{"id":337,"date":"2024-08-30T11:01:51","date_gmt":"2024-08-29T23:01:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stage.aftpharm.com\/nz-en\/?page_id=337"},"modified":"2026-02-24T14:52:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T02:52:16","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.aftpharm.com\/nz-en\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What we do<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Pharmaceuticals with a difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With a guiding principle of working to improve your health, we deliver pharmaceuticals that make a real difference to people\u2019s health.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Here at AFT Pharmaceuticals, our company vision is simple: to develop innovative products that help people. We do this by seeing opportunities that others may have missed, and by filling gaps in the market with innovative products that can provide positive health outcomes for those who need them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our success is built on research and development. R&D is more than \u2018corporate speak\u2019 for us: it\u2019s at the heart of what we do in developing new products or improving existing ones. This has allowed us to successfully grow our business year after year, and crucially, to meet the health needs of people in Australasia and around the globe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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“At AFT Pharmaceuticals, we remain committed to reinvest into R&D to help people across the world.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hartley Atkinson, Founder and Managing Director<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Our history<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From ‘go’ to global in under 20 years<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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We're underway<\/h3>\n

Husband and wife team Hartley and Marree Atkinson form AFT Pharmaceuticals, the small Kiwi company that dreamed big. In August that year, we celebrate a huge milestone \u2013 our first sales.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Owning it<\/h3>\n

We acquire our first wholly owned AFT Pharmaceutical products. We also acquire part ownership of two South African pharmaceutical companies and a wholesaler \u2013 these are successfully sold in 2004.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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G'day, cobber<\/h3>\n

AFT Pharmaceuticals is established in Australia. A big move for us back then, but Australia is now our second home. We also begin our own drug development work and file our first two global patents.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Europe calls<\/h3>\n

Our little New Zealand company hits the big time. We sign a joint venture drug development agreement with a company in the European Union, expanding our global reach phenomenally.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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So does South East Asia<\/h3>\n

AFT secures an out-licensing deal for three of our own products in South East Asia. By December, our first product launches are underway in Malaysia. Things are on the up and up!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A breakthrough<\/h3>\n

Arise Maxigesic\u00ae<\/sup>, AFT\u2019s world-first combination analgesic, is launched in New Zealand. This groundbreaking pharmaceutical is a roaring success and is soon out-licensed to Eastern Europe.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Through the barrier<\/h3>\n

Group sales increase to NZ$50 million. We launch preservative-free HYLO-FRESH and HYLO-FORTE eye drops in Australia<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0New Zealand<\/a>, which is at the forefront of our strong growth in the Eye Care category over the following years.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A global snowball<\/h3>\n

We keep on expanding. By now, AFT Pharmaceutical\u2019s distribution and out-licensing agreements have expanded significantly to include 42 countries in Australasia and around the globe.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What a year<\/h3>\n

Maxigesic\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0is launched in Australia. We discover a major formulation error in competitive cold and flu products, published globally.\u00a0Milford Asset Management (NZ)<\/a> and Capital Royalty (USA) collectively invest US$12M in equity.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Things get big – real big<\/h3>\n

AFT Pharmaceuticals is publicly listed on the\u00a0ASX<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0NZX<\/a> stock exchanges. We commission independent surveys showing widespread concerns about the use of codeine in over-the-counter painkillers.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Our first Maxigesic line extension<\/h3>\n

Maxigesic\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0PE\u00a0<\/a>is launched in New Zealand \u2013 a patented combination of paracetamol, ibuprofen and phenylephrine that provides triple action cold, flu and sinus relief. We also introduce\u00a0NovaTears\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>; unique preservative-free eye drops specifically designed for evaporative dry eye disease.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Challenging times, strong results<\/h3>\n

The COVID-19 pandemic dominates headlines around the world, but AFT doesn\u2019t stand still throughout this challenging year for global health care. We launch Maxigesic\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0IV in Australia and New Zealand, while licensing deals for international markets continue to grow. NovaTears\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0+ Omega-3 is an exciting addition to our growing eye care product range. And to top it all off, AFT breaks through the $100M revenue barrier to achieve record company earnings.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The story continues<\/h3>\n

It has been a busy start to the year with a number of new product launches in Australia and New Zealand to help drive further growth for AFT Pharmaceuticals.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Board<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our board members<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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View all staff<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n \"About\n <\/div>\n
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\n David Flacks <\/h2>\n
AFT Pharmaceuticals Chair<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Profile<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n Dr Hartley Atkinson <\/h2>\n
CEO, Managing Director<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Profile<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n Marree Atkinson <\/h2>\n
Chief of Staff, Executive Director<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Profile<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n Andrew Lane <\/h2>\n
Independent Director<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Profile<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n Dr Ted Witek <\/h2>\n
Independent Director<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Profile<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n Allison Yorston <\/h2>\n
Independent Director<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Profile<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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View all staff<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Join our team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re always looking for talented people, please have a look at the careers we currently have available.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Careers<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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Latest news<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stay informed with out latest advancements in healthcare and pharmaceutical innovation<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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More news<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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November 20, 2025<\/p>\n

AFT delivers 10th consecutive first half revenue increase<\/h2>\n

AFT Pharmaceuticals (NZX: AFT, ASX: AFP) today reports a strong first-half performance for the six months to 30 September 2025, with revenue growing 3…<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Read More<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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September 25, 2025<\/p>\n

On track for $300m FY27 revenue; positive iron IV study result<\/h2>\n

– Sales tracking in line with $300 million FY27 revenue target\r\n– Clinical trial supports the potential patient benefits of novel iron IV development …<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Read More<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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May 26, 2025<\/p>\n

AFT and Hikma extend US Maxigesic Cooperation<\/h2>\n

AFT Pharmaceuticals (NZX:AFT, ASX:AFP) today announces it has extended its US Maxigesic\u00ae licensing agreement with Hikma Pharmaceuticals….<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Read More<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n