Avanzanite Bioscience B.V., a rapidly growing commercial-stage European specialty pharmaceutical company focused on rare diseases, today announced the appointment of Giovanni Galliano as General Manager for Italy. This appointment marks Avanzanite’s seventh executive leadership hire in 2025, reinforcing its vision to build a “Champions League” team of top industry professionals. The addition of Galliano also signifies a major step in the company’s expansion into Italy — the European Union’s third-largest pharmaceutical market.
Expanding Avanzanite’s Footprint in Europe
“Italy has been at the heart of Avanzanite’s story from Day One,” said Adam Plich, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Avanzanite Bioscience. “Our very first partnership was born there, in Sicily. That was the moment our journey began, and I will always be grateful for that spark and continued inspiration. Today we are proud to return to Italy with a clear mission: to provide the orphan medicines of global innovators and make an impact on the Italian rare disease community,” continued Plich.
He added, “We are privileged to have someone of Giovanni’s calibre to lead and build our Italian operations and continue to define the future of rare disease medicine launches in Europe.”
The expansion into Italy underscores Avanzanite’s broader pan-European growth strategy, which aims to ensure that innovative orphan drugs — therapies developed for rare conditions affecting small patient populations — reach patients across the continent. The company’s business model focuses on accelerating market access for these critical therapies while bridging gaps between global biopharma innovators and European healthcare systems.
A Proven Leader in Rare Disease Commercialization
Giovanni Galliano joins Avanzanite with decades of leadership experience in the rare disease and specialty pharmaceutical sectors. He has successfully launched and secured access to more than a dozen orphan medicines, helping shape treatment landscapes for patients with serious, underserved conditions.
Galliano’s previous roles include senior positions at Genzyme, Amylyx, Hansa Biopharma, and Clementia Pharmaceuticals, where he led national and regional operations and achieved more than €100 million in annual revenues. His expertise spans regulatory affairs, patient access, pricing negotiations, and stakeholder engagement across complex healthcare ecosystems.
“I am excited to join the Avanzanite team and bring the needs of the Italian rare disease community into focus,” said Giovanni Galliano. “Today we realise the vision that was inspired in my home country, and together with Italian physicians, patient associations, and healthcare partners, we will accelerate access to innovative rare disease therapies in Italy — with the promise that no patient is left behind.”
Leading Avanzanite’s Italian Operations
As General Manager for Italy, Galliano will report directly to CEO Adam Plich and oversee all commercial, medical, market access, and administrative functions. His initial focus will be on:
- Building the Italian team, recruiting experts across medical, market access, and regulatory fields.
- Establishing Avanzanite’s new Milan-based office and legal entity.
- Strengthening partnerships with Italian healthcare professionals, hospital networks, and patient advocacy groups.
- Engaging the thalassemia community, one of Italy’s largest and most active rare disease networks.
- Laying the groundwork for Avanzanite’s next wave of product launches and global licensing partnerships.
Galliano’s appointment is expected to accelerate Avanzanite’s expansion in Southern Europe, reinforcing the company’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to rare disease treatments across diverse healthcare systems.
Record-Breaking Growth and Pan-European Momentum
The leadership announcement follows Avanzanite’s record-breaking third-quarter (Q3 2025) performance, reflecting the company’s rapid growth trajectory. Revenue for Q3 2025 more than tripled compared to Q3 2024 and rose over 20% compared to Q2 2025, underscoring strong commercial execution across multiple markets.
During the same period, Avanzanite achieved its first material revenue in Croatia and Sweden, expanding its total commercial footprint to ten European countries. This growth demonstrates the scalability of the company’s European commercialization platform, which integrates local market expertise with pan-European operational efficiency.
“Our model is built on partnerships, agility, and deep local engagement,” said Plich. “Avanzanite is going truly pan-European — and let’s be clear, there is no Europe without Italy. This is not just expansion; it’s a return to our roots and a promise to Italian patients who have been waiting too long for access to breakthrough therapies.”
The Avanzanite Model: Accelerating Access to Orphan Medicines
Avanzanite’s unique business approach bridges the gap between global biopharmaceutical innovators and Europe’s complex regulatory and reimbursement frameworks. The company partners with innovators developing rare disease therapies to handle market access, distribution, and medical engagement across European territories.
By leveraging its specialized commercial infrastructure, Avanzanite enables faster launches, improved patient reach, and better health outcomes — especially in smaller or fragmented markets often underserved by large pharmaceutical companies.
The company’s mission is guided by a patient-first philosophy captured in its motto: “No patient left behind.” Through its growing European network, Avanzanite ensures that every rare disease therapy it represents can reach the patients who need it most, regardless of geography or healthcare system constraints.
Strengthening a “Champions League” Team
With the addition of Giovanni Galliano, Avanzanite continues to assemble what CEO Adam Plich calls a “Champions League” team — a collective of top-tier professionals across regulatory, medical, and commercial functions. The company now employs more than 60 experienced pharma specialists across Europe.
Each member contributes to the company’s shared mission: redefining how orphan medicines are launched, accessed, and supported in Europe’s dynamic healthcare landscape. The recruitment of seasoned leaders like Galliano reflects Avanzanite’s commitment to operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Looking Ahead
Avanzanite’s entry into Italy marks more than a geographical expansion — it represents the deepening of its role as a pan-European enabler of rare disease innovation. With its expanding leadership team, robust growth trajectory, and patient-centered approach, the company is well positioned to become a major force in the European specialty pharma sector.
As Plich summed up, “Italy was where Avanzanite’s journey began — and now it’s where our next chapter of growth will unfold. Giovanni’s leadership will be instrumental as we continue our mission to bring life-changing orphan medicines to patients across Europe.”
