Acrux's management team have extensive experience in the development and commercialisation of pharmaceutical products in the global marketplace.
Michael Kotsanis , BSc, MBus
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director
Michael is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and has significant senior leadership experience across the global pharmaceutical markets. He was formerly the Chief Commercial Officer and a Board Member of Synthon Holding BV, a Dutch based pharmaceutical company with global revenue over EUR250 million. Prior to Synthon, he served as President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, for Hospira and where he was responsible for delivering over US$500 million in annual revenue. Hospira was the global leader in generic injectable pharmaceuticals prior to its acquisition by Pfizer. Michael joined Hospira following its acquisition of Mayne Pharma in 2007, where he had served as President, Asia Pacific. He joined Mayne following their acquisition of FH Faulding in 2001, where he held responsibility for commercial activities of the pharmaceutical business in Australia and New Zealand. Prior to Faulding, Michael held a variety of sales and marketing positions with a German multinational pharmaceutical company over an 11 year period. Michael was formerly a Board Member of the European Generics Association and a Director of the Generic Medicines Industry Association of Australia. Michael earned a Bachelor of Science from Monash University, Melbourne, a Graduate Diploma in Business from Edith Cowan University, Perth and a Master of Business from the University of Technology, Sydney. Michael is also a Non-executive Director of IDT Australia Limited.
Deborah Ambrosini , CA
Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary
Deborah commenced at Acrux as the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary in June 2019. She is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand with over 20 years of experience in leading financial strategies to facilitate growth plans. Her experience spans the biotechnology, mining, IT communications and financial services sectors.
Deborah possesses extensive experience in debt and equity capital raising activities, regulatory compliance, process improvement, investor relations, large contract management and leading all aspects of accounting, budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis. She also has significant experience both nationally and internationally in financial and business planning, compliance and taxation.
Deborah has held Director roles in both listed and unlisted entities.
Deborah has been a state finalist in the Telstra Business Woman Awards. She was also named as one of the Top 40 pre-eminent business leaders in the highly prestigious WA Business News 40 under 40 awards.
Felicia Colagrande , BSc(Hons) MBA
Product Development and Technical Affairs Director
Felicia was appointed Product Development and Technical Affairs Director in February 2015. Felicia has a broad background in pharmaceutical operations, topical drug development, analytical development and production.
Felicia leads and facilitates all technical aspects of pharmaceutical product development including R&D, formulation development, analytical development, CMC development and Technology Transfer, with a focus on generic topical product development and exploiting the company’s drug delivery technology. Felicia has 26 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry and joined Acrux in 2001. Felicia has previously held positions at Faulding Pharmaceuticals, the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the Austin Hospital, Silliker-Microtech Laboratories and was an Adjunct Appointee Lecturer with the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Monash University.
Felicia has a Bachelor of Science degree (with Honours) from La Trobe University and an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.
Charles O'Sullivan , B. Pharm
Portfolio Director
Charles commenced at Acrux as Portfolio Director in July 2015. He is an experienced healthcare executive with senior and international leadership roles in scientific affairs, medical affairs, health economics and government affairs.
Prior to Acrux, Charles was Asia Pacific Director of Medical and Government Affairs for Hospira (now Pfizer). Other pharmaceutical industry roles were at Mayne Pharma (Pricing and Reimbursement Manager), GSK and Zeneca Pharmaceuticals. Additional external roles included being a Director of the Generic Medicines Industry Association of Australia (now the Generic and Biosimilar Association) and membership of a number of industry and government working parties.
As a qualified pharmacist, Charles has senior experience in the public hospital sector including pharmacy management and key committee membership including Bio-Ethics Committee, and Drug and Therapeutics Committees.
Charles has a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Monash University and a Graduate Diploma of Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Melbourne University.
Mark Hyman , BSc
Project and Technical Development Director
Mark has a diverse background in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry. Following a pharmacokinetic research role with Melbourne University, Mark has more than 30 years’ industry experience, previously holding leadership positions in Quality, Manufacturing, Logistics & Operations, Product Development, Project Management and Commercial Development. Mark’s experience spans prescription and consumer health, proprietary and generic products across topical, oral and injectable dose forms and drug infusion systems. With specialty expertise in project and technical management, Mark has a deep background in technology transfer and organisation development to establish comprehensive product development, portfolio and project management processes. Mark has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Pharmacology from Monash University.