Panos Athanasiou founded Eris Pharma in 2009, which today is one of Australia’s most dynamic pharmaceutical companies.

With a vision to distribute high-quality branded generics, dermo-cosmetic and OTC products to local and international markets, Eris Pharmaceuticals is active in 25 countries and growing.

Greece-born Athanasiou chose to operate from Melbourne after a career at a leading Greek pharmaceutical company, before going on to work as a director in numerous global pharmaceutical companies based in Greece.

“Τhe crisis was not the reason I established Eris Pharma in Australia,” Athanasiou tells Neos Kosmos.

“Australia has the highest quality pharmaceutical standards that are strictly regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA); given Eris Pharma was seeking to commercialise pharmaceutical products in emerging markets, it made good sense to base Eris here.”

Eris, he says, focuses on meeting the needs of Australian and New Zealand customers by providing the highest quality products. To Athanasiou, the company’s success has been a combination of hard work and the backing of a fabulous team, who have remained ambitious and committed.

“Our success has provided a strong foundation for the company to expand its offering and encompass the development, commercialisation and marketing of high quality healthcare products,” Athanasiou says.

“We are united in our vision to become one of Australia’s top pharmaceutical companies that is internationally recognised for its premium quality products.
“Locally our objective is to become one of Australia’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies.”

Eris Pharma’s structure allows it to diversify, grow and service international markets, whilst attracting and retaining the best talent in the market.

The company has recently formed a collaboration with Giuliani S.p.A, an Italian leader in pharmacy skincare.

Eris Pharma, in an attempt to enter the beauty industry, launched MonoDermà – a cosmetic line featuring three vitamin formulated skin products for women.

Soon after, the company acquired global pharmaceutical company Aurobindo’s Australian subsidiary.

“As a result of this acquisition of marketing authorisations for prescription and over-the-counter products, Eris will become a significant generic pharmaceutical company in Australia,” Athanasiou says.

“The company is looking forward to satisfying not only existing customers in Australia and New Zealand, but expanding to new customers.”