Bengaluru-based MedGenome, a leading global genomics-driven diagnostics and research services company, has announced the appointment of Dr Amit Kakar as Chairman of its Board, effective immediately.

Dr Kakar takes over from Dr. Felix Olale, MD, PhD, who concluded his two year term as Chairman of the Board and will focus his efforts on leading the growth of MedGenome’s US and North America business. 

Dr Kakar has served on the MedGenome board of directors since 2022 and is Managing Partner and Head of Asia at Novo Holdings, a global life sciences investor wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, an independent philanthropic enterprise foundation.

He has over 30 years of experience in the Healthcare and Life Sciences industry and serves on the boards of Doctor Anywhere, an omni-channel healthcare service provider; ESCO, a Singapore-based life science company; and Qure.ai, a leading health tech firm headquartered in India.

Dr Kakar previously served as the Head of Healthcare Investments at Avenue Capital for 8 years where he was responsible for the company’s pan-Asia healthcare investments. He was also part of GE Healthcare for over 14 years, holding various senior positions in India, China, and the US; and was Head of M&A and Business Development at Everlife Asia in Singapore. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades of healthcare investing, operations, management and leadership, his commitment to excellence, coupled with a deep understanding of the markets, will provide strong strategic direction to MedGenome’s next phase of growth in the coming years.