A leader in translational research, drug discovery, diagnostics, and medical devices, with over two decades of experience spanning academia, startups, and industry, Dr Radha Rangarajan took charge as the Director of Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) in September 2022. CDRI is a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Dr Radha has played a pivotal role in advancing healthcare solutions, from early-stage drug development to affordable diagnostics. She began her career at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (2003–09), contributing to early-stage drug development. She later co-founded Vitas Pharma, focusing on novel therapies for drug-resistant infections. As Chief Technology Officer at HealthCubed (2020), she spearheaded the development of accessible diagnostic solutions. She actively contributes to global health initiatives, serving on advisory boards for CARB-X, Tres Cantos Open Lab Foundation, BITS BioCyTiH, and other prestigious organisations. Her contributions have been widely recognised, earning her the FICCI Award for Women in R&D (2019) and the "Champion of Change" recognition by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2017).
“Industry should see academia as laboratories from which future products can emerge without having to invest in much of the high-risk early stage research. For such a model to become effective, academia must align its research with what industry is willing to bet on.”
- Dr Radha Rangarajan, Director, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute
