AxxessBio
Advancing Patient Access to Innovative Therapies in Asia

AxxessBio, a company founded with the purpose of providing ‘Axxess’ or access, acts as a bridge connecting pharmaceutical companies with groundbreaking therapies to patients who actively seek treatment.

It ensures innovative therapies reach individuals suffering from rare diseases or those with unmet medical needs. The company excels in multiple therapeutic solutions, particularly in the areas of hematology, oncology, neonatology, rare diseases, and metabolic diseases.

“At AxxessBio, we believe that our competitive edge is not determined by how we stay ahead of our competitors; rather, it is about how we strive to improve continuously," says Patrick Granjard, CEO of AxxessBio.

Patrick, along with the medical director of AxxessBio, has held prominent positions in Genzyme, a global pioneer in rare genetic diseases. Their knowledge of the market and diverse therapeutics drive the company to the path of excellence.

AxxessBio realizes introducing enzyme replacement therapies for genetic disorders—like Fabry and MPS II —in a region like Southeast Asia that lack a supportive funding system is a significant challenge. This has prompted the company to prioritize stakeholder education, bridge the gap between diagnostic facilities and treatment centers, and explore sustainable funding solutions.

It actively seeks new and innovative products and attracts companies looking to set a foothold in Asia.

“We constantly screen for innovative products and initiate contact with the product owners. Companies also approach us directly to explore collaboration in Asia because of the experience and reputation we have gained over the years,” says Patrick.

The company leverages its expertise in market access programs like named patient programs in countries where it is legal to provide patients and physicians access to medicines unavailable in their country. This plays a vital role in delivering appropriate treatments precisely when they are needed. Additionally, the company has the bandwidth to take care of the product registration aspect for long-term funding sustainability.

It also partners with leading logistics providers like DKSH, Zuellig, and reliable local businesses. These strategic partnerships enable AxxessBio to effectively meet the distinct requirements of specific countries and fulfill the rigorous demands of multinational companies.

AxxessBio maintains an ethical and compliant approach to communicating with healthcare professionals when it comes to non-registered products, adhering to industry standards and regulations. Its practices are guided by policies and standard operating procedures, including the code of conduct, privacy protocols, and proper handling of medical queries. The distribution of products through its logistic partners only takes place once the company has obtained the necessary import permits from the relevant authorities, ensuring full compliance.

AxxessBio's capabilities can be best highlighted through a successful project involving premature babies. In one of the South East Asian countries, importing non-registered products is often a long and tedious process as it needs a case-by-case approach—each physician or hospital has to apply for an import permit. This acts as a roadblock to having emergency stocks that can be used immediately upon the diagnosis.

The company developed a creative strategy by collaborating with a medical society specializing in neonatology. A bulk importation permit was obtained with society's support based on the criticality and urgency of the drug for premature babies. AxxessBio worked in liaison with its logistics partner to import and distribute these products based on doctor’s prescription while adhering to the NPP regulations. It also reported treatment outcomes as a NPP commitment to the local authority. This approach allowed nationwide coverage and access to treatment even before registration.

The biggest differentiator for AxxessBio is its ability to take the right measures to understand the intricacies of an ever-evolving market. For example, it understands that with the arrival of new technology like gene therapy, local distributors will be required to reinvent themselves and become more patient-centric to sustain in the market.

With a commitment to making a difference in patients’ lives, AxxessBio is all set to become a leader by introducing innovations in the areas of specialty treatments.