In addition to these service activities, Avantea carries out research in the field of assisted reproduction in national and international research projects. This activity ensures that applied technologies are subject to continuous updating and improvement.

Thanks to the experience in the field of assisted reproduction techniques for farm animals, Avantea has actively contributed to the conservation attempts of the Northern White Rhinoceros (NWR), an endangered species of which only two specimens remain in the world. In collaboration with an international team, Avantea successfully created hybridized embryos from Southern White Rhino (SWR) and NWR spermatozoa and then derived embryonic stem cells, using assisted reproduction techniques.
The application of Avantea’s know - how to endangered species is another important biotechnological contribution that the company proudly promotes.

In addition to the zootechnical field, the research activity extends to the biomedical sector with the development of new animal models for medical purposes, the study of stem cells for basic research and the development of alternative toxicological tests for the industry.

Assisted reproduction and research activities are strongly integrated in a commercial context that is the hallmark of Avantea, and that makes it a clinic at the cutting-edge of innovation for the development and application of reproduction biotechnology.


Supporting Prof. Cesare Galli and Dr. Giovanna Lazzari in research activities and assisted reproduction services, we have a team of highly qualified professionals, researchers and technicians with many years of experience in their respective fields. 

Roberto Duchi

Roberto Duchi is a veterinarian with twenty years of experience in the field of gynaecology and embryo transfer. He is in charge of the organization of the clinical reproduction services for cattle and horse breeders and the reproductive management of animals in the various research programs. He is responsible for the Superovulation and cattle flushing services and for the clinical stay of animals.

 

Irina Lagutina

Irina Lagutina, a graduate in Biology with a PhD in Biotechnology, is a senior researcher with considerable experience in the micromanipulation of oocytes and embryos of various domestic species and she is particularly interested in somatic cloning and nuclear reprogramming in bovine, equine and porcine species. She is the author of numerous scientific publications. She is responsible for the Cloning service.

 

Silvia Colleoni

Silvia Colleoni has a degree in Biotechnology and has obtained a PhD with a thesis on me senchymal stem cells. She is a senior researcher with many years of experience in the field of assisted reproduction, in particular equine, and of adult and embryonic stem cells. She is the author of numerous scientific publications. She is responsible for the equine Ovum Pick Up services, Equine Genetic Rescue and the Cell Bank.

 

Andrea Perota

Andrea Perota has a degree in Biotechnology and has obtained a PhD in Veterinary Biotechnology from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Milan. He develops the molecular biology techniques necessary for the design, implementation and in vitro testing of expression vectors for the genetic modification of somatic cells for the creation of animal models for the biomedical sector.

 

Gabriella Crotti

Gabriella Crotti is a technician in chemistry and biology with decades of experience in assisted reproduction techniques. She is the Quality Assurance Manager and responsible for the daily management of laboratory activities.

 

 

Paola Turini

Paola Turini is a technician in chemistry and biology with decades of experience in assisted reproduction techniques. She is responsible for Ovum Pick Up bovine services and embryo production for bovine, porcine and buffalo species. E-mail

 

Gaia Fiorini

Gaia Fiorini has a degree in Biotechnology from the University of Milan - Bicocca. She is part of the laboratory team for assisted reproduction services and collaborates with the Directors in the management of commercial relations with our Clients.

 

Maria Barandalla 

Maria Barandalla has a degree in Biology and Reproductive Technology (University of Oviedo, Spain) and in November 2016 she obtained her PhD from the University of Utrecht. She carries out research on cellular and molecular biology of embryos and embryonic stem cells and contributes to commercial assisted reproduction and animal cloning services. E-mail

 

Massimo Benedetti

Massimo Benedetti is a veterinarian with a degree from the University of Milan. He carried out a post - graduate specialization in equine clinic and operates in the context of equine Ovum Pick Up and equine embryonic transplantation services.

 

Giovanni Dolci

Giovanni Dolci is a veterinary doctor with a degree from the University of Milan and over twenty years of experience in equine reproduction, achieved in various Italian and foreign clinics. He operates within the context of equine Ovum Pick Up services and equine embryonic transplantation.

 

Lorenza Landriscina

Lorenza Landriscina is a veterinarian with a degree from the University of Milan. She is involved with the management of animals and animal care at the clinic and supports the equine Ovum Pick Up and embryonic transplantation services.

 

Gianluca Lazzarini

Gianluca Lazzarini is an agricultural technician. He is charged with the management and maintenance of equipment for animal care and assists veterinarians in their daily activities. E-mail

 

Lorenzo Neva

Lorenzo Neva is an agricultural technician. He deals with the management of the enclosure and the care of animals in the clinic, as well asassist ing veterinarians in their daily activities.