What Vianex does

Vianex S.A. (ΒΙΑΝΕΞ Α.Ε.) is a privately held Greek pharmaceutical manufacturer founded in 1924 by the Giannakopoulos family and headquartered in Nea Erythrea, Attica, Greece. The company operates four specialized manufacturing facilities across Metamorfosi, Pallini, and Patras covering sterile liquids and semi-solids (Factory A), non-sterile solid dosage forms including tablets and capsules (Factory B), lyophilized injectable products with one of Europe's largest lyophilization capacities featuring 8 freeze dryers (Factory C), and cephalosporin products across all four generations (Factory D). Total manufacturing footprint spans approximately 64,000 sqm of land area and 25,000 sqm of manufacturing space. The portfolio includes more than 200 prescription pharmaceutical products across all major therapeutic categories (gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, antibiotics, oncology, neurology, ophthalmology, biotechnology), hospital-exclusive products, and OTC/consumer health products distributed through subsidiary VIAN S.A.

Vianex generates revenue through three primary streams: (1) pharmaceutical manufacturing and sales of its own portfolio reaching EUR 301.3 million in consolidated 2019 sales, (2) contract manufacturing for multinational pharmaceutical partners including MSD, Sanofi, Takeda, Janssen, GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Menarini, and Reckitt Benckiser, and (3) distribution services through owned direct-to-pharmacy logistics serving 5,750 Greek pharmacies with approximately 60,000 annual orders. Domestically, the company operates an owned distribution network anchored by a new EUR 10 million Gerakas facility inaugurated in 2022 with 10,000-pallet capacity. Internationally, products are registered in 56 countries across Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Africa, with exports representing 20% of total sales (EUR 56.99 million in 2020, up 204% from EUR 18.7 million in 2010). The company employs over 1,300 people, holds ISO 9001 certification continuously since 1994 (first Greek pharmaceutical company certified), and acquired PHARMANEL S.A. in 2019 to strengthen its generic products portfolio.

The company is controlled by the Giannakopoulos family under the Giannakopoulos Group, with Dimitris P. Giannakopoulos serving as President of the Board and CEO. Vianex is Greece's leading domestic pharmaceutical manufacturer by consolidated sales and ranks 7th most attractive employer in Greece per the 2022 Randstad Employer Brand Survey. Strategic positioning combines domestic market dominance via owned distribution with growing international contract manufacturing and export presence, supported by continuous regulatory investment and specialized manufacturing capabilities that are rare among mid-sized European pharmaceutical producers.

Name

Vianex

Legal name

ΒΙΑΝΕΞ Α.Ε. Ανώνυμος Εμποροβιομηχανική–Τουριστική– Ξενοδοχειακή και Ναυτιλιακή Ανώνυμος Εταιρεία

Website

https://vianex.gr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Vianex is a privately held Greek pharmaceutical manufacturer founded in 1924, operating four specialized production facilities for prescription drugs, sterile injectables, lyophilized products, and cephalosporins. It serves Greek pharmacies through direct distribution and multinational partners via contract manufacturing, with products registered in 56 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Pharmaceutical Distributors (HLAIAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

OTC Medicines & Consumer Health Products Distribution (CRAOAHAB), Hospital & Health-System Pharmaceutical Distributors (HLAIAJAD)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Contract manufacturing
• Generic medicines
• Cephalosporin production
• Pharmaceutical distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Néa Erithraía

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Sales: VIANEX manufactures and sells pharmaceutical products across all major therapeutic categories, including prescription drugs, OTC products, and hospital-exclusive products. Revenue from total consolidated sales reached EUR 301.3 million in 2019.
2. Contract Manufacturing: Third-party manufacturing agreements with multinational pharmaceutical companies for production of their products exclusively for export worldwide. Part of export operations representing 20% of total sales.
3. Distribution Services: VIAN distributes OTC and consumer health products through major retail chains and organized distributor networks across Greece.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Vianex manufactures and distributes a broad portfolio of pharmaceutical products across all major therapeutic categories (antibiotics, vaccines, oncology products, cardiovascular drugs, biotechnology products, analgesics, dermatological products, anti-inflammatory drugs, neurology/psychiatry drugs, urology products, anti-asthma drugs, ophthalmology products) through four specialized manufacturing facilities producing sterile injectables, solid oral dosage forms, lyophilized products, and cephalosporins. The company also provides contract manufacturing services for multinational pharmaceutical partners and operates direct distribution to 5,750 pharmacies across Greece. Subsidiary VIAN S.A. handles OTC and consumer health products including food supplements, infant foods, diagnostics, and skincare products.

Product overview

VIANEX operates as a unified pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution group with two main operating companies: VIANEX SA (core pharmaceutical manufacturing) and VIAN SA (OTC/consumer health products distribution). VIANEX SA produces over 200 pharmaceutical products across all major therapeutic categories including antibiotics, vaccines, cardiovascular drugs, oncology products, and biotechnology products through four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities (Factories A-D). VIAN SA handles OTC products, food supplements, diagnostic products, and skincare products through extensive distribution networks. The group also acquired PHARMANEL SA in 2019 to strengthen its generic products portfolio. Products range from prescription pharmaceuticals for hospitals and pharmacies to consumer health OTC products, all supported by extensive international partnerships with multinational pharmaceutical companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VIAN S.A. Subsidiary established in 1995 operating in the over-the-counter (OTC) products and self-care sector, providing distribution and promotion services for pharmaceuticals and general trade.

Products and services

• Prescription Pharmaceuticals Broad portfolio of prescription medications covering all major therapeutic categories: gastrointestinal products, antihypertensives, lipid-lowering drugs, dermatological products, anti-osteoporosis agents, antibiotics, vaccines, blood derivatives, oncology products, anti-inflammatory drugs, neurology/psychiatry drugs, urology products, anti-asthma drugs, ophthalmology products, and biotechnological products. Produced across four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and distributed via the network of 5,750 pharmacies across Greece with product registration in 56 countries internationally. Over 200 products in the VIANEX portfolio across all pharmaceutical formulations.
• Hospital-Only Pharmaceutical Products Specialized pharmaceutical products used exclusively in hospital settings, including sterile injectables, lyophilized (freeze-dried) injectables, oncology products, cytotoxic gel products, cephalosporin dry injectables, and preserved eye drops. Manufactured under GMP-certified conditions at Vianex's dedicated facilities (Plants A, C, and D) with strict regulatory compliance.
• OTC and Consumer Health Products (VIAN S.A.) Over-the-counter products and self-care products distributed and promoted by subsidiary VIAN S.A. (established 1995), including analgesics, antiseptics, food supplements, infant foods, diagnostic products, and skincare products. Distributed through major retail chains and organized distributor networks across Greece. Includes the Depon Cold & Flu® product line launched with PLATINUM award in 2021.
• Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing Services Third-party contract manufacturing services for multinational pharmaceutical companies producing their products exclusively for export worldwide across VIANEX's four specialized facilities. Capabilities include sterile injectable manufacturing (Plant A - Japanese technology), solid oral dosage forms (Plant B), lyophilized products (Plant C), and cephalosporin production (Plant D). Represented approximately 20% of total sales (EUR 51.2 million in 2019 export revenue). Partners include MSD, Sanofi, Takeda, Janssen, GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Menarini, Grunenthal, and Reckitt Benckiser.
• Pharmaceutical Distribution Services Direct pharmaceutical distribution services through the new EUR 10 million Gerakas distribution center (inaugurated June 2022), with 9,000 sqm warehouses and 10,000 pallet capacity. Handles 500+ product codes and serves 5,750 pharmacies across Greece with approximately 60,000 orders per year, including coverage of remote islands and border regions. ISO 13485:2016 certified for medical device distribution including wound treatment products, blood collection needles, foot hygiene products, and blood sugar measurement systems.
• Generic Pharmaceutical Products (PHARMANEL S.A.) Generic pharmaceutical products offered through PHARMANEL S.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary acquired in 2019 to strengthen VIANEX Group's position in the generic products market and consolidate expansion and service upgrading.

Quantifiable outcome

• EUR 301.3 million consolidated sales in 2019 with 8.8% growth
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Merck & Co (MSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term manufacturing partnership with MSD for pharmaceutical product manufacturing. MSD is one of the major international pharmaceutical partners of VIANEX, trusting the quality of VIANEX manufacturing facilities.
• SANOFIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComprehensive partnership including licensing, marketing, and manufacturing agreements with Sanofi for various pharmaceutical products in the Greek market and for export.
• TAKEDAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership with Takeda Pharmaceuticals for product licensing and manufacturing, representing one of the key international partnerships for VIANEX.
• JANSSEN (Johnson & Johnson)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensing and marketing partnership for pharmaceutical products in Greece.
• GSK (Glaxo Smith Kline)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensing partnership for pharmaceutical products manufactured and distributed in Greece.
• Boehringer IngelheimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensing partnership for pharmaceutical products in the Greek market.
• Bristol-Myers SquibbcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensing partnership for pharmaceutical products.
• MENARINI GROUPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarketing partnership for pharmaceutical products in Greece.
• GRUNENTHALcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarketing partnership for pharmaceutical products.
• TÜV HELLAS (TÜV NORD)coreTechnology or IntegrationQuality certification partner since 1994. VIANEX was first pharmaceutical company certified under ISO 9001 standard and has maintained continuous certification for over 25 years. TÜV conducts annual inspections and re-certifications.
• Agricultural University of AthensflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for Varibopi-Reset environmental restoration initiative. Agricultural University conducts scientific research for comprehensive forest regeneration plan in collaboration with VIANEX. 97 companies have joined the initiative.
• Be-LivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit partnership supporting couples with fertility difficulties. VIANEX has 'adopted' islands (Samos, Patmos) to cover IVF costs for couples. First baby from Samos program born July 2021, second in January 2022.
• Aegean TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil non-profit community organization partnership for supporting remote island communities. VIANEX donated 45 tablets to students on Ios, Patmos, Thymaina, and Agathonisi for distance learning.
• Fire Academy of GreececoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIANEX made major donation to Fire Academy for construction of new classrooms and renovation of existing facilities (300+ sqm) to support training of new apprentice firefighters.
• Laiko General HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIANEX donated 2 mobile aspirators for Intensive Care Unit (17-bed capacity) to support COVID-19 response.
• IPPOKRATEION General Hospital - Health Center of KoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIANEX donated powerful oxygen generator for hospital to support COVID-19 response and serve island residents. Generator inaugurated with Health Minister Thanos Plevris and CEO Dimitris Giannakopoulos.
• PHARMANEL SAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIANEX acquired PHARMANEL SA in 2019 to consolidate expansion in generic products market and strengthen market position.
• Reckitt BenckisercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensing partnership for consumer health products.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ELPEN Pharmaceutical: Leading Greek pharmaceutical manufacturer with branded generics, OTC, and contract manufacturing across multiple dosage forms; directly comparable to VIANEX in domestic market positioning, manufacturing footprint, and product breadth.
• DEMO SA: Greek pharmaceutical manufacturer specializing in injectables, generics, and hospital products with significant international export presence; comparable to VIANEX on manufacturing capabilities, Greek market leadership, and export orientation.
• Genesis Pharma: Greek specialty pharmaceutical company focused on licensing-in innovative products from multinationals and distributing to Greek hospitals and pharmacies; comparable to VIANEX's partnerships with MSD/Sanofi/Takeda and specialty distribution focus.
• Cooper Pharmaceuticals: Greek pharmaceutical company with branded generics, OTC, and consumer health portfolio sold through Greek pharmacies; directly comparable to VIANEX/VIAN SA in domestic channel strategy and product mix.
• Pharmathen: Greek generics manufacturer with strong EU and international export presence (acquired by Merck in 2022); highly comparable to VIANEX on generics manufacturing, contract development, and export orientation.

Broad incumbents

• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries: Global generics leader with broad manufacturing and distribution across all major therapeutic categories; comparable to VIANEX as a much larger incumbent operating in the same generics/wholesale space but at a global scale.

Regional players

• Krka: Slovenian generic pharmaceutical manufacturer with strong Central/Eastern European and CIS distribution; comparable to VIANEX as a vertically integrated regional generics manufacturer with own distribution network and own-brand products.
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals: Jordan-headquartered pharmaceutical company with manufacturing and distribution across MENA and the US, including generics, injectables, and branded products; comparable to VIANEX's export footprint into MEA and contract manufacturing for multinationals.
• Polpharma: Polish pharmaceutical manufacturer and one of the largest generics producers in Central Europe with broad dosage form capabilities; comparable to VIANEX as a regional generics manufacturer with multi-plant footprint and export activity.
• Gedeon Richter: Hungarian-headquartered pharmaceutical company with generics, branded products, and contract manufacturing across CEE and CIS; comparable to VIANEX on regional generics manufacturing, contract manufacturing services, and export-led growth strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vianex