Avanzanite Bioscience Appoints Sotiris Botozis as General Manager Southern Europe

AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 10, 2025--

Avanzanite Bioscience B.V. proudly announces the appointment of Sotiris Botozis as General Manager Southern Europe. As the fourth executive leadership hire of 2025, this move further strengthens Avanzanite’s “Champions League”, highlighting the Company’s commitment to assembling a world-class team.

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For the past three years, Sotiris has made Greece Avanzanite’s second-largest market. In his new full-time role as General Manager of Southern Europe, he will supervise operations in several markets, including Greece, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Cyprus, and Malta. He will also lead the Company’s strategic entry into Spain.

“Sotiris has been a driving force behind our success in Greece, and this promotion reflects both his outstanding leadership and Avanzanite’s broader expansion across Europe,” said Adam Plich, Founder and CEO of Avanzanite. “His expertise and unwavering commitment to ensuring that no patient is left behind make him the ideal person to drive our continued growth in these important markets. We’re just getting started on this exciting journey.”

Before joining Avanzanite, Mr. Botozis built an impressive career in the bioscience industry, particularly at Astellas and Amgen, where he launched over 10 specialty and orphan medicines and led teams that generated more than €120 million in annual revenue. A pharmacist by training, he is also the founder of Anelixis Pharmaceuticals in Greece, further showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and strategic vision.

“It is an honor to step into this expanded role at such a pivotal time in Avanzanite’s journey,” said Sotiris Botozis. “We’re at the forefront of a revolution in rare disease treatment. I’m excited to build on our success, delivering life-changing orphan medicines to patients across 11 countries in the region.”

Sotiris will operate from Avanzanite’s newly established corporate location in Zug, Switzerland. In addition to his new role, he will serve as Site Manager, further strengthening his leadership role as the Company expands its presence in key European markets.

This appointment is a crucial part of Avanzanite’s newly structured organization, specifically designed to scale operations and address the rapidly growing demand from emerging biotech companies for effective commercialization and distribution partnerships of orphan medicines across Europe’s diverse markets. Through this transformation, Avanzanite is set to unlock the full potential of these medicines, extending their reach to Europe.

Avanzanite is continuing its strong financial performance, with revenues more than tripling in Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This surge in revenue marks an important milestone in the Company's rapid expansion, highlighting the successful execution of its innovative go-to-market strategy. As Avanzanite broadens its portfolio and hones its unique approach to market entry, it is already seeing success in 14 countries, generating revenue in eight. By the end of 2025, Avanzanite plans to scale up to all 32 European countries, further solidifying its position as a leader in the orphan medicines sector.

About Avanzanite Bioscience

Avanzanite Bioscience is redefining how orphan medicines are marketed across Europe. We are committed to ensuring that every patient battling a rare disease has access to the treatment they deserve in every corner of Europe, no matter the challenge, with the firm belief that no patient should ever be left behind. By partnering with emerging biotech companies, we enable and accelerate the commercialization and distribution of their orphan medicines across all European markets. With our deep expertise in market access, like masters of chess, we decode and navigate the complexities of European commercialization, making precise moves to unlock the potential of and drive the success of our partners’ medicines.

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we see limitless potential in the world. Imagine if that energy were unlocked – how lives could be transformed, challenges overcome, and the future reshaped for those who need it most. Our journey begins with unlocking that potential in the field of rare diseases in Europe.

For more information, visit www.avanzanite.com.

Sotiris Botozis, General Manager Southern Europe

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced Monday he is suspending his campaign for governor and instead joining the race for secretary of state of the battleground state.

Gilchrist, a progressive Democrat from Detroit, did not cite a specific reason for the change in his video announcement, but said he is not finished being a “public servant.” His departure clears up the Democratic primary and benefits the frontrunner, Jocelyn Benson, who is the current Secretary of State, in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The secretary of state is Michigan's top election official, a highly politicized and visible role since the 2020 presidential election.

“Michigan has been ground zero in the battle for free and fair elections before, and it will be again,” Gilchrist said.

As Whitmer’s second in command and her running mate in two elections, Gilchrist struggled to match Benson’s name recognition and fundraising. He reported having around $378,000 of cash on hand as of October compared to Benson’s $2.98 million.

Benson is now set to face only Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary in August.

The inclusion of a well-known independent candidate has created a new problem for Democrats this year. Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is avoiding costly primaries altogether by running as an independent. The Michigan Democratic Party slammed the former Democrat last week for not standing up to President Donald Trump’s second term policies.

In the Republican primary, U.S. Rep. John James, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, state Senate Leader Aaric Nesbitt and former Michigan House speaker Tom Leonard are jockeying for the nomination.

In his bid to become secretary of state, Gilchrist will face four other Democrats: Barb Byrum, Ingham County clerk; Aghogho Edevbie, deputy secretary of state; Suzanna Shkreli, a former Whitmer aide and commissioner of the Michigan State Lottery; and Adam Hollier, a former state senator from Detroit.

Michigan does not hold primary elections for the secretary of state position; the nominee is chosen by precinct delegates during party conventions. The Michigan Democratic Party convention is scheduled for April 19.

State Republicans plan to hold their nominating convention March 28 and GOP figures chasing the party's nomination for secretary of state include Anthony Forlini, Macomb County Clerk, and Monica Yatooma, an Oakland County executive.

In addition to the office of the governor and secretary of state, Michigan voters will be selecting a new state attorney general and a U.S. senator in November.

FILE - Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II waits before the State of the State address, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, file)