Genesis Pharma S.A.

However strange it may sound, the company invests in biotechnology research in Greece with the aspiration to render the country into a center of clinical trials.

A GREEK COMPANY with business activity in biotechnology? It sounds strange, but exists, nevertheless. GENESIS Pharma SA, an affiliate of the MSJ Group of Companies, was incorporated in Greece in 1997 and started the marketing and distribution of biotechnology-derived pharmaceutical products in collaboration with top US and European biotechnology companies. "Our partnerships with top research companies such as Amgen, Biogen, Chiron Pathogenesis assisted us in placing Greece on the map of biotechnology", stated Costas Evripides, CEO of GENESIS Pharma.

By assessing the advancement of biotechnology and according to estimations 50% of the world's diseases will be treated by biotechnology-derived medicines in the future, the people behind GENESIS Pharma took a step further and through Mediquest Clinical Services SA, an affiliate of GENESIS Pharma, entered into biotechnology research in Greece. Isn't it strange to invest in biotechnology research in Greece, a country that has no track record in the field? we asked Mr. Evripides. "Greece may not have a track record in research, but Greek scientists had had significant achievements in pharmaceutical research. Our goal is to exploit these scientists and along with the biotechnology companies we have partnerships with, help Greece become a regional center of clinical trials. Having Greece as a regional center of clinical trials will result in partnership deals with more favorable conditions". The Group of Companies is developing the market in the Balkans, since it considers it a "historical challenge" for Greece. GENESIS Pharma has a share capital of 400MM GRD and a turnover of 4.3B GRD which is expected to reach 6.5B GRD in 2001. The Group of Companies has also as a target listing in the Athens Stock Exchange. Do you have a principle which you always follow? we asked Mr. Evripides "Yes. Having Gary Hamel as my professor at LBS, I have been influenced by his philosophy in the creation of core competencies and their exploitation in order to achieve a competitive advantage".