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Dem İlaç Board Member Deniz Martin Demir answered our questions about the company’s history, organizational structure and treatment solutions, while also sharing the innovations he plans to implement as a third-generation representative and his vision for the future.
Our aim is not merely to provide treatment solutions, but to build a dynamic and sustainable healthcare ecosystem.
Could you briefly tell us the story of Dem İlaç?
Dem İlaç was founded as a family company rooted in the healthcare sector and a deep respect for people. Since our establishment, our primary objective has been to contribute to public health through high-quality and accessible treatment solutions.
Our founder, my grandfather Pharmacist Dr. Hakverdi Demir, began with a limited product portfolio. Over time, his visionary approach led the company to grow into a dynamic organization committed to ethical values and offering solutions across a broad range of therapeutic areas. Strengthened by the contribution of every generation, this journey is a story of transformation that draws on tradition while looking toward the future.
Could you tell us about Dem İlaç’s organizational structure?
Dem İlaç has a flexible and strategically designed organizational structure. The responsibilities of every function, from product development and marketing to regulatory affairs and field operations, are clearly defined. With my participation, the third generation has now taken an active role on our Board of Directors, bringing experience and an innovative perspective together within a dynamic decision-making structure.
Our organization has been designed to remain both agile and sustainable. Strategic decisions are made by an experienced Board of Directors, while operational processes are managed by expert teams.
We have a strong culture of communication and cooperation across functional departments. We also embrace a management approach based on transparency, delegation of authority and employee participation.
In which therapeutic areas do you provide treatment solutions?
Dem İlaç provides treatment solutions across numerous therapeutic areas, particularly neurology, hematology, oncology, nephrology and immunology. Our R&D and regulatory affairs teams work to introduce new and up-to-date treatment options to Turkish medicine. We are also proud to have made certain solutions available to patients in Türkiye for the first time through some of our products.
How is the culture of intergenerational continuity reflected in your business model?
At Dem İlaç, intergenerational continuity is regarded not simply as a transfer of responsibility, but as the passing on of an entire set of values. Fundamental principles such as business ethics, a sense of responsibility and respect for employees and stakeholders are preserved with the same care by every generation.
This continuity is more than an inheritance. It is the continuation of the values, vision and responsibility instilled in us by my grandfather. The founding spirit and core values of the first generation were institutionalized through the professional management of the second generation. Today, as the third generation, we are building on this strong foundation by adding modern business dynamics such as innovation, digitalization and sustainability.
This transition reflects the flexibility and adaptability embedded in the company’s DNA.
As a third-generation representative, which innovations do you plan to introduce and what will your priorities be?
As a representative of the third generation, I place great importance on carrying Hakverdi Demir’s vision of “health for people” into the digital age and prioritizing digital transformation and sustainability.
We support domestic production with the sterile medicines manufactured at our facility in Yalova, while also bringing innovations to Türkiye through our global collaborations. One of our greatest strengths on our sustainability journey is owning our manufacturing facility. At Dem İlaç, we have made it our mission to provide Turkish medicine with high-quality and reliable treatment solutions manufactured without compromising our quality standards.
Our manufacturing expertise improves access to medicines, while our collaborations with leading global pharmaceutical companies help make treatments with limited availability more accessible in Türkiye. Through our exports, we also contribute to the national economy and the global healthcare ecosystem.
Dem İlaç in Numbers
- 33 years of experience
- 320+ employees
- 30,000 m² manufacturing area
- 20+ therapeutic areas
Vision
To become one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in Türkiye and the region by developing effective solutions that support human health through a scientific, ethical and innovative approach.
Mission
To provide high-quality and reliable treatment options that respond to society’s healthcare needs and to create sustainable value together with our employees, business partners and healthcare professionals.
Creating an inclusive and inspiring corporate culture that supports young talent is also among our priorities.
How will Dem İlaç’s vision for the future evolve with the new generation?
As a third-generation member of Dem İlaç’s Board of Directors, I believe that combining our traditional values with technology is the mission of my generation.
We are developing data-driven solutions across our operations, from R&D to pharmacovigilance services. Together with the new generation, we are building a more agile, technology-driven organization that observes the principles of sustainability. In today’s world, treatment encompasses not only products but also trust, transparency and social impact.
Dem İlaç’s future vision is founded on this understanding: to be part of a people-centered, efficient, ethical and innovative healthcare ecosystem. International collaborations, expansion into new therapeutic areas and digital healthcare solutions will be important components of this vision.
What advice would you give young executives and aspiring managers as they shape their careers?
Above all, I recommend that they remain inquisitive, open to development and focused on their goals. Patience, open communication and determination are among the most important qualities on this journey. Every position is an opportunity to learn.
Management brings responsibility as well as authority. First, know yourself well, embrace teamwork and always focus on creating value. Follow technology and changing business models closely, but never compromise your core values. Establishing this balance is essential for young executives. Leadership is not only about providing direction; it is also about inspiring others.
About Dem İlaç
Founded in 1992 by Pharmacist Dr. Hakverdi Demir with the aim of contributing to human health, Dem İlaç operates today as a source of pride for Türkiye’s domestic pharmaceutical industry, with its sterile manufacturing facility in Yalova and broad product portfolio.
Since its establishment, the company has remained committed to ethical values and scientific principles. It has developed expertise across numerous therapeutic areas, particularly neurology, hematology, oncology, nephrology and immunology, and has established a strong position in the Turkish pharmaceutical industry in critical treatment areas and rare diseases.
Combining the experience of the past with a vision for the future, Dem İlaç continues to make a difference in healthcare by adapting to the changing dynamics of the world.
Interviewee: Deniz Martin Demir, Member of the Board, Dem İlaç