Goppelt Takes Helm at OrphaCare with Bold Growth and M&A Mandate

VIENNA – April 29, 2026 – OrphaCare, a key player in medical devices for drug delivery within the AOP Health Group, has appointed veteran MedTech executive Andreas Goppelt as its new Managing Director. The move signals a strategic pivot towards accelerated growth, with Goppelt tasked to broaden the company's global footprint and product portfolio through a combination of organic innovation and targeted mergers and acquisitions.

Goppelt, who succeeds Georg Fischer, steps into the role at a critical time for the rare disease sector. His appointment is seen as a move to leverage his extensive experience in scaling global organizations to propel OrphaCare into its next phase of development. The company is an essential component of AOP Health's strategy to provide comprehensive solutions for patients with complex and often underserved conditions.

A New Era of Strategic Growth

With over 25 years of leadership experience spanning the MedTech, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries, Andreas Goppelt brings a formidable track record to OrphaCare. His career includes senior executive roles at prosthetics leader Ottobock, where he spearheaded global R&D transformation, and leadership positions at Baxter BioSurgery. Notably, he also co-founded the biotech firm SWITCH Biotech, giving him firsthand experience in building a company from the ground up.

In his new capacity, Goppelt’s mandate is clear: drive aggressive expansion. His strategy is multifaceted, focusing on pushing a cutting-edge product pipeline while actively pursuing targeted mergers and acquisitions to enhance OrphaCare's capabilities. This dual approach aims to both deepen the company's expertise in specialized drug delivery and widen its geographic reach, bringing its solutions to more patients worldwide.

Beyond corporate strategy, Goppelt intends to cultivate a specific internal culture. He has emphasized fostering a high-performance environment built on accountability, collaboration, and empowerment. “Working at OrphaCare means taking responsibility for patients who often have limited treatment options,” Goppelt stated. “This requires not only expertise, but also clarity in how we work together and a shared commitment to making a real difference. My goal is to create an environment where people take ownership and are proud of the impact they have.”

The Architect of Integrated Therapies

OrphaCare's strategic importance extends far beyond its own balance sheet; it is a linchpin in the broader vision of its parent company, AOP Health. Founded in 1996, the Austrian group has pioneered an “integrated therapies” approach, a model that seeks to combine pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and patient services under one umbrella to offer holistic care.

In the complex world of rare diseases, where treatments can be intricate and require specialized administration, this model is particularly potent. AOP Health develops the novel drug, while OrphaCare develops the sophisticated device—such as an infusion pump—required to deliver it safely and effectively. This synergy ensures that a therapeutic solution is not just a vial of medicine, but a complete, patient-friendly system.

Martin Steinhart, CEO of AOP Health Group, underscored this dynamic. “With this appointment, we are further strengthening OrphaCare’s development and its contribution to improving patient care in complex and underserved therapeutic areas,” he said. “OrphaCare is an essential part of our integrated therapies´ approach. Andreas Goppelt brings the experience and strategic perspective needed to further expand this important part of our business.” This highlights that Goppelt’s success will be measured not only by OrphaCare’s growth but also by its ability to enhance the entire group's therapeutic offerings.

Navigating a Dynamic MedTech Landscape

Goppelt’s focus on mergers and acquisitions is exceptionally timely. The global drug delivery devices market is undergoing a period of explosive growth, with some projections estimating its value could surpass $530 billion by 2035. This boom is fueled by several factors, including the rising prevalence of chronic and rare diseases, an aging global population, and a strong patient preference for home-based care and self-administration.

Technological advancements in wearable injectors, smart pumps, and connected devices are further revolutionizing the field, enabling better patient adherence and providing valuable data for clinicians. Within this environment, M&A has become a primary tool for growth. After a brief slowdown, MedTech deal-making has rebounded, with companies actively seeking to acquire innovative firms to bolster their pipelines and enter high-growth markets.

The rare disease space, in particular, has become a hotbed for acquisitions, with major pharmaceutical companies paying significant premiums for assets that address unmet needs. Goppelt’s strategy to pursue targeted M&A positions OrphaCare to capitalize on this trend, potentially acquiring novel technologies or market access that would take years to build internally.

Fostering Innovation Through Agility and Digitalization

Complementing his M&A strategy is Goppelt’s dual focus on “organizational agility” and “digital transformation.” These are not mere buzzwords but critical operating principles for survival and success in the modern MedTech industry. Digital transformation involves embedding technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing into medical devices. This shift creates a data-driven ecosystem where devices can provide real-time feedback, enable remote patient monitoring, and contribute to more personalized treatment plans.

For OrphaCare, this could mean developing smarter infusion pumps that can predict maintenance needs, alert caregivers to issues, and collect data that informs future product development. However, this digital shift comes with challenges, including navigating stringent regulatory frameworks, ensuring robust cybersecurity, and managing vast amounts of data.

This is where organizational agility becomes paramount. By fostering a flexible and responsive culture, Goppelt aims to equip OrphaCare to adapt quickly to new technologies, evolving regulations, and changing market demands. This internal nimbleness is the engine that will power the company's external growth, ensuring that its pursuit of innovation is both ambitious and sustainable. The new leadership's ability to integrate this agile culture with a bold expansion strategy will be closely watched as OrphaCare embarks on its next chapter.