Team size: Three

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?  

One of the most significant projects we have been working on during the last year is a Biotechnology Park’s establishment and legal structure. My team handled the legal part of the establishment, not only the administrative steps, but we also researched the preferred legal form, structure and way of operation.  

Moreover, contract negotiation forms a core part of our work, mostly in collaboration with the Business Development department. Most of our projects are agreements with both Greek and international partners in the field of in-licensing and out-licensing, as well as co-development and co-promotion of medicinal products, biosimilars and medical devices. During the last year, my team has supported business development managers throughout the contract negotiations and provided consulting concerning purely legal issues, commercial terms, financial discussions, market penetration, and IP issues. Two of the most significant projects of the past year were the finalization of a Co-Promotion agreement with a top-tier originator pharmaceutical company for the distribution of one of its blockbusters in Greece and the completion of a Co-Development Agreement with an international pharmaceutical company for the joint development and commercialization of a new pharmaceutical product across EU.  

Since Elpen is an active member of an EU association representing EU generic companies, our team also engages in our association’s effort to promote our interests and highlight the problems and gaps in the regulations and directives regulating the pharma industry. This year has been crucial regarding this subject matter since there have been many changes in pharmaceutical legislation. The drafts of various new regulations and directives have been issued; therefore, a big part of our time the past year was dedicated to the evaluation of the proposed changes, the impact these may have in our industry, the changes we want to propose and how the next day will be, should the new laws be in force. 

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values? Are you likely to reconsider what firms you work with based on this?   

Absolutely! It is imperative for me as an individual and for Elpen to work with external lawyers who align with our values and work ethic. As a pharmaceutical company, especially a company specialising in generic pharmaceuticals, Elpen has always been a pioneer in the Greek healthcare sector and has supported public health by bringing affordable medicines for everybody. Working with external consultants and lawyers who share the same values and understand our ethics and code of conduct helps us keep our integrity towards partners and patients. Hence, we will likely reconsider the firms we work with based on their work ethic and values.