24/7 BIOPHARMA - issue 1 / October 2024

INTERVIEW

I started Adragos Pharma in mid-2020, right in the thick of it. In hindsight, the timing might not have been ideal, but the chaos also created opportunities. Despite the challenges, we managed to grow both organically and through acquisitions. Looking back, it’s hard to say whether starting earlier would have been better, but we’ve done extremely well given the circumstances. Companies face different challenges depending on their size and scope. What did you find particularly challenging in the early stages? What were the initial problems you had to address, and how did you overcome them? In the early stages of Adragos, we faced the challenge of aligning a clear strategic vision with operational execution across multiple markets. Even though we weren’t a startup in the traditional sense, entering the CDMO space with an ambitious growth trajectory required quick alignment of our operations, teams, and regulatory frameworks globally. One of the key challenges was establishing a differentiated position in a highly competitive market. We had to ensure our operational excellence—especially in sterile production and regulatory compliance—was not just meeting industry standards but surpassing them. Our ability to adapt to the diverse regulatory environments, particularly in Japan and Europe, while maintaining consistency in quality and service delivery was crucial.

As a multinational company, building efficient processes to integrate acquisitions and scale operations while remaining agile was another key focus. We addressed these challenges through careful planning, investing in top tier talent, and creating robust systems that allowed us to scale efficiently without sacrificing quality or compliance. This agility enabled us to react quickly and efficiently to challenges, helping us overcome the initial hurdles. As a business leader, do you find it easy or challenging to build and maintain strong relationships, especially across different cultures? Relationships and network are key. They are just indispensable. I lived and worked in more than 25 countries and have built over time a large network of friends and acquaintances. I could not have built a company without so many people helping, someone you can ask for support of favours. Building and maintaining such strong relationships across different cultures is so rewarding. Today our company operates in seven countries, each with its own unique cultural nuances. The differences between, say, Germany and France or Greece and Japan are not insignificant and I find them truly enriching. One advantage of being a smaller company is that we can foster genuine relationships. My commitment—and that of my leadership team—is to honor our promises and maintain a high level of personal integrity. Unlike larger

corporations where interactions often happen with different representatives, we pride ourselves on personal accountability and consistency. As we continue to grow, preserving this personal touch and credibility is a top priority. It has been instrumental to our success so far, and I am committed to ensuring it remains a core part of our culture. What positive changes do you believe the pharma industry should pursue to improve its impact? significantly improved global health. These advances have had profound effects on public health and economic growth. Looking forward, the industry needs to focus on three key areas. First, greater transparency and ethical practices are crucial, particularly when it comes to drug pricing and access to medications. Second, fostering innovation while ensuring safety and efficacy must remain a priority. This includes supporting research in emerging fields like personalized medicine and advanced therapeutics. Finally, improving global access to healthcare and medicines is essential. We need to ensure that innovations, as well as standard treatments, are accessible to populations worldwide. Over the past 100 years, the pharma industry has made monumental contributions to society. Advances such as antibiotics and vaccines have