The annual Henokiens Congress, organized by the Henokiens member PINTO BASTO, took place from 24 September 2025 to 27 Septembre 2025 in Lisbon (Portugal).
It saw the following highlights: 

OPENING OF THE CONGRESS BRUNO BOBONE

Bruno Bobone, CEO of the Portuguese company PINTO BASTO, founded in 1771, opens the Henokiens Congress saying he is delighted to welcome so many members from around the world and to have the opportunity to show them many places symbolic of the Lisbon's modernity and dynamism. He also informed the members that he invited Mr. Paulo Portas, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State of Portugal, to give his vision of the international political and economic situation, a presentation on which will take place after the 14th Leonardo da Vinci Prize ceremony awarded to the Portuguese company Hovione.

HENOKIENS ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING

The Key points :

PRESIDENT ALBERTO MARENGHI SPEECH

Ending his four-year term as president of the Association, President Alberto Marenghi noted that during his presidency, the Association had grown with the arrival of eight new members from five different countries, a growth that he believes should be controlled in the future thanks to the implementation of the Henokiens charter defining the identity, missions, and commitments of members, to which each candidate company must now adhere. He also highlights the development of initiatives that have been in place for years, such as the Leonardo da Vinci Award, the writing of new academic case studies (13 during his presidency), and the tremendous growth of the Next Gens base, which is increasingly involved in the Association's
activities.

NEW MEMBERS

Introduction of two new members. Giacomo Colussi presents the Italian company Colussi S.p.A., founded in 1771 (bakery and pastry products,  pasta, and chocolate). Guiral and Quiterie de Montclos present the French company Denantes, founded in 1723 (decoration and textiles).

THE « COMPENDIUM » HENOKIENS.

The Association's “Compendium” (writing and compilation of case studies on Henokiens companies) with 30 studies, including four new cases developped in 2025: Pinto Basto, J.&L. Lobmeyr, Fratelli Piacenza, and Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten.

CONGRESS 2026

Claudio Stefani Giusti (owner and CEO of Acetaia Giusti, representing the 17th generation of the Giusti family, producer of the famous balsamic vinegar of Modena since 1605, proposes to members a preliminary draft program for the Association's 2026 Congress, which is scheduled to take place in Italy between June 17 and 20, 2026, in Milan, Brescia, and Modena,

LEONE DE CASTRIS APPLICATION

The application of the Italian company Leone de Castris, winegrowers since 1665 (16th generation), presented by the President of the Italian section of the Henokiens Association, Guiseppe Rizzardi, was unanimously approved by the members present and represented.

ELECTION OF THE NEW HENOKIENS PRESIDENT

President Alberto Marenghi proposes that members elect Julian von Möller, currently vice President of the Henokiens, as President of the Henokiens for the a term beginning January 1, 2026, a nomination unanimously approved by the members and their representatives.

EUROPEAN FAMILY BUSINESSES

Following the General Assembly, Jesús Casado, Secretary General of European Family Businesses, an organization bringing together associations of family businesses from different European Union countries, gave a presentation on EFB's developments and initiatives with all European institutions (European Commission, Parliament, and Council).

14th EDITION OF THE LEONARDO DA VINCI PRIZE

The 14th Leonardo da Vinci Prize, created by the Association les Hénokiens and the Château du Clos Lucé, was awarded on September 25, 2025, to Mrs. Diane Villax, founder and member of the Board of Directors of Hovione, accompanied by Peter Villax and Maria Villax, members of the second and third generations of the Villax family. It was presented by Mr. Paulo Portas, former Portuguese Vice Prime Minister and Minister of State, accompanied by Mr. Alberto Marenghi, President of the Association les Hénokiens, and Mr. François Saint Bris, President of the Château du Clos Lucé-Parc Leonardo da Vinci.

Hovione is an industrial Portuguese family-owned company developing and manufacturing active ingredients for the global pharmaceutical industry, founded in 1959.  With a strong scientific background, Hovione has a significant impact on pharmaceutical innovation and human health, having a manufacturing or R&D role in 5% to 10% of all new drugs the United States FDA approves each year. Owned and managed by the Villax family for three generations, Hovione employs 2400 people in facilities in Portugal, Macau, the United States and Ireland. An estimated 80 million patients are treated annually with medicines containing an active ingredient manufactured by Hovione.

VISITE OF THE COMPANY HOVIONE

The members of the Henokiens Association visited Lourdes, near Lisbon, to learn about the Hovione company. They first attended presentations on the history and activities of the company by Peter Villax, member of the Family Council, Jean Luc Herbeaux, CEO, and Jorge Pastilha, Vice President of Technical Operations for Europe and Asia, then visited the company's industrial facilities and research laboratories.

PRESENTATION OF PINTO BASTO

C’est dans le cadre de la prestigieuse Universidade NOVA de Lisbonne, université publique proposant divers programmes dans des disciplines telles que les sciences sociales, les sciences humaines, le commerce et la technologie, que Bruno Bobone, Président de PintoBasto, a présenté son entreprise aux membres de l’Association les Hénokiens et l’étude de cas sur Pinto Basto écrite par Nuno Moreira da Cruz, doyen de Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics.

VISIT OF THE FOUNDATION CHAMPALIMAUD

The members of the Association visited the Champalimaud Foundation, a Portuguese institution focused on biomedical research, particularly in the fields of cancer and neuroscience, which offers specialized clinical treatments in oncology. The Center develops advanced research programs on diseases, striving to personalize therapies in order to improve the effectiveness of disease control and treatment.