Q.: Mr. Evripides, we would like you to tell us about GENESIS Pharma, its activities and scientific horizon.

C.E.: GENESIS Pharma S.A was incorporated in 1997 in Athens, and has a strong regional presence throughout South East Europe. Foreseeing a long-term potential in biotechnology-delivered pharmaceutical products, GENESIS Pharma was the first Greek pharmaceutical company to focus on in-licensing, marketing and distribution of specialized products mainly stemming from biotechnology research, in the therapeutic areas of Hematology, Genetic disorders, Central Nervous System, Nephrology, Oncology and Rheumatology. The company has entered into important agreements with some of the most successful U.S. and European biotech companies.

Q.: Competition, nowadays, where rules follow the free market, is tough. What means does GENESIS Pharma use in order to overcome it?

C.E.: It is true that in a free and global market, competition is not a simple case. The pharmaceutical industry, where GENESIS Pharma is active, is among the most competitive and demanding areas. It is essential to systematically gather and analyze all possible information on the market and competition in order to have an excellent view of the industry. Nevertheless, our path is not influenced by competition. Our main concern is to follow a systematic pattern in our work coupled with accountability and integrity, in order to offer patients the best treatment and bring to the Greek market innovative medicines for chronic and rare diseases.
GENESIS Pharma/s dynamic presence is the result of a series of factors that have shaped the company since its incorporation. Exploiting the opportunities of biotechnological industry, we set up the first solid Greek company in this very prominent market. In addition, our partnerships with top U.S. and European companies allowed us to bring to Greece highly innovative products covering significant patient needs. We do not rest on our success. We constantly look for new opportunities in new partnerships and aim at the enrichment of our portfolio of products. Furthermore, we are investing in new markets and more specifically in S.E Europe.

Q.: GENESIS Pharma is considered one of the most profitable Greek Pharmaceutical companies. What is the secret of this success?

C.E.: At GENESIS Pharma, since its corporation, we had the vision to set up and manage the best pharmaceutical company in Greece. We have followed a specific strategy, set business goals to which we are until these day bound. In the same time, we are constantly alert. Every business decision taken in initiated from those business goals. Human Resources also play a very important role. With a solid mission, vision, integrity and commitment to excellence aligned with GENESIS Phrama/s philosophy, all of our people participate in its successful path.

Q.: The biotechnology products that GENESIS Pharma imports have shown a dramatic increase in turnover. Could you please explain to us what exactly those products are and what benefits do they bring. How different are they from the normal products?

C.E.: Pharmaceutical Biotechnology exploits the human DNA and the laboratory technology of recombining molecules in order to develop pharmaceutical products for the treatment of chronic and rare diseases that until today could not be properly treated.
Biotechnology-derived pharmaceutical products mimic the function of the human organism and have a specific mode of action, which is why those products have fewer side effects and offer better treatment to various diseases. More specifically, biotechnology is a valuable tool to the therapeutic areas of Central Nervous System, Genetic disorders, Hematology, Nephrology, Oncology, Rheumatology, etc.
Hence, biotechnology-derived pharmaceutical products are technology-based and laboratory-derived. They are not products of organic nor clinical origin as it is with classical pharmaceutical products.

Q.: Pharmaceutical biotechnology is a much promising area for the treatment of un-treatable, to this day, diseases. Do biotechnology products have a promising future?

C.E.: Biotechnology is equipped with many tools for the treatment of chronic and rare diseases and for the development of new treatments. As a consequence it significantly interferes with the increase of the average of expected life time and with the improvement of the quality of life. In total more than 250 million patients have taken advantage of over 130 biotechnology-derived medicines and recombinant vaccines, while more than 370 biotechnology-derived compounds are currently under development for over 200 diseases, such as various types of cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, AIDS, etc.
Research is continuous, giving the hope that in the future results will be even more significant. It is estimated that in the foreseeable future, 50 per cent of treatments will be based on biotechnology-derived medicines.

Q.: How do the government and the medicinal community treat biotechnology-derived products?

C.E.: In Greece, in contrast to most European countries, the foundation for the acceptance and development of the industry has not yet been laid. There is no collective vision, and no strategic planning for the development of pharmaceutical biotechnology, resulting in lack of funding from both governmental and private sources.
Hence, GENESIS Pharma/s initiative to take advantage of opportunities arising from biotechnological products is significant and offers hope to many patients in our country.

Q.: Is it possible that the application of biotechnology causes bioethical dilemmas?

C.E.: Biotechnology should exploit responsibly and in harmony with the basic values of society, can only result in positives outcomes for everybody. It is a fact that all new technologies, in general, and biotechnology, may raise some ethical and social issues. For example, questions arise such as to what degree genetic information should be protected who should have access to it, how it should be used and for what purposes. The principles of Research Data Protection, for example, are necessary for the protection of personal data and for safeguarding the correct usage for the wider good and the up-scale of research. Laboratory requirements ought to be aligned with the new scientific knowledge and should be able to be applied without interfering with research.
Therefore, economical criteria should be set that will safeguard an environment of flexible and safe health market.

Q.: Mr. Evripides, for the third consecutive year GENESIS Pharma was voted among the top companies working for in Greece. Where do you base this success?

C.E.: Human Resources are the founding stone of entrepreneurship and serves as a guide for companies that respect their development. At GENESIS Pharma, business and human development are correlated. Respect, trust, equal development opportunities, continuous training, gratification and rewards, a high payment skim, are the foundation for the development of a pleasant working environment. Our people lead us to the 5th position among companies with an excellent working environment, two positions higher from last year.
We are the first solid Greek company in the top ten of the «Best Workplaces®» competition. We are satisfied by this award and continue our effects to constantly improve our working environment.

Source: SALVE, 11 May 2005