Silvana Tsitsirigou – GC Powerlist
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Greece and Cyprus 2025

Healthcare

Silvana Tsitsirigou

VP, Legal, compliance & IP | PHARMATHEN SA

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Greece and Cyprus 2025

legal500.com/gc-powerlist/

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Silvana Tsitsirigou

VP, Legal, compliance & IP | PHARMATHEN SA

Team size: 20

What are the key projects that you have been involved in over the past 12 months?

The past year has been both demanding and rewarding, marked by projects that required unwavering focus and the ability to manage several priorities at once. We advanced our carbon accounting efforts and carried out CSRD and EU Taxonomy assessments across all Group companies, strengthening our commitment to sustainability and compliance. In parallel, we initiated the update of the Group’s Chart of Authority to ensure clarity and efficiency in decision-making. Beyond governance and compliance, we successfully negotiated and concluded major commercial agreements and navigated complex intellectual property challenges, helping to clear the path for our pipeline products and future growth.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

The in-house counsel has always been more than a legal advisor – they are a true business partner. Legal guidance must be framed in a manner that supports growth, delivers solutions, reduces complexity, and provides clear, pragmatic responses to day-to-day corporate challenges.

In today’s environment, where laws, markets, and technologies evolve at unprecedented speed, the in-house counsel must remain informed and agile, leveraging modern tools, including artificial intelligence, to adapt effectively.

At the same time, enduring professional values – integrity, resilience, and sound judgment – remain indispensable. As the last line of defense, in-house counsel often guide leadership through high-pressure, high-stakes decisions, ensuring that strategy is grounded in both legal compliance and ethical responsibility.

How can general counsel foster a corporate culture that supports ESG principles and compliance across all levels of the organisation?

A general counsel is a strategic partner in promoting a corporate culture that supports ESG principles and compliance. They achieve this by converting ESG commitments into practical policies and measurable outcomes through several key initiatives

First of all, integrating ESG into governance frameworks is essential as it signals to all stakeholders that ESG is a core business priority, not a secondary obligation.

Equally important are education and awareness. Well-designed training programs on regulatory requirements, on ethical standards, human rights, and anti-corruption are of utmost importance ensuring that employees understand both their responsibilities and the broader strategic significance of ESG compliance.

Transparency and ethical leadership further strengthen corporate culture. Enhancing whistleblowing processes and demonstrating integrity in legal guidance encourages employees to prioritise compliance proactively and build trust throughout the organization.

Finally, establishing clear oversight of ESG metrics and implementing corrective actions, when necessary, ensures ongoing compliance. This demonstrates accountability and a commitment to continuous improvement to all stakeholders.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

A cause I am passionate about is developing teams and promoting organisational growth through mentoring and knowledge sharing. The true value an in-house counsel can create goes beyond solving legal problems: it lies in shaping a culture where ethics, responsibility, and collaboration are at the core of the Group’s culture. These principles have become a foundation for sustainable value creation and future growth. By strengthening team capabilities and aligning practices with ethical and professional standards, the organisation is better equipped to navigate complex challenges and seize opportunities. For me, it is rewarding to see how principles introduced years ago can evolve into the foundation of future success, reinforce a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement enabling the next generation to build with confidence.

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