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Medison Pharma
Medison Pharma is a global pharmaceutical access platform and hybrid investor founded by Morris C. Laster in 1995, operating across 35+ markets.
Medison Pharma
Medison Pharma was founded in 1995 by Morris C. Laster in Petah Tikva, Israel. The firm originated as a pharmaceutical distribution and commercialization platform, specializing in navigating regulatory and market access barriers for emerging biotech companies. Over three decades, Medison has expanded into a multi-geography operation with offices in Herzliya, Guangzhou, Somerville (Massachusetts), Vancouver, and additional outposts in Europe. The firm's investment strategy centers on securing exclusive commercialization rights for late-stage therapeutics — particularly oncology, rare disease, and specialty medicines — in exchange for equity stakes, milestone payments, or revenue-sharing arrangements. Medison effectively serves as a market-entry partner for biotech firms lacking in-house international infrastructure. Known portfolio relationships include partnerships with bluebird bio, BioMarin, and Sarepta Therapeutics, among others (per public disclosures, various years). Geographically, Medison covers Israel (home market), China (via its Guangzhou office), the United States, Canada, and select European countries. Medison does not publicly disclose AUM or total deployment figures. The firm is organized as a privately held business entity, with the Laster family controlling the operating company. Team size is not stated publicly. Medison has also established philanthropic structures through the Laster family foundation, though details are limited. In February 2024, Medison announced a strategic partnership with a US-based gene therapy developer to commercialize a rare disease treatment in Israel and select Asian markets (per the firm's press release, February 2024). What distinguishes Medison from a typical investment firm is its operational model — it takes principal risk on regulatory and commercial execution rather than financial exposure alone. The firm's returns come from revenue milestones and equity appreciation tied to product launches, aligning its incentives with those of its biotech partners. This deal structure creates a hybrid of a commercialization CRO and a life-sciences venture investor.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
1995
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Middle East
Country
Israel
City
Petah Tikva
Corporate office
Petah Tikva, Israel
Additional offices
Herzliya, Israel · Guangzhou, China · Somerville, MA, United States · Vancouver, Canada
Principals
Morris C. Laster
Founder and Chairman
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Medison Pharma?
Morris C. Laster serves as Founder and Chairman of Medison Pharma. The firm is family-controlled, and investment decisions are likely overseen by a combination of the Laster family and senior management, though specific CIO or CEO roles are not publicly named.
How does Medison Pharma source proprietary deal flow?
Medison sources deals through direct relationships with biotech firms seeking market access outside their home regions. The firm's track record in regulatory approval and commercialization in Israel, China, and other markets acts as a differentiator, attracting partners who need a reliable local partner.
Is Medison Pharma structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a venture firm?
Medison Pharma is first a pharmaceutical commercialization and distribution company, family-owned by the Laster family. It incorporates an investment arm that takes equity and milestone-based positions in partner biotechs, making it a hybrid entity rather than a pure family office or venture capital firm.
What investment stages does Medison Pharma typically target?
Medison focuses on late-stage therapeutics—drugs that have completed or are nearing completion of clinical trials and have regulatory approval in at least one major market. The firm avoids early-stage R&D risk, instead specializing in commercial execution.
Which sectors does Medison Pharma explicitly avoid?
Medison does not publicly state excluded sectors, but by its nature it avoids medical devices, diagnostics, and early-stage discovery biotech. Its focus is on approved or near-approved pharmaceutical products, primarily in oncology, rare disease, and specialty therapeutics.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The wealth originated from the pharmaceutical distribution and commercialization business built by Morris C. Laster since 1995. The firm reinvests profits from commercial operations into new partnerships and equity stakes.
Does Medison Pharma maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
Public records indicate the Laster family operates a charitable foundation, but details are sparse. The foundation is legally separate from Medison Pharma's commercial operations, though both are controlled by the family.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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