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30 Years AOP Health.

Built with courage, heart, and the drive to make it happen.

Thirty years ago, AOP Health pioneered a new path: developing solutions for patients living with rare diseases and unmet medical needs. Founded on the belief that innovative therapies should reach as many patients in need as possible, AOP Health’s journey of scientific discovery was also rooted in a strong sense of entrepreneurial responsibility and possibilities.

Since then, AOP Health has grown from its roots in Vienna into a global pharmaceutical enterprise with more than 700 employees. Today, this means reaching more patients worldwide. Yet, the founding principles remain unchanged: the courage to go where need is, the determination to transform science into better solutions, and the promise that every step forward should make a meaningful difference for patients. 

Dr. Martin Steinhart

Co-CEO · AOP Health

For 30 years, we have pursued one clear ambition: to turn scientific progress into meaningful advances for patients living with rare diseases. Research and development give us the opportunity to address unmet needs where treatment options are limited – and to keep pushing boundaries for what may be possible in the future.

Bernhard Nachbaur, LL.M.

Co-CEO · AOP Health

Over the past 30 years, AOP Health has grown from an entrepreneurial idea into an international pharmaceutical company. This growth has allowed us to broaden our reach, strengthen our capabilities and evolve as an organization. Looking ahead, we want to continue building on this foundation with the same entrepreneurial spirit that has driven AOP Health from the very beginning.

30 years, told by those who helped shape the journey.

From the early days to AOP Health today, colleagues and long-standing partners reflect on the ideas, collaboration and experiences that have shaped the company along the way.

Bianca Tan, MSc

Sen. Dir. Global Brands Cardiology & Pulmonology · AOP Health

Peter Löffelhardt

Founder & CEO Global MPN Scientific Foundation

Prof. Dr. med. Irene Lang

Medical University of Vienna, Austria

Daniel Ambrosio

Business Unit Director Hemato-oncology, Cardiology & Pulmonology · AOP Health Italy

Carmen Visus, PhD

Sen. Director R&D Operations · AOP Health

Dr. Georgios Kardassis

Business Unit Director Hemato-oncology · AOP Health Greece

30 years of shared commitment.

Three decades of progress, shaped by people, science and a shared commitment to patients. From its beginnings in Vienna to an international pharmaceutical company, AOP Health’s journey is marked by milestones that have expanded its reach and impact.

 

Needs. 
30 years of dedication to patients with unmet medical needs

Since 1996 AOP Health has put unmet medical needs at the core of its mission. By listening to patients, healthcare professionals, and partners, the company has continuously transformed challenges into opportunities to deliver meaningful solutions for patients where they are needed most.

Science. 
30 years of  pioneering scientific innovation in niche therapeutic areas

For three decades, science has been one of the main drivers of AOP Health’s journey. Through research, innovation, and close collaboration, the company has translated scientific progress into therapies that address rare diseases, critical care and severe conditions.

Looking back.

Dr. Rudolf Widmann

Founder & Board Member AOP Health Group

From the very beginning, our ambition has been to take responsibility where unmet medical needs are greatest and where the journey for patients is particularly challenging, together with our partners across healthcare. Thirty years later, this commitment remains unchanged. We strive to create new perspectives through innovation, meaningful partnerships and a deeper understanding of the realities people living with rare diseases face every day.

Dr. Rudolf Widmann

Founder & Board Member AOP Health Group

Turning our commitment into action is a continuous challenge. Anyone who takes responsibility in a complex healthcare environment encounters competing priorities, differing expectations and sometimes conflicting interests. That is why expertise, perseverance and the dedication of our teams are so essential.

Dr. Günther Krumpl

Founder & Board Member AOP Health Group

What has always inspired me is our willingness to take responsibility and our distinctive approach to research and development. Looking ahead, we will continue to cover the full value chain while exploring new regions and investing in niche therapeutic areas, where our expertise has the strongest impact. The spirit of scientific curiosity that has shaped our company for 30 years will remain our key-factor of success.

Prof. Dr. med. Irene Lang

Medical University of Vienna, Austria

For me, the relationship with AOP Health has always been about the founder, the team around him, and a single interest: we wanted to make it work for the patient. Over the years, what stood out was the engagement, the passion, and the determination to get it right. That commitment is what defines my relationship with AOP Health.
Prof. Dr. med. Heinz Gisslinger

Medical University of Vienna, Austria

Without AOP Health, interferon would probably no longer exist in this field. They initiated something valuable worldwide that is worth continuing. I think there is an extremely successful track record during this 30 years development - not only of new compounds, but also of a company.

Prof. Dr. med. Martin Griesshammer

Johannes Wesling Hospital Minden, Germany

AOP Health managed to get these wonderful studies started, the PROUD-PV and CONTINUATION-PV clinical trials which first showed how relevant the JAK2 allele burden reduction is for our patients. AOP Health successfully brought experts together, and continues to do so.

From unmet need to approval.

Science has driven AOP Health from the start. Founded on the belief that innovative therapies should reach more patients living with rare diseases, the company has spent 30 years turning scientific possibilities into accessible treatments. Guided by its commitment to patients with unmet medical need, AOP Health continues to champion new pathways for meaningful patient benefit.

In their own words.

Bianca Tan, MSc

Sen. Dir. Global Brands Cardiology & Pulmonology · AOP Health

In many ways, we have grown into a global player while keeping the heart, courage, and mindset of a startup. We don’t just develop or provide products – we build solutions around entire patient journeys. That allows us to address unmet needs in a very targeted and meaningful way. I believe this combination of specialization, entrepreneurial thinking, and true commitment is what makes our contribution so valuable.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kurt Krejcy

Chief Medical Officer · AOP Health

Over the last 30 years, AOP Health has made a significant impact through the compounds we have developed. The company has transformed itself from a small Austrian company into a into a European and global player. We will continue to be on the forefront of rare diseases and complex diseases.

Melissa Fellner, MSc, MBA

VP Global Therapeutic Areas · AOP Health

Working in rare diseases since 1996 has shown us that innovation is never a solo effort. Progress happens when we work together - sharing knowledge and keeping patients at the heart of every decision has made all the difference in turning science into meaningful patient outcomes.

Carmen Visus, PhD

Sen. Director R&D Operations · AOP Health

We did not choose our expertise areas by following short-term trends. We built them step by step, where we saw a combination of high unmet medical need, scientific opportunity, and AOP Health's ability to add value through specialized development, regulatory expertise, patient proximity, and commercial execution.

Michael Kindell

Area Director Intercontinental · AOP Health

For me, the most significant milestone has been working with the cross functional team to establish AOP in the US and launch Rapiblyk® (landiolol hydrochloride) there . That was a defining moment, now we are beginning an exciting new chapter as we expand into new markets across the world with the intercontinental team.

Caterina Barresi, PhD

PMP Program Manager, Program Management Office · AOP Health

The FDA approval represents much more than a regulatory milestone. It was the result of exceptional dedication across the team and the trust placed in us by the company. The experience has strengthened our capabilities and contributed to AOP Health's development as an organization.

Trust. 
30 years of shared commitment to global impact.

From the start AOP Health has built lasting trust through expertise, entrepreneurial responsibility and long-term partnerships. This trust – earned with patients, healthcare professionals, employees, and partners – is the foundation of a shared commitment to improving lives worldwide.

Local perspectives, shared commitment.

Across countries and teams, we have shaped AOP Health’s development in different ways. Our experiences show what it means to build locally, navigate challenges and create progress within new markets.

From one to many: reaching further.

What began in Vienna gradually expanded across borders. Over the years, AOP Health entered new markets and established a growing international presence, extending its reach step by step

30 Years of Needs. Science. Trust.

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