Avanzanite Bioscience Appoints Sotiris Botozis as Managing Director for Southern Europe Amid Strategic Expansion and Unprecedented Growth
Avanzanite Bioscience BV, a rapidly growing player in the European life sciences and orphan drug commercialization landscape, has announced the appointment of Sotiris Botozis as Managing Director for Southern Europe. This key leadership addition marks the fourth executive appointment to Avanzanite’s 2025 Management Team and reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to build a “Champions League” caliber organization, committed to transforming access to orphan and specialty medications across the continent.
This strategic leadership move comes at a time of accelerated momentum for Avanzanite. The appointment of Botozis is not only a recognition of his outstanding track record and leadership within the organization but also a crucial step in scaling the company’s operations in a region that holds significant growth potential.
Elevating a Proven Leader
Over the past three years, Sotiris Botozis has played an instrumental role in positioning Greece as one of Avanzanite’s most successful and dynamic markets. Under his leadership, Greece has become the company’s second-largest revenue-generating country, underscoring the value of localized expertise and strategic execution in penetrating complex healthcare systems across Europe.
In his newly appointed full-time role, Botozis will assume leadership of Avanzanite’s operations across a broad geographic footprint that includes Greece, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Cyprus, and Malta. In addition to overseeing existing operations, he will spearhead the company’s anticipated expansion into Spain—an important market for rare disease therapies and a key component of Avanzanite’s European growth strategy.
“Sotiris has been a driving force behind our remarkable progress in Greece, and his promotion is a reflection of the incredible leadership, commitment, and vision he brings to the table,” said Adam Plich, Founder and CEO of Avanzanite Bioscience. “We’re building more than a company—we’re building a movement to ensure that no patient with a rare disease is left behind. Sotiris embodies that mission with every action he takes. His new role is not only well-deserved but also pivotal to our success as we expand further across Southern Europe.”
A Career Marked by Vision and Impact
Sotiris Botozis brings with him a wealth of experience from the life sciences sector, with an impressive history of commercial achievements in both multinational pharmaceutical companies and entrepreneurial ventures. Prior to joining Avanzanite, he held key leadership positions at Astellas and Amgen, two of the most respected names in the industry.
During his tenure at these companies, Botozis successfully launched more than ten specialty and orphan medicines, demonstrating both technical acumen and a deep understanding of market dynamics. His teams consistently delivered strong commercial performance, generating annual revenues in excess of €120 million. This experience has equipped him with the skills necessary to lead Avanzanite’s expansion across some of Europe’s most intricate and regulated pharmaceutical markets.
A pharmacist by training, Botozis also founded Anelixis Pharmaceuticals in Greece—an endeavor that further highlights his entrepreneurial mindset and capacity for innovation. His ability to build and scale organizations, combined with a strong scientific foundation, makes him uniquely suited to lead Avanzanite’s Southern European operations.
“An Honor to Lead in a Time of Transformation”
Commenting on his new role, Botozis expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to Avanzanite’s next phase of growth and emphasized the critical importance of expanding access to therapies for patients living with rare diseases.
“It is truly an honor to step into this expanded leadership role at such a pivotal moment for Avanzanite,” said Botozis. “We are on the brink of a major transformation in how rare diseases are treated across Europe. I am committed to leveraging our momentum and working with our exceptional teams to ensure that life-changing orphan drugs reach patients in all corners of Southern Europe. This is not just a professional responsibility—it’s a mission I take personally.”
Botozis will be based at Avanzanite’s new corporate hub in Zug, Switzerland, a strategic location that will serve as the company’s operational anchor for Southern Europe. In addition to his role as Managing Director, he will also serve as site manager for the Zug office, providing hands-on leadership as Avanzanite builds out its presence in Switzerland and the surrounding markets.
Strengthening Organizational Foundations for Sustainable Growth
The appointment of Botozis is part of a broader organizational restructuring designed to align Avanzanite’s internal capabilities with the rapid pace of its market expansion. As the company continues to scale, its leadership team is evolving to meet the growing demand from biotechnology partners seeking agile, effective commercialization pathways for their orphan drug portfolios.
Avanzanite’s differentiated business model offers biotech innovators a compelling value proposition: market access expertise, regulatory support, and commercial execution in fragmented and often under-resourced European markets. The company’s ability to navigate these challenges has already resulted in early successes, with operations launched in 14 countries and revenue being generated in eight.
With eyes set on ambitious targets, Avanzanite plans to expand its footprint to all 32 European countries by the end of 2025. This vision is grounded in a mission-driven approach to pharmaceutical distribution—one that prioritizes patient access, local partnerships, and healthcare system engagement.
Record-Breaking Financial Performance in Q1 2025
Avanzanite’s organizational momentum is also reflected in its recent financial results. In the first quarter of 2025, the company reported a revenue increase of more than 300% compared to the same period in 2024. This remarkable performance is a testament to the strength of the company’s strategic initiatives, the effectiveness of its leadership team, and the growing demand for its commercialization platform among emerging biopharma companies.
The successful execution of Avanzanite’s go-to-market strategy, which blends innovative distribution models with local-market knowledge, has positioned the company as a key partner for biotechnology companies seeking to navigate the regulatory complexity of the European orphan drug landscape.
As the company’s portfolio continues to expand and diversify, Avanzanite is well-positioned to play an increasingly central role in the rare disease ecosystem—not just as a distributor, but as a strategic enabler of access and innovation.
Building a Legacy in Rare Disease Commercialization
Avanzanite’s trajectory is clear: the company is poised to become a European powerhouse in orphan drug commercialization. With the addition of seasoned leaders like Sotiris Botozis, a strong financial foundation, and an ambitious expansion strategy, Avanzanite is creating a new model for pharmaceutical access in Europe—one that combines commercial excellence with a steadfast commitment to patient outcomes.
In the words of CEO Adam Plich, “We are just at the beginning of this exciting journey. With leaders like Sotiris helping to chart our course, the future is full of promise—not only for Avanzanite, but for every patient whose life may be transformed by the therapies we help bring to market.”
