Topkapi Developing Pharmaceutical Industry Drama

Banijay Benelux’s Dutch label Topkapi is developing the eight-part drama Elixer, about the pharmaceutical industry, with NTR, BNNVARRA and Banijay Rights.

Dutch actor Hanna Verboom stars as Isabelle Rombauts, who is unexpectedly appointed CEO of the family-owned Rombauts Pharma, a prominent player in the international pharmaceutical market. She is quickly confronted with serious malpractices and must weigh her own conscience against the interests of her powerful family.

Elixer is written by Maaik Krijgsman in collaboration with Jaap Peter Enderlé, Franky Ribbens and Luca Izeboud. Dana Nechushtan (Holland’s Hoop) is directing. Filming is currently underway and will take place until November.

The series is set to air on NPO1 in 2025. Through the Creative Europe program, Elixer will also air on the Nordic public broadcasters NRK, DR, SVT, RUV and Yle, as well as on Germany’s ZDF and Belgium’s VRT.

Elixer was made possible with the support of NPO, NPO-fonds, the Creative Europe program—MEDIA of the European Union, the Netherlands Film Production Incentive, Screen Flanders, Belgian Tax Shelter and Limburg Film Fonds, in co-production with Menuetto.

Frans van Gestel, producer and partner at Topkapi, said, “The co-production model of Elixer brings together partners from multiple Europe markets, and we see this growth as the next step in our international ambitions. This tale of caution around the pharma industry is universal and all too relatable, and we expect audiences across the eight countries who contributed to the show will be intrigued and engaged.”

Nechushtan added: “Elixer is a drama told from the perspective of powerful individuals in the big pharma industry. We delve into the minds of those responsible: CEOs, doctors and politicians, emphasizing the dubious practices that, at times, are too vast and abstract to comprehend. At the same time, this story is a personal and intimate one.”