pan-european, rare disease
We expand patient access to medicines for rare diseases in Europe while unlocking revenue and growth potential for emerging research-based biopharmaceutical partners.
No One Left Behind
Why We Exist
We established Avanzanite to address a critical market need in the European orphan drug landscape which is due to the complexity and cost of streamlining business operations across 30+ countries given a limited number of patients and an increasingly challenging market access environment. The result of these unique market dynamics leaves emerging biopharmaceutical companies unmotivated or ill-equipped to establish European operations or enter certain countries.
As a result, there are an increasing number of biopharmaceutical companies either opting not to launch their new orphan medicines in Europe or exiting the market altogether. These dynamics are particularly damaging to emerging biopharmaceutical originators that are the driving force of global pharmaceutical innovation, especially for rare diseases.
Ultimately, the patients are the ones paying the price by missing out on promising therapies. It’s a shame and unfair. Every day, thousands of Europeans are diagnosed with life-altering and rare medical conditions. Yet many lack access to the best and latest medicines simply because of where they live in Europe. Correcting this systemic inequity needs to be addressed now, as the number of medical innovations that could help patients is expected to dramatically increase in the coming years.
At Avanzanite, we passionately believe that everyone in Europe – and beyond – should benefit from approved orphan medicines equally. We have developed a market-driven solution, a first-in-class biopharmaceutical commercialization platform specifically addressing rare diseases in Europe, to close the inequity gap.
NOBODY SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND
That’s why we founded Avanzanite.
80%
European launches of orphan drugs fail to meet their commercial and revenue goals and do not reach patients in need.
Our Solution
We are on a mission to redefine the commercialization of orphan medicines to improve patient access across Europe and beyond. Derived from the word ‘Tanzanite’ – one of the rarest and most underappreciated gemstones on earth – Avanzanite was formed to capitalize on two primary objectives, one economic, and one humanitarian.
The economic goal is to offer end-to-end commercialization and distribution partnerships with research-based biopharmaceutical originators to unlock the full value of their orphan medicines in European markets. This is the unique expertise and core competency of our team following decades of operating experience navigating this area.
Equally important, our humanitarian goals stem from our commitment to enabling access to novel medicines for patients who suffer from orphan diseases regardless of where in Europe they live.
Avanzanite Bioscience B.V. is a fully authorized distributor of medicinal products within the European Economic Area with the Wholesaler Drug Authorization (WDA) license number issued by the Competent Authorities in the Netherlands: 109223 G.
Partner With Us
We partner with emerging or early-stage biopharmaceutical originators through flexible, bespoke licensing and distribution partnerships across Europe to enable global commercialization of promising orphan medicines. Our partners explore exclusive licensing or distribution agreements with Avanzanite for their late-stage or European Commission-approved medicines for rare diseases for three main reasons:
EXPANSION
Partner has no desire to build a European infrastructure or risk distracting senior management teams.
TROUBLE
Partner does not know how to deal with formal market access or regulatory challenges, leading to a severe underappreciation of their asset.
EFFICIENCY
Partner wants to work with only one distributor across all non-core territories, to maximize value across a diverse range of countries.
“When evaluating commercialization options for our orphan medicine in multiple European territories, Avanzanite made a compelling case as to why it would be best positioned to commercialize and, in fact, provide the broadest market access through its unique business model. Adam and his team demonstrated an impressive track record of managing the complexities of product launches across the fragmented European marketplace, particularly regarding pricing & reimbursement, physician engagement and technical operations.”
Fabrizio Chines
SIFI Chairman and CEO
If this resonates, email us at partnering@avanzanite.com
Portfolio
SIBNAYAL® for distal Renal Tubular Acidosis.
Under exclusive distribution agreement with Advicenne for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Greece, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta.
*A medicinal product approved by the European Commission in 2021.AKANTIOR® for Acanthamoeba Keratitis*
Under exclusive license and supply agreement with SIFI across 26 countries within the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
*A medicinal product approved by the European Commission in 2024.PYRUKYND® approved for the treatment of adults with Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency.
Under exclusive commercialization and distribution agreement with Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc. across 32 European countries.
*A medicinal product approved by the European Commission and UK MHRA in 2022.Patient Stories
ACANTHAMOEBA KERATITIS is a rare, severe, life-changing progressive parasitic corneal infection caused by Acanthamoeba, a free-living amoeba. The disease is highly resistant and leads to poor vision, blindness, or eye loss and often requires single or multiple corneal transplant procedures. It accounts for 50% of blindness among contact lens users.
Urgent medical intervention is required to save patients’ sight. It affects people of all ages, most of whom are young or middle-aged soft contact lens wearers. Patients report unbearable pain and extreme light sensitivity and can rarely work or lead normal lives until symptoms resolve.
The incidence of acanthamoeba keratitis has been rapidly growing in recent years.
Founders
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Adam Plich
FOUNDER, CEO & EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
Adam has a proven track record of successful product launches in Europe. Most recently, he founded and led a boutique advisory firm supporting U.S. and European biopharmaceutical companies on corporate strategy and product launch. Previously, he served as a Vice President at Teva Pharmaceuticals where he led all pricing and market access activities in the European marketplace. Adam is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
LinkedIn -
Anant Murthy
FOUNDER & BOARD MEMBER
Anant is a non-executive board member at Avanzanite. He brings a demonstrated track record of successful orphan medicine launches. He was most recently the EMEA General Manager at Argenx. Previously, Anant was a Vice President at Alnylam where he led pricing & market Access for EMEA & Canada and was the General Manager of Mid-size EU markets and Canada. He also held various leadership positions at Ariad and Celgene. Anant has considerable experience in business development and alliance/distributor management as well as extensive “in the room” experience with payers to secure patient access. Anant is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Board of Directors
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Abdel Omari
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
Abdel oversees Avanzanite’s financial strategy, reporting, accounting, tax, and FP&A functions, ensuring the company remains well-capitalised and financially disciplined to achieve its growth objectives. Abdel’s appointment has been instrumental in strengthening Avanzanite’s financial foundation.
Abdel’s track record includes raising over €180 million from investors across the US and Europe and successfully building pan-European commercial infrastructures. His extensive experience in corporate finance, licensing, and M&A. brings financial stewardship combined with a strong growth mindset. -
Dawn Sherman
BOARD MEMBER
Dawn is a non-executive board member, the CEO of LabConnect and is an accomplished leader with diverse experience working across a range of industries for global private and public companies of all sizes. Before joining LabConnect, Dawn held various leadership positions in companies such as ProPharma Group, EnvisionRxOptions, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Medco Health Solutions, and Hay Group. She also serves on several boards within the life sciences industry focused on services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. Dawn is based in Florida, USA.
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Leopoldo Zambeletti
BOARD MEMBER
Leopoldo is a non-executive board member and an independent corporate finance advisor in the life science industry. Leopoldo’s career spans 28 years, having led the European Healthcare Investment Banking team at JP Morgan and Credit Suisse. He is a highly respected figure within the life science and investment banking industries and serves on numerous executive boards of public and private companies. Leopoldo is based in London, UK.
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Jack Tanaka
BOARD MEMBER
Jack is a non-executive Board Member at Avanzanite and a Partner at MVM Partners, a private equity firm founded in 1997 that invests in high-growth healthcare businesses. Prior to MVM, Jack worked at Bain & Company and practised medicine in the UK. He completed his MBBS at King’s College London and holds a master's in mathematics from the University of Oxford. Jack brings broad healthcare expertise, including clinical insight and financial acumen. Jack is based in the United States.