AVIR Pharma
AVIR Pharma is a Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company that in-licenses, distributes, and commercializes innovative medicines in infectious diseases, gastroenterology, and hospital acute care for Canadian hospitals and healthcare providers, operating as part of the Laboratoire Riva family.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersBlainville, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AVIR Pharma does
AVIR Pharma Inc. is a Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in Blainville, Quebec, that commercializes innovative medicines for the Canadian market through in-licensing, acquisition, co-development, and distribution. Founded in 2013 as the specialty/innovation arm of the Laboratoire Riva family — a Quebec pharmaceutical operator established in 1980 — AVIR focuses on three therapeutic areas: infectious diseases, gastroenterology, and hospital acute care. Its current portfolio comprises ten products, including branded assets such as Cresemba (isavuconazole) and Zevtera (ceftobiprole medocaril) from Basilea Pharmaceutica, plus gastro products Mezera (mesalazine) and Jorveza (budesonide ODT), bone-care product Osnuvo (teriparatide), and a suite of hospital acute-care injectables (acetaminophen, baclofen intrathecal, bivalirudin, levothyroxine, sincalide).
The company earns revenue primarily through one-time license fees, royalties, and product sales tied to its in-licensed and distributed specialty pharmaceuticals, reimbursed through the Canadian healthcare system following pricing negotiations with public and private payers. It runs an enterprise field-sales motion aimed at hospitals and healthcare providers, executing agreements with hospital buying groups across Canada, and uses global partnering conferences (BioEurope Spring, Bio International, BioEurope) as the primary channel for sourcing new in-licensing opportunities from international pharma and biopharma partners.
Operationally, AVIR relies on a 51–100-person team with cross-functional expertise spanning regulatory affairs, market access, medical affairs, marketing, and sales. The company is privately held, family-controlled through Laboratoire Riva with no disclosed external institutional funding, and is led by President Olivier St-Denis and CEO Kaled Kadri. Its strategic playbook is anchored on identifying internationally approved specialty medicines that have limited Canadian availability, obtaining Canadian rights, and leveraging its hospital-focused commercial infrastructure to drive uptake.
AVIR Pharma firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AVIR Pharma
- Legal name
- Avir Pharma Inc.
- Website
- https://avirpharma.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- AVIR Pharma is a Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company that in-licenses, distributes, and commercializes innovative medicines in infectious diseases, gastroenterology, and hospital acute care for Canadian hospitals and healthcare providers, operating as part of the Laboratoire Riva family.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AVIR Pharma industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Pharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (32541), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Infectious Disease Specialty Pharmaceuticals (Non-vaccine) (HLAIACAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAI), Pulmonology & Allergy Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAF), Specialty Injectable & Infusion Therapies (Cross-therapeutic) (HLAIACAO), Infectious Disease & Antimicrobials Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAG)
Keywords
Where AVIR Pharma is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Blainville
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
AVIR Pharma business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Specialty Pharmaceutical Sales: AVIR Pharma generates revenue through the commercialization and distribution of specialty pharmaceutical products in Canada, including in-licensing, acquisition, and co-development of innovative medicines.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
AVIR Pharma product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AVIR Pharma commercializes and distributes specialty pharmaceutical products in three therapeutic areas—infectious disease, gastroenterology, and hospital acute care—across Canada. The company focuses on in-licensing, acquiring, co-developing, and launching innovative medicines to address unmet medical needs in the Canadian market, supplying hospitals and healthcare providers through established buying-group agreements.
Product overview
AVIR Pharma is a Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company that commercializes innovative medicines through acquisition, in-licensing, co-development, and commercialization. The company operates in three core therapeutic areas: Infectious Diseases (Cresemba®, Zevtera®), Gastroenterology (Mezera®, Jorveza™), and Hospital Acute Care (Acetaminophen Injection, Baclofen Intrathecal, Bivalirudin Injection, Levothyroxine Sodium Injection, Sincalide Injection, Osnuvo™). The portfolio consists of ten specialty pharmaceutical products distributed across Canada, with a focus on providing enhanced treatment choices for Canadians through novel, specialized medicines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AVIR PHARMA: Specialty pharmaceutical company focused on innovative therapeutic medicines for the Canadian market, operating in infectious diseases, gastroenterology, and hospital acute care.
Products and services
- Cresemba (Isavuconazole) Antifungal medication for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and invasive mucormycosis, used in infectious disease specialty care.
- Zevtera (Ceftobiprole Medocaril) Antibiotic injection for the treatment of hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP) and community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in hospital acute care settings.
- Jorveza (Budesonide) Orodispersible tablet formulation of budesonide for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis in gastroenterology specialty care.
- Mezera (Mesalazine) Mesalazine product available in multiple formulations (foam, suppositories, and tablets) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in gastroenterology specialty care.
- Osnuvo (Teriparatide) Teriparatide injection for the treatment of osteoporosis, with an associated patient support program.
- Acetaminophen Injection Injectable formulation for the treatment of pain and fever in hospital acute care settings.
- Baclofen Intrathecal (Baclofen Injection) Intrathecal injection for the management of severe spasticity in hospital acute care settings.
- Bivalirudin Injection Anticoagulant injection used in hospital acute care settings.
- Levothyroxine Sodium for Injection Injectable thyroid hormone for the treatment of hypothyroidism.
- Sincalide for Injection Injection used as a diagnostic aid for gallbladder function studies.
Companies that use AVIR Pharma
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AVIR Pharma technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AVIR Pharma partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Basilea PharmaceuticacoreAVIR Pharma announced a distribution agreement with Basilea Pharmaceutica for Cresemba (isavuconazole) and Zevtera (ceftobiprole) in Canada. Cresemba is used for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and invasive mucormycosis, while Zevtera (ceftobiprole medocaril) is used for bacterial infections. AVIR Pharma is responsible for distribution and commercialization of these specialty products throughout the Canadian market.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
AVIR Pharma competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Knight Therapeutics: Knight Therapeutics is a Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company that in-licenses, acquires, and commercializes innovative products across Latin America, Canada, and select markets. Most directly comparable to AVIR due to shared specialty pharma commercialization model with focus on in-licensing international products for regional markets.
- Cipher Pharmaceuticals: Cipher Pharmaceuticals is a Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company focused on commercializing prescription products across multiple therapeutic areas in Canada and select international markets. Comparable to AVIR in specialty pharma distribution model and Canadian market focus, though broader in therapeutic reach.
- BioSyent Pharma: BioSyent is a Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company that in-licenses and commercializes innovative pharmaceutical products primarily in Canada. Highly comparable to AVIR in business model — in-licensing international products for Canadian distribution — and in therapeutic focus on specialty and hospital products.
- Paladin Labs: Paladin Labs (now part of Endo International) was a Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company focused on in-licensing and commercializing innovative products in Canada and emerging markets. Historically the most direct comparable to AVIR's Canadian specialty pharma in-licensing model.
- HLS Therapeutics: HLS Therapeutics is a Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company that acquires and commercializes pharmaceutical products in North America with focus on cardiovascular, central nervous system, and oncology therapeutic areas. Comparable to AVIR in Canadian specialty pharma commercializer model and partnership-driven product acquisition strategy.
- Medison Pharma: Medison Pharma is a Canadian-Israeli specialty pharmaceutical company that commercializes innovative therapies in Canada, Israel, and Central/Eastern Europe. Comparable to AVIR as a specialty pharma commercializer focused on in-licensing for the Canadian market across multiple therapeutic areas.
- Acerus Pharmaceuticals: Acerus Pharmaceuticals is a Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company focused on commercializing products in men's health and specialty therapeutic areas. Comparable to AVIR as a smaller Canadian specialty pharma commercializer with a niche therapeutic focus.
Broad incumbents
- Bausch Health Companies: Bausch Health (formerly Valeant Pharmaceuticals) is a Canadian-headquartered global specialty pharmaceutical company with significant Canadian operations. Broad incumbent offering overlapping specialty pharma products in dermatology, gastroenterology, and infectious disease categories where AVIR competes.
Others
- Innomar Strategies: Innomar Strategies, a part of AmerisourceBergen, is a Canadian specialty pharma services and distribution company. Adjacent comparison to AVIR as an enabling distribution partner for specialty pharma in Canada, rather than a direct product competitor.
- Laboratoire Riva: Laboratoire Riva is the parent company of AVIR Pharma and a Quebec-based generic medicine manufacturer founded in 1980. Included as a sister company context — same family group but focused on generic manufacturing rather than specialty in-licensing and commercialization.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AVIR Pharma financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AVIR Pharma leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
AVIR Pharma funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AVIR Pharma M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AVIR Pharma
What does AVIR Pharma do?
AVIR Pharma commercializes and distributes specialty pharmaceutical products in three therapeutic areas—infectious disease, gastroenterology, and hospital acute care—across Canada. The company focuses on in-licensing, acquiring, co-developing, and launching innovative medicines to address unmet medical needs in the Canadian market, supplying hospitals and healthcare providers through established buying-group agreements.
Is AVIR Pharma a public or private company?
AVIR Pharma is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was AVIR Pharma founded?
AVIR Pharma was founded in 2013. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is AVIR Pharma based?
AVIR Pharma is headquartered in Blainville, Canada, in the North America region.
How does AVIR Pharma make money?
One revenue line is on record: specialty Pharmaceutical Sales.
Who are AVIR Pharma's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Knight Therapeutics, Cipher Pharmaceuticals, BioSyent Pharma, Paladin Labs, HLS Therapeutics, Medison Pharma and Acerus Pharmaceuticals. Bausch Health Companies is listed as a broad incumbent. Others are Innomar Strategies and Laboratoire Riva.
Does AVIR Pharma have an API?
No public API is recorded for AVIR Pharma.
What industry is AVIR Pharma in?
AVIR Pharma's product category is Specialty Pharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIACAM, Infectious Disease Specialty Pharmaceuticals (Non-vaccine), with a secondary code of HLAIAAAI, Gastroenterology & Hepatology Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 32541 and its SIC code is 2834.