https://biospectrumindia.com/rssfeed/news/people people https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28637/cohance-lifesciences-appoints-abhimanyu-ojha-as-chief-financial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28637/cohance-lifesciences-appoints-abhimanyu-ojha-as-chief-financial-officer.html Mon, 12 Oct 2026 13:17:24 +0530 HYderabad-based Cohance Lifesciences, a technology-driven, integrated contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), has announced the appointment of Abhimanyu Ojha as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Key Managerial Personnel, effective October 12, 2026. Ojha brings over two decades of experience in finance leadership across multinational healthcare and pharmaceutical companies. Most recently, he served as Global CFO and President Finance at Intas Pharmaceuticals, where he led global finance teams spanning business operations, manufacturing, research and development, accounting, treasury, audit, taxation, corporate finance and financial planning and analysis (FP&A). Earlier in his career, Ojha held senior leadership positions at Viatris, Mylan, Sun Pharmaceuticals and Ranbaxy Laboratories, working closely with business and functional leaders across geographies. His experience spans financial strategy, business partnering, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, treasury, taxation, risk management and operational excellence. He has also built and led global finance teams, partnering with executive leadership, boards, investors and business leaders on strategic decision-making and business performance. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28573/biomanufacturing-firm-preferco-names-shakthi-m-nagappan-as-chairman-managing-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28573/biomanufacturing-firm-preferco-names-shakthi-m-nagappan-as-chairman-managing-director.html Wed, 30 Sep 2026 15:14:41 +0530 PreferCo, a precision fermentation company headquartered in Hyderabad, has announced that Shakthi Nagappan will lead the company as Chairman & Managing Director, as it builds an integrated platform spanning strain engineering, process development and bioprocess scale-up being built in partnership with German process technology major Glatt. Nagappan brings close to two decades of experience at the intersection of life sciences, industry and government. As the former CEO of the Telangana Life Sciences Foundation, he played a key role in the development of Hyderabad and Telangana into one of Asia’s leading life sciences hubs. During his tenure, Telangana’s life sciences ecosystem expanded significantly in scale and global stature witnessing investments to the $15 billion and today hosts nine of the world’s top lifesciences companies, alongside more than 2,000 life sciences companies. Nagappan continues to be associated with the Government of Telangana in an advisory capacity on life sciences. PreferCo is building an integrated precision fermentation platform in Hyderabad focused on one of the industry’s most critical challenges — translating promising biology from the laboratory into robust and commercially viable manufacturing at scale. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28560/msd-appoints-vidhya-sundaram-as-associate-vice-president-global-technology-centers-and-hyderabad-tech-center-lead.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28560/msd-appoints-vidhya-sundaram-as-associate-vice-president-global-technology-centers-and-hyderabad-tech-center-lead.html Mon, 28 Sep 2026 14:13:33 +0530 MSD (tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA) has announced the appointment of Vidhya Sundaram as Associate Vice President, Global Technology Centers and Hyderabad Tech Center Lead. She will be based in Hyderabad, Telangana. In this role, Vidhya will oversee MSD's global Technology Center strategy, working closely with global technology leaders to deepen collaboration across locations and support business outcomes. She will also lead the Hyderabad Tech Center, building on its strong foundation and helping advance the digital capabilities that support MSD's work to deliver innovative solutions for human and animal health around the world. Her appointment follows the recent inauguration of the Tech Center's expanded workplace in Hyderabad, which adds capacity for local teams to contribute to enterprise technology solutions and collaborate with colleagues globally. Vidhya brings more than 20 years of experience building and scaling global capability organizations and driving business outcomes through digital and technology across the life sciences industry. She has a strong track record of establishing multifunctional capabilities, developing talent and delivering measurable business value at scale. Prior to joining MSD, Vidhya held leadership roles at Eli Lilly, ZS Associates and EY. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28543/rainbow-childrens-medicare-appoints-sudarshan-patodia-as-group-chief-financial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28543/rainbow-childrens-medicare-appoints-sudarshan-patodia-as-group-chief-financial-officer.html Sat, 26 Sep 2026 14:41:26 +0530 Rainbow Children's Medicare, India's leading paediatric and perinatal healthcare network, has announced the appointment of Sudarshan Patodia as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company, with effect from 23 September, 2026. He succeeds Vikas Maheshwari, who stepped down from the position of Chief Financial Officer on 31 August 2026. As CFO, Patodia will be responsible for overseeing Rainbow Children’s Medicare’s finance function, including business and corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, treasury, investor relations, capital allocation and financial governance. He will work closely with the leadership team to support the company’s strategic priorities and long-term growth plans. A Chartered Accountant and Gold Medalist, Patodia brings close to two decades of experience across healthcare, retail and FMCG. His expertise spans business finance, corporate finance, treasury, financial planning and analysis, investor relations, strategy, fundraising, and mergers and acquisitions. Before joining Rainbow Children’s Medicare, Patodia served as Chief Financial Officer at New Delhi Centre for Sight Ltd., where he led the organisation’s finance, fundraising, investor relations, strategy and M&A functions. Prior to this, he was Vice President, Finance at Vishal Mega Mart, where he contributed to the company’s growth and IPO journey. He also spent nearly 14 years at ITC Limited in corporate and business finance roles, building extensive experience across treasury, financial planning, internal audit and category finance.  Patodia’s appointment strengthens Rainbow Children’s Medicare’s leadership team as the company continues to expand its healthcare network, enhance its clinical capabilities and pursue sustainable, long-term growth.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28545/upasana-kamineni-konidela-steps-in-as-director-projects-as-apollo-hospitals-advances-rs-8600-cr-expansion-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28545/upasana-kamineni-konidela-steps-in-as-director-projects-as-apollo-hospitals-advances-rs-8600-cr-expansion-across-india.html Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:01:05 +0530 Upasana Kamineni Konidela has taken on the responsibility as Director – Projects. She will work with Apollo’s leadership, clinical teams and project partners on the planning and delivery of hospital projects across India. Her priorities will include new facilities, expansions and upgrades to existing hospitals, and consistent design standards across patient spaces. Working with project teams, she will focus on clear signage and wayfinding, easier navigation, efficient clinical spaces and a more comfortable experience for patients and their families. She will also support stronger project processes, reporting and coordination from design through opening. Apollo’s current expansion plan has an estimated total project cost of approximately Rs 8600 crore, including approximately Rs 1,565 crore of listed brownfield expansion projects at existing facilities. The programme covers a combination of stronger capacity in established markets and new facilities in growing urban centres. Published plans identify projects across Hyderabad, Delhi NCR, Chennai, Mumbai and Bengaluru, alongside Lucknow, Varanasi, Indore, Guwahati and Ranchi, among other locations. The particular projects and budgets within Upasana’s mandate will be confirmed by Apollo. The work is intended to make advanced care easier to reach and easier to use. In each neighbourhood, a hospital can support patients well beyond a single visit, while creating opportunities for doctors, nurses and other skilled workers and the families who depend on them. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28519/bdr-pharmaceuticals-international-appoints-niral-bhatt-as-chief-human-resources-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28519/bdr-pharmaceuticals-international-appoints-niral-bhatt-as-chief-human-resources-officer.html Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:40:57 +0530 BDR Pharmaceuticals International has announced the appointment of Niral Bhatt as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), strengthening its leadership team and focus on people and organisational development. In his new role, Bhatt will spearhead initiatives aimed at fostering a proactive and progressive work culture through a range of organisational development (OD) and human resources interventions. He will focus on strengthening people practices and aligning HR strategies with the organisation’s business objectives. Bhatt brings nearly 20 years of experience across human resources and people management. Prior to joining BDR Pharmaceuticals International, he was associated with the Zydus Group for 13 years, where he served as General Manager, HR. During his tenure, he was responsible for key areas including talent management and development, employee well-being, learning and development, performance management, and evolving HR strategies aligned with business needs. Over the course of his career, Bhatt has held HR roles across leading organisations, including the Aditya Birla Group, Larsen & Toubro, Café Coffee Day and Future Group India, among others. With his extensive experience spanning talent management, organisational development and strategic HR, Bhatt is expected to play a key role in strengthening BDR Pharmaceuticals’ people-centric approach and building a progressive workplace culture. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28501/yashoda-medicity-appoints-prof-dr-n-k-soni-as-director-internal-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28501/yashoda-medicity-appoints-prof-dr-n-k-soni-as-director-internal-medicine.html Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:59:56 +0530 Yashoda Medicity, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, has appointed Prof. (Dr) N.K. Soni as Director, Internal Medicine, strengthening its clinical leadership in the management of complex, chronic, and multi-system medical conditions. With more than four decades of experience in Internal Medicine, Prof. (Dr) Soni brings extensive clinical and leadership experience across diabetes and metabolic disorders, preventive cardiology, thyroid disorders, infectious diseases, tuberculosis, rheumatology and other chronic conditions. Prof. (Dr) Soni’s experience spans comprehensive adult medicine, diabetology, preventive care and complex medical conditions. Before joining Yashoda Medicity, he served as Senior Consultant and Head, Internal Medicine & Diabetology at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Greater Noida, and held senior roles at Yashoda Hospital and Heart Institute, Santosh Hospital and Medical College, and Sitaram Jaipuria Medical Centre, Ghaziabad. He has also served as President of IACM and UP Diabetic Association, Chairman of the RSSDI U.P. Chapter and member of the API Governing Body, with expertise across diabetes, metabolic diseases, preventive cardiology, thyroid disorders, infectious diseases, tuberculosis and rheumatology. Prof. (Dr) Soni holds an MBBS and MD in Internal Medicine from Agra University and fellowships from the Indian College of Physicians, Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine, American College of Physicians and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow. He is also associated with Diabetes India, the Indian Society of Hypertension and the UP Diabetic Association. His appointment further strengthens Yashoda Medicity’s clinical leadership in Internal Medicine and its multidisciplinary approach to complex and chronic care in the Delhi-NCR region.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28502/practo-strengthens-leadership-with-shashank-singh-as-md-and-executive-chairman-jagnoor-singh-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28502/practo-strengthens-leadership-with-shashank-singh-as-md-and-executive-chairman-jagnoor-singh-as-ceo.html Thu, 17 Sep 2026 19:56:22 +0530 Digital healthcare platform Practo has announced a new leadership structure to support its next phase of growth. Shashank ND Singh, Founder & CEO, has been elevated to the expanded role of Managing Director (MD) and Executive Chairman. Jagnoor Singh, previously Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 01 September 2026. The new structure comes at a time of strong business momentum for Practo, which is growing at 40% year-on-year and has remained profitable for the past two and a half years. As Managing Director and Executive Chairman, Shashank ND Singh continues to shape Practo's overall vision, product and strategy and leads the company's long-term innovation agenda, capital strategy, inorganic growth and corporate development initiatives. Jagnoor Singh joined Practo as Chief Operating Officer in January 2025 and has spent close to two years driving the company’s growth strategy, strengthening execution and advancing its expansion into new markets. Before Practo, Singh held senior operating roles at Bharti Airtel, Unacademy and OYO, spanning telecom and consumer internet. As CEO, he leads Practo’s overall strategy, growth and operations across global markets, working closely with Shashank ND to advance the company’s long-term vision.     Following the expansion of its consumer platform into the UAE and the United States, Practo is entering a new phase of global growth, with a network of 700,000+ doctors and healthcare providers serving millions of patients globally. The expanded leadership team will support the company’s priorities of scaling internationally, deepening its presence across the healthcare ecosystem and embedding AI-led capabilities across its existing products and new solutions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28492/professor-nobhojit-roy-steps-in-as-executive-director-of-george-institute-for-global-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28492/professor-nobhojit-roy-steps-in-as-executive-director-of-george-institute-for-global-health.html Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:57:15 +0530 Professor Nobhojit Roy has been appointed Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health, India, succeeding Professor Vivekanand Jha, who led the Institute’s India office for 13 years. Professor Roy is a surgeon, global health researcher and health systems leader whose experience spans research, clinical practice, policy and health system strengthening in India and internationally. His work has focused particularly on improving trauma outcomes and surgical care and strengthening healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings. He spent two decades at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Hospital and Homi Bhabha National Institute in Mumbai, including as Professor and Chief of Surgical Services. He subsequently served as National Advisor for Public Health Planning and Evidence at the National Health Systems Resource Centre, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and held senior health systems and knowledge partnership roles with CARE India. Professor Roy has also served as Technical Officer for Surgery and Anaesthesia at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva and as Southeast Asia Regional Health Hub Lead at Oxford Policy Management. Most recently, he was Professor of Surgery and Chair of the Centre for Leadership at the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda. He has also contributed to the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery and the Lancet Commission on NCDs and Injuries in the Poorest Billion.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28473/hab-pharma-appoints-pankaj-agarwal-as-chief-financial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28473/hab-pharma-appoints-pankaj-agarwal-as-chief-financial-officer.html Sat, 12 Sep 2026 13:49:29 +0530 HAB Pharmaceuticals & Research Limited (HAB Pharma), an Indian pharmaceutical company with a legacy spanning over four decades, has appointed Pankaj Agarwal as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The appointment comes as HAB Pharma strengthens its financial and organisational capabilities to support its next phase of growth, driven by expanding manufacturing capacities, R&D initiatives, domestic presence and international market opportunities. A Chartered Accountant with almost 18 years of experience across the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, Agarwal brings expertise in financial strategy, planning and forecasting, financial reporting and compliance, fundraising, treasury management, audit, risk assessment and operational efficiency. Prior to joining HAB Pharma, he held senior finance roles at Innovcare Lifesciences, Max Healthcare and Vyome Biosciences. At Innovcare, he contributed to a $5 million Series C fundraise and a further $1 million through non-convertible debentures and led the implementation of SAP for the accounts function. He began his career in audit and compliance with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and later worked as a Partner at Lahoti Roy & Associates. At HAB Pharma, Agarwal oversees financial planning, budgeting, reporting, compliance, risk management and corporate governance, while providing financial insights to support informed business decisions. He works closely with the leadership team to strengthen financial discipline, operational efficiency and sustainable value creation across the organisation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28456/amitabh-dube-steps-in-as-new-oppi-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28456/amitabh-dube-steps-in-as-new-oppi-president.html Thu, 10 Sep 2026 18:36:20 +0530 The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), which represents the global research-based pharmaceutical companies in India, has appointed Amitabh Dube as its President for a term of two years effective 10th September 2026. Amitabh Dube is the Country President and Managing Director of Novartis India. With nearly three decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, he has held leadership roles across India and international markets. Prior to his current position, Amitabh served as Country President of Novartis Vietnam, where he also chaired the country's leading pharmaceutical industry association, contributing to the advancement of the healthcare ecosystem in the country. His strong understanding of the Indian pharmaceutical industry and the business landscape gives him the distinct advantage to steer through the complexities while staying committed to creating an impact for the patients and the society at large.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28423/dr-vineet-talwar-takes-charge-as-medical-director-of-rajiv-gandhi-cancer-institute-research-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28423/dr-vineet-talwar-takes-charge-as-medical-director-of-rajiv-gandhi-cancer-institute-research-centre.html Thu, 03 Sep 2026 19:24:24 +0530 Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC), Delhi has announced the elevation of Dr Vineet Talwar as its Medical Director, effective September 1, 2026. A senior medical oncologist with more than two decades of association with RGCIRC, Dr Talwar brings extensive clinical, academic and research experience to the role. Dr. Talwar has been serving as Director of Medical Oncology at RGCIRC and has been associated with the Department of Medical Oncology since May 2000. Over the years, he has played an important role in strengthening the institute’s medical oncology practice, while contributing to clinical research, academic training and multidisciplinary cancer care.  A DM in Medical Oncology from the Cancer Institute, Adyar, Chennai, Dr Talwar has authored more than 140 publications in national and international peer-reviewed journals. His clinical areas of interest include genitourinary oncology, gastrointestinal oncology, hepatopancreatobiliary oncology and breast oncology. He has also been actively involved in Phase II, III and IV clinical trials and has served in several academic and institutional roles, including as an examiner for DNB Medical Oncology trainees. His professional affiliations include the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Indian Society of Oncology (ISO) and Indian Cooperative Oncology Network (ICON). He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians(FRCP), Edinburgh, and has received several recognitions over the course of his career, including the Chikitsa Ratan Award and multiple academic orations.  In his new role as Medical Director, Dr Talwar will work closely with RGCIRC’s leadership and clinical teams to further strengthen multidisciplinary cancer care, quality standards, academic programmes and research initiatives across the institute.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28414/medibuddy-appoints-industry-veteran-shalabh-shrivastava-as-head-of-operations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28414/medibuddy-appoints-industry-veteran-shalabh-shrivastava-as-head-of-operations.html Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:08:16 +0530 Bengaluru-based digital healthcare platform MediBuddy has announced the appointment of Shalabh Shrivastava as Head of Operations. The appointment strengthens the company’s leadership as it scales its healthcare offerings across enterprises, insurers and consumers. Shrivastava brings more than two decades of experience building and scaling high-volume operations across consumer technology, e-commerce, retail and consulting. Most recently, he led product, design and operations for Swiggy’s driver organisation, supporting one of India’s largest hyperlocal delivery networks.  At MediBuddy, he will focus on strengthening the systems and processes that support the company’s growing healthcare network, with an emphasis on building more effective operations, technology-led automation and the execution capabilities needed to scale. His appointment comes as MediBuddy enters a new phase of growth. The company reported its first EBITDA-positive quarter in Q4 FY26, with an annual revenue run rate exceeding Rs 1,500 crore. Online consultations also grew by more than 90% year-on-year during the quarter. Before Swiggy, he spent more than a decade at Flipkart, holding leadership roles across first-mile, last-mile and third-party logistics before becoming VP & National Head of Large & Furniture Supply Chain. During his tenure at Flipkart, he led 10X-scale transformation initiatives across the company’s small-parcel last-mile network and end-to-end volumetric supply chain. Earlier in his career, Shrivastava held roles at Reliance Retail, Cognizant and Ernst & Young, building experience across retail, consulting and investment banking. At Reliance Retail, he worked across loyalty, analytics and CRM, adding a customer and data-led dimension to his operational experience. Across these roles, Shrivastava has focused on a common challenge: building operating systems that can keep pace as businesses move from early scale to high-volume execution, while balancing efficiency, reliability and customer experience.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28415/baby-memorial-hospitals-names-dr-anup-warrier-as-group-chief-of-medical-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28415/baby-memorial-hospitals-names-dr-anup-warrier-as-group-chief-of-medical-services.html Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:21:50 +0530 Kerala-based Baby Memorial Hospitals (BMH) has appointed Dr Anup Warrier as Group Chief of Medical Services, further strengthening its senior leadership team as the healthcare group continues to expand its clinical capabilities and focus on quality, patient safety, and excellence in healthcare delivery.   Dr Warrier, with over 20 years of leadership experience across tertiary and quaternary healthcare systems, brings expertise in clinical governance, quality and patient safety, accreditation, and clinical services planning for greenfield hospitals.   Most recently, he served as Chief of Medical Affairs & Quality for a multi-hospital network, where he played a central physician-leadership role in a quaternary care academic medical centre. A Consultant in Infectious Diseases by training, Dr Warrier holds DNB (Medicine), FRCP (Edinburgh), FIDSA, and CBIC credentials.   In his new role, Dr Warrier will provide strategic leadership for medical services across the BMH network, with a focus on strengthening clinical governance, standardising care practices, enhancing patient safety and driving continuous improvement in clinical outcomes. He will also work closely with BMH’s clinical leadership and medical teams to foster greater collaboration and consistency in care delivery across specialties and locations.   Dr Warrier has also contributed to healthcare quality and infection prevention initiatives at the state and national levels. He has served on Kerala’s State AMR & Stewardship Committee, is faculty for WHO-supported national infection prevention and control programmes, and has contributed to the APSIC Surgical Site Infection Guidelines and India’s National Hospital Infection Control Guidelines. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28381/qure-ai-appoints-mihir-bhanushali-as-executive-vice-president-global-health-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28381/qure-ai-appoints-mihir-bhanushali-as-executive-vice-president-global-health-.html Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:02:05 +0530 Mumbai-based Qure.ai, an AI technology company focused on healthcare, has announced the appointment of Mihir Bhanushali as Executive Vice President, Global Health, as the company deepens its investment in AI-powered healthcare across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Bhanushali joins Qure.ai from Freshworks, where he was Senior Director, Global Sales. A seasoned commercial leader, he has built and scaled high-growth businesses across global markets, with earlier leadership roles at Rippling and Whatfix spanning sales, go-to-market strategy and commercial transformation. At Qure.ai, Bhanushali will lead the next phase of the company's growth across LMICs, with a focus on Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Latin America. His mandate spans the company's solutions for infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and HIV, and care delivery across frontline health systems. Qure.ai is expanding beyond screening and early diagnosis into broader care delivery. At the centre of this expansion is Aira, Qure.ai's AI doctor and clinical co-pilot for frontline healthcare, which brings clinical intelligence, digital workflows and care coordination closer to the point of care, with applications across primary care, telemedicine, HIV, infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28336/sudarshan-jain-steps-in-as-chairman-of-abbott-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28336/sudarshan-jain-steps-in-as-chairman-of-abbott-india.html Tue, 18 Aug 2026 23:12:09 +0530 Abbott India has appointed Sudarshan Jain as its Chairman, succeeding Munir Shaikh. He served as Director – Marketing at Abbott India for a decade and later as Managing Director, Healthcare Solutions at Abbott, where he led a business encompassing pharmaceuticals and healthcare solutions. Jain has also served at Abbott India’s Board as an Independent Director in 2019. Jain has a strong passion for business, healthcare policy and the education sector. He is currently the Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) and the Chairman of the Indian Institute of Health Management and Research (IIHMR), Jaipur. He is an Advisor at EQT Group, a global investment organisation. He also serves on the Drugs Technology Advisory Board and the Advisory Committee of the Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG), Government of India. Jain is a Visiting Faculty member at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM A) and a Certified Executive Coach from the Coaching Foundation of India. He has a rich healthcare business experience of over 45 years and has contributed to shaping healthcare policy and improving access to healthcare in India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28337/niti-aayog-welcomes-anurag-jain-as-new-chief-executive-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28337/niti-aayog-welcomes-anurag-jain-as-new-chief-executive-officer.html Tue, 18 Aug 2026 23:17:27 +0530 NITI Aayog has announced the appointment of Anurag Jain as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, brings with him nearly four decades of experience in public administration and policymaking. He has previously served as Chief Secretary, Madhya Pradesh; Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways; and Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). His tenure will run until his approved extension in service and thereafter for a total period of two years, or until further orders. Notably, his extended tenure as Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh was scheduled to conclude on August 31, 2026. NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is the premier policy think tank of the Government of India, established to foster cooperative federalism and provide strategic and technical advice on key policy matters. It aims to rapidly transform 112 of India's most under-developed districts by monitoring progress across health, nutrition, education, agriculture, financial inclusion, and infrastructure.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28323/citiustech-announces-leadership-transition-with-dhaval-shah-as-acting-ceo-and-shyam-karunakaran-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28323/citiustech-announces-leadership-transition-with-dhaval-shah-as-acting-ceo-and-shyam-karunakaran-as-president.html Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:38:16 +0530 CitiusTech, a leading digital and enterprise AI company for healthcare and life sciences organisations, has announced that Dhaval Shah, Chief Business Officer for the MedTech (HMT) and Life Sciences (HLS) markets, has been elevated to the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Shyam Karunakaran, Chief Business Officer for Healthcare Payer & Platforms (HHP & Platforms), has been elevated to the role of President, with broad responsibilities spanning enterprise strategy, markets, growth, and execution. Rajan Kohli, Chief Executive Officer, has decided to move on from his role by the end of August 2026 to pursue other opportunities. Dhaval Shah has been with the company for more than 19 years, helping shape its culture, values, and operating model since its earliest days. Over his tenure, Shah has held various leadership roles and was responsible in building the company’s MedTech and Life Sciences businesses. Until recently, he served as Chief Business Officer for these industry segments. Karunakaran has spent 17 years at CitiusTech. He served as Chief Business Officer for the company's Payer and Platform businesses and helped build them into the franchises they are today. As President, he will bring that same strategic mandate to the broader organisation, with responsibilities across enterprise strategy, markets, growth, and execution. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28316/dr-v-mohan-receives-dr-a-p-j-abdul-kalam-award-by-government-of-tamil-nadu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28316/dr-v-mohan-receives-dr-a-p-j-abdul-kalam-award-by-government-of-tamil-nadu.html Sat, 15 Aug 2026 12:37:00 +0530 Dr V Mohan, Chairman of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) has been conferred the prestigious Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award 2026 by the Government of Tamil Nadu recognising his outstanding contributions to scientific advancement, healthcare, diabetes research and public health. On behalf of Dr V. Mohan, the award was received by his daughter, Dr R. M. Anjana, Managing Director of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and President of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation. The award was presented by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru C. Joseph Vijay, in the presence of distinguished dignitaries. The Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award, instituted by the Government of Tamil Nadu in honour of former President of India and eminent scientist Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of science, humanities and the welfare of students. The award is presented during the Independence Day celebrations of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Dr V Mohan is the first medical doctor to receive the Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award, marking a significant milestone in the history of this prestigious state honour. For more than five decades, Dr V Mohan has dedicated his career to advancing diabetes care, research and education in India and globally. His work has contributed significantly to understanding diabetes in Indian populations, its complications, genetics, nutrition and prevention, while also strengthening diabetes research and healthcare delivery. Dr V Mohan has more than 1,900 scientific publications which have attracted over 257,000 citations with a h-index of 176 and an i10-index of 1,268. His extensive research has helped place Indian diabetes research on the global scientific map. Dr V Mohan has also been consistently recognised among the world’s top 2% of scientists in rankings based on Stanford University, Elsevier and SciTech Strategies and has been recognised as one of India's leading medical scientists. Dr V Mohan has received numerous national and international honours, including the Padma Shri from Government of India, the Dr B.C. Roy National Award from the Medical Council of India and several recognitions for his contributions to diabetes research, education and patient care.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28299/dr-jitendra-kumar-former-md-birac-joins-iiser-mohali-as-professor-of-practice.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28299/dr-jitendra-kumar-former-md-birac-joins-iiser-mohali-as-professor-of-practice.html Wed, 12 Aug 2026 18:11:53 +0530 The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali has announced the appointment of Prof. (Dr) Jitendra Kumar as Professor of Practice, effective from August 3, 2026. Dr Kumar is a distinguished biotechnology leader with more than two decades of experience in research, innovation, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, and science policy. Before joining IISER Mohali, he served as the Managing Director (MD) of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening India's biotechnology innovation ecosystem. During his tenure, he led initiatives focused on policy formulation, technology commercialisation, funding mechanisms, and mentoring biotechnology start-ups, significantly contributing to the growth of the country's innovation landscape. Previous to joining BIRAC he has served as the Managing Director of Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, a joint initiative of the Department of Biotechnology Government of India and Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, where he was involved in building a vibrant Biotech Innovation and start up ecosystem.   Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh, affiliated with Jawaharlal Nehru University. He subsequently pursued postdoctoral research at the University of Illinois at Chicago and The Ohio State University, USA. In addition, he holds an MBA in Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization from The Ohio State University, reflecting his strong academic foundation in both science and innovation management. He moved to India in 2009 as Vice President of IKP Knowledge Park, Hyderabad, where he contributed significantly to the evolving landscape of startups and Innovation ecosystem. Over the course of his distinguished career, Dr Kumar has made substantial contributions to biotechnology innovation, translational research, technology management, incubation, and entrepreneurship. He has been instrumental in establishing innovation ecosystems, mentoring numerous biotechnology start-ups, formulating national and state-level biotechnology and start-up policies, and leading several high-impact research and innovation programmes. His contributions are reflected in an impressive portfolio of scientific publications, patents, policy initiatives, and numerous national and international recognitions. As Professor of Practice, Dr Kumar will work closely with faculty members, researchers, students, and innovators to promote interdisciplinary research, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, strengthen industry-academia collaborations, and facilitate the translation of scientific discoveries into societal and industrial impact. His appointment is expected to further enhance IISER Mohali's efforts in advancing translational research, technology development, and innovation-driven education. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28301/shilpa-biologicals-appoints-dr-uday-harle-as-new-chief-executive-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28301/shilpa-biologicals-appoints-dr-uday-harle-as-new-chief-executive-officer.html Wed, 12 Aug 2026 18:28:50 +0530 Shilpa Medicare has announced the appointment of Dr Uday N. Harle as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shilpa Biologicals, its wholly owned subsidiary. The appointment takes effect on August 03, 2026, marking a strategic leadership addition to the company's biologics division. This move aims to leverage Dr Harle's extensive experience in the global biopharmaceutical sector to drive growth and operational efficiency within the subsidiary. Dr Harle brings approximately 24 years of experience in the global biopharmaceutical industry. His expertise includes over 18 years in biologics and biosimilars and more than 14 years in leadership roles across research and development, clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, commercialisation, and business management.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28283/admi-announces-appointment-of-new-secretary-and-joint-secretary.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28283/admi-announces-appointment-of-new-secretary-and-joint-secretary.html Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:30:15 +0530 The Association of Diagnostics Manufacturers of India (ADMI), an industry association representing manufacturers in India's In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) sector, has announced that Nital Patel of Reckon Diagnostics has been elected as Secretary and Prakash Rana of Prahas Healthcare LLP has been elected as Joint Secretary of the Managing Committee. As elected members of ADMI's Managing Committee, Nital Patel and Prakash Rana will take on their respective responsibilities as Secretary and Joint Secretary. Together with the other members of the Managing Committee, they will contribute to ADMI's industry, policy and regulatory priorities, with continued focus on quality, domestic manufacturing, innovation and the growth of India's IVD ecosystem. Welcoming the newly elected office bearers, Jatin Mahajan, President, ADMI, said, “I am pleased to welcome Nital Patel and Prakash Rana to their new responsibilities within ADMI. Both bring valuable industry experience and an understanding of the opportunities and challenges before India’s diagnostics sector. We look forward to working together to strengthen ADMI’s engagement with industry, government and other stakeholders, while continuing our focus on quality, indigenous manufacturing, innovation and the growth of India’s IVD ecosystem.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28269/prof-b-l-v-prasad-receives-prof-c-n-r-rao-bengaluru-india-nano-science-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28269/prof-b-l-v-prasad-receives-prof-c-n-r-rao-bengaluru-india-nano-science-award.html Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:09:56 +0530 Prof. B. L. V. Prasad, Director of the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, has been honoured with the prestigious Prof. C.N.R. Rao Bengaluru INDIA NANO Science Award at the 14th edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2026, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to nanoscience, materials chemistry and nanotechnology. The award was presented by D. K. Shivakumar, Chief Minister of Karnataka, during the inaugural session of the three-day global nanotechnology conference. The ceremony was attended by Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, IT, BT and e-Governance, government of Karnataka; Dr N. Manjula, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, BT and Science & Technology, government of Karnataka and Prof. P. S. Anil Kumar, Chair, Conference Executive Committee (CEC), 14th Bengaluru INDIA NANO and Dean (Administration & Finance), Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and among other dignitaries. Prof. Prasad has built an international reputation for his pioneering research in materials chemistry, nanomaterials synthesis and surface engineering. His research has significantly advanced the design and scalable production of functional nanomaterials for a wide range of technological applications. Over the course of his scientific career, Prof. Prasad has developed innovative flow-based methods for the large-scale synthesis of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles and has made notable contributions to the development of organic-inorganic hybrid nanostructures with precisely engineered surface properties. His work has strengthened India's capabilities in nanomaterials research and opened new avenues for applications in electronics, catalysis, sensing and energy. A prolific researcher, Prof. Prasad has authored more than 125 papers in leading international peer-reviewed journals and holds eight international patents. His scientific contributions have earned widespread recognition within the global research community. In addition to the Bengaluru INDIA NANO Science Award, Prof. Prasad is a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and the Indian Academy of Sciences. He is also a recipient of the Prof. C.N.R. Rao National Prize for Chemical Research and the MRSI-ICSC Materials Science Annual Prize. The Prof. C.N.R. Rao Bengaluru INDIA NANO Science Award is among the country's most prestigious recognitions in nanoscience and is presented annually to scientists whose research has made a transformative impact on the advancement of nanotechnology and its applications.   Narayan Kulkarni (narayan.kulkarni@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28256/healthium-medtech-appoints-gaurav-goel-as-ceo-and-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28256/healthium-medtech-appoints-gaurav-goel-as-ceo-and-md.html Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:19:55 +0530 Healthium Medtech has announced the appointment of Gaurav Goel as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD), effective August 1, 2026, following the recent elevation of Anish Bafna transitioning to the role of Non-Executive Chairman. Goel joins Healthium with more than two decades of global leadership experience, with the last 11 years in the global medtech industry. Prior to joining Healthium, he served as Chief Commercial Officer at a leading global medical device company with a presence spanning more than 75 countries, and where he held global commercial responsibility and played a key role in expanding the company's international footprint through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Goel’s appointment comes as Healthium enters its next phase of growth. In recent years, the company has expanded its presence to nearly 100 countries globally and significantly enhanced its offering and capabilities through strategic acquisitions, including AbGel, CareNow, VitalCare and, most recently, Paramount Surgimed. As Anish Bafna transitions into his new role as Non-Executive Chairman, he will continue contributing to Healthium's strategic direction while supporting the leadership team. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28178/merck-appoints-sakshi-yadav-as-head-of-process-solutions-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28178/merck-appoints-sakshi-yadav-as-head-of-process-solutions-india.html Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:25:50 +0530 Merck, a leading science and technology company, has announced the appointment of Sakshi Yadav as Head of Process Solutions, India. Effective August 1, 2026, Sakshi will lead the Process Solutions business in India, with a focus on accelerating strategic growth, strengthening customer partnerships, and reinforcing Merck's commitment to advancing the country's rapidly evolving biopharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem.   “Sakshi joined Merck in 2019 and has held leadership positions in commercial, managing director’s office and business excellence. Sakshi brings a strong track record of driving sustainable growth, leading business transformation, and building high-performing, collaborative teams,” said Tony Budianto Bee, Head of Process Solutions, Asia Pacific excluding China, Life Science business of Merck. As Head of Process Solutions for India, Sakshi will spearhead strategic initiatives, and drive operational excellence, further elevating our customer experience in the Indian market. As she takes on her new role, Sakshi Yadav said, “India’s biopharmaceutical sector is at an inflection point, driven by innovation, rapid capacity expansion, and a focus on quality and sustainability. I look forward to leading Merck's Process Solutions business in India and working alongside our customers to accelerate innovation, strengthen manufacturing capabilities, and enable broader access to the next generation of life-saving therapies.” With more than two decades of experience in the life sciences industry, Sakshi has consistently built high-performing teams while fostering a culture of innovation and customer centricity. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28164/agilus-diagnostics-appoints-vijender-singh-as-managing-director-chief-executive-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28164/agilus-diagnostics-appoints-vijender-singh-as-managing-director-chief-executive-officer.html Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:26:34 +0530 Agilus Diagnostics has announced the appointment of Vijender Singh as its Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This follows the resignation of Dr Anand K, who has decided to pursue opportunities outside the organisation after being associated with the company for nearly six years.  Singh brings with him over three decades of leadership experience across diagnostics, healthcare, consumer healthcare and FMCG sectors. He has a proven track record of building and scaling businesses, driving operational excellence, strengthening governance frameworks and creating high-performing organisations. Prior to joining Agilus Diagnostics, Singh served as Chairman and Managing Director of Diagnum Healthcare, where he focused on strategic growth, governance and business development. He has previously held leadership positions as Group CEO of Metropolis Healthcare, CEO of Healthians and spent nearly a decade with Dr. Lal PathLabs, where he played a key role in building one of India’s most successful diagnostics platforms. He has also worked with Jashvik Capital as an Operating Partner and held leadership roles with Ranbaxy Consumer Healthcare, Bausch & Lomb and Blow Plast.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28131/dr-karthik-narayan-steps-in-as-chairman-of-cii-committee-on-senior-care-for-202627.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28131/dr-karthik-narayan-steps-in-as-chairman-of-cii-committee-on-senior-care-for-202627.html Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:59:23 +0530 Dr Karthik Narayan, Founder and Managing Director, Athulya Senior Care, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Committee on Senior Care for the 2026–27 term, effective from July 2026. Dr Narayan, a medical doctor trained in geriatrics, started Athulya Senior Care in 2017. He finished a business course in the US, lived there for 10 years, and worked in a hospital’s geriatrics department before returning to Chennai. The appointment comes at a pivotal time for India's senior care ecosystem as the country undergoes one of the world's fastest demographic transitions. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), India's population aged 60 years and above is projected to increase from around 100 million in 2011 to nearly 230 million by 2036, accounting for almost 15% of the country's population. This demographic shift is expected to significantly increase the demand for organised senior care, geriatric healthcare, skilled caregivers and long-term care infrastructure.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28104/qure-ai-builds-next-phase-leadership-team-with-new-appointments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28104/qure-ai-builds-next-phase-leadership-team-with-new-appointments.html Sat, 11 Jul 2026 13:38:43 +0530 Mumbai-based Qure.ai has announced the appointment of Malika Shrivastava, a former Google executive, as its first Chief Marketing Officer, and the promotion of Amy Casey, a former Microsoft and Nuance leader, to Executive Vice President of Sales for North America, strengthening its leadership team as the company scales its commercial operations to meet growing demand for healthcare AI in the United States. As Qure.ai's inaugural Chief Marketing Officer, Malika will lead the company's global marketing organization, overseeing brand, communications, product marketing, and market development. She brings over 15 years of experience building and scaling iconic brands, launching new products, driving go-to-market strategy, and expanding businesses across markets and stages of growth. Prior to joining Qure.ai, she led growth and go-to-market strategy at Glance (InMobi Group), where she scaled the India business and spearheaded expansion into the United States. Earlier, she held marketing leadership roles at Google, shaping growth for products including Android, Play, Chrome, and Pixel, and at Procter & Gamble, where she managed leading brands such as Always (Whisper) and Pampers across India and Southeast Asia. As Executive Vice President of Sales for North America, Amy, who joined Qure.ai a year ago, will lead Qure.ai's commercial strategy and customer engagement across the region. Casey has played a key role in expanding Qure.ai's presence in the United States and brings more than two decades of experience leading enterprise software sales, strategic account management and commercial growth across the US healthcare market. Prior to joining Qure.ai, she spent 16 years across Microsoft and Nuance, leading national accounts and helping health systems modernise clinical and operational workflows through technology adoption.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28091/maxivision-super-speciality-eye-hospitals-appoints-badrinarayan-srikanth-as-group-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28091/maxivision-super-speciality-eye-hospitals-appoints-badrinarayan-srikanth-as-group-ceo.html Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:23:52 +0530 Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals has announced the appointment of Badrinarayan Srikanth as its Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO). His transition from Group Chief Financial Officer is a deliberate, strategic step forward for the business.  With over 15 years of experience in financial leadership roles and an overall experience of over 20 years, Srikanth’s elevation comes at a significant phase in Maxivision’s growth journey as the organisation continues to expand its eye care network and strengthen its focus on patient care. During his tenure as CFO, Srikanth contributed to strengthening Maxivision’s financial processes and supported the organisation’s expansion plans. His thorough understanding of Maxivision’s operations, culture, and long-term ambitions ensures he is perfectly equipped to steer the company forward and his long-term vision will enable him to lead the organisation into its next phase of growth. He brings deep expertise in business operations, fiscal management, and organisational growth along with a proven capability to lead the senior management team. Under Srikanth’s leadership, Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals will continue to keep their focus on clinical governance and concentrate on building deeper engagement with their doctors and employees, whilst capitalising on the significant expansion opportunities ahead for their network, which currently holds 90+ facilities operating across six states in South and West India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28065/siddharth-mittal-steps-in-as-managing-director-ceo-of-syngene-international.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28065/siddharth-mittal-steps-in-as-managing-director-ceo-of-syngene-international.html Fri, 03 Jul 2026 03:06:50 +0530 Syngene International, a global contract research, development, and manufacturing organisation (CRDMO), has announced that Siddharth Mittal has assumed the role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective 1 July 2026. Mittal succeeds Peter Bains, who completed his tenure as Managing Director & CEO on 30 June 2026, bringing close to three decades of business leadership experience. He joins Syngene from Biocon Limited, where he most recently served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. During his thirteen years at Biocon, Mittal held the position of Chief Financial Officer, before being appointed Managing Director and CEO. During this period, he played a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the company that positioned it for long term growth, strengthening its commercial operations, expanding its presence across global markets, securing key regulatory approvals and successfully commercializing Biocon's GLP-1 portfolio across major international markets. He also led strategic partnerships and commercial initiatives that strengthened Biocon's competitive position while driving operational excellence, customer-centricity and sustainable business growth. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28068/prof-umesh-v-waghmare-takes-charge-as-new-india-dst-secretary.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28068/prof-umesh-v-waghmare-takes-charge-as-new-india-dst-secretary.html Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:32:22 +0530 Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare, President of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Science & Technology (DST) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.A distinguished theoretical physicist, Prof. Waghmare graduated with the Institute Silver Medal and B.Tech in Engineering Physics from IIT Bombay (1990). He earned his Ph.D. from Yale University (1996) and completed postdoctoral research at Harvard University (1996–2000). He worked as a post-doctoral research associate in physics department at Harvard University before joining Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in 2000, where he is presently a Professor in the Theoretical Sciences Unit and the Dean of Academic Affairs. Prof. Waghmare received the India Citation Award-2012 from the Thomson Reuters Research Excellence, and a JC Bose National Fellowship in 2012. In 2015, he received the Infosys Prize in Engineering and Computer Science. He is a Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad and the Indian National Science Academy, and presently a Secretary of the Indian Academy of Sciences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28054/zydus-wellness-appoints-dr-shyam-ramakrishnan-as-chief-scientific-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28054/zydus-wellness-appoints-dr-shyam-ramakrishnan-as-chief-scientific-officer.html Wed, 01 Jul 2026 17:03:11 +0530 Zydus Wellness has announced the appointment of Dr Shyam Ramakrishnan as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), effective July 1, 2026.  With this appointment, Zydus Wellness aims to further strengthen its scientific leadership and innovation pipeline, and accelerate the development of differentiated, science-backed products across its wellness portfolio. As Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Ramakrishnan will lead the company's scientific strategy, driving innovation across nutrition, health and wellness while strengthening research capabilities to develop consumer-centric, science-backed products. Dr Ramakrishnan brings more than 25 years of global experience across nutrition, dietary supplements, beauty, personal care and functional foods. He has held leadership roles across the United States, India, Southeast Asia. and Brazil, with deep expertise in translational science, clinical research, bioinformatics and innovation platform development. Prior to joining Zydus Wellness, he held leadership positions at Hill's Pet Nutrition, The Himalaya Drug Company, ITC Ltd. and Amway, where he led multidisciplinary teams and drove innovation across the consumer health and wellness portfolio. Dr Ramakrishnan holds a PhD in Biological Chemistry & Genetics from the University of Texas and has completed postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard Medical School and Hoffmann-La Roche. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28046/redcliffe-labs-appoints-kshitiz-singh-as-chief-business-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28046/redcliffe-labs-appoints-kshitiz-singh-as-chief-business-officer.html Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:38:57 +0530 Redcliffe Labs has announced the appointment of Kshitiz Singh as Chief Business Officer – Inorganic Growth, as the company strengthens its leadership team to drive the next phase of strategic expansion through acquisitions, partnerships and network integration. The appointment reflects Redcliffe Labs' continued focus on building an integrated diagnostics ecosystem that combines pathology, radiology, technology, and preventive healthcare while expanding its presence across regional markets. As Chief Business Officer – Inorganic Growth, Singh will lead the company's mergers and acquisitions strategy, strategic partnerships, and post-acquisition integration initiatives. Working closely with the leadership team, he will focus on identifying high-impact growth opportunities, integrating regional diagnostic businesses into Redcliffe Labs' operating platform, and strengthening the company's diagnostics network across India. Singh joins Redcliffe Labs with more than 26 years of leadership experience across diagnostics, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, sales leadership, business development and commercial strategy. Throughout his career, he has led large-scale business operations, expanded regional markets, built high-performing commercial teams, and delivered sustainable business growth across multiple organisations. Before joining Redcliffe Labs, Singh served as General Manager and Business Head at Agilus Diagnostics, where he played a key role in driving business expansion and strengthening the company's market presence. Earlier, he held leadership positions at other national-level healthcare companies, Piramal Enterprises, Abbott India, Heinz India, Sanofi, AstraZeneca, and GlaxoSmithKline, gaining extensive experience in diagnostics, commercial strategy, business development, channel management, and organisational growth. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28029/marco-valencia-sanchez-steps-in-as-general-manager-at-roche-diagnostics-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/28029/marco-valencia-sanchez-steps-in-as-general-manager-at-roche-diagnostics-india.html Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:37:08 +0530 Roche Diagnostics has announced a key leadership transition for its India and Neighboring Markets business. Effective August 1, 2026, Marco Valencia Sanchez will assume the role of General Manager, Roche Diagnostics India, succeeding Rishubh Gupta, who has been appointed Head of Subregion Africa for Roche Diagnostics, based in Nairobi, Kenya. Rishubh Gupta, who joined Roche India in 2023, successfully navigated complex market dynamics and strengthened the organisation's focus on expanding diagnostic access across India and its neighboring markets. In his new regional role, he will join the Roche Diagnostics EMEA-LATAM Leadership Team. Marco Valencia Sanchez steps into the role of India General Manager with a 17-year career within Roche. Having held key global, regional, and affiliate leadership roles, Marco most recently served as the Country Manager for Roche Diagnostics Philippines for the past four years, driving significant market growth and operational excellence. He will be relocating to Mumbai with his family. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27997/avio-smart-market-stack-appoints-sandeep-pandya-to-drive-global-expansion-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27997/avio-smart-market-stack-appoints-sandeep-pandya-to-drive-global-expansion-.html Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:46:02 +0530 Hyderabad-based Avio Smart Market Stack (formerly Bartronics India) has appointed healthcare industry veteran Sandeep Pandya as Head – International Sales, Diagnostics & Healthcare Division, as the company accelerates its global expansion strategy in diagnostics and healthcare technologies. With over two decades of experience across diagnostics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare technologies, Pandya has built and scaled international businesses across Asia, Africa, Europe, and emerging markets. He has previously held leadership roles at Meril Life Sciences, Beacon Diagnostics, CTX Life Sciences, and Span Diagnostics, where he led international market development, distributor networks, regulatory initiatives, and commercialisation programs. In his new role, Pandya will spearhead Avio Stack' international business development efforts, focusing on market expansion, strategic partnerships, distribution network development, and commercialisation of the company's healthcare portfolio across global markets. A key priority will be expanding the international footprint of Huwel Lifesciences' molecular diagnostics portfolio, a cornerstone of Avio Stack's healthcare strategy. The portfolio includes advanced molecular diagnostic solutions for tuberculosis (TB), drug-resistant TB, sepsis, HPV, hepatitis, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), respiratory illnesses, and other infectious diseases.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27991/dr-dhananjay-tiwary-takes-additional-charge-as-birac-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27991/dr-dhananjay-tiwary-takes-additional-charge-as-birac-md.html Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:09:37 +0530 Dr Dhananjay Tiwary, Senior Fellow, School of Public Health; and Advisor/ Scientist G, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, has taken additional charge as the Managing Director (MD) at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). Dr Jitendra Kumar, serving as the MD of BIRAC, since June 2023, stepped out of his role recently.  Dr Tiwary previously served as the Science Counsellor at the Embassy of India in Washington, DC. He is particularly interested in health technology innovation policy that ensures healthcare measures are affordable, equitable and accessible, and in addressing emerging biosecurity concerns.  Dr Tiwary received his MSc from Delhi University and PhD from IIT Delhi. His research on analytical chemistry applies to food safety as well as validation of and value-addition in grassroots innovations. He has also served as a scientist in the Council for Science & Industry Research. He has authored 27 international publications and guided PhD research. At the Department of Biotechnology, Dr Tiwary oversaw advanced research and innovation in emerging fields such as nanotechnology, genome engineering technologies, and AI for healthcare. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27990/ex-apollo-construction-head-sanjeev-gupta-leads-execution-of-dj-medicity-in-up.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27990/ex-apollo-construction-head-sanjeev-gupta-leads-execution-of-dj-medicity-in-up.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:40:44 +0530 DJ Group of Institutions, a Delhi–NCR-based healthcare education network operated under the Jassar Dental Medical Education Health Foundation (JDMEHF), has announced the appointment of Sanjeev Gupta as Group Head – Construction and Planning, as it advances DJ Medicity, an integrated healthcare and education campus, with a focus on strengthening execution across clinical planning, operational efficiency, and quality benchmarks. Gupta brings over 28 years of experience in project execution, construction management, and operations across healthcare, commercial, residential, and institutional infrastructure. Prior to this, he served as Construction Head at Apollo Hospitals, where he oversaw multiple greenfield and brownfield projects across India, including planning, budgeting, and execution. His experience spans the development of large-scale, super-speciality healthcare infrastructure across leading private hospital networks such as Action Cancer Hospital, Yashoda Hospitals, Max Healthcare, and Artemis Health Institute—bringing a level of technical depth and execution rigour not typically seen in conventional medical college-led projects.In his new role, Gupta will lead construction strategy, planning, and execution across the group’s infrastructure initiatives, with a primary focus on delivering the DJ Medicity project. He will oversee end-to-end execution, including design coordination, budgeting, vendor management, and regulatory compliance, aligning project timelines with the group’s broader vision of building a world-class healthcare ecosystem in Modinagar.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27947/dr-jitendra-kumar-steps-out-as-birac-md-joins-iit-h-as-rd-advisor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27947/dr-jitendra-kumar-steps-out-as-birac-md-joins-iit-h-as-rd-advisor.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:57:07 +0530 Dr Jitendra Kumar, serving as the Managing Director (MD) of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), an institution set up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, since June 2023, stepped out of his role recently.  He will now be joining the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad, as the R&D Advisor. During his tenure at BIRAC, Dr Kumar relentlessly worked on his vision to facilitate scaling up of biotech startups. Dr Kumar laid emphasis on developing new policy norms for the regulatory hurdles being encountered by startups across the country, particularly those working on new emerging technologies. Dr Kumar is a member of various Central and State Government Committees and advises on policy matters related to startups, innovation and entrepreneurship in Life Sciences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27892/poly-medicure-appoints-indranil-mukherjee-as-chief-executive-officer-asia-pacific-and-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27892/poly-medicure-appoints-indranil-mukherjee-as-chief-executive-officer-asia-pacific-and-india.html Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:55:43 +0530 Poly Medicure, India's leading medical device company with a dominant position in the medical consumables market, has announced the appointment of Indranil Mukherjee as Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific and India, effective 1 June 2026. The appointment comes at a pivotal stage in Poly Medicure's growth journey as the company continues to strengthen its position as a leading global medical device manufacturer. With a growing international footprint, strategic acquisitions, expanding manufacturing capabilities, and a strong focus on innovation-led growth, Poly Medicure is broadening its presence across key markets and advancing its portfolio of high-value medical devices and healthcare solutions. Based in India, Mukherjee will lead Poly Medicure's operations across India and the Asia Pacific region, with responsibility for driving commercial growth, deepening market penetration, strengthening strategic partnerships, and supporting the company's long-term expansion objectives. Mukherjee is a seasoned medical technology executive with over 30 years of broad-based leadership experience spanning critical care, infusion therapy, renal care, surgical instruments, vascular systems, wound care, and implantable devices. He has demonstrated track record of acting as a change agent, scaling up business and leading market expansion, M&A and integration, organisational restructuring, and strategy execution. He combines deep industry insight with data-driven decision-making to deliver sustainable business outcomes. He built the foundational years of his career at B. Braun, where he managed the company's portfolios across India, before being transferred to B. Braun's headquarters in Germany as Global Sales Manager in 2010 and subsequently serving as Regional Head for Hospital Care at the Asia Pacific headquarters in Penang, Malaysia. In his role as Managing Director at B. Braun Group in India, he delivered a turnaround and sustained profitable growth across multiple product lines spanning three manufacturing plants and a team of over 2,000 colleagues. He later served as Group Chief Executive Officer of Translumina Therapeutics, a global cardiovascular implants company with operations in India and Germany. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27894/imaging-endpoints-appoints-srikanth-ayyappan-as-associate-vice-president-global-marketing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27894/imaging-endpoints-appoints-srikanth-ayyappan-as-associate-vice-president-global-marketing.html Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:25:16 +0530 Imaging Endpoints, an oncology-focused imaging contract research organisation (CRO), has appointed Srikanth Ayyappan as Associate Vice President, Global Marketing.   In his new role, Srikanth Ayyappan will lead the company's global marketing efforts across key markets. The appointment comes as Imaging Endpoints continues to expand its work in supporting oncology drug development through imaging services used in clinical trials.   As part of the global marketing function, he will be responsible for enhancing the company's visibility among sponsors, partners, and industry stakeholders worldwide.   Imaging Endpoints is a specialised imaging CRO that supports oncology clinical research by providing imaging and endpoint assessment services for cancer therapy development programmes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27884/alembic-pharma-appoints-ramesh-juneja-as-executive-vice-president-human-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27884/alembic-pharma-appoints-ramesh-juneja-as-executive-vice-president-human-health.html Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:22:17 +0530 Alembic Pharmaceuticals has announced the appointment of Ramesh Juneja as Executive Vice President – Human Health (Sales and Marketing), for its India business.   Juneja brings over three decades of distinguished experience in pharmaceutical sales and marketing, having successfully led large businesses across both acute and chronic therapy segments.   Over the course of his career, Juneja has held several key leadership positions at leading pharmaceutical organisations including Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and Cipla, where he was instrumental in driving business growth, market expansion, commercial execution, and building high-performing teams across multiple therapy areas.   During his tenure, he led large-scale sales and marketing functions and helped enhance organisational capabilities in highly competitive markets.   Prior to joining Alembic, Juneja founded the Ramesh Juneja Business Advisory and co-founded BJW Health. He also served as Senior Vice President at Reliance Retail, where he led the pan-India launch of Netmeds B2B business and Netmeds Express stores.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27875/redcliffe-labs-appoints-vijay-t-s-as-chief-people-officer-to-strengthen-organisational-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27875/redcliffe-labs-appoints-vijay-t-s-as-chief-people-officer-to-strengthen-organisational-growth.html Thu, 28 May 2026 17:06:56 +0530 Redcliffe Labs has announced the appointment of Vijay T. S. as Chief People Officer (CPO), as the company continues to strengthen its organisational foundation to support its next phase of growth and expansion across India. In this role, Vijay will lead the company’s people strategy across talent management, leadership development, organisational culture, performance excellence, and capability building to support Redcliffe Labs’ long-term growth and operational excellence. Vijay, an ISB alumni, joins Redcliffe Labs with over 28 years of experience across healthcare, edtech, technology, manufacturing, and global business environments. Over the course of his career, he has led work across human resources, organizational development, business operations, change management, talent strategy, and leadership capability building. He brings deep expertise in organizational design, performance management, employee engagement, leadership hiring, and building scalable, high-performing teams. Most recently, Vijay served as Chief People Officer at CureBay, where he worked on organisational design, leadership hiring, performance-linked rewards, and policy frameworks to support the company’s expansion across rural India. Prior to this, he spent nearly eight years at Chegg as Managing Director - India, leading a significant phase of operational growth and organisational scaling for the business in India. Earlier in his career, Vijay held leadership roles at DuPont, Birlasoft, and Hyundai Motor India, where he built extensive experience across HR transformation, compensation and benefits, employee engagement, capability building, and strategic business partnering.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27837/diagnostic-guided-healthcare-platform-curelo-strengthens-leadership-team.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27837/diagnostic-guided-healthcare-platform-curelo-strengthens-leadership-team.html Wed, 20 May 2026 22:50:10 +0530 Gurugram-based startup Curelo, a diagnostic-guided healthcare platform with a focus on improving consumer healthcare decisions, has announced the expansion of its leadership team to strengthen its technology, innovation capacity, scalability, and growth potential. The expanded leadership team now includes Dr Amit Arora as Co-founder & COO; Aniruddha Kannal as Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO); and Abhinay Singh as Director-Growth & Digital of Curelo. This team will join Founder Dr Arpit Jayswal and Co-founder & CMO, Parth Jaiswal, in expanding Curelo’s consumer health ecosystem in diagnostics, artificial intelligence-driven health guidance, and digital health interaction services. As Co-founder & COO, Dr Amit Arora will lead Curelo’s logistics, operations, and execution strategy. Earlier, he co-founded Labforsure (later Droplet), India’s first third-party phlebotomy platform, which grew into a nationwide home sample collection network across 50+ cities and was later acquired by 1mg, marking a successful exit in the diagnostics ecosystem.  In this role, he was instrumental in building the operational backbone for large-scale diagnostic logistics and patient servicing. He also founded Rapidx Pathology Labs, which he scaled to 1 lakh orders per month across North India before its acquisition by Orange Health. Through these ventures, he has played a key role in strengthening diagnostic infrastructure and contributing to large-scale diagnostic sample collection systems in India.  With over 25 years of experience in technology and product engineering, including leadership roles at Deloitte Consulting, Aniruddha Kannal will lead Curelo’s product innovation and technology roadmap as CPTO. Prior to Curelo, he worked with ConvergeHealth by Deloitte and also co-founded xcelerator.ninja, bringing deep experience in product development and scaling digital-first platforms. At Curelo, he will spearhead the development of AI-powered healthcare experiences designed to simplify healthcare navigation, improve diagnostic report understanding, and deliver more personalized and intelligent consumer journeys. Leading Curelo’s consumer growth and digital expansion, Abhinay Singh joins as Director – Growth & Digital. He brings extensive experience in scaling digital healthcare businesses, having previously worked with organisations including Thyrocare and Redcliffe Labs. At Curelo, he will drive the company’s direct-to-consumer growth initiatives through AI-powered engagement, automation, performance marketing, and consumer-first digital strategies. With its new leadership team and strategic support, Curelo intends to invest more aggressively in AI-powered healthcare experiences, scaling up operations, and expanding into markets as it aims to create a more integrated healthcare system in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27812/dr-suchitra-k-ella-takes-over-as-cii-president-designate-for-2026-27.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27812/dr-suchitra-k-ella-takes-over-as-cii-president-designate-for-2026-27.html Wed, 13 May 2026 22:37:29 +0530 The newly constituted National Council of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at a meeting elected its new office bearers for the year 2026-27.  Dr Suchitra K Ella, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech International Limited has taken over as CII President-Designate for 2026-27. She was instrumental in founding Bharat Biotech way back in 1996. In the past decade, Dr Suchitra has co-founded and nurtured several companies in veterinary sciences, agri-biotech parks, food processing including pre-clinical toxicology and research institute. In 2022, Dr Suchitra was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for her outstanding contributions to society and industry. She is also recipient of SAARC women award, Colombo; Business Achievers Award, SIMA, Singapore among others.  She was the Chairperson of CII Southern Region for the year 2022-23, Founder Chairperson of CII’s Indian Women’s Network from 2013-15 and Chairperson of CII Andhra Pradesh State in 2012-13. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27789/bpl-medical-technologies-appoints-rupini-raman-as-head-human-capital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27789/bpl-medical-technologies-appoints-rupini-raman-as-head-human-capital.html Mon, 11 May 2026 13:55:54 +0530 BPL Medical Technologies, India’s leading medical equipment brand with a 50-year legacy under the BPL Group, has appointed Rupini Raman as Head – Human Capital, strengthening its leadership team as the company accelerates its growth, expands its portfolio, and deepens its presence in the evolving MedTech sector. Rupini brings over 18 years of experience across startups and multinational organizations, with a track record of building high-performance teams and leading people transformation initiatives. In her new role, she will be responsible for shaping BPL Medtech’s human capital strategy, with a focus on building a future-ready workforce aligned with the company’s growth ambitions. The appointment comes at a time when BPL Medical Technologies is scaling both its operational and technological capabilities. As the lines between healthcare and technology continue to converge, the company is focused on attracting and nurturing talent that can operate at this intersection; bringing together domain expertise with digital fluency. In her role, Rupini will focus on attracting, integrating, and retaining talent capable of thriving in a technology-driven healthcare environment. She will also work closely with leadership to strengthen organisational culture, enhance capability building, and ensure the company’s people strategy keeps pace with its business priorities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27760/gaurav-jain-steps-into-coo-role-at-redcliffe-labs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27760/gaurav-jain-steps-into-coo-role-at-redcliffe-labs.html Tue, 05 May 2026 22:10:26 +0530 Redcliffe Labs has announced that Gaurav Jain has taken on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO), marking a key leadership milestone as the company continues to scale its operations and strengthen its technology-led, consumer-first diagnostics ecosystem to make preventive diagnostics more accessible, affordable, accurate, and actionable across India. Jain's transition reflects a journey defined by consistent execution, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to scale high-impact business functions, underscoring Redcliffe Labs' focus on building leaders from within. With two decades of experience across pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, Jain brings a strong track record of driving growth, operational excellence, and profitability across business verticals. His leadership has consistently translated into sharper execution, stronger performance, and scalable transformation. Joining Redcliffe Labs in November 2021 as Senior Vice President & Head of Growth, Jain’s journey within the organization reflects a progression built on ownership, scale, and impact. He began by driving new initiatives and expansion opportunities before taking on the responsibility of building and scaling the home-collection phlebotomy network, significantly strengthening last-mile connectivity and service reach. As his role evolved, he went on to lead the online business P&L as its Chief Business Officer (CBO), where his focus on execution discipline, cost efficiency, and consumer experience helped turn the vertical into a sustainable and profitable growth engine. He also played a key role in building AI-powered post-report consultation and personalised diet solutions, advancing the company’s Care Beyond Reports philosophy from insights to actions. In subsequent roles, he integrated logistics with phlebotomy operations to create a unified field services model, improving operational efficiency at scale. He also led supply chain management and lab operations, with a strong focus on turnaround time (TAT), customer experience, cost optimisation, and margin improvement, strengthening service delivery across the network. Jain will work closely with Dr Sonal Saxena and Dr Gurpreet Kaur Malik to further strengthen clinical excellence across Lab Operations driving diagnostic accuracy, standardisation, and ensuring that our scale continues to be anchored in top notch quality. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27745/syngene-strengthens-leadership-team-with-two-key-appointments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27745/syngene-strengthens-leadership-team-with-two-key-appointments.html Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Syngene International, a global contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRDMO), has announced the appointment of Maninder Kapoor Puri as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Abhijit Zutshi as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective 1 May 2026. Maninder Kapoor Puri is a global HR leader with nearly three decades of experience driving business performance through people, leadership, culture, and digital HR ecosystems. Her experience spans biopharmaceuticals, IT services, and consulting across North America, EMEA, and APAC. She has partnered with CEOs and Boards to lead large-scale, multi-market transformations, building high-performance organisations aligned to business growth. Most recently, as CHRO at Biocon, she led enterprise-wide culture and leadership transformation. Prior to that, as Global CHRO at Mastek, she led HR across 40+ countries and has held leadership roles at Accenture and Firstsource Solutions. Maninder has been featured by Outlook Business as a face of “Viksit Bharat” and recognized among HR Today’s Top 100 Global CHROs, India’s Most Agile Leaders (2026), and as a CHRO of the Year. As Chief Human Resources Officer and a member of the Executive Committee at Syngene, Maninder will be leading the company’s global people agenda to support its next phase of growth. Abhijit Zutshi joins Syngene as Chief Commercial Officer and will be based in the United States. As a member of the Executive Committee, Zutshi will lead Syngene’s commercial activities, including sales, client partnerships, marketing, brand building, digital initiatives, and account management. Zutshi is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with nearly 27 years of commercial experience across global markets. He spent 25 years at Biocon, most recently as Chief Commercial Officer of the generics business, where he led both the drug substance and drug product divisions and built a global team focused on generic formulations. His career expertise spans sales, marketing, business development, portfolio management, and market entry strategy across small and large molecules. Earlier in his career, he held a product specialist role at Pfizer, where he led the India launch of the Zosyn brand.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27749/livasa-hospitals-appoints-kamal-kant-gambhir-as-cfo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27749/livasa-hospitals-appoints-kamal-kant-gambhir-as-cfo.html Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Livasa Hospitals has announced the appointment of Kamal Kant Gambhir as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), further strengthening the leadership team as the hospital network continues its growth and expansion across North India.   Gambhir brings with him over 35 years of rich experience in strategic finance, governance, business transformation, and leadership across healthcare, manufacturing, telecom, and multinational organisations. He has held key leadership roles with reputed organisations including SCL Lifesciences Limited as Chief Financial Officer and Gates, a US based multinational organisation, where he served as Senior Finance Director.    Known for building robust financial systems, driving operational efficiency, and enabling sustainable business growth, Gambhir’s appointment comes at a significant time as Livasa Hospitals accelerates its expansion plans and strengthens its commitment to quality, affordable and patient-centric healthcare.   A Chartered Accountant, Gambhir is also widely respected as a mentor and motivational speaker, with a passion for developing future leaders and contributing to social welfare initiatives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27736/cohance-lifesciences-appoints-umang-vohra-as-executive-chairman-and-group-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27736/cohance-lifesciences-appoints-umang-vohra-as-executive-chairman-and-group-ceo.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based Cohance Lifesciences, a technology-driven, integrated CDMO platform specialising in complex chemistry, ADCs, oligonucleotides, advanced API development and performance materials, has announced the appointment of Umang Vohra as Executive Chairman, effective May 1, 2026 and Group CEO, effective May 20, 2026. Vohra succeeds Vivek Sharma, who steps down as Executive Chairman for personal reasons. Sharma will continue to be with Cohance as an Advisor for the next 9 months and will support a smooth transition. The appointment of Vohra reflects a deliberate, strategic decision taken by the Board, to bring in a leader whose profile is specifically suited to the demands of the company’s transformation and its next phase of growth.  Vohra is one of the most accomplished leaders in the pharmaceutical industry. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has led large, complex, global businesses through periods of strategic transformation while maintaining an unwavering focus on customers, quality and operational excellence.  Most recently, as CEO and Managing Director of Cipla Limited, Vohra led the company’s transformation over the last decade to build a diversified global pharmaceutical enterprise. Having worked in and transformed two very large and respected Pharma companies in India, Vohra brings an owner-mindset and vast experience in business to the Cohance platform. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27738/nathealth-announced-expansion-of-leadership-team-for-fy-202627.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27738/nathealth-announced-expansion-of-leadership-team-for-fy-202627.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 NATHEALTH, an apex body representing the Indian healthcare industry, today announced the expansion of its Leadership Team for FY 2026–27 following its Governing Council (GC) meeting. Shankha Banerjee, CEO, Dr Lal Path Labs, has been appointed as Treasurer, and Mandeep Singh Kumar, Managing Director & Vice President, Medtronic India, has been appointed as Secretary, joining the previously announced leadership team led by Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, as President. Siddhartha Bhattacharya will continue as Secretary General of NATHEALTH, leading the Secretariat’s efforts to build strategic partnerships, strengthen regional stakeholder engagement, and collaborate with policymakers to drive the next phase of healthcare development in India. Treasurer, NATHEALTH, Shankha Banerjee, CEO, Dr. Lal Path Labs said, “Delivering better health outcomes in India will depend on strengthening early intervention, continuity of care, and data-driven decision-making across the healthcare system. As the burden of non-communicable diseases continues to rise, there is a clear need to shift from reactive treatment to proactive and preventive care. Diagnostics will play a critical enabling role in this transition by supporting early detection and guiding clinical decisions. I look forward to contributing to NATHEALTH’s efforts to build a more integrated, efficient, and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem.” Secretary, NATHEALTH, Mandeep Singh Kumar, Managing Director & Vice President, Medtronic India said, “India’s healthcare ecosystem is at a pivotal moment, shaped by growing demand, evolving patient expectations, and rapid innovation. Building a future‑ready system will require sustained investment in strong infrastructure, improved clinical outcomes, and scalable efficiency. Progress at this scale can only be achieved through deep collaboration across government, industry, and care providers. Medical technology has a critical role to play in advancing precision, expanding access, and enabling better outcomes for patients. Through platforms such as NATHEALTH, I look forward to working with partners across the ecosystem to accelerate innovation and create lasting impact for healthcare in India.” With this strengthened leadership, NATHEALTH aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of India’s healthcare transformation. As the country progresses towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the focus will remain on enabling innovation, strengthening health systems, and fostering public–private collaboration. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27695/iit-kanpur-appoints-prof-anil-k-lalwani-as-inaugural-dean-of-gangwal-school-of-medical-sciences-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27695/iit-kanpur-appoints-prof-anil-k-lalwani-as-inaugural-dean-of-gangwal-school-of-medical-sciences-technology.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has announced the appointment of Prof. Anil K. Lalwani, M.D., as the inaugural dean of the Gangwal School of Medical Sciences & Technology (GSMST). A renowned physician-scientist, educator, and innovator, Prof. Lalwani’s appointment marks a significant milestone for the institute. Prof. Lalwani is currently a Professor of Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, and Throat) and Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University. He also serves as Associate Dean (Student Research) and Vice Chair (Research). In addition, he is the Co-Director of the Cochlear Implant Center at the Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and serves as Medical Director at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. He has also worked at prestigious institutions such as New York University and the University of California, San Francisco. Prof. Lalwani is among the leading experts in the field of hearing disorders and surgical innovation. His research, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), focuses on genetics, gene therapy for hearing disorders, and advanced technologies for drug delivery to the inner ear. His work represents a strong integration of engineering and medicine. He has published more than 275 research papers and has an h-index of 75. He has also authored several important books that are available in multiple languages. He is the Founding Editor of the journal Frontiers in Audiology and Otology. Prof. Lalwani has been associated with several prominent organizations, including serving on the Advisory Council of the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders (NIH) and the Hearing Health Foundation. He has received several recognitions, including the ARO Innovator Award in 2026.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27687/apollo-hospitals-strengthens-oncology-leadership-with-appointment-of-dr-harit-kumar-chaturvedi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27687/apollo-hospitals-strengthens-oncology-leadership-with-appointment-of-dr-harit-kumar-chaturvedi.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited (AHEL) has appointed Dr Harit Kumar Chaturvedi as the Chief Executive Officer and Clinical Head of the Apollo Oncology Network. With close to four decades of experience in surgical oncology, Dr Chaturvedi comes back to Apollo, bringing with him unparalleled clinical expertise and deep institutional leadership shaped over years of advancing cancer care in India. His return marks a significant step in Apollo's long-term commitment to building a cancer care system that is not only expansive in reach but consistent in quality, ensuring that patients across India have access to the subspecialised, organ-specific, and technology-driven treatment they deserve.  Over 38 years, he has managed complex cases across head and neck, breast, thoracic, gastrointestinal, gynaecologic, and other malignancies, with specialised expertise in robotic and minimally invasive procedures and radiofrequency ablation. He established one of North India's leading cancer ecosystems, implementing organ-specific units, multidisciplinary tumour boards, and national research collaborations. As organising secretary of the first Indian Cancer Congress in 2013, he co-created and executed a landmark oncology event that set a benchmark for future platforms. He has also served as the president of leading professional bodies, including the Indian Society of Oncology, the Indian Association of Surgical Oncology, and the Oncology Forum, further strengthening his leadership in the field. A longstanding advocate for cancer prevention and tobacco control, Dr Chaturvedi has played an influential role in shaping the policy of oncology and awareness at a national level.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27690/idma-appoints-dr-t-s-parmar-as-secretary-general-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27690/idma-appoints-dr-t-s-parmar-as-secretary-general-.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Drugs Manufacturers' Association (IDMA) has announced the appointment of  of Dr T. S. Parmar as the Secretary General. Dr Parmar brings over 33 years of extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with a strong track record across leading organisations such as Boots / Knoll India, Eli Lilly India, Jubilant Life Sciences, Zydus Biochem, and Zydus Cadila, with his most recent role being MD & CEO of Albert David. He has held key leadership positions including MD & CEO, President, and COO, with significant responsibility for overall business operations, P&L management, corporate strategy, and business development.During his tenure, he has successfully led business turnarounds, established greenfield pharmaceutical operations, driven large-scale sales and marketing functions, and contributed to strategic initiatives including Mergers & Acquisitions. He has also handled manufacturing and international business operations and has been closely associated with specialty therapy segments such as cardiology, diabetology, oncology, and Gynecology.Dr Parmar is also actively engaged as a mentor, healthcare advisor, author, and academic contributor, and has been associated with leading institutions as a member of Boards of Studies and as a guest faculty. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27679/citiustech-appoints-shyam-karunakaran-as-chief-business-officer-payers-platform-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27679/citiustech-appoints-shyam-karunakaran-as-chief-business-officer-payers-platform-solutions.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 CitiusTech, a leading provider of healthcare technology services, driving digital and AI excellence, has appointed Shyam Karunakaran as Chief Business Officer – Payers & Platform Solutions.    Karunakaran is an accomplished healthcare industry veteran with a robust 26-year career spanning Payers, Providers, Pharma, Life Sciences, and Health IT segments. In his current role as Chief Business Officer at CitiusTech, he leads the Payer business and the company's platform (IP) business. He is a member of CitiusTech's Executive Council, the senior leadership team responsible for company strategy and direction.   He joined CitiusTech in its startup phase and has been part of the company's leadership for over 16 years, first helping scale the company across its early markets, then building the Payer business from the ground up into one of the company's largest verticals, serving some of the nation's leading health plan organizations. He also heads the platform business, setting strategy and vision for PERFORM+, CitiusTech's proprietary AI-enabled clinical quality and value-based care platform and the company's flagship IP investment.   Karunakaran is a recognised voice in healthcare technology focused on payer tech modernization, clinical quality, interoperability, and the intersection of AI and payer technology. He regularly contributes to industry dialogue through conferences, webinars, and thought leadership.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27677/sebia-announces-appointment-of-nitin-wadhwa-as-general-manager-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27677/sebia-announces-appointment-of-nitin-wadhwa-as-general-manager-india.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Sebia India has announced the appointment of Nitin Wadhwa as General Manager for India. With over 23 years of experience in the diagnostics and healthcare industry, Wadhwa brings extensive expertise in sales leadership, business development, strategic planning, and channel management. He has a strong track record of driving growth and building high-performing teams across diverse markets. In his new role, Wadhwa will lead Sebia’s commercial strategy in India, with a focus on strengthening market development initiatives and accelerating business growth. He will work closely with regional and global teams to further expand Sebia’s presence and enhance its impact in the Indian diagnostics landscape. This appointment underscores Sebia’s commitment to continued investment and long-term growth in India, a key market for the company. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27657/botanic-healthcare-appoints-pharma-veteran-kamalakar-v-arcot-as-group-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27657/botanic-healthcare-appoints-pharma-veteran-kamalakar-v-arcot-as-group-ceo.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Botanic Healthcare has appointed Kamalakar V. Arcot as its Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), in a move aimed at strengthening its global expansion strategy in the nutraceutical and bioactives segment. A seasoned executive with over two decades of experience in the global pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, Arcot brings deep expertise in scaling businesses across regulated and emerging markets. In his new role, he will lead Botanic Healthcare’s strategic vision, drive international expansion, and strengthen operational excellence across geographies. Arcot has an extensive track record of managing complex P&L responsibilities across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. His experience spans the entire pharmaceutical value chain from strategic portfolio development and intellectual property management to supply chain optimization and large-scale commercial execution.   Gaurav Soni, Founder & Managing Director, Botanic Healthcare, commented, “The nutraceutical and bioactives sector is at an inflection point, with increasing convergence of science, regulation and global demand. Strengthening leadership becomes critical in navigating this complexity and scaling across markets. Kamalakar’s experience across pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and bioactives operations, along with his exposure to global markets, aligns with the direction we are building towards as an organisation.” The appointment marks a step in strengthening Botanic Healthcare’s leadership structure as it scales operations globally.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27659/practo-appoints-srijesh-kumar-as-global-chief-product-and-technology-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27659/practo-appoints-srijesh-kumar-as-global-chief-product-and-technology-officer.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Practo, one of the most trusted digital healthcare platforms globally, has announced the appointment of Srijesh Kumar as their Global Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO). In this role, Kumar will lead Practo’s product and technology teams end-to-end, driving the next phase of its platform evolution as it scales across global markets and continues to enhance patient and provider experiences. His appointment comes at a pivotal phase for Practo, as the company accelerates the integration of AI across the healthcare journey, enabling more intelligent, adaptive systems that improve how care is accessed, delivered, and experienced at scale. As CPTO, Kumar will be responsible for aligning product and technology into a unified charter, strengthening platform architecture, accelerating product innovation, and building systems that can leverage Practo’s deep healthcare data to deliver more consistent and measurable outcomes. He will work closely with teams across engineering, product, and data to further embed intelligence into every layer of the platform from discovery and decision-making to care delivery and follow-ups. Kumar brings over two decades of experience in building and scaling large, enterprise-grade platforms, with a strong track record across product engineering, architecture, and leadership. Most recently, he served as Vice President at Salesforce, where he led product engineering within Industries cloud for loyalty,  promotions management and other marketing excellence capabilities. Prior to this, Kumar spent several years at Expedia Group, where he built and led large, distributed engineering and product teams across core travel platforms, helping scale systems globally and integrate acquisitions into a unified architecture. He has also held leadership roles at Punchh, and earlier in his career contributed to foundational product and platform development at Adobe and Microsoft. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27632/achin-gupta-takes-over-as-md-ceo-of-cipla-umang-vohra-exits.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27632/achin-gupta-takes-over-as-md-ceo-of-cipla-umang-vohra-exits.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Umang Vohra has stepped down as the Managing Director (MD) and Global Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cipla, with Achin Gupta taking the charge from 1 April 2026. Gupta has been serving as Global Chief Operating Officer at Cipla since February 2025, overseeing commercial markets, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), manufacturing and supply chain operations. He joined the company in 2021 as Chief Executive Officer of its One India business and has been part of the management council. He has driven strong growth, expanded Cipla’s reach in chronic therapies and underserved geographies, and strengthened its core operations. Under his leadership, the India business delivered market leading profitability, modernised its retail force, and introduced consumer-focused innovations. Gupta also forged strategic global partnerships, positioning Cipla as a preferred innovation-led collaborator.  Before joining Cipla, Gupta worked with Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Abbott, and AT Kearney. He has deep expertise in healthcare across India, UK, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Middle East. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27618/beacon-group-announces-appointment-of-dr-rajesh-patel-as-group-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27618/beacon-group-announces-appointment-of-dr-rajesh-patel-as-group-ceo.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Beacon Group has announced the appointment of Dr Rajesh Patel as its Group CEO, effective April 1, 2026. Dr Rajesh Patel brings with him 36 years of extensive industry experience and a strong track record of leadership in the healthcare sector. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has built deep expertise in sales, marketing, business development, strategic growth, and operational excellence, with significant contributions across the healthcare and diagnostics industry. As Group CEO, Dr Rajesh Patel will lead the business operations of all three companies of Beacon Group - Beacon Diagnostics, Vector Biotek, and Biogeny Diagnostics - in alignment with the Group’s strategic vision and in close coordination with their respective CEOs. He will be responsible for driving the Group’s strategic direction, strengthening cross-company synergies, accelerating market expansion, and enhancing organisational capability across the businesses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27609/indian-stroke-association-elects-dr-vikram-huded-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27609/indian-stroke-association-elects-dr-vikram-huded-as-president.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in India, yet it is both preventable and treatable when recognised early. With Dr Vikram Huded elected as the President of the Indian Stroke Association (ISA), the aims will be to shift towards strengthening awareness, improving timely access to treatment, and building a more coordinated stroke care system across the country.  Dr Huded, a leading interventional neurologist and Director and Clinical Lead for the Interventional Neurology Programme at Narayana Health, also serves as Head of Neurology and Senior Consultant in Interventional Neurology.  With extensive experience in advanced stroke care and neuro-interventions, he has played a key role in strengthening neuroscience services across India. Sharing his vision after taking on this new role, Dr Vikram Huded, President, Indian Stroke Association (ISA), said, “Despite remarkable scientific advances, the challenge before us in India remains substantial. According to recent data from ICMR studies, intravenous thrombolysis is delivered in less than 5% of stroke patients, and mechanical thrombectomy in less than 1%. In contrast, nearby developed countries such as Singapore have treatment rates approaching 30%. These numbers remind us that science already exists; our responsibility now is to ensure that this science reaches every patient who needs it. With this perspective, the focus during my tenure will be on awareness, education, collaboration, and action to strengthen stroke care across India. One of the central initiatives during this year will be ‘Save the Brain' as the message is simple- Stroke is preventable. Stroke is treatable. Through this national initiative, we aim to improve awareness among the general public as well as physicians who may not yet fully recognise the urgency of stroke care. Public education, physician engagement, and collaborative efforts across healthcare systems will be key components of this initiative. By spreading the message that ‘Time is Brain,’ we hope to ensure that more patients reach hospitals in time to receive life-saving treatments.” The coming year also marks the centenary of cerebral angiography, first performed in 1927 by the visionary neurologist Egas Moniz. This landmark discovery transformed our understanding of the cerebral circulation and laid the foundation for modern neurovascular imaging and intervention. To commemorate this historic milestone in neuroscience, the Indian Stroke Association plans to organise 100 Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes across India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27602/saharsh-davuluri-takes-over-as-ceo-md-of-neuland-to-lead-cdmo-expansion.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27602/saharsh-davuluri-takes-over-as-ceo-md-of-neuland-to-lead-cdmo-expansion.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based Neuland Laboratories [NLL], a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specialising in complex APIs, has announced a leadership change. Saharsh Davuluri will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD), effective immediately, as the company moves into its next stage of CDMO growth. Davuluri has been with the company for more than 18 years and will position the CDMO as a premier global API process development and commercial manufacturing specialist. Neuland’s recent successes have been built on a growing reputation for scale-up of complex APIs and peptides, and the business has tripled its contract services revenues during the last 3-years. Davuluri has led Neuland’s transformation into a new chemical entity (NCE)-focused drug substance CDMO. In recent years, the company has secured a growing number of commercial manufacturing contracts with global innovator companies, reflecting rising demand for its strengths in process chemistry, scale-up, and reliable commercial supply. Davuluri succeeds Sucheth Davuluri, who has played a key role in the company’s transformation towards a CDMO‑focused business model and will now assume the role of Executive Vice Chairman of the Company. Neuland is embarking on an aggressive expansion phase and could, pending customer approvals, secure several more commercial NCE contracts [including peptides] over the next one to two years. The CDMO operates three US FDA-inspected manufacturing facilities and a 40,000 sq. ft. R&D facility, with 1218 KL of installed capacity and more than 20 commercial contracts across APIs and intermediates. The company’s recent growth has been supported by its ability to accelerate development timelines through parallel development strategies, while maintaining a strong regulatory track record across 18 US FDA inspections.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27603/zs-announces-key-leadership-appointments-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27603/zs-announces-key-leadership-appointments-.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Effective April 1, 2026, Karan Dhundia will step into the role of regional managing principal at ZS based in Gurguram office. In this role, he will shape the regional growth strategy, strengthen the talent and leadership agenda and deepen engagement with clients, partners and stakeholders across global markets. Karan joined ZS in 2005 and brings more than two decades of healthcare consulting experience and global leadership across clinical and commercial strategy, customer engagement and enterprise transformation. Detailed profile is attached for your reference. Mohit Sood, who previously served as regional managing principal, will now lead ZS’s agentic AI practice. In this role, he will focus on advancing next-generation AI capabilities and driving the transformation of large-scale analytics programs through agentic AI. Sood will continue to be the firm’s spokesperson on generative AI and agentic AI commentary as enterprises increasingly look to embed AI across business functions. Additionally, Apoorva Aggarwal has been spearheading the GCC practice for ZS as Global GCC Practice Lead starting this year. In this capacity, she is playing a critical role in scaling ZS’s India growth and global delivery strategy while supporting businesses in evolving their GCCs into innovation-led, AI-enabled value centers that drive strategic impact. With more than two decades of experience in healthcare and life sciences consulting, Apoorva has built deep expertise in scaling global operations, driving transformation, and strengthening client partnerships across markets.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27604/redcliffe-labs-appoints-satish-paliwal-as-director-national-sales.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27604/redcliffe-labs-appoints-satish-paliwal-as-director-national-sales.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Redcliffe Labs has announced the appointment of Satish Chandra Paliwal as Director – National Sales, further strengthening its leadership team as the company accelerates its expansion in preventive diagnostics across India. Paliwal brings over 25 years of diverse experience across the healthcare and diagnostics ecosystem. He has held key leadership positions at organisations such as The Himalaya Drug Company, Ranbaxy, Abbott India, Cipla, Metropolis Healthcare, and Sterling Accuris, with his most recent role being Chief Operating Officer at Krsnaa Diagnostics. Over the years, he has built a strong track record of scaling large businesses, driving operational excellence, and leading high-impact growth initiatives across multiple markets. In his new role, Paliwal will lead Redcliffe Labs’ national offline sales operations, focusing on strengthening the partner ecosystem, enhancing customer engagement, and driving deeper market penetration. He will play a critical role in expanding access to high-quality, reliable diagnostics while supporting the company’s shift towards a more proactive, preventive-first approach to healthcare. This appointment comes at a time when Redcliffe Labs is actively investing in leadership and innovations, such as its AI-powered Face Scan, which enables individuals to access early health insights in seconds, further strengthening its commitment to making preventive care more accessible and actionable.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27596/zeiss-india-strengthens-rd-focus-by-appointing-sharath-sirivolu-to-lead-carin.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27596/zeiss-india-strengthens-rd-focus-by-appointing-sharath-sirivolu-to-lead-carin.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 ZEISS India, a pioneer of science in optics, has announced the appointment of Sharath Sirivolu as the Head of Center for Applied Research in India (CARIn). This strategic appointment highlights the company’s commitment to strengthen its leadership to accelerate transformation through its dedicated research and development center in Bengaluru. In this role, Sirivolu will report to Miguel Gonzalez Diaz, Managing Director, in India, and to Robin Schmidt, Head of Digital Health – MED segment, globally. He will also be a member of the India Leadership Team and a key partner in driving culture and transformation agenda. Sirivolu will be responsible for the building-blocks of the MED digital ecosystem, made in India. Supporting the MED segment across devices, platforms and applications, he will lead CARIn’s transformation into a world-class R&D organisation, building on its strong foundations and further strengthening CARIn’s value proposition for the ZEISS MED segment globally and in India. With over 25 years of experience, Sharath brings deep expertise in leading R&D across global organisations such as GE Healthcare and Schneider Electric. He has delivered innovative solutions across healthcare, energy, and industrial automation sectors, as well as driving large-scale technology initiatives and incubating early-stage ventures that enable strategic growth and organizational impact. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27581/dr-sangita-reddy-steps-in-as-new-president-of-nathealth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27581/dr-sangita-reddy-steps-in-as-new-president-of-nathealth.html Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 NATHEALTH, an apex body representing the Indian healthcare industry, has announced Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, as its new President for FY 2026-2027. Dr Sangita succeeds Ameera Shah, Promoter & Executive Chairperson, Metropolis Healthcare. The announcement was made at the Annual General Meeting held following the 12th NATHEALTH Arogya Bharat Annual Summit 2026. Joining Dr Sangita in the new leadership team are Himanshu Baid, Managing Director, Poly Medicure, as Senior Vice President, along with Varun Khanna, Group MD, Quality Care India as Vice President. Further extensions to the leadership team will be announced in due course. As the Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, she leads Asia’s largest and most trusted healthcare group. Furthermore, in India’s G20 Presidency, she was appointed Chairperson of G20 Empower India and was the former President of The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Additionally, she is the Chairperson of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, India. As a founding team member of Apollo Hospital, Dr Sangita Reddy has been a driving force behind numerous groundbreaking initiatives and has been fervently determined to revolutionize the healthcare system by utilising cutting-edge technology, thus enabling universal access to healthcare.  The leadership transition comes at a critical juncture for India’s healthcare sector. With healthcare receiving renewed national focus as reflected in the Union Budget for FY 2026–27 and the continued emphasis by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on strengthening health systems, the role of NATHEALTH as a key convening platform for the healthcare ecosystem has become increasingly pivotal.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27582/shreehas-tambe-takes-charge-as-ceo-managing-director-of-biocon-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27582/shreehas-tambe-takes-charge-as-ceo-managing-director-of-biocon-.html Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Biocon Limited has announced the appointment of Shreehas Tambe as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Managing Director (MD), effective April 1, 2026, following approvals from the Nomination & Remuneration Committee and the Board of Directors. As the first CEO of the integrated Biocon, he will lead the combined platform spanning biosimilars and generics, strengthening the company’s ability to operate at scale and compete effectively in global markets. Shreehas Tambe joined Biocon nearly three decades ago as a management trainee and, through successive leadership roles, has played a pivotal role in scaling multiple businesses globally. During his tenure as the CEO and Managing Director of Biocon Biologics, the company has become one of the world’s Top 5 biosimilar companies by revenue with a valuation of $5.5 billion in 2025. He led the transformational acquisition of Viatris’ biosimilars business and oversaw its rapid consolidation, creating a fully integrated, lab‑to‑patient, global biologics enterprise. Previously, Tambe served as Chief Operating Officer and later Deputy CEO of Biocon Biologics, driving enterprise‑wide operations and global growth. Earlier at Biocon, he led the worldwide expansion of the insulins business, including the establishment of Asia’s largest integrated insulins facility in Malaysia. Tambe started his career in Research & Development and is an inventor on 61 patents, reflecting his commitment to advancing innovation. As the first CEO & Managing Director of the combined business, he will be responsible for strengthening Biocon’s position as a global biopharma leader that is addressing the world’s most pressing healthcare needs by advancing a differentiated portfolio of biosimilars, insulins, generics and peptides (GLP‑1s). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27550/karnataka-govt-names-dr-bhaskar-rajakumar-as-ceo-of-centre-of-excellence-in-health-tech-and-medtech.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27550/karnataka-govt-names-dr-bhaskar-rajakumar-as-ceo-of-centre-of-excellence-in-health-tech-and-medtech.html Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The Department of Information Technology (IT) and Biotechnology (Bt), Karnataka Government has announced welcomes the appointment of Dr Bhaskar Rajakumar as the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre of Excellence in Health Tech and MedTech. The Centre of Excellence for Health Tech and MedTech will serve as a facilitator to strengthen the growing health and medical ecosystem through capacity building and capability enhancement. Its primary focus will be to foster innovation, support startups, and attract funding in the Health Tech and MedTech sectors through industry collaboration.Dr Rajakumar holds an MBBS and MD degree, along with an MBA, an Executive Development Programme in Strategy from IIM, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy. He brings extensive experience at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and public policy.As the CEO, He will lead the Centre’s efforts to strengthen Karnataka’s health technology and medical technology ecosystem, promote innovation, foster industry partnerships, and support the development and adoption of advanced healthcare solutions across the state. Dr Rajakumar has served as the Programme Director of the AI & Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK) in Bengaluru.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27522/union-minister-dr-jitendra-singh-receives-lifetime-achievement-award-at-national-medical-conference-in-chennai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27522/union-minister-dr-jitendra-singh-receives-lifetime-achievement-award-at-national-medical-conference-in-chennai.html Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh was conferred with the LifeTime Achievement Award in the field of Medicine and Diabetes at the National Conference held in Chennai on 20th March. The award citation referred to Dr Jitendra Singh as a distinguished medical expert, author and outstanding contributor to advancing diabetes care and public health. This is the second Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on Dr Jitendra Singh for excellence in the medical field. The first award was presented to him at an international conference held in Chennai in July 2024.   Dr Jitendra Singh is a renowned Diabetologist, educationist and public representative with decades of experience in the field of medicine and diabetes. Trained as a Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology, Dr Singh has made extensive contributions in the field of diabetes research, medical literature and public health awareness, with more than five thousand articles and several books published. Among his pioneering works is research on "Stress Induced Diabetes in Kashmiri Migrants", which has been internationally recognised. Over the years, he has been associated with premier national and global diabetes institutions and has made significant contributions to medical education and policy making. Expressing gratitude on the occasion of receiving the award, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the honour assumes special significance as it commemorates the legacy of Prof. M. Viswanathan, who is regarded as one of the founding pioneers of diabetics and diabetes research in India. He described it as not only a tribute to his lifelong work but also to the rich tradition of medical excellence established by the first generation of doctors after independence and their contemporaries who were guided by a deep sensitivity towards patients with diagnostic rigor.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27510/redcliffe-labs-on-boards-dr-sonal-saxena-to-lead-next-phase-of-preventive-diagnostics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27510/redcliffe-labs-on-boards-dr-sonal-saxena-to-lead-next-phase-of-preventive-diagnostics.html Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 In a strategic move to further strengthen its diagnostic excellence and quality standards, Redcliffe Labs has appointed Dr Sonal Saxena as Director – Lab Operations, effective immediately. With this appointment, the responsibility of upholding and advancing trusted diagnostics across its nationwide network now comes under her leadership. Dr Sonal will lead the brand’s laboratory operations across India, driving excellence in technical processes, quality systems, and accreditation standards. Her role will be pivotal in strengthening Redcliffe Labs’ commitment to delivering reliable, patient-centric diagnostics and scaling its operational footprint nationwide. With over 25 years of distinguished experience in pathology and laboratory medicine, she brings deep expertise in clinical diagnostics, reference lab establishment, and operational leadership. She has previously held leadership roles at reputed organisations, including Dr. Lal Path Labs, Apollo Clinic, Alchemist Hospital, Diagno Labs, and other Labs. A trained ISO 15189 assessor, Dr Sonal has been instrumental in achieving NABL, CAP, and ISO accreditations in her past assignments, reinforcing her reputation as a leader in laboratory quality and compliance.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27481/citiustech-appoints-dhaval-shah-as-chief-business-officer-medtech-life-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27481/citiustech-appoints-dhaval-shah-as-chief-business-officer-medtech-life-sciences.html Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 CitiusTech, a leading provider of healthcare technology services driving digital and AI excellence, has appointed Dhaval Shah to Chief Business Officer - MedTech & Life Sciences. Dhaval Shah is a distinguished healthcare industry executive with over 26 years of experience across HealthTech, imaging ISVs, providers, life sciences, and medical device companies. In his role as Chief Business Officer, Shah will lead enterprise market strategy, strengthen client partnerships, and accelerate business performance across CitiusTech’s Medical Technology and Life Sciences segments. A founding employee of CitiusTech, Shah has played a significant role in the company’s growth and evolution during his more than 19 years with the organization. He oversees a substantial portion of the business and leads relationships with more than 50 MedTech and Life Sciences clients. As a member of the CitiusTech Executive Council, the company’s six-member executive management team, Shah contributes to shaping CitiusTech’s strategic direction. Prior to joining CitiusTech, Shah founded a boutique healthcare consulting firm and held senior roles serving large healthcare providers and healthcare technology organizations. He holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Wright State University, which support his technical expertise and deep understanding of healthcare technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27439/erlysign-appoints-akshay-churi-as-vice-president-of-manufacturing-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27439/erlysign-appoints-akshay-churi-as-vice-president-of-manufacturing-.html Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 ErlySign, the Nagpur-based biotech startup developing India’s first salivary biomarker–based screening test for early-stage cancer detection, has announced the appointment of Akshay Churi as Vice President, Manufacturing. The appointment comes as the company strengthens its leadership team to support the commercialisation and scale-up of its saliva-based early oral cancer detection technologies. Churi brings over two decades of experience in medical technology, biosciences, and precision manufacturing, having previously served as Business Manager at Husky Technologies for South-East Asia and Middle East, at ZAHORANSKY, and previously has over 13 years of experience building and scaling precision manufacturing programmes, with strong expertise in mould development, project management, and strategic customer partnerships in the automotive sector. At ErlySign, he will leverage this extensive experience to establish and scale the company’s manufacturing operations, including setting up a cleanroom facility, building and leading a high-performance team, securing regulatory approvals, and ensuring strong quality, compliance, and operational excellence standards while aligning plant performance and productivity with the company’s commercial growth objectives.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27436/zeiss-india-elevates-baskar-kesavalu-to-global-leadership-role-in-vision-care-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27436/zeiss-india-elevates-baskar-kesavalu-to-global-leadership-role-in-vision-care-solutions.html Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 ZEISS, a pioneer of science in optics, has announced the elevation Baskar Kesavalu as Head of Product Development, Vision Care Solutions. This strategic move underscores the brand’s commitment to strengthen its leadership team and drive transformation into the Vision Care portfolio globally. In this new role, Kesavalu will be based in Bengaluru and will report directly to Eric Nehrbass, Head of Vision Care Solutions based in Germany. With effect from 1st March 2026, he will focus on building and leading a high-performance product development organisation responsible for delivering on time, within budget, and with exceptional quality. Kesavalu joined ZEISS India in 2025 as Head of Vision Technology Solutions (VTS), bringing over 30 years of experience in product development and management. Prior to his role at ZEISS India, he held leadership roles at GE HealthCare, where he led global product development and management functions. In this new role, his scope will encompass new consultation platform, signature innovations, and the integration of ZEISS Solution Partner products into our Vision Care ecosystem.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27400/msd-appoints-brecht-vanneste-as-managing-director-of-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27400/msd-appoints-brecht-vanneste-as-managing-director-of-india.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 MSD (known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA in the United States and Canada) has announced the appointment of Brecht Vanneste as Managing Director (MD) of MSD in India, effective 1 March 2026. He will be based in Mumbai. Vanneste is a biopharmaceutical industry veteran who has been at MSD for more than 27 years, and has held a portfolio of international leadership roles. Prior to this, he was the Oncology Business Unit Leader of MSD in China where he provided strategic leadership for the introduction of new products and indications across the private market and through financial patient programs. Previously, Vanneste served as Managing Director of MSD in Belgium & Luxembourg where he strengthened MSD’s oncology presence and capabilities. His career has spanned roles in sales, marketing, and access – leading both market and regional teams, including as the External Affairs Lead at MSD in Belgium, Franchise Director for Alzheimer’s Disease across Europe and Canada, and Regional Marketing Lead for the Cardiovascular portfolio based in Switzerland. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27393/boehringer-ingelheim-india-appoints-meenal-gauri-as-managing-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27393/boehringer-ingelheim-india-appoints-meenal-gauri-as-managing-director.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Boehringer Ingelheim has announced that Meenal Gauri has been appointed as Managing Director India, effective 12 January 2026. In this role, she will assume responsibility for the company’s businesses in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Further, she would also join the Board of Boehringer Ingelheim India. Meenal brings in more than 16 years of international experience across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with expertise spanning marketing, sales, corporate strategy, business development, and market access. Her diverse background and deep understanding of healthcare ecosystems across geographies enable her to lead Boehringer Ingelheim India as it advances bold ambitions for growth and patient impact with its India Vision 2030. During her tenure in regional roles with Boehringer Ingelheim, Meenal has played a central role in strengthening the company’s presence across complex markets and successfully leading high-impact product launches and strategy. Additionally, as a trained Co-Active coach, she is equally passionate about empowering and developing future leaders. These values are strongly aligned with Boehringer Ingelheim’s culture of collaboration and long-term commitment.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27361/paras-health-appoints-balkishan-sharma-as-group-chro-and-business-transformation-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27361/paras-health-appoints-balkishan-sharma-as-group-chro-and-business-transformation-officer.html Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Paras Health has announced the appointment of Balkishan Sharma as Group Chief Human Resources Officer (Group CHRO) and Business Transformation Officer. In this role, Sharma will lead workforce transformation, business initiatives, and the development of a high-performance, values-driven culture across the organisation. This appointment reinforces the organisation’s commitment to strong leadership and excellence in patient care across its network. Sharma brings over 22 years of healthcare experience, with deep expertise in HR strategy, workforce planning, employee engagement, organizational transformation, and business transformation initiatives. He has previously served as the EVP & Head – HR Operations (Pan India) at Max Healthcare Institute, and additionally held senior roles at Fortis Healthcare, Paras Health, and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, driving leadership development, HR digitisation, and operational efficiency. With Sharma’s appointment, Paras Health reinforces its commitment to investing in strong leadership and strategic transformation, building an organisation where people, culture, and innovation serve as key drivers of sustainable success. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27334/botanic-healthcare-appoints-narahari-naidu-as-group-chief-financial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27334/botanic-healthcare-appoints-narahari-naidu-as-group-chief-financial-officer.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Secundarabad-based Botanic Healthcare, a globally leading nutraceutical company, has announced the appointment of Narahari Naidu as its Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The appointment further strengthens the company’s leadership team as it continues to build a resilient, future-focused organisation anchored in natural wellness and science-led innovation.   With about 2 decades of finance leadership experience, Naidu has consistently enabled organisations to scale and transform through strategic financial stewardship. A Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary, he has spearheaded initiatives that unlocked capital efficiency, streamlined supply chains, and strengthened governance frameworks to support rapid business expansion.   Across diverse industries, Naidu has led complex finance functions covering financial planning and analysis, fund raising, investor relations, mergers and acquisitions, and regulatory compliance. His hallmark contribution lies in architecting scalable finance structures that not only ensured operational discipline but also accelerated growth trajectories. By aligning financial strategy with business vision, he has played a pivotal role in driving sustainable scale-ups and creating long-term stakeholder value.    Naidu’s appointment reflects Botanic Healthcare’s continued focus on leadership depth, governance, and long-term value creation as it advances its global nutraceutical mission. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27332/happiest-health-appoints-bharati-jajoo-to-lead-happiest-bodydynamics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27332/happiest-health-appoints-bharati-jajoo-to-lead-happiest-bodydynamics.html Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Happiest Health has announced a landmark strategic move with the appointment of Bharati Jajoo as Medical Director, BodyDynamics, a unit of Happiest Health. Backed by over 35 years of clinical leadership, Bharati brings her established practice and deep expertise in occupational therapy into the Happiest Health ecosystem. The BodyDynamics unit offers integrated rehabilitation through Ergonomics, Physiotherapy and Yoga. This strategic integration supports Happiest Health’s mission to embrace wellness by expanding its care continuum beyond standard wellness into a science-backed bridge between clinical rehabilitation and high-performance workplace health. Bharati’s appointment represents the fusion of clinical riguor with corporate scale. High-performance Occupational Ergonomics solutions have been designed to convert employee health into a tangible business asset, delivering standardised, measurable outcomes across multi-location teams. Bharati's  vision is to build a proactive continuum that bridges prevention, intervention, and transformations so individuals and organisations can thrive.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27323/dr-dharminder-nagar-md-of-paras-health-steps-in-as-ficci-healthcare-committee-co-chair.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27323/dr-dharminder-nagar-md-of-paras-health-steps-in-as-ficci-healthcare-committee-co-chair.html Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Dharminder Nagar, Managing Director (MD) of Paras Health, has been appointed Co-Chair of the FICCI Healthcare Committee, strengthening the leadership of one of India’s most influential platforms shaping healthcare policy and industry collaboration. Dr Nagar’s appointment comes at a time when India’s healthcare sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by increasing demand for quality care, expansion of healthcare infrastructure, digital health adoption, and renewed focus on affordability and access. In his role, his focus will include advancing digital and AI-enabled healthcare delivery, strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Tier II and Tier III cities, workforce capacity building, and supporting policy frameworks that enhance patient safety and affordability. With over 19 years of leadership experience, Dr Dharminder Nagar has played a pivotal role in shaping Paras Health into a leading healthcare provider known for clinical excellence, patient-centricity, and operational efficiency. Under his stewardship, Paras Health has expanded its footprint across 8 hospitals in Gurugram(Haryana), Panchkula (Haryana), Patna, Darbhanga (Bihar), Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Udaipur (Rajasthan), Ranchi (Jharkhand), and Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) across India, significantly strengthening access to quality healthcare. Under his leadership, the organisation has consistently focused on expanding access to quality healthcare while integrating innovation and global best practices into hospital management and care delivery. Dr Nagar brings a strong global perspective to the role, backed by an Executive Management Programme in Healthcare Delivery from Harvard Business School, graduation from Singularity University, an MPhil from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), and an Advanced Diploma in Healthcare Management from Imperial College London. His experience spans healthcare strategy, governance, accreditation, and system-level transformation, aligning closely with the objectives of the FICCI Healthcare Committee. In his new role, Dr Nagar will work alongside committee members to facilitate dialogue between industry and policymakers, promote best practices, and contribute to frameworks that support long-term growth and innovation in India’s healthcare sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27304/curebay-strengthens-leadership-team-with-appointment-of-siddharth-agrawal-as-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27304/curebay-strengthens-leadership-team-with-appointment-of-siddharth-agrawal-as-coo.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 CureBay, a hybrid healthcare platform transforming last-mile access to affordable, high-quality healthcare in India’s underserved regions, has announced the appointment of Siddharth Agrawal as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). The move strengthens the company’s leadership team as CureBay scales operations and accelerates its transition toward a nationally scalable rural healthcare delivery platform, supported by its expanding multi-state presence. CureBay is expanding its rural healthcare infrastructure across multiple states through a growing network of eClinics, its on-ground Swasthya Mitra workforce, and a digital-first care delivery model designed for Bharat’s last mile. It currently operates 175+ eClinics across Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, supported by more than 230 doctors, 400 skilled healthcare workers, and partnerships with over 210 hospitals and laboratories.  In this new role, Agrawal brings over two decades of leadership experience across global FMCG and high-growth consumer technology companies. His background includes senior leadership roles at OLX India (part of CarTrade Tech), OLA, Unilever, and Perfetti Van Melle, where he has led large-scale operating and growth initiatives. He has extensive experience in building scalable operating systems, driving market expansion, and leading digital-first go-to-market transformations across domestic and international markets.  As Chief Operating Officer, Agrawal will oversee CureBay’s end-to-end operations, including network scalability, supply chain optimisation, operational efficiency, and execution across regions. The company’s expansion plans include scaling its eClinic network, strengthening the Swasthya Mitra ecosystem, and integrating technology-led solutions to extend affordable care to underserved communities.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27289/doceree-announces-kamya-elawadhi-as-co-founder-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27289/doceree-announces-kamya-elawadhi-as-co-founder-president.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Doceree, the world's first AI-powered Operating System for healthcare marketing, has announced a leadership milestone with Kamya Elawadhi becoming Co-Founder & President—a move that cements the company's aggressive growth trajectory and unwavering commitment to transforming how healthcare brands connect with healthcare professionals worldwide.  Kamya's appointment recognises her instrumental role in architecting Doceree's global expansion, forging deep-rooted partnerships across agencies, publishers, health systems, and pharmaceutical powerhouses—all while championing a vision of privacy-forward, clinically intelligent messaging that reaches HCPs when and where it matters most.    Since joining Doceree as Chief Client Officer, Kamya hasn't just accelerated growth—she's redefined what scalable, meaningful healthcare engagement looks like. She's turned strategic relationships into revenue engines, transformed brand partnerships into lasting ecosystem momentum, and positioned Doceree at the forefront of an industry desperate for innovation that respects both privacy and precision.    In her expanded role, Kamya will spearhead Doceree's strategic growth agenda with focus on helping healthcare and life sciences marketers reach verified HCP audiences with unprecedented relevance while navigating an increasingly complex privacy landscape. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27245/orbis-international-appoints-kathleen-sherwin-as-president-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27245/orbis-international-appoints-kathleen-sherwin-as-president-ceo.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Global eye care NGO Orbis International has announced the appointment of Kathleen Sherwin as President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Kathleen brings more than 25 years of experience advancing health equity, gender equality and sustainable development across the nonprofit and humanitarian sectors. Her career and values strongly align with Orbis's vision of a world where everyone can access the eye care they need to thrive. Kathleen joins Orbis at a pivotal moment as the global health landscape evolves and the need for integrated, resilient health systems becomes increasingly urgent. She is focused on accelerating Orbis's work to prevent blindness and restore sight while elevating eye health as a global health priority. Before joining Orbis, Kathleen most recently served as Chief Strategy & Engagement Officer at Plan International, a global organisation advancing children's rights and equality for girls. In that role, she led strategy, partnerships, fundraising, communications, and policy, strengthening the organization's global profile and long-term impact. Her leadership has been consistently shaped by a commitment to advancing the health and rights of women and girls. She previously held senior roles at Women Deliver, including Interim President & CEO, and at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Her strategic vision, global experience, and collaborative leadership will guide the organisation as it continues working toward a future where everyone, everywhere, has access to quality eye care and the opportunity to reach their full potential. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27204/rainbow-childrens-medicare-appoints-abrarali-dalal-as-chief-executive-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27204/rainbow-childrens-medicare-appoints-abrarali-dalal-as-chief-executive-officer.html Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Rainbow Children’s Medicare, a leading provider of paediatrics, perinatal, and women’s healthcare services in India, has announced the appointment of Abrarali Dalal as Chief Executive Officer, effective from January 20, 2026.  Dalal brings more than 25 years of distinguished experience in the healthcare sector, including leadership roles in multi-location hospital networks, operational excellence, and strategic growth initiatives. His appointment follows the recommendation of the Company’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee and a resolution passed by the Board of Directors. In his new role, Dalal will be responsible for overseeing Rainbow’s continued expansion, enhancing clinical and operational performance, and driving value for patients, partners, and stakeholders. His deep industry knowledge and proven track record in healthcare leadership are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the next chapter of the company’s growth.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27173/erlysign-appoints-vishal-kumar-as-vice-president-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27173/erlysign-appoints-vishal-kumar-as-vice-president-business.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 ErlySign, the Nagpur-based biotech startup developing India’s first salivary biomarker–based screening test for early-stage oral cancer, has announced the appointment of Vishal Kumar as Vice President – Business. The appointment comes as ErlySign prepares for its next stage of expansion and continues to work on making early cancer screening widely accessible.Kumar brings over a decade of experience across Healthcare, Health-tech, and Technology, with a B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur. He is known for his ability to scale business functions and drive organisational transformation. He has led high-impact teams, shaped growth strategies, and built partnerships that strengthen healthcare delivery across diverse ecosystems.Before joining ErlySign, Kumar held leadership roles that sharpened his strategic, operational, and commercial acumen. At Tata 1mg, he led the Hospital and Corporate Health & Wellness verticals, driving key accounts and significantly accelerating both top-line and bottom-line growth over the past five years. He also forged major institutional partnerships and spearheaded large-scale project implementations.In his new role at ErlySign, Kumar will lead business growth, strategic partnerships, and market expansion, strengthening the company’s vision of becoming a global leader in painless, affordable early cancer detection. His focus will be on scaling operations, forging high-impactalliances, and accelerating ErlySign’s presence across India and international markets. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27167/chemwerth-appoints-new-general-sales-manager-to-increase-generic-api-footprint-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27167/chemwerth-appoints-new-general-sales-manager-to-increase-generic-api-footprint-in-india.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 US-based ChemWerth, Inc., a global leader in generic active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) development and supply, continues to expand its footprint and strengthen its position in the Indian market. To support its growth in the region, ChemWerth has hired Chandrakanth Reddy as general sales manager of its India office. Reddy is a seasoned pharmaceutical professional with more than 16 years of experience spanning API sourcing, business development, market expansion and regulatory-driven commercial strategy. He has successfully led high-value markets across India, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and the United States, building strong customer partnerships and supporting sustainable revenue growth. In his new role, Reddy will be responsible for leading ChemWerth’s sales strategy in India and strengthening regional customer relationships. He will also support the company’s focused initiative to roll out new generic APIs in the market, including fermentation, peptide and oncology injectable APIs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27165/atul-shah-steps-in-as-general-manager-india-at-beckman-coulter-life-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27165/atul-shah-steps-in-as-general-manager-india-at-beckman-coulter-life-sciences.html Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Beckman Coulter has announced that Atul Shah has joined Beckman Coulter Life Sciences as General Manager – India. Shah brings extensive cross‑functional experience spanning sales, service, marketing, project management and channel partner management. Over the course of his career, he has contributed to a wide range of sectors including process automation, robotics, electrics, solar, intralogistics, quality, research, life sciences, material sciences, and healthcare. Shah also brings significant leadership experience from Leica Microsystems, where he has served in key roles for nearly a decade, and has played a pivotal role in accelerating the growth of Leica Microsystems in India and the broader APJ region. As Country Manager at Leica, he has been instrumental in shaping market strategy, driving expansion, and strengthening Leica’s commercial footprint. His strong analytical orientation, passion for emerging technologies, and commitment to purposeful growth make him well‑positioned to lead India operations and strengthen the company’s strategic direction in this important market. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27160/haleon-appoints-kedar-lele-as-president-for-india-subcontinent.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27160/haleon-appoints-kedar-lele-as-president-for-india-subcontinent.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Haleon has announced the appointment of Kedar Lele as President for India Subcontinent (ISC), effective January 2026. In this role, Lele will also join the Haleon Executive Team (HET), the company’s global leadership body, reinforcing closer alignment with the Win as One strategy. Lele succeeds Navneet Saluja, ISC General Manager, who retired in October 2025. With more than 25 years of experience across FMCG, advertising, digital innovation, and automative sectors, Lele joins Haleon from Castrol India Ltd, where he was the Managing Director. Before joining Castrol, he spent two decades at Hindustan Unilever Ltd, where he held senior roles including Executive Director for Sales and Customer Development in South Asia and Chairman & Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh. Lele holds an MBA in Strategic Marketing and Operations from the Indian School of Business and a postgraduate diploma in Marketing Communications from MICA. He serves on the board of TVS Automobile Solutions and previously served as Vice President at the Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Bangladesh. As ISC President, Lele will drive India’s leadership in powering Haleon’s ambition of reaching 1bn more consumers by 2030 and advance its purpose of delivering better everyday health with humanity. Currently, Haleon India is operating in oral care, digestive health, pain management and respiratory, and Vitamin Mineral Supplement with iconic brands such as Eno, Sensodyne, Iodex, Crocin, Otrivin, Centrum, Ostocalcium, Parodontax and Polident. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27151/konovo-names-managing-director-for-india-to-expand-global-leadership-in-life-science-market-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27151/konovo-names-managing-director-for-india-to-expand-global-leadership-in-life-science-market-research.html Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 US-based Konovo, a technology-first healthcare intelligence company has expanded its executive leadership team with the appointment of healthcare technology industry veteran Swathi Kulkarni as Managing Director, India. With unprecedented demands upon life science organisations to do more with less, this appointment will accelerate the expansion of Konovo’s AI-native intelligent technology platform to meet the needs of all geographies – a platform that connects fragmented data and delivers deep insights to transform life science market research.   Swathi Kulkarni brings over 20 years of experience building pioneering health tech companies and scaling them globally. Prior to joining Konovo, she was the CEO and co-founder of Elda Health, a full-stack digital wellness platform.   She has also held executive leadership roles at Nua, a personal care product manufacturer; Inksedge, an events and communications company; and Komli Media, India’s leading digital marketing platform. Most recently she served as head of health management at Aditya Birla Health Insurance, where her team’s health platform integrated real-world data from wearables and lifestyle patterns into holistic health outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27121/yashoda-medicity-appoints-dr-rajinder-kumar-as-principal-director-and-unit-head-department-of-neurosurgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27121/yashoda-medicity-appoints-dr-rajinder-kumar-as-principal-director-and-unit-head-department-of-neurosurgery.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Yashoda Medicity, one of the leading hospitals in the Delhi NCR, has appointed Prof. Dr Rajinder Kumar as Principal Director & Unit Head, Neurosurgery at the Yashoda Institute of Neurosciences. An internationally acclaimed neurosurgeon with 25 + years of experience and 7,000 + cranial and spinal surgeries to his credit, Prof. Dr Kumar has had a distinguished association with AIIMS, New Delhi, spanning more than two decades. Trained at premier institutions, Prof. Dr Kumar completed his postgraduate studies from AIIMS, New Delhi, and is a Fellow of the University of Iowa, USA. He has received advanced training in functional neurosurgery at AMC University, Amsterdam, Gamma Knife radiosurgery in the USA, and skull base endoscopy across Europe and the USA. His areas of expertise include functional, vascular, skull base, endoscopic, spine, and minimally invasive neurosurgery, and more. Dr Kumar also has an extensive academic portfolio, with numerous publications in leading national and international journals that cover neuro-oncology, pediatric neurosurgery, functional and endoscopic neurosurgery, and related fields. His contributions also include innovative surgical techniques and instruments that have advanced neurosurgical practice.   With this appointment, Yashoda Medicity continues to reinforce its commitment to delivering world-class, technology-driven neurosurgical care.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27116/dr-satya-prakash-dash-steps-in-as-new-ceo-of-ikp-knowledge-park.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27116/dr-satya-prakash-dash-steps-in-as-new-ceo-of-ikp-knowledge-park.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based bioincubator and life sciences park, IKP Knowledge Park has announced the appointment of Dr Satya Prakash Dash as the new Chief Executive Officer, bringing over 28 years of leadership in science, innovation and ecosystem building. Also serving as an advisor to BFI-BIOME, Dr Dash was the Founding CEO, BITS BioCyTiH Foundation and was the Ex-Director Impact Lab at PATH India with the mandate to propel innovations in public health emerging from India to the next level. Former Head Strategy Partnerships & Entrepreneurship Development at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), and the 'Co-ordinator' of Make in India Cell in BIRAC, his portfolio included overall strategy formulation and implementation for BIRAC of national programmes such as Biotech Ignition Grant-BIG , SPARSH (social innovation program), BioNEST (incubator programme), University Innovation Cluster (UIC), SoCH, SEED Equity & AcE equity funding. He led the establishment of BIRAC Regional Innovation Centre (BRIC) at IKP Hyderabad & BIRAC Regional Entrepreneurship Centre (BREC) at C-CAMP, Bengaluru. He holds triple masters from University of Leicester (UK), Cambridge (UK) and Sambalpur (India) and a PhD from University of East Anglia, UK. He holds great experience in science and technology (S&T) policy design, implementation and outcomes, business of science, early-stage funding, entrepreneurship, and catalysing for positive serendipity across innovation communities. As IKP enters its next phase of growth, Dr Dash’s leadership will further strengthen its mission of enabling science-led innovation and translating research into scalable, real-world impact. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27100/api-holdings-appoints-shashi-tiwari-as-chief-human-resource-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27100/api-holdings-appoints-shashi-tiwari-as-chief-human-resource-officer.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 API Holdings, India's largest digital healthcare platform, has appointed Shashi Tiwari as its Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO), further strengthening its leadership team as the group continues to scale its healthcare businesses. In his new role, Tiwari will lead the people strategy for API Holdings, with a focus on strengthening organisational capability, elevating people practices, and building a future-ready organization. With two decades of cross-industry HR leadership experience across global organisations like Infosys Ltd and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Tiwari brings deep expertise in talent strategy, HR transformation and fostering inclusive culture that drive business success. Over the course of his career, he has led large-scale transformation initiatives and supported business expansion across multiple geographies. An alumnus of SCMHRD (Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development), Tiwari holds a postgraduate diploma in management and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Mumbai.   API Holdings' portfolio includes PharmEasy, Thyrocare, Ascent and Aknamed. With his appointment, the company reinforces its focus on building robust people capabilities to support its long-term growth and continue delivering exceptional value to customers, partners, and stakeholders alike. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27086/thyrocare-announces-appointment-of-dr-ramesh-kinha-as-chief-operating-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27086/thyrocare-announces-appointment-of-dr-ramesh-kinha-as-chief-operating-officer.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Thyrocare Technologies Limited has appointed Dr Ramesh Kinha as its Chief Operating Officer, further strengthening its leadership team as the company continues to scale its operations across India. Dr Kinha is a seasoned healthcare and diagnostics leader with over 17 years of experience across leading organisations in the diagnostics sector, with deep expertise in laboratory operations and quality systems. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing lab operations and strengthening quality standards across Thyrocare’s network, with a clear focus on consistently raising the bar on diagnostic accuracy and service delivery.  Prior to joining Thyrocare, Dr Kinha served as Group Director – Laboratory Services at Vijaya Diagnostic Centre Limited, where he led critical operational and quality initiatives. His extensive career includes senior leadership roles at Apollo Health & Lifestyle Ltd, Medall Healthcare, Metropolis Healthcare, and SRL Ltd, where he has delivered operational excellence and driven strategic transformation. A medical professional with strong academic credentials, Dr Kinha holds an MBBS degree and an MD in Pathology. He has also completed senior management and leadership programmes at IIM Nagpur and ISB (Indian School of Business). As a certified NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) assessor, he brings strong expertise in quality and regulatory excellence.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27078/rpg-life-sciences-appoints-amol-lone-as-chief-financial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27078/rpg-life-sciences-appoints-amol-lone-as-chief-financial-officer.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 RPG Life Sciences Limited, the leading pharmaceutical company of RPG Group, has announced the appointment of Amol Lone as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Approved by the Board of Directors during its meeting held on December 15, 2025, Lone will oversee all financial operations, strategic planning, and compliance functions. With over two decades of experience in corporate finance, Lone has helmed leadership roles in various multinational organisations like Gunnebo India Ltd, Henkel Adhesives, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Fermenta Biotech Ltd. A qualified chartered accountant, Lone brings deep expertise in direct and indirect taxation, treasury management, debt restructuring, and regulatory compliances. Commenting on the appointment Ashok Nair, the Managing Director of RPG Life Sciences said, "We are pleased to welcome Amol to RPG Life Sciences. His extensive financial acumen and regulatory expertise will strengthen our growth trajectory in a dynamic landscape." Amol Lone commented, "I am excited to join RPG Life Sciences as it prepares for its next transformative phase. With focus on expanding niche therapies, nurturing innovation, and accelerating growth, I look forward to contributing to this journey." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27040/mma-spectrum-foundation-presents-biospectrum-lifetime-achievement-award-2025-to-dilip-shanghvi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/27040/mma-spectrum-foundation-presents-biospectrum-lifetime-achievement-award-2025-to-dilip-shanghvi.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 MMA Spectrum Foundation and BioSpectrum India, an integrated B2B media platform for the healthcare and bioscience industry in India, proudly presented Dilip Shanghvi, Founder and Executive Chairman, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries with BioSpectrum Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 at a glittering function held in New Delhi on December 5. BioSpectrum India, in consultation with a six-member jury panel chaired by Dr Renu Swarup, Former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, selected Dilip Shanghvi for this prestigious award for his continuous and dedicated service towards the world-wide betterment of the health of the present and future generations. The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh who served as Chief Guest, presented the awards in presence of Dr Renu Swarup. Dilip Shanghvi, in his acceptance speech (in a pre-recorded message) said “I am truly honoured to receive this recognition and award today. I accept it on behalf of the entire Sun Pharmaceutical team, who have consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty. Their commitment and hard work have enabled our company to continue growing faster than the industry.” He further said “The Indian pharmaceutical industry has, for many years, continued to excel and has increasingly become an important pillar of the global pharma landscape. Today, India is proudly regarded as the ‘pharmacy of the world’. I am happy that Sun Pharmaceutical has played a meaningful role in this journey. Looking ahead, I envision a future where Indian companies — and India as a nation — not only contribute to the global generics market, but also emerge as leaders in innovation, bringing new and transformative treatments to patients worldwide.” Dr Azadar Khan, VP-Corporate Affairs, Sun Pharma received the award on Dilip Shanghvi's behalf. Welcoming the august gathering including Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, Ravindra Boratkar, Publisher & Managing Editor, BioSpectrum India and Managing Trustee, MMA Spectrum Foundation said “Today, we come together to honour the pioneers, the visionaries, the risk-takers, and the path-breakers who are shaping the future of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medtech, diagnostics, digital health, and research. Your work not only strengthens India’s scientific capabilities but also touches millions of lives across the world. The Excellence Awards represent the highest recognition in this journey, celebrating commitment to innovation, ethical leadership, and societal impact.” Sharing her views as the chairperson of the Jury Panel Dr Renu Swarup, former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, said “The entire selection process was extremely robust, with the BioSpectrum team conducting extensive research to identify nominees before presenting them to the jury. The most satisfying moment for the jury is when we receive strong, high-quality nominations — and this year, the nominations were exceptionally rich in contribution. All jury members would agree that it took considerable deliberation to finalize the awardees because the level of competition was so high. This reflects both the strength of the biotechnology sector and the diligence of the evaluation process. During our discussions, the jury also emphasized the importance of recognizing young talent in the future, as nurturing this pipeline is essential for sustaining leadership in the biotechnology ecosystem.” Dr Jitendra Singh began by congratulating BioSpectrum on completing 23 years and applauding its role in highlighting achievements across India’s biotech ecosystem. He expressed his appreciation for the BioSpectrum Awards, noting that such recognition plays an important role in celebrating the country’s scientific and technological progress. Dr Singh shared updates on key government initiatives, including the upcoming Smart Tech India programme and the Department of Biotechnology’s increasing focus on stress biology—a field that is expanding significantly. He emphasized that the ecosystem in India is now better prepared than ever for scientific growth, reflecting a stronger foundation and more supportive policies. He also referenced the newly introduced Bio-E3 Policy, designed to boost India’s bioeconomy and strengthen the nation's standing in global biotechnology. Concluding his remarks, he commended the award winners. Other esteemed Juries included: Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC); Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance; Dr Sanghamitra Pati, Additional Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research; Dr Shirshendu Mukherjee, Managing Director, Wadhwani Innovation Network; and Prof. Vijay Chandru, Founder and Chairperson, Strand Life Sciences. List of Jury Award Winners Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 - Ajit Patil & Amit Kharat, Co-Founders, DeepTek.ai Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 - Hitesh Goswami & Kshitij Rishi, Co-Founders, 4baseCare Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 -Dr Latha Poonamallee, Co-Founder, In-Med Prognostics Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 - Dr Ria Khurana, Co-Founder, RNT Health Insights Jury Special Award for Woman Scientist of the Year 2024 - Prof Gaiti Hasan, Distinguished Fellow, National Centre for Biological Sciences Jury Special Award for Woman Scientist in Clinical Research of the Year 2024 - Prof. Shinjini Bhatnagar, Professor of Eminence, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute Jury Special Award for Woman Scientist of the Year 2025 - Dr Radha Rangarajan, Director, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute  Product of the Year 2024 - Havisure Vaccine by Indian Immunologicals Product of the Year 2025 - Miqnaf (Nafithromycin) by Wockhardt Businessperson of the Year 2024 (Medium Company) -Dr Vedam Ramprasad, CEO, MedGenome Businessperson of the Year 2025 (Big Company) - Dr Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences Businessperson of the Year 2025 (Medium Company) - Sriram Natarajan, CEO, Molbio Diagnostics Best Performing State of the Year 2025 – Telangana and Karnataka Special Recognition Award 2025 The winners for the Special Recognition Awards have been selected after reviewing numerous nominations, to turn the spotlight onto companies we believe will lead the way in the near future, not only in India but globally. Through these awards, BioSpectrum India is playing the role of picking tomorrow's winners, nudging today's entrepreneurs to achieve greater glory and honouring yesterday's key players who laid the foundation for success.  Winners of the Special Recognition Awards 2025- Top Diagnostics Leader- Roche Diagnostics India Excellence in Diagnostics- Vanguard Diagnostics Outstanding Contribution to Biotech Ecosystem- Serum Institute of India Excellence in BioServices- Vipragen Biosciences Best Vaccine Efforts of the Year- TechInvention Lifecare Excellence in Lab Consumables- Abdos Life Sciences Top Emerging Biotech Company- PharmNXT Biotech Top Emerging MedTech Company- Sebia Diagnostics India Global Expansion Excellence in MedTech- Poly Medicure Excellence in Cancer Diagnostics and Biomarker Innovation- OncoStem Diagnostics Excellence in Global Health Innovation- Foundation for Neglected Disease Research Top Digital Health Company- Plus91 Technologies Special Recognition in Cell & Gene Therapy- Miltenyi Biotec Leading Translational Biotech Organisation- HiMedia Laboratories Excellence in Industrial Microbiology- Biomerieux India Distinguished BioSupplier Partner- HiMedia Laboratories On the theme “Transforming India into a life sciences powerhouse: Journey Ahead into 2047!” distinguish panellists including Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC; Priya G Hingorani, Managing Director of Miltenyi Biotec India; Dr Vishal Warke, Director Research & Development (Microbiology), HiMedia Laboratories; and Dr Arjun Dang, CEO & Partner, Dr Dangs Lab shared their views on the topic, with the moderator Dr Manbeena Chawla, Executive Editor, BioSpectrum India & Asia. Telecasted by CNBC, this glittering show was supported by HiMedia Laboratories, Lonza, Eppendorf, Biomerieux, Dräger, Medidata, Duoning Biotech. Dr Milind Kokje, Executive Trustee, MMA Spectrum Foundation proposed vote of thanks. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26936/dr-ambarish-ghosh-wins-2025-tata-transformation-prize-for-cancer-targeting-nanorobots.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26936/dr-ambarish-ghosh-wins-2025-tata-transformation-prize-for-cancer-targeting-nanorobots.html Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The New York Academy of Sciences and Tata Sons have announced the Winners of the 2025 Tata Transformation Prize. Selected from a competitive pool of 212 nominations spanning 27 Indian states, the winners were chosen by an international jury of eminent scientists, clinicians, technologists, and engineers. Each Winner will receive Rs 2 crore (approximately $228,000) to advance their research and scale its real-world impact.  Choosen in the healthcare category, Ambarish Ghosh, PhD, (from the Indian Institute of Science) is pioneering a breakthrough in cancer treatment using magnetic nanorobots – tiny, helical devices that can be safely guided through the body using magnetic fields. These nanorobots are designed to navigate complex biological environments, deliver drugs directly to tumours, and distinguish cancerous tissue from healthy cells. His team is also creating real-time imaging tools to track and steer the nanorobots during treatment. This technology promises more precise, less invasive cancer therapies with fewer side effects, with the potential to revolutionize cancer care worldwide and make advanced treatments more accessible and affordable in India and other low- and middle-income countries. The other winners include Padubidri V. Shivaprasad, PhD, National Centre for Biological Sciences (in the food security category); and Balasubramanian Gopal, PhD, Indian Institute of Science (in the sustainability category). The Winners will be celebrated at an awards ceremony in Mumbai in December 2025. The jury, consisting of experts from leading academic, industrial, and governmental institutions across India, the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia, included representatives from IBM Research, Biocon, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the University of Messina (Italy), Murdoch University (Australia), the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, the National Institute of Advanced Studies, and the CSIR - Central Drug Research Institute.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26917/ncbs-scientist-dr-anjana-badrinarayanan-wins-infosys-prize-2025-for-pioneering-work-on-genome-repair.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26917/ncbs-scientist-dr-anjana-badrinarayanan-wins-infosys-prize-2025-for-pioneering-work-on-genome-repair.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Anjana Badrinarayanan, Associate Professor at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru, has been awarded the Infosys Prize 2025 in Life Sciences for her groundbreaking research on the mechanisms of genome maintenance and repair, work that has significantly advanced the understanding of how living cells protect and preserve their genetic material. The award was announced by the Infosys Science Foundation (ISF), recognising six outstanding young researchers under the age of 40 across major scientific disciplines. The Infosys Prize, among India’s most prestigious recognitions for research excellence, includes a gold medal, a citation, and a cash award of $100,000 (or its equivalent in Rs). Dr Anjana was selected by a jury chaired by Prof. Mriganka Sur, Newton Professor of Neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), who praised her for “revealing fundamental principles of how DNA damage is repaired and how cells maintain genome stability through innovative live-cell imaging and genetic approaches.” Her research has uncovered new mechanisms by which non-dividing cells repair DNA damage, and identified novel pathways of mitochondrial DNA damage response, shedding light on how genomes maintain integrity across diverse cellular states. These discoveries have profound implications for understanding diseases linked to genome instability, including cancer and neurodegeneration. “Dr. Badrinarayanan’s discoveries represent a major leap in our understanding of genome stability,” said Prof. Mriganka Sur, adding that her work exemplifies the kind of “innovative, cross-disciplinary science that pushes the boundaries of biology.” Dinesh, President of the Infosys Science Foundation, congratulated the laureate, saying “Her achievements underscore the importance of fundamental research in shaping the future of biomedical science. The Infosys Prize celebrates such excellence, which not only advances global knowledge but also inspires young scientists in India to aim high.” A graduate of the University of Cambridge, Dr Anjana joined NCBS after postdoctoral research at Harvard University. Her lab integrates genetics, cell biology, and advanced microscopy to visualize DNA repair processes in real time, uncovering how cells respond to genetic damage and maintain stability in challenging conditions. Her pioneering contributions have placed India at the forefront of global research in genome dynamics, with potential applications ranging from improving our understanding of evolution to informing therapeutic strategies against genetic diseases. Since 2009, the Infosys Prize has honoured leading researchers for their contributions to science and scholarship. In 2024, the Foundation shifted focus to highlight researchers under 40, underscoring the need for early recognition of exceptional talent in India’s growing research ecosystem. Alongside Dr Anjana, the 2025 Infosys Prize recognised laureates in Economics, Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26919/yellow-fertility-appoints-dr-reji-m-pillai-as-chief-operating-officer-to-accelerate-national-expansion.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26919/yellow-fertility-appoints-dr-reji-m-pillai-as-chief-operating-officer-to-accelerate-national-expansion.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Yellow Fertility, one of India's most affordable fertility centres, has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Dr Reji M Pillai as Chief Operating Officer (COO). A transformational healthcare leader with more than two decades of cross-functional leadership experience, Dr Reji brings deep multi-site operational expertise. He has a proven track record of scaling healthcare operations and delivering measurable business outcomes across India and international markets. Dr Reji has driven operational excellence across 100+ healthcare facilities and managed large P&L responsibilities (Rs 300+ crore). He has managed large-scale health systems across India, the UK and Europe, with a strong focus on healthcare operations, patient experience and multi-market expansion strategies. At Yellow Fertility, Dr Reji will be responsible for end-to-end operations, process standardisation, regulatory compliance, digital transformation and scaling the company’s multi-centre operations to support its ambitious expansion plan.  Prior to joining Yellow Fertility, he served as Interim COO and Vice President — Group Operations at IHPL, where he provided strategic oversight of a diversified healthcare portfolio spanning multi-speciality hospitals, a 74-branch fertility division and a nursing education institution. At IHPL, Dr Reji led the expansion from 51 to 72 centres within seven months, helped generate a Rs 15+ crore revenue pipeline, delivered 8% revenue growth, and spearheaded digital transformation across OT and pharmacy operations that reduced costs by 5.3% while improving patient throughput.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26838/sanofi-india-appoints-deepak-arora-as-new-managing-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26838/sanofi-india-appoints-deepak-arora-as-new-managing-director.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Pharma major Sanofi India has announced that its Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, has appointed Deepak Arora as the Company’s Managing Director with effect from October 27, 2025, subject to the approval of the shareholders and the Central Government. In this role, Arora will define and drive the strategic vision for India in alignment with Sanofi's global strategy. He will also spearhead strategic priorities to accelerate innovation and agility throughout the organization, while fostering operational excellence across all functions. Furthermore, Arora will champion the Company's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion culture to bring our core values to life. Arora brings over 30 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical & Healthcare industry across North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa. He has held leadership positions in Commercial, Sales & Marketing, and General Management roles, acquiring businesses and generating sustainable growth within several multinational companies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26819/aragen-strengthens-discovery-leadership-with-appointment-of-neeraj-garg-as-ceo-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26819/aragen-strengthens-discovery-leadership-with-appointment-of-neeraj-garg-as-ceo-.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Aragen, a leading global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO), has announced the appointment of Neeraj Garg as CEO of its Discovery Solutions business.  In this role, Garg will be responsible for crafting strategy, driving profitable growth through organic and inorganic models, expanding client base, improving operational efficiencies, and incubating new capabilities to accelerate partners’ research programs. He will be based at the corporate office in Hyderabad and will join Aragen’s Management Council. Garg brings nearly three decades of leadership experience and is widely recognised for his strategic vision, having helped rapidly scale healthcare businesses and grow mature CRDMOs and pharmaceutical companies. Before joining Aragen, Garg served as Head of Eurofins India Businesses and Global Delivery Centre in India, where he successfully led CRO Business and testing operations and spearheaded innovation-driven expansion in the region. Previously, he was CEO at Apollo Health & Lifestyle Limited and held senior leadership roles at Abbott Healthcare, where he developed, launched novel healthcare platforms, and led global strategic planning for branded pharmaceutical products. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26776/care-hospitals-appoints-dr-pawan-kumar-as-chief-executive-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26776/care-hospitals-appoints-dr-pawan-kumar-as-chief-executive-officer.html Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 CARE Hospitals has announced the appointment of Dr Pawan Kumar as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In his new role, Dr Kumar will spearhead the organisation’s strategic direction, operations, and expansion, driving its vision to provide quality and accessible healthcare across India.   Dr Kumar is a seasoned healthcare professional with extensive experience in leading hospital operations, business transformation, and clinical management. With over a decade of experience in senior leadership positions across India’s premier healthcare organisations, he brings deep expertise in business strategy, P&L management, and team leadership.   An anesthesiologist by training, Dr Kumar holds an MD in Anesthesiology from PGIMER, Chandigarh, and an MBA in Finance and Healthcare from the Indian School of Business (ISB), a rare combination that equips him with both clinical insight and strategic foresight.    As Dr Kumar takes the helm, his vision is to build on CARE Hospitals’ strong legacy of clinical excellence and compassion by driving innovation, expanding access to quality healthcare, and fostering a culture that puts patients and people at the heart of every decision. Under his leadership, the organisation aims to strengthen its role as a trusted healthcare partner for communities across India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26767/indian-pharmaceutical-alliance-welcomes-new-leadership-to-drive-next-phase-of-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26767/indian-pharmaceutical-alliance-welcomes-new-leadership-to-drive-next-phase-of-growth.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) has announced a leadership transition, with Dr Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences and former Vice President of IPA, assuming the role of President. He succeeds Samir Mehta, Chairman, Torrent Group, who successfully guided the association in advancing its mission. The IPA leadership team also includes Glenn Saldanha, Chairman and Managing Director, Glenmark, who has been appointed as Vice President. The leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment for the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Recent GST reforms have set the stage for a more affordable and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem. At the same time, India continues to strengthen its position as a hub for specialty medicines, biosimilars, and cutting-edge therapies. The new IPA leadership will build on these strengths to further advance India’s contribution to global healthcare innovation. Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences and President, IPA, said: “I am honored to take on this role and thank Mr. Samir Mehta for his outstanding stewardship in strengthening IPA’s voice and impact. Building on this foundation, breakthroughs at Zydus, such as India’s first NCE, our foray into MedTech and the global CDMO business, and our advances in vaccines and biologics, inspire my vision to build a strong, self-reliant India.” Glenn Saldanha, Chairman and Managing Director, Glenmark, and Vice President, IPA, added: “I am delighted to join the IPA leadership team and contribute to shaping the industry’s next chapter. Our recent global partnership with AbbVie is a strong example of how Indian pharma is moving up the innovation curve, and together we will strengthen India’s leadership in delivering high-quality, affordable, and future-ready healthcare solutions.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26762/veteran-policy-maker-former-irdai-chairman-debasish-panda-joins-pristyn-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26762/veteran-policy-maker-former-irdai-chairman-debasish-panda-joins-pristyn-care.html Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Debasish Panda, former Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has taken on the role of Senior Advisor to Pristyn Care. Recognised for his transformative contributions to India’s financial and insurance landscape, Panda’s association with Pristyn Care as a Chief strategic advisor underlines the company’s credibility and its growing role in shaping the future of healthcare delivery in India. An accomplished IAS officer of the 1987 batch (Uttar Pradesh cadre), Panda’s illustrious career spans more than three decades across key leadership positions in the Government of India. As Chairman of IRDAI and previously as Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, he spearheaded reforms that reshaped India’s banking, insurance, and pension sectors. His tenure is remembered for strengthening governance, improving consumer trust, and widening access to financial and insurance products for millions. In addition to this, Panda has also served as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and brings a lot of insights and experience in the healthcare sector. His expertise, experience and strategic insights will contribute to Pristyn Care’s vision of making quality healthcare more accessible, transparent, affordable and sustainable for millions of patients across India. Panda’s association with Pristyn Care represents a convergence of two shared missions, his lifelong dedication to public service and inclusive financial protection, and Pristyn Care’s vision of delivering high-quality healthcare to patients across India. By combining Panda’s policy expertise with Pristyn Care’s technology-driven model, this partnership is poised to drive impactful innovations in insurance-linked healthcare, expand patient coverage, and enhance affordability. His deep understanding of governance and institution-building, combined with Pristyn Care’s expanding hospital network and digital capabilities, will help strengthen collaborations with regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to create a more resilient and patient-focused healthcare system. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26763/motorica-strengthens-india-presence-with-appointment-of-kavinder-beniwal-as-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26763/motorica-strengthens-india-presence-with-appointment-of-kavinder-beniwal-as-coo.html Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Motorica, a Delhi-based medtech company specialising in assistive technologies and medical cybernetics, has announced the appointment of Kavinder Beniwal as Chief Operational Officer (COO) of Motorica India. The appointment marks a key milestone in Motorica’s expansion in the country, following the opening of its New Delhi office earlier this year. Beniwal brings over two decades of sales leadership experience in the Indian medical devices industry, with a proven track record in driving revenue growth, market expansion, and customer engagement. He has successfully led high-performing sales teams, executed large-scale go-to-market strategies, and spearheaded product launches that significantly enhanced market penetration. Throughout his career, he has built strong partnerships with healthcare providers, government bodies, and key opinion leaders, ensuring widespread adoption of advanced medical technologies. His expertise also includes leading tender-based sales, strengthening distribution networks, and driving brand positioning to establish long-term market leadership in India’s evolving healthcare landscape.   In his role as COO, Beniwal will steer Motorica India towards a future where advanced prosthetics and rehabilitation solutions are widely accessible and meaningfully improve patient lives. By fostering innovation, building strategic collaborations, and shaping an inclusive healthcare ecosystem, he aims to position India as a hub for transformative mobility solutions and set new benchmarks in patient care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26732/livasa-hospitals-appoints-anurag-yadav-as-chief-executive-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26732/livasa-hospitals-appoints-anurag-yadav-as-chief-executive-officer.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Livasa Hospitals (erstwhile Ivy Hospitals), a leading chain of multispecialty hospitals in Punjab, backed by India Resurgence Fund (IndiaRF), has announced the appointment of Anurag Yadav as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).   Yadav brings with him over three decades of professional experience, including more than two decades in senior leadership roles across some of India’s most reputed hospital networks.   Prior to joining Livasa Hospitals, he served as CEO of Gleneagles Healthcare India and held key executive positions at Manipal Health Enterprises, Fortis Healthcare, and Sakra World Hospital.   A Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and an ISB alumnus, Yadav has built a strong reputation of driving operational excellence, scaling operations, optimising procurement and logistics, and building patient-centric systems.   His leadership will steer Livasa Hospitals into its next phase of growth focused on network expansion, enhanced clinical outcomes, innovations, and an elevated patient experience.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26700/a-p-rameswara-rao-steps-in-as-national-president-of-bulk-drugs-manufacturers-association-of-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26700/a-p-rameswara-rao-steps-in-as-national-president-of-bulk-drugs-manufacturers-association-of-india.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Bulk Drugs Manufacturers Association of India (BDMAI) has announced the unanimous election of Ch. A.P. Rameswara Rao, Chief Promoter & Director of the Rakshit Group of Companies, as its National President.With over 35 years of expertise in manufacturing Bulk Drugs and APIs, Rameswara Rao has been a key contributor to the growth of India’s pharmaceutical industry. A post-graduate in science, he began his career at Vorin Labs (later acquired by Mylan Laboratories), where he pioneered several innovations and was instrumental in the development of Ciprofloxacin HCl.His entrepreneurial journey began in 1996 with Metrochem Industries, followed by multiple successful ventures including Rakshit Drugs, Sainor Laboratories, and Azico Biophore, among others. Under his leadership, his group companies now generate a combined turnover exceeding 120Mn USD, employ more than 2000 professionals, and produce a wide portfolio of APIs for both domestic and regulated global markets.Rameswara Rao is widely respected as a soft-spoken yet firm leader, known for his vision, humility, and decisive approach.The BDMAI, established in 1991, represents the collective voice of India’s bulk drug and API manufacturers. Its objectives include:  •    Strengthening India’s self-reliance in APIs and reducing import dependency.  •    Promoting global quality standards and compliance across the industry.  •    Advocating policy reforms with government and regulatory bodies.  •    Supporting sustainable growth through innovation, R&D, and environmental responsibility.His appointment as National President comes at a crucial time, as India works towards consolidating its position as the global pharmacy hub while ensuring affordability, quality, and security of supply in bulk drugs and APIs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26682/yellow-fertility-appoints-varun-gandhi-as-business-head-india-international.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26682/yellow-fertility-appoints-varun-gandhi-as-business-head-india-international.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Yellow Fertility, one of India's most affordable fertility centres, has fortified its leadership team with the appointment of Varun Gandhi as the Business Head. With over 20 years of professional experience, including more than 11 years in the fertility sector, Gandhi brings proven expertise in scaling healthcare businesses, building strong patient and partner relationships, and designing impactful sales and marketing strategies. In his current role, Gandhi will be spearheading Yellow Fertility’s growth and expansion strategy. He will focus on strengthening the brand’s presence across key geographies, enhancing patient outreach, and ensuring that Yellow Fertility’s affordable, high-quality fertility solutions reach the families who need them most. Gandhi’s deep knowledge of sales, marketing, and digital strategy will be instrumental in driving the brand’s vision of making advanced fertility care accessible and trusted across India and beyond. Prior to this appointment, Gandhi spent six years at Indira IVF Group, most recently serving as the Sales Head North India and International Business Nepal. He led the brand's expansion across multiple regions and strengthened patient outreach both nationally and internationally. This strategic appointment comes as Yellow Fertility embarks on its ambitious expansion journey across India and select international markets. The brand envisions opening 100 centres by 2030, with planned expansions across Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Odisha. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26674/antara-senior-care-appoints-mukesh-ghuraiya-as-chief-marketing-officer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26674/antara-senior-care-appoints-mukesh-ghuraiya-as-chief-marketing-officer-.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Antara Senior Care, a fully integrated senior care ecosystem, has appointed Mukesh Ghuraiya as the Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Antara is a wholly owned subsidiary of Max India, which is part of the $5-billion Max Group.  In his new role at Antara Senior Care and Max India Limited, Mukesh Ghuraiya will be driving end-to-end marketing across all lines of business, guiding the overall business strategy, growth, and development. His expertise in creating value-driven consumer propositions will deepen Antara’s connect with its customers and strengthen its brand presence.      Ghuraiya brings over 16 years of experience in sales and marketing with established expertise in brand strategy, marketing management, and business growth across diverse industries, giving him a unique perspective on consumer behaviour, brand positioning, and market disruption. His career spans FMCG, Consumer Durables, Retail, Smartphones, Consumer Internet, and Media, where he has worked with renowned brands such as Philips, Rado Watches, LAVA Smartphones, Bloomberg, and CNBC TV18.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26675/gn-hearing-india-appoints-new-country-managing-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26675/gn-hearing-india-appoints-new-country-managing-director.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 GN Hearing, a subsidiary of Denmark-based GN Group, has appointed Anju Kadam as its Country Managing Director for India. Kadam, who joined the company in January 2025 as Sales Director, steps into the role with more than 22 years of experience in sales and marketing across leading organizations including Kirloskar, Crompton Greaves, Usha International, and Eureka Forbes. Since joining GN, he has strengthened the company’s channel network, streamlined sales operations, and contributed to surpassing mid-year targets with 14% year-on-year growth. Over the past few months, Prameet Shetty served as Interim Country Managing Director, while continuing to perform his role as Cluster Finance Director for Australia, New Zealand, India and South Korea. He has ensured stability for the business during the leadership transition. His support has been instrumental in preparing the way for Kadam’s appointment. GN Hearing’s leadership in Asia Pacific is also evolving, with Andreas Anderhov recently being promoted to Regional President for the region. He previously was Cluster Managing Director for Australia, New Zealand, India and South Korea. Together, Anderhov and Kadam will play important roles in driving GN’s presence in India and across APAC. The Indian market has delivered a compound annual growth rate of 14% between 2021 and 2025, and GN expects this trajectory to continue. The company recently marked 20 years in the country, with plans of acquiring new facilities, demonstrating its long-term commitment to the market. Alongside its flagship brand ReSound, GN’s portfolio in India includes Beltone, Interton, and Danavox, providing a full range of solutions for people with hearing loss. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26653/shardacare-healthcity-sharda-hospital-appoints-sandeep-dogra-as-group-chief-operating-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26653/shardacare-healthcity-sharda-hospital-appoints-sandeep-dogra-as-group-chief-operating-officer.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 ShardaCare Healthcity and Sharda Hospital has appointed Sandeep Dogra as Group Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. Dogra brings over 25 years of expertise in healthcare administration. At ShardaCare Healthcity and Sharda Hospital, he will lead strategic growth, P&L management, and the diversification of services through new specialties and outpatient clinics. He will also focus on expanding digital and telehealth platforms, driving operational excellence through optimised pricing, cross-functional collaboration, AI-driven insights, and patient-centric initiatives, while strengthening teams and further enhancing the group’s integrated healthcare ecosystem. Sharing his vision, Sandeep Dogra, Group Chief Operating Officer, ShardaCare Healthcity and Sharda Hospital said, “It is a privilege to take on the role of COO at the hospitals at this important stage in its journey. With its strong foundation, advanced facilities, and commitment to excellence, the institution is uniquely placed to redefine standards of patient care. I look forward to contributing my experience to drive strategic expansion, enhance operational efficiencies, and strengthen our mission of making world-class healthcare accessible and sustainable.”   Dogra has held senior leadership roles across reputed institutions including Max Healthcare, IVY Healthcare Group, The Nairobi West Hospital (Kenya), CARE Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Apollo Hospitals, Hinduja Hospital, and Wockhardt Hospitals. He is an alumnus of ISB (PGPMAX), Welingkar Institute of Management, and Bharti Vidyapath, and has been recognized with several industry honors including the CEO Award by Max Healthcare, Healthcare Excellence Award by The Times Group, Achievers of the North by The Tribune, and The Pioneer Award from The Times of India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26607/shardacare-healthcity-appoints-dr-kousar-shah-as-group-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26607/shardacare-healthcity-appoints-dr-kousar-shah-as-group-ceo.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 ShardaCare Healthcity has appointed Dr Kousar Shah as the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Dr Shah brings deep expertise in business growth, operational excellence, digital transformation, and patient-first care experience enhancement. In his new role, he will oversee both hospitals ShardaCare Healthcity and Sharda hospital and the strategies to further strengthen ShardaCare’s integrated healthcare ecosystem and expansion to access to quality healthcare across India. With over 25 years of experience in healthcare leadership, Dr Kousar Shah has strengthened hospitals by driving revenue and consistent EBITDA growth and operational excellence. He has led successful transformations and under his leadership, many hospitals have undergone not just financial and operational transformation but also enhanced digital transformation with eHIS systems, paperless operations, including robust academic programmes etc. A TEDx speaker, mentor for emerging leaders, NLP-certified coach, and recognised voice of leadership and spirituality, Dr Shah’s philosophy blends profit optimization, people engagement, and patient-first strategies to build sustainable healthcare systems & cultures.   Dr Shah has held senior leadership roles at leading healthcare institutions including Max Healthcare, Fortis Healthcare, BLK Super Specialty Hospital, Columbia Asia, Artemis, Paras Healthcare, Aakash Healthcare etc. He is a clinician who transitioned into healthcare management and is an alumni of GR Medical College, (Gwalior), AIIMS, and BITS Pilani.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26559/qure-ai-expands-executive-team-with-appointment-of-dr-javier-j-zulueta-as-chief-medical-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26559/qure-ai-expands-executive-team-with-appointment-of-dr-javier-j-zulueta-as-chief-medical-officer.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based startup Qure.ai has appointed Dr Javier J Zulueta, previously Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and Pulmonary Division Chief at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, to the new position of Chief Medical Officer, Pulmonology. The role will dovetail his deep clinical insight to the ongoing research & development in lung health AI and digital health care coordination solutions to bolster Qure.ai’s pace of business expansion in the USA and Europe.  Dr Zulueta brings more than three decades of experience as a physician, scientist, academician and pioneer in interventional pulmonology, lung cancer screening and pulmonary nodule / disease management. Prior to Mount Sinai, he founded and led the inaugural Department of Respiratory Medicine at Clinica Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain’s premier medical school, where he launched the country’s first lung cancer screening programme as Principal Investigator of the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (IELCAP).  His passion in the advancement of early lung cancer detection through medical technology has also led to him taking a number of past roles with commercial companies as an Advisory Board Member. The new CMO appointment builds on a rapid pace of business scaling for Qure.ai in the USA. At the start of 2025 it appointed Jim Mercadante as Chief Commercial Officer, followed by a dozen business development, sales and strategic account management appointments across the States. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26550/ekincare-elevates-somak-ray-to-co-founder-to-lead-next-phase-of-global-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26550/ekincare-elevates-somak-ray-to-co-founder-to-lead-next-phase-of-global-growth.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based ekincare, India’s leading corporate health benefits platform, has announced the elevation of Somak Ray from Vice President – Operations to Co-founder, reinforcing the company’s leadership strength as it enters a phase of accelerated global expansion. In his new role, he will oversee the scaling of operations, development of strategic partnerships, and identification of new growth avenues in domestic and international markets. Since joining ekincare in 2016, Ray, a graduate of NIT Surat and XLRI Jamshedpur has played a foundational role in building the organisation’s operational infrastructure and scaling its service delivery. His contributions include leading India’s largest cashless COVID-19 vaccination initiative, expanding the company’s cashless provider network to more than 50,000 partners nationwide, and launching new service lines that have diversified revenue streams and enhanced market presence.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26518/healthium-medtech-appoints-vinod-t-varghese-as-group-chief-human-resources-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26518/healthium-medtech-appoints-vinod-t-varghese-as-group-chief-human-resources-officer.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Healthium Medtech, a global medtech company focused on products in the surgical, post-surgical, advanced wound care, arthroscopy and infection prevention segments, has announced the appointment of Vinod T. Varghese as Group Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Varghese is an accomplished HR leader with over 29 years of experience across industries such as FMCG, financial services, IT & ITes, industrial products and EPC. He has led the HR function in several reputed organisations, including Alstom Transport, 3M, Colt Technology Services, Ernst & Young, HSBC and Shaw Wallace & Company Ltd. In his new role, Varghese will be responsible for driving the people strategy to align talent, culture and leadership with business goals. He will oversee the full spectrum of human resources functions, including HR business partnering, talent management, change management, leadership development, succession planning, talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, post-merger HR integration, benefits administration and HR operations. Varghese will be based at Healthium’s corporate office in Hebbal and will report directly to the CEO & MD, Anish Bafna. Healthium Medtech has built the nation's largest salesforce in the medtech space, covering 90% of districts in India. The company has a diverse portfolio of medical devices and surgical consumables, which includes sutures, needles, a patented arthroscopy portfolio, patented wound care portfolio, haemostats, ligation clips, surgical staplers and other wound closure devices. The company has 6 high-scaled global precision manufacturing facilities with global certifications like US FDA, CE under the stringent new EU MDR norms, CDSCO, TGA, ISO, cGMP and holds 85 plus patents across US, Europe and India (including pending applications). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26492/redcliffe-labs-appoints-rohit-jalan-as-chief-investment-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26492/redcliffe-labs-appoints-rohit-jalan-as-chief-investment-officer.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Redcliffe Labs, a pan-India purpose-driven diagnostics network, has announced the appointment of Rohit Jalan as its new Chief Investment Officer (CIO). In this critical leadership role, Jalan will be responsible for driving Redcliffe's capital strategy, leading inorganic growth initiatives, and laying the groundwork for the company's IPO readiness. As CIO, Jalan will steer strategic M&A, oversee pre-IPO fundraising, manage investor relations, and help shape the company's public market narrative. With over two decades of experience across investment banking, M&A, corporate development, and having been involved in 10+ successful public listings,  Rohit brings a sharp strategic lens and deep financial acumen to the leadership team. His successful leadership as the Chief Business Officer- Inorganic, where he led Redcliffe's Series C fundraise and executed multiple high-impact acquisitions across India, instills confidence in his ability to steer Redcliffe's growth. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26497/aragen-appoints-aniel-khubchandani-as-ceo-of-development-and-manufacturing-solutions-biz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26497/aragen-appoints-aniel-khubchandani-as-ceo-of-development-and-manufacturing-solutions-biz.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Aragen, a leading global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO), has announced the appointment of Aniel Khubchandani as CEO of its Development & Manufacturing Solutions business. Khubchandani will be a member of Aragen’s Management Council and will be based in Hyderabad.   Before joining Aragen,  Khubchandani was the CEO of Sekhmet Pharmaventures and Co-CEO at Jubilant Ingrevia Limited, where he successfully led significant business transformations and growth strategies. His extensive experience includes organic growth initiatives, mergers & acquisitions, B2B digital marketing, enterprise risk management, licensing, and strategic execution. He is a certified Independent Director (IICA), a Six Sigma Black Belt, and an alumnus of IIT, IIM, and the Kellogg School of Management. Commenting on the appointment, Manni Kantipudi, Chief Executive Officer, Aragen Life Sciences, said, “Aniel brings over 30 years of leadership experience in pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals, with deep expertise in life sciences, commercial operations, and strategic initiatives, to lead this journey.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26473/karnataka-honours-dr-r-vijayaraghavan-at-quantum-india-bengaluru-2025-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26473/karnataka-honours-dr-r-vijayaraghavan-at-quantum-india-bengaluru-2025-.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Rajamani Vijayaraghavan, Associate Professor, Dept. of Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, was felicitated for his leadership role and leading several projects in the area of quantum computers, at Quantum India Bengaluru (QIB) 2025, held in Bengaluru on July 31, 2025. Currently leading several projects to build small to medium scale quantum processors with funding from DAE, DRDO, TCS and DST, he is the Lead Principal Investigator for the Technical Group working on building superconducting quantum computers under the National Quantum Mission. Recipient of the Ramanujan Fellowship (2013-18) awarded by the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India and he was recently elected as a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Physics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University in 1999. He then spent two more years at the University of Cambridge pursuing a BA in Natural Sciences. He did his PhD at Yale University and his postdoctoral work at the University of California, Berkeley. Since December 2012, he has been the Principal Investigator at the Quantum Measurement and Control Laboratory at TIFR. Some key highlights of this group's work include development of a broadband ultralow noise amplifier for quantum measurements and a novel multi- qubit processor design. At QIB 2025, he spoke on the theme “The quantromon: A qubit-resonator system with orthogonal qubit and readout modes. Sharing his work on the topic he said, “The measurement of a superconducting qubit is implemented by coupling it to a resonator. The common choice is transverse coupling, which, in the dispersive approximation, introduces an interaction term that enables the measurement. This cross-Kerr term provides a qubit-state dependent dispersive shift in the resonator frequency. He also presented a two-mode circuit, nicknamed quantromon, with two orthogonal modes implementing a qubit and a resonator with an intrinsic cross-Kerr coupling mechanism. He further explained data characterizing some of the unique properties of this device like weak detuning dependence of the cross-Kerr shift and intrinsic Purcell protection. Finally, he presented data demonstrating a single-shot readout fidelity of 98.3 per cent, which is comparable to the state-of-the-art measurements without the use of a parametric amplifier and suggests a potential simplification of the measurement circuitry for scaling up quantum processors. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26474/karnataka-honours-2016-nobel-laureate-prof-duncan-haldane-at-qib-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26474/karnataka-honours-2016-nobel-laureate-prof-duncan-haldane-at-qib-2025.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In recognition of his pioneering contributions to Quantum Science, 2016 Nobel Laureate, Prof. Duncan Haldane, Princeton University, USA, was felicitated by the government of Karnataka at the Quantum India Bengaluru (QIB) 2025, a two-day summit held in Bengaluru, on July 31 and August 1, 2025. Prof Duncan M. Haldane is the Sherman Fairchild University Professor of Physics at Princeton University, and one of the 2016 Physics Nobel Prize Laureates. He is known for a number of seminal contributions to modern quantum condensed matter physics, including the earliest topological states in quantum magnetism, topological insulators, and contributions to the theory of the fractional quantum Hall effect. He also is a fellow of the US National academy of Sciences, and the Slovenian Academy of Science and Arts, and recipient of other awards such as the American Physical Society Buckley Prize, and the Dirac Medal of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). Later during the day Prof. Duncan Haldane spoke on the topic “Modern Quantum Mechanics is 100 years old: why all the excitement today?” by sharing his experience. He noted that the laws of quantum mechanics were established during 1925-1932, and have not changed since. But just because we know the laws, we do not know all that they make possible. While the “first quantum revolution" was characterised by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, some believe we are in a “second quantum revolution” characterised by “entanglement”. I will describe some surprise discoveries of “topological quantum matter” that may make topologically protected quantum computing” possible. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26465/healthium-medtech-appoints-rajnish-damani-as-group-chief-operating-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26465/healthium-medtech-appoints-rajnish-damani-as-group-chief-operating-officer.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Healthium Medtech, a global player in medical devices, focused on products in surgical and post-surgical ecosystem including wound closure, advanced wound care, arthroscopy and infection prevention segments, has announced the appointment of Rajnish Damani as Group Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this newly created leadership role, Damani will oversee Manufacturing, R&D, and Supply Chain operations across the Group, reporting directly to the CEO & MD, Anish Bafna.  Damani joins Healthium with over 32 years of diverse experience across manufacturing, procurement, supply chain, quality and EHS. He has worked across sectors including automotive, healthcare, renewables, aviation, transportation, power and tire industries. Most recently, he served as Executive Director – Manufacturing Operations at Bridgestone India, where he led strategic manufacturing initiatives, including long-term investment planning, quality improvements, talent development and new product introductions. His previous roles include leadership positions at General Electric, Cummins and Hindustan Motors, with extensive experience managing multi-plant operations and complex industrial relations. Damani holds a degree in Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and will be relocating from Pune to take up his new role at Healthium.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26455/yann-dherve-joins-cohance-lifesciences-as-ceo-cdmo-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26455/yann-dherve-joins-cohance-lifesciences-as-ceo-cdmo-business.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based Cohance Lifesciences Ltd. (formerly Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited), a leading integrated Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), has announced the appointment of Yann D’Herve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company’s CDMO business. The business operates as a fully integrated, innovation-led platform serving global pharmaceutical companies, including capabilities in small molecule APIs, Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) and Nucleic Acid Chemistry. Effective August 1, 2025, D’Herve’s appointment brings a strong track record of senior-level leadership to Cohance. He has a rich and diverse background spanning multiple business functions and geographies. His experience includes leadership roles in manufacturing, strategic management, and commercial operations across the pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and specialty chemicals sectors. Most recently, D’Herve served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Evonik’s Healthcare division, where he was responsible for 2,600 employees across nine manufacturing sites, with full P&L responsibility, including for the company’s CDMO business. Prior to that, he held several senior roles at Evonik including as Vice President of Sales and Services, and divisional leadership assignments. He began his career in manufacturing, gaining hands-on experience in production and operations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26446/chander-shekhar-sibal-steps-in-as-india-ceo-of-ss-innovations-international.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26446/chander-shekhar-sibal-steps-in-as-india-ceo-of-ss-innovations-international.html Sat, 26 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Gurugram-based medtech startup SS  Innovations International has announced the appointment of Chander Shekhar Sibal as the Chief Executive Officer of India business. Sibal has previously served as the Senior Vice President at Fujifilm India, responsible for the healthcare and medical division. He has also worked at Samsung Medison where he was handling sales of healthcare medical equipment. Prior to that, Sibal has worked at GE HealthCare for 14 years, handling various responsibilities such as National Product Manager and Regional Manager. An alumni of IIM Lucknow, Sibal comes with two and half decades of professional experience with proficiency in sales & marketing sphere, business analytics, project management along with excellent financial management acumen, risk and contingency management appetite, and knack for technology to drive business. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26411/deepak-bagla-assumes-charge-as-mission-director-of-atal-innovation-mission.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26411/deepak-bagla-assumes-charge-as-mission-director-of-atal-innovation-mission.html Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 NITI Aayog has announce that Deepak Bagla has officially assumed charge as the Mission Director of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM). Bagla joins AIM with an extensive background spanning banking, investment promotion, policy advisory, and institutional leadership. His experience extends across multilateral institutions, the private sector, and Government, bringing a unique blend of strategic insight and operational execution to the role. Prior to this, Bagla served as the Managing Director & CEO of Invest India, the Government of India’s national investment promotion and facilitation agency. Under his leadership, Invest India received multiple global accolades and emerged as a key institution supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup growth across the country. He has served on several high-level government committees and represented India in multiple international forums, including as President of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA). Bagla holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, and Master’s degrees in International Diplomacy and International Trade & Finance from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. The Atal Innovation Mission continues to play a central role in advancing the Government of India’s mission on innovation and entrepreneurship. With a renewed mandate approved by the Union Cabinet, AIM is set to scale its impact through focused, outcome-driven initiatives aligned with national development priorities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26372/wockhardts-dr-huzaifakhorakiwala-to-serve-as-health-advisor-to-guineabissau-pm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26372/wockhardts-dr-huzaifakhorakiwala-to-serve-as-health-advisor-to-guineabissau-pm.html Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Wockhardt Executive Director and CEO of Wockhardt Foundation Dr Huzaifa Khorakiwala, a voice in global health and peace advocacy, has been appointed Health Advisor to the Prime Minister (PM) of Guinea‑Bissau, Rui Duarte Barros. Known for his visionary leadership and commitment to social transformation, Dr Khorakiwala has championed access to healthcare and human dignity for millions. In his new role, he will advise on modernising healthcare infrastructure, strengthening medicine supply chains, and implementing digital health and telemedicine solutions in Guinea‑Bissau. His approach draws from India’s success with scalable health platforms such as Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, e‑Sanjeevani, CoWIN, and integrated health ID systems.   Through his ability to combine strategic insight with a humanitarian approach, he has led transformative programmes through Wockhardt Foundation, mobile-health clinics, sanitation, education, and digital infrastructure, reaching over 200 million people. He will now leverage India’s public-health achievements and digital infrastructure to support Guinea‑Bissau’s journey toward universal, affordable healthcare.   Dr Huzaifa Khorakiwala is a prominent global humanitarian, peace advocate, and business leader. As Executive Director of Wockhardt, and CEO of Wockhardt Foundation, he has spearheaded large-scale health, education, and sanitation initiatives across India, earning national and international recognition for innovation and impact. Under his leadership, the Foundation’s flagship Mobile 1000 programme has delivered free primary healthcare to over 40 million underprivileged people in rural India over the past 12 years.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26364/vinod-p-chanrai-steps-in-as-chairman-of-jaslok-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26364/vinod-p-chanrai-steps-in-as-chairman-of-jaslok-hospital.html Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, one of Mumbai's leading multi-specialty quaternary care hospitals, has announced a significant leadership transition.   Kanta Masand, who has served with distinction as Chairperson, will now assume the honorary role of Chairperson Emeritus. Vinod P. Chanrai, a longstanding Trustee and key figure in the Jaslok community, has taken over as Chairman.   Building on a strong foundation, Vinod P. Chanrai assumes the chairmanship with a clear vision for the hospital's future. With a background in technology, innovation, and governance, Chanrai has played a pivotal role as Trustee in driving the hospital's IT transformation, strengthening corporate governance, and enhancing research and medical education.   His leadership signals a renewed focus on digital transformation, academic excellence, and next-generation healthcare delivery. This transition reinforces Jaslok Hospital's commitment to strong governance, ethical and inclusive healthcare, and clinical leadership powered by research and technology.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26322/insa-women-associates-names-dr-prajakta-dandekar-jain-as-founding-member.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26322/insa-women-associates-names-dr-prajakta-dandekar-jain-as-founding-member.html Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai, has announced the selection of Dr Prajakta Dandekar Jain, UGC Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, as a Founding Member of the newly constituted INSA Women Associates (IWA) by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi. This prestigious recognition celebrates Dr Prajakta’s exceptional contributions in the field of pharmaceutical biotechnology and her unwavering commitment to mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and advancing the cause of women in science. Dr Prajakta joins a formidable list of Indian scientific and technological pioneers shaping the national innovation landscape. Through this role, she will collaborate with other IWA members and the Governing Board comprising eminent leaders like Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Dr Renu Swarup, Dr Chandrima Shaha, and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, among others, to build dynamic platforms for leadership, policy development, and next-generation mentorship. Dr Prajakta’s work spans cutting-edge areas including 3D cell culture, nanomedicine, tissue engineering, and pharmaceutical biotechnology, and she is a group leaer of ICT’s Nanomedicine Research Group. Her contributions have not only advanced scientific understanding but have also translated into impactful skill development and industrial training programmes across India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26287/quadria-group-appoints-rahul-agarwal-as-partner-at-healthquad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26287/quadria-group-appoints-rahul-agarwal-as-partner-at-healthquad.html Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Quadria Group, Asia’s leading healthcare-focused private equity platform, has announced the appointment of Rahul Agarwal as Partner at HealthQuad, India’s leading healthcare-focused growth venture capital platform. Agarwal joins HealthQuad following a long and successful tenure at Quadria Capital, where he most recently served as Managing Director. As part of Quadria since its inception, he has spent over 13 years playing a pivotal role in investments, scaling portfolio companies, fundraising, and, most importantly, delivering successful exits. In his new role, Agarwal will help shape and drive the future fund strategy of HealthQuad and will step in to lead the investment team and committee, majority of who have been instrumental in driving the success of HealthQuad Fund I and Fund II. With over 18 years of experience in healthcare investing and fund management, Agarwal brings a rare combination of institutional investment discipline, operational insight, and deep healthcare expertise across healthcare delivery, pharma and digital health. He has executed investment and exit transactions of over $1.5 billion across India, Southeast Asia and US during his stint at Quadria at prior to that at Religare Global Asset Management and Evolvence India Fund. This appointment comes at a strategic moment for HealthQuad, which recently announced the launch of HealthQuad Fund III, targeting a raise of up to $300 million (including a greenshoes of $100 million). As a successor to Funds I and II, Fund III aims to build on HealthQuad’s proven track record of backing pioneering healthcare ventures that have significantly enhanced access, affordability, and quality of healthcare across India. Quadria Group intends to announce few more senior appointments to strengthen the investment and the operating capability at HealthQuad.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26288/asia-healthcare-holdings-names-arvind-n-sivaramakrishnan-as-chief-technology-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26288/asia-healthcare-holdings-names-arvind-n-sivaramakrishnan-as-chief-technology-officer.html Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Asia Healthcare Holdings (AHH), a leading operating platform for single specialty healthcare in India & South Asia, has announced the appointment of Arvind N Sivaramakrishnan as its Chief Technology Officer. The strategic leadership move reinforces AHH’s commitment to transforming patient care through data-driven, technology-enabled healthcare delivery across its portfolio of single speciality healthcare enterprises. With a proven track record in driving enterprise-scale digital health transformation, Sivaramakrishnan will lead AHH’s digital technology strategy, overseeing digital infrastructure, AI integration, cybersecurity, telehealth platforms and electronic health record (EHR) optimisation across its verticals. This appointment comes at a time when AHH has taken a leadership position in driving the growth of multiple single speciality healthcare enterprises on its platform and is moving towards rapid tech evolution and shift towards intelligent, patient-centric systems. Before joining AHH, Arvind N Sivaramakrishnan held leadership roles across some of the most respected names in global and Indian healthcare. He began his journey with Ramco Systems and later served as Principal Leader at DXC Technology (formerly Computer Sciences Corporation), where he led the Clinical Applications Portfolio for Henry Ford Health Systems in Detroit, Michigan. In 2011, he returned to India to take on the role of Group CIO at Apollo Hospitals, where he spearheaded digital transformation initiatives for over a decade. Most recently, he was Chief Information Officer at Karkinos Healthcare. Arvind also serves as Vice Chairman on the Board of Advisors for HIMSS Asia Pacific and is a member of the Privacy Advisory Panel for the healthcare services sector under the data Security Council of India (DSCI). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26274/citiustech-appoints-navneet-khandelwal-as-chief-financial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26274/citiustech-appoints-navneet-khandelwal-as-chief-financial-officer.html Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 CitiusTech, a leading provider of healthcare technology and services, has appointed Navneet Khandelwal as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). A seasoned finance executive with nearly 25 years of experience in the IT services industry, Navneet will lead the company’s global finance, legal, and compliance functions. Khandelwal brings deep expertise in financial management, controllership, accounting, business process transformation, mergers & acquisitions, acquisition integration, and investor relations. He began his career at Wipro Technologies, where he spent over 16 years in leadership roles spanning audit, controllership, and business finance—culminating in his position as Vice President – Finance. Post that, he has held CFO roles across both listed and unlisted companies, including ITC Infotech, Microland, and Zensar Technologies. Throughout his career, Khandelwal has been recognised for driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and building high-performing teams. His leadership is grounded in collaboration, transparency, and a strong focus on value creation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26246/nathealth-foundation-ropes-in-gautam-khanna-to-its-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26246/nathealth-foundation-ropes-in-gautam-khanna-to-its-board.html Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The NATHEALTH Foundation has announced the appointment of Gautam Khanna to its Board. A distinguished industry leader and General Council Member of NATHEALTH, Khanna brings with him a wealth of expertise in healthcare operations, strategic leadership, and cross-sectoral partnerships. His appointment marks a significant step forward in the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to build a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-led healthcare ecosystem in India. Khanna is a distinguished healthcare leader with over thirty-five years of experience across hospital management, medical technology, and health systems. As CEO of P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, he has been pivotal in driving patient-centred care, operational excellence, and institutional innovation. An alumnus of IIT Kanpur and IIM Calcutta, Khanna spent over two decades with 3M, leading its healthcare businesses in South Asia. He actively contributes to national health policy and quality frameworks, serving on the QCI’s APEX Steering Committee for Accreditation++ and as President , Association of Hospitals( Mumbai). He has held several key industry roles, including Chair of the FICCI Health Services Committee (2022–23) and the FICCI Medical Device Forum, advocating for systemic reforms in healthcare delivery and regulation. He has also been a task force member for the Healthcare/ Hospital Initiatives  at IIT Kanpur and Executive Committee member for PAN IIT Alumni, India (2022-2025).    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26251/sun-pharma-appoints-kirti-ganorkar-as-new-managing-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26251/sun-pharma-appoints-kirti-ganorkar-as-new-managing-director.html Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has announced the appointment of Kirti Ganorkar as the Managing Director (MD) to succeed Dilip Shanghvi, effective September 1, 2025, with the entire business and all functions reporting to him. This appointment is subject to approval of the shareholders at the upcoming Annual General Meeting. Ganorkar has been heading India Business at Sun Pharma since June 2019. Under his leadership, the company’s India Business has grown consistently, further increasing its market share. Previously, he has held various leadership roles across business development, marketing, M&A, new product introduction, project management, IP and litigation at Sun Pharma. He played a key role in driving Sun Pharma’s foray into specialty by securing rights for innovative products such as Ilumya. Ganorkar led Sun Pharma’s entry into Japan and laid initial groundwork for the company’s entry into Europe. He supported the US business with stewardship of several notable generic projects from concept to commercialisation. A chemical engineer and MBA, Ganorkar joined Sun Pharma in 1996. As Executive Chairman, Shanghvi will continue to chair the Board. He will focus on strengthening Sun Pharma’s specialty portfolio and provide insights towards shaping company’s long-term strategy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26244/dr-v-mohan-becomes-first-ever-recipient-of-easd-diabetes-global-impact-prize-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26244/dr-v-mohan-becomes-first-ever-recipient-of-easd-diabetes-global-impact-prize-2025.html Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a historic recognition, Dr V. Mohan, India’s foremost diabetologist and Chairman of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, has been named the first recipient of the EASD Diabetes Global Impact Prize 2025 by the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). This prestigious international honour, being conferred for the first time, celebrates Dr Mohan’s decades-long contribution to clinical and translational diabetes research—work that has tangibly impacted the health and well-being of millions across the globe. The award will be formally presented during the 61st Annual Meeting of the EASD in Vienna, Austria, in September 2025, where Dr Mohan will also deliver the inaugural Diabetes Global Prize Lecture. The award committee's unanimous decision reflects the global footprint of Dr Mohan’s work—ranging from path-breaking research to grassroots outreach, and from public health policy advocacy to training a new generation of diabetes care professionals. Starting his journey in diabetes research at the young age of 18, Dr Mohan has published over 1,780 research papers that have collectively garnered more than 232,000 citations, with an exceptional H-index of 167—the highest for any medical doctor in India. He is widely recognised for setting new benchmarks in diabetes care, even while working from a privately funded centre. Beyond his academic achievements, Dr Mohan has played a pivotal role in training thousands of doctors, nutritionists, and diabetes educators, expanding the reach of high-quality diabetes care to underserved regions. He is also a respected author and public health advocate, continuously striving to make science accessible and actionable for everyday lives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26220/healthcare-industry-stalwart-anjan-bose-joins-as-chief-advisor-at-the-insight-tribe.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26220/healthcare-industry-stalwart-anjan-bose-joins-as-chief-advisor-at-the-insight-tribe.html Mon, 09 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Insight Tribe, a healthcare strategy and innovation consulting firm, has announced the appointment of Anjan Bose as the Chief Advisor of the Insight Tribe Advisory Council. A veteran of the Medtech and Healthcare industry, Bose brings over four decades of experience, leading global healthcare businesses and shaping India’s healthcare policy landscape. His appointment marks a significant step in The Insight Tribe’s mission to support healthcare innovators with insight-led, execution-focused strategies.  Bose has held a series of influential leadership roles over his four-decade-long career. He served as President of Philips Healthcare & Consumer Lifestyle (India & South Asia) and Regional Director at Philips Medical HQ in the Netherlands. At Hewlett Packard, he held multiple senior positions including Asia Pacific Vice President for Emerging Markets & Financial Programs and Vice President & Head for South East Asia & India within the Medical Products Group. He also served as Managing Director of Datex-Ohmeda India & South Asia. Beyond corporate roles, Bose has played a central role in shaping India’s medtech and healthcare ecosystem. He was the Founding Chairman of FICCI’s Medical Equipment Forum, Chairman of FICCI’s National Healthcare Services Committee, and Chairman of CII’s Medical Equipment Division. He most recently served as the Founding Secretary General of NATHEALTH, where he led the creation of a collaborative platform that united industry stakeholders around a shared vision for India’s healthcare transformation. Post his corporate career, Mr. Bose has continued to mentor emerging healthcare ventures and advise reputed institutions such as Tata Medical and Diagnostics, FICCI Healthcare, India accelerator , Praxis global alliance , Bodhi Health, ExperienceFlow (silicon valley AI based global hi tech company) and Goa Institute of Management.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26190/marengo-asia-hospitals-strengthens-orthopaedic-leadership.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26190/marengo-asia-hospitals-strengthens-orthopaedic-leadership.html Fri, 30 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Marengo Asia Hospitals’ flagship unit, Marengo CIMS Hospital in Ahmedabad, has announced the strengthening of their Orthopaedic leadership with the onboarding of world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr K. C. Mehta as Director – Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement, Marengo CIMS Hospital, Ahmedabad. Dr Mehta is internationally acclaimed for designing his proprietary knee joint and holds ten global patents across countries including the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.With 35+ years of experience, Dr Mehta has done over 40,000 orthopaedic procedures. Setting a rare benchmark in clinical outcomes, Dr Mehta has performed thousands of successful knee replacement surgeries without patients requiring postoperative physiotherapy. This distinctive approach significantly reduces patient discomfort, shortens recovery time, and lowers overall healthcare costs. Over the years, he has treated patients from more than 25 countries, including the USA, UK, Germany, Canada, South Africa, Singapore, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Kenya. Dr Raajiv Singhal, Founding Member, Managing Director & Group CEO, Marengo Asia Hospitals, shared: “ The onboarding of Dr. K. C. Mehta at Marengo CIMS Hospital marks a focused step towards advancing our orthopaedic programme and enhancing access to complex joint replacement procedures. His addition supports our commitment to offering high-precision, outcome-driven care in one of the most demanding surgical specialities." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26179/idma-appoints-nikkhil-k-masurkar-as-vice-chairperson-of-rd-and-innovation-committee.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26179/idma-appoints-nikkhil-k-masurkar-as-vice-chairperson-of-rd-and-innovation-committee.html Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Nikkhil K Masurkar, CEO of Mumbai-based Entod Pharmaceuticals, has been appointed Vice Chairperson of the R&D and Innovation Committee of the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) for the 2025–2026 term. As India’s largest pharmaceutical industry body, IDMA represents over 1,100 member companies, the majority of which are Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Masurkar's strong leadership qualities, dynamic entrepreneurial spirit and sharp business acumen together with impressive pharmaceutical & research skills have made Entod Pharmaceuticals into one of the fastest growing speciality pharmaceutical & healthcare companies in India and abroad. The R&D and Innovation Committee of IDMA plays a vital role in shaping R&D policy recommendations, fostering academia-industry linkages, and advocating for regulatory reforms that strengthen India’s position as a global pharmaceutical powerhouse.  Under the leadership of Chairperson Sanjiv Navangul (MD & CEO, Bharat Serums & Vaccines), and alongside an esteemed committee, Masurkar will help mobilise collaborative initiatives that promote research-led development, facilitate strategic engagement with scientific institutions, and accelerate the innovation momentum among MSMEs.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26176/gagandeep-singh-bedi-joins-smile-group-to-lead-healthtech-venture-builder.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26176/gagandeep-singh-bedi-joins-smile-group-to-lead-healthtech-venture-builder.html Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Smile Group, a technology investor and operator, is launching a Healthtech Venture Builder and has appointed Gagandeep Singh Bedi as Managing Partner to lead the initiative. This strategic move signals Smile Group’s entry into the fast-growing and rapidly evolving healthtech sector, leveraging its full-stack approach of bringing in capital and operational expertise to venture build, and driving the expansion of globally disruptive market leaders into Asia. With over 25 years of experience at AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Baxter, and Eli Lilly, Bedi has driven growth, built high-performing teams, and shaped market strategies across India, Africa, and global markets. At AstraZeneca India, he led a turnaround—doubling market growth and tripling market capitalisation to $1B—while contributing to India’s COVID-19 vaccine response. He has also actively engaged with India’s startup ecosystem through the India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre to accelerate tech adoption in clinics; a partnership with IIT Kanpur’s SIIC for dementia-care innovation; and early-stage investments in Healthtech ventures targeting acute coronary syndrome and lung cancer. Commenting on his appointment, Gagandeep Singh Bedi said, “Smile Group’s strong track record in scaling impactful, tech-forward ventures across Asia is something I’ve always deeply respected. Their unique approach—combining capital with deep operational support—resonates strongly with my focus on partnering with mission-driven startup founders and globally ambitious companies looking to enter or expand in Asia.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26144/sharda-care-healthcity-appoints-dr-chirag-tandon-as-director-of-internal-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26144/sharda-care-healthcity-appoints-dr-chirag-tandon-as-director-of-internal-medicine.html Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Reinforcing its leadership in comprehensive internal medicine and integrated patient care, Sharda Care Healthcity has appointed renowned physician Dr Chirag Tandon as Director of the Department of Internal Medicine at its state-of-the-art facility in Greater Noida. With close to two decades of clinical experience, Dr Tandon is widely recognised for his expertise in managing complex adult medical conditions. His appointment strengthens Sharda Care Healthcity’s capabilities to offer holistic, patient-centric care across a broad spectrum of general medicine services. Dr Tandon brings with him deep proficiency in areas including diabetes and thyroid disorders, infectious diseases, metabolic and rheumatologic illnesses, geriatric medicine, gastroenteritis, and critical care. He is adept in ICU and ICCU management, as well as advanced treatment modalities such as Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) and dialysis. His additional training in pulmonary and sleep medicine further augments his multi-disciplinary approach to patient care. He played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing significantly to the recovery of critically ill patients. Dr. Tandon is also an active contributor to medical literature, having co-authored a chapter titled “Sarcoidosis in India: Not So Rare” for the Clinical Medicine Update 2009. His work on the same topic earned the Best Poster award at the Annual API Meet in Greater Noida in 2009. Prior to joining Sharda Care Healthcity, Dr. Tandon served as Unit Head – Internal Medicine at Yatharth Hospital, Greater Noida.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26135/practo-appoints-shoumyan-biswas-as-global-chief-strategy-marketing-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26135/practo-appoints-shoumyan-biswas-as-global-chief-strategy-marketing-officer.html Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Practo, India’s largest and most trusted health services platform, has announced the appointment of Shoumyan Biswas as its new Global Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer.  Biswas brings over two decades of extensive leadership experience and a proven track record of building customer-centric growth engines across diverse industries. His expertise will be invaluable in advancing Practo’s mission to help people live healthier, longer lives through strategic clarity and driving innovation to improve health outcomes. In his new role, Biswas will lead Practo’s global business expansion along with focusing on deepening customer engagement and accelerating profitable growth in India. He will play a key role in shaping the company’s global growth strategy plans, with a strong emphasis on category expansion and a sharper consumer focus. His career includes positions such as CMO & Group Loyalty Head at Tata Digital, CBO at Rebel Foods, and CMO at Flipkart. His nine-year tenure at Unilever further solidified his expertise in building strong brands and driving consumer engagement. In this new role, he will work closely with Shashank ND, Co-founder & CEO at Practo, to drive Practo’s growth strategy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26118/medibuddy-appoints-sidhartha-mehra-as-cfo-to-drive-strategic-growth-and-operational-excellence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26118/medibuddy-appoints-sidhartha-mehra-as-cfo-to-drive-strategic-growth-and-operational-excellence.html Thu, 15 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based digital healthcare company MediBuddy has announced the appointment of Sidhartha Mehra as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With over 20 years of global and Indian experience across multinational corporations and high-growth enterprises, Mehra has led Finance, Legal, Compliance, HR, Investments, and Procurement functions. He brings a rare blend of financial acumen and cross-functional leadership, with expertise in IPO, M&A, and strategic financial management. In his role at MediBuddy, Mehra will lead MediBuddy’s financial strategy, capital management, and regulatory compliance. His proven expertise in managing large-scale M&A, corporate restructuring, finance transformation, and strategic capital allocation will be instrumental in driving long-term value creation for the company and its stakeholders. Mehra held senior leadership positions across global financial institutions and leading Indian companies. Most recently, he served as the CFO and CHRO at Zolo, where he played a pivotal role in leading enterprise-wide transformation, driving operational efficiency and governance frameworks. Prior to this, he held leadership roles at Jupiter Capital, GE Capital, and Barclays, managing financial planning, regulatory compliance, and business analytics across global markets including the UK, Ireland, Belgium, and India. In addition to his corporate leadership, Mehra also serves as a Professor of Practice at the Manipal Centre for Innovation, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship, highlighting his passion for shaping future leaders in finance and strategy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26119/dileep-mangsuli-steps-in-as-chairman-of-ctsi-south-asia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26119/dileep-mangsuli-steps-in-as-chairman-of-ctsi-south-asia.html Thu, 15 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Cancer Treatment Services International (CTSI) has announced the appointment of Dileep Mangsuli as Chairman. Mangsuli will take on this strategic leadership role while continuing to serve as Senior Vice President at Siemens Healthineers. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades,Mangsuli has been instrumental in pioneering advancements in digital healthcare technologies. At Siemens Healthineers, he has led initiatives focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins, and immersive technologies to enhance diagnostic precision and patient care. His leadership has been pivotal in establishing collaborative efforts, such as the AI in Precision Medicine lab at the Indian Institute of Science, aimed at developing open-source AI tools for neuroimaging analysis. At CTSI, Mangsuli will oversee the strategic direction and operational excellence of CTSI's South Asia network, which includes the American Oncology Institute, Citizens Specialty Hospital, and Ampath Labs. His appointment aligns with CTSI's commitment to integrating cutting-edge digital solutions to enhance cancer care and patient outcomes across the region. Dileep Mangsuli, Chairman, CTSI-South Asia said, "The industry is witnessing a profound transformation, driven by the need for strategic, results-focused solutions that enhance operational efficiency and accelerate digital adoption. CTSI’s dedication to integrating advanced technology with clinical excellence places it at the forefront of transforming healthcare in South Asia." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26088/ekta-s-chaudhary-steps-in-as-chairperson-of-venus-foundation-to-spearhead-csr-initiatives.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26088/ekta-s-chaudhary-steps-in-as-chairperson-of-venus-foundation-to-spearhead-csr-initiatives.html Wed, 07 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Venus Remedies Limited, a leading global pharmaceutical company, has appointed Ekta S. Chaudhary as the Chairperson of Venus Foundation, the dedicated social impact arm of the organization.  In this leadership role, Ekta will drive the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda, focusing on healthcare access, educational advancement, and inclusive community development. Her appointment marks a significant step in strengthening the Foundation’s impact-driven initiatives aligned with Venus Remedies’ core values of equity, empowerment and environmental stewardship.  The appointment reflects Venus Remedies’ commitment to evolving its CSR framework under future-ready leadership that blends scientific understanding with a passion for community welfare.  A microbiologist by qualification, Ekta holds a degree from the University of Nottingham, a leading Russell Group institution in the UK. A passionate advocate for environmental action, she played a key role in launching Earthfest—London’s first large-scale sustainability festival—bringing together change makers, innovators, and thought leaders to raise awareness about climate action and responsible living. With early experience in the biotech and AI space in London, she is now channeling her global exposure and scientific perspective into purpose-driven work, marking the beginning of her journey in corporate social responsibility and community impact.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26083/senores-pharmaceuticals-appoints-gautam-shah-as-president-of-us-operations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26083/senores-pharmaceuticals-appoints-gautam-shah-as-president-of-us-operations.html Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The US subsidiary of Senores Pharmaceuticals Limited (SPL), Havix Group Inc. D/B/A Aavis Pharmaceuticals, has announced the appointment of Gautam Shah as President of US operations. This strategic move underscores the company's commitment to expanding its footprint in the regulated US market.   Shah brings over three decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including 10 years in India and 20 years in the United States. His illustrious career includes senior roles at renowned pharmaceutical companies such as Cipla and Sun Pharma in India and Sun Pharma, Zydus Lifesciences, Intas Pharmaceuticals, Dow Corning Corp., and Med-Pharmex in the US. His expertise spans quality assurance, compliance, operations management, manufacturing, and leadership.   Shah holds a bachelor's degree in pharmacy, a postgraduate diploma in business administration, and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. As President of US Operations, he will lead the entire group’s US operations and will be instrumental in future expansion.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26061/redcliffe-labs-appoints-dr-prashant-nag-as-chief-operating-medical-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26061/redcliffe-labs-appoints-dr-prashant-nag-as-chief-operating-medical-officer.html Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Redcliffe Labs, India's fastest-growing omnichannel diagnostics service provider, has announced the appointment of Dr Prashant Nag as its Chief Operating & Medical Officer (COMO). With two decades of experience in diagnostic operations, pathology, and clinical strategy, Dr Nag’s vision aligns seamlessly with Redcliffe's purpose to give India its right to Quality Diagnostics. At Redcliffe Labs, he will spearhead clinical operations, supply chain, quality governance, regulatory compliance, and medical innovation, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality diagnostic services. Dr Nag, an esteemed alumnus of AIIMS Delhi, where he completed his senior residency in Laboratory Medicine, holds an MD in Pathology from the Government Medical College, Surat. His illustrious career includes pivotal roles in India’s top diagnostic networks across the country, leading nationwide operations, ensuring quality standards across NABL and CAP-accredited labs, optimizing the supply chain, and managing a workforce of phlebotomists. Dr Nag also championed the training and management of technical staff, including pathologists, microbiologists, biochemists, and phlebotomists, building a culture of excellence and precision. A recognised expert in molecular biology, human genetics, hemoglobinopathies, and lab medicine, Dr Nag has authored several international publications, contributing significantly to the global diagnostics landscape. His appointment marks a milestone in Redcliffe Labs’ journey to strengthen its clinical leadership and expand its footprint across India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26064/nandakumar-kalathil-steps-in-as-country-general-manager-for-agilent-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/26064/nandakumar-kalathil-steps-in-as-country-general-manager-for-agilent-india.html Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Agilent has announced appointment of Nandakumar (Nanda) Kalathil as the Country General Manager (CGM) for Agilent India. With over 25 years of experience in the analytical industry, Nanda brings extensive expertise in leadership, team management, and customer relations. "I am deeply honored to be appointed India’s country general manager," Nanda said. "My aim is to build upon the strong foundation laid over the years and to pursue growth opportunities and organizational development. Together, we will continue to drive Agilent's success and strengthen our position in the Indian market." His focus on strategy and business development has been instrumental in shaping enterprise-wide planning initiatives, ensuring alignment with customer needs and market dynamics at Agilent. Nanda has earlier held multiple roles at Agilent, as Director- Strategy and Enterprise Business; Regional Sales Director (Instruments); Sales Director; and Area Sales Manager. Before joining Agilent India, Nanda had been working with Millipore. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25974/sir-h-n-reliance-foundation-hospital-ropes-in-breast-surgeon-dr-ashutosh-kothari-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25974/sir-h-n-reliance-foundation-hospital-ropes-in-breast-surgeon-dr-ashutosh-kothari-.html Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 World renowned breast surgeon Dr Ashutosh Kothari has joined H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital as Director – Breast Cancer, Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Surgery.  With more than 30 years of global experience in breast surgery, Dr Kothari brings his outstanding skills, vast knowledge, and international reputation to head the hospital's department of Breast Cancer. Dr Kothari has specialised in breast cancer surgery, oncoplastic and reconstructive surgery, heredity breast cancer and benign breast diseases throughout his career. He is a strong advocate of patient centred care and de-escalation of breast cancer therapies with a focus on reducing the effects of surgery and enhancing the quality of the patient's life. In his new role, Dr Kothari will be emphasising the development of breast cancer services in the hospital, introducing innovative, patient centred care treatment and newer techniques in surgery. He has a reputation for performing complicated breast reconstructions, obtaining long-term aesthetic outcomes, and minimising complications post-surgery. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25966/former-aiims-professor-dr-j-b-sharma-joins-yashoda-medicity-as-head-of-obstetrics-gynaecology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25966/former-aiims-professor-dr-j-b-sharma-joins-yashoda-medicity-as-head-of-obstetrics-gynaecology.html Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Dr JB Sharma, MD, DNB, FRCOG (London), MFFP, PhD, FAMS, FICOG, FNScA, a distinguished expert in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, has been appointed Head of the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Department at Yashoda Medicity, a premier institution known for outstanding patient care. He is well-recognised for his pioneering work in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He is in the top 2 percent of leading doctors in the world as per Stanford University. With over four decades of experience, he has performed numerous complex obstetric and gynaecological surgeries, including advanced uro-gynaecological and vaginal procedures. Dr Sharma previously served as Professor and Unit Head in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. He has honed his expertise at some of the world’s leading medical institutions, including St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, Homerton Hospital, and Whipps Cross Hospital in London, United Kingdom. His profound contributions to medicine are reflected in more than 450 publications, with 200 featured in peer-reviewed international and national journals including The Lancet, underscoring his role as a thought leader in advancing women’s health. Dr Sharma’s commitment to research is further evidenced by his projects with esteemed organizations including the Oxford University, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Department of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Over the years, he has been accoladed with several prestigious awards, such as the Dr BC Roy Award for Research (2015) by the President of India, the Dr. Labhsetwar Award (2016) for his groundbreaking work on genital tuberculosis, ICMR award for his research on anaemia in pregnancy and multiple honors from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and FOGSI. He has discovered Sharma's signs in female genital tuberculosis and Sharma’s instruments and Sharma’s manoeuvres for abdominal palpation in pregnancy. As a Fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences and a driving force behind the MRCOG examinations in India, his influence extends beyond clinical practice into the realms of education and policy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25960/dr-seema-pai-takes-charge-as-president-of-indian-society-for-clinical-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25960/dr-seema-pai-takes-charge-as-president-of-indian-society-for-clinical-research.html Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR), an association of clinical research professionals, has announced the appointment of Dr Seema Pai as its President for the term 2025-2028. Dr Seema takes over from Dr Sanish Davis, who served as President from 2021 to 2025. Alongside Dr Seema, Anirban Roychowdhury has been appointed as General Secretary, and Amita Bhave as Treasurer for the new term. Commenting on her focus at a time when clinical research in India is undergoing significant transformation with advancements in technology and evolving regulatory frameworks, Dr Seema Pai said, “As ISCR celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025, I am honoured to lead ISCR at this pivotal moment. India has made remarkable strides in clinical research, from late-phase trials in the early 2000s to pioneering innovations like indigenous CAR-T cell therapy currently in 2025. Our focus on quality, speed, and ethics has earned global trust, leading to transformative work and advancements in clinical trials." Dr Seema Pai has over 20 years of experience in clinical research and currently leads the Global Site & Study Operations for the India Cluster (India, South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa) at Pfizer. Before Pfizer, Dr Seema was heading the development division of Daiichi Sankyo India Pharma where she was responsible for India Strategy, Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, collaboration with key acquisitions in India for synergies.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25953/international-agency-for-the-prevention-of-blindness-re-elects-dr-rohit-khanna-as-regional-chair-for-southeast-asia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25953/international-agency-for-the-prevention-of-blindness-re-elects-dr-rohit-khanna-as-regional-chair-for-southeast-asia.html Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Rohit Khanna, Network Director for public health at the L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), has been re-elected as the Regional Chair for the Southeast Region of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). Founded in 1975, IAPB is a premier eye health body and an alliance of over 250 member organizations worldwide drawn from international charities, eye hospitals, academic institutes, professional bodies and corporate organizations. As the regional chair for IAPB, Dr Khanna will work closely with stakeholders across the region in coordination with the IAPB global office, to advocate for universal eye health and strengthen regional and national activities for the prevention of avoidable blindness and visual impairment. Regional chairs also serve as IAPB Trustees and thus contribute to the strategy and governance of IAPB globally.  He will work to take forward IAPB’s agenda as a global leader in eye health advocacy, coordinating major campaigns such as World Sight Day (WSD) and leading initiatives like 2030 In Sight, the UN Friends of Vision group, VISION 2020 and Vision for the Commonwealth. Dr Rohit C Khanna, the Network Director for the Public Health Unit of LVPEI – The Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care has a vast experience leading capacity building initiatives and consulting for both national and global organisations, such as IAPB and World Health Organization (WHO). Dr Khanna has led multiple studies, including the cohort of Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study (APEDS) – a milestone study. He has to his credit over 200 peer-reviewed publications, is on the editorial boards of several journals, and has been awarded several prestigious research grants for his work focusing on studying the outcomes of different interventions as well as on geriatric and child eye health. His areas of clinical interest are cataract and glaucoma.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25914/algorithmic-biologics-appoints-hiranjith-gh-as-chief-business-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25914/algorithmic-biologics-appoints-hiranjith-gh-as-chief-business-officer.html Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup Algorithmic Biologics, a pioneer in molecular computing, enabling faster, cost-effective, and highly accurate molecular testing by embedding artificial intelligence (AI) directly into the test tube, has announced the appointment of Hiranjith GH as Chief Business Officer (CBO) to lead the company’s commercial operations and its expansion globally, primarily in the US.  With decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, Hiran brings valuable experience and expertise in go-to-market strategy for the US, business development, solution development, and cross-border team leadership. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Hiran most recently served as the Vice President and Site Head for MedGenome USA, launching and scaling its commercial operations in the US. Prior to that, he held various corporate leadership and business roles at MedGenome since its incorporation as an independent entity. He previously led teams at Novartis, ZS Associates and Accenture Management Consulting advising internal and external commercialisation teams on marketing analytics, brand planning and commercial operations primarily in the Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals sectors.  With Algorithmic Biologics’ proprietary compression technology gaining momentum among diagnostic assay manufacturers and large-scale screening and surveillance providers—delivering an order of magnitude scalability and efficiency—the appointment strengthens the leadership team at a crucial time to drive growth and partnerships forward.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25915/eris-lifesciences-designates-gopal-agrawal-and-nita-borkar-in-leadership-roles.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25915/eris-lifesciences-designates-gopal-agrawal-and-nita-borkar-in-leadership-roles.html Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Eris Lifesciences, a leading Indian branded formulations manufacturing company, has designated Gopal Agrawal and Nita Borkar in leadership roles in its flagship Domestic Branded Formulations business. Gopal Agrawal has joined Eris as Vice President and will head up the Renal Care, Branded Injectables and Market Access business segments. Prior to joining Eris, Agrawal was Director, Market Access at Takeda. Prior to Takeda, he has worked with Shire Plc and Eli Lilly. He brings over three decades of rich experience in areas such as Sales, Market Access, Key Account & Tender Management, Pricing & Reimbursement, Public Affairs & Public Health Systems, Patient Advocacy & Services and Patient Support Programs. Nita Borkar is the co-founder of Oaknet Healthcare and became part of the Eris organisation following the acquisition of Oaknet by Eris in May 2022. Another pharma industry veteran, she co-founded Oaknet in Apr 2015, secured private equity funding for the business and built it into a successful player in the Dermatology space before divesting it to Eris back in 2022. She has now taken on a larger role in Eris and will spearhead the Dermatology, Neuropsychiatry and vitamins/ minerals/nutrients (VMN) businesses. Prior to co-founding Oaknet, Nita has worked with Lupin and Dabur across India, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25863/ameera-shah-steps-in-as-new-president-of-nathealth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25863/ameera-shah-steps-in-as-new-president-of-nathealth.html Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 NATHEALTH, an apex body representing the Indian healthcare industry, has announced Ameera Shah, Promoter and Executive Chairperson, Metropolis Healthcare as its new President for FY 2025-2026.  Ameera takes charge from the erstwhile president Abhay Soi, Chairman and Managing Director, Max Healthcare Institute. This was announced in the Annual General Meeting post the 11th NATHEALTH Arogya Bharat Summit 2025 in New Delhi recently. Joining Ameera in the new leadership are Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd as Senior Vice President and Himanshu Baid, Managing Director, Poly Medicure Ltd as Vice President; Varun Khanna, Group Managing Director, Quality Care India Ltd, elected as Secretary, NATHEALTH, and Rishubh Gupta, Managing Director, India and Neighboring Markets, Roche Diagnostics India, as Treasurer, NATHEALTH.  This distinguished team of industry leaders brings a wealth of expertise and experience to drive NATHEALTH’s mission of advancing India’s healthcare landscape and ensuring equitable access to quality care. In his ongoing role as Secretary General, Siddhartha Bhattacharya will continue to lead the NATHEALTH Secretariat in fostering strategic partnerships, uniting healthcare stakeholders through regional chapters, and working closely with policymakers to shape the future of healthcare in India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25852/happiest-minds-announces-apex-level-organisational-changes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25852/happiest-minds-announces-apex-level-organisational-changes.html Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Happiest Minds Technologies, a ‘Born Digital . Born Agile’ Mindful IT Company service sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, has announced apex-level changes in the organisation structure of Happiest Minds with immediate effect. Joseph Anantharaju who was Executive Vice Chairman, President & CEO of PDES Division will now become Co-Chairman & CEO of Happiest Minds. Anantharaju will become responsible for all the business divisions of Happiest Minds: Product & Digital Engineering Services (PDES), Infrastructure Management & Security Services (IMSS) and GenAI Business Services (GBS).  The Analytics CoE and People Practice will also report to Joseph. Venkatraman Narayanan is MD & CFO and the following Corporate functions will report to him: Finance, Talent Acquisition, Internal IT, Learning & Development, ESG, CSR, Procurement and Administration. M&A and Board matters will be Anantharaju and Narayanan's joint responsibility. Both Anantharaju and Narayanan will report independently to Ashok Soota who becomes Chairman & Chief Mentor. Ashok Soota said, “Joseph has been the key driver of Happiest Minds growth and profitability since its inception.  Integrated responsibility with Joseph for all current and future businesses will accelerate future growth and more streamlined working of Happiest Minds.” “Venkat has been the pillar and mind behind Happiest Minds' financial strategies.  He also supports Happiest Health as commercial and financial advisor.  He provides similar support on a pro bono basis to SKAN, my not-for-profit medical research trust.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25846/entod-pharma-appoints-balasubramanian-k-pillai-as-chief-financial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25846/entod-pharma-appoints-balasubramanian-k-pillai-as-chief-financial-officer.html Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Entod Pharmaceuticals has announced the appointment of Balasubramanian K Pillai as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With over 26 years of experience, he brings expertise in financial planning, risk management, and business growth across various industries and global markets. As CFO, he will oversee financial strategy, budgeting, and risk management, helping Entod strengthen its financial position and achieve its growth goals. Pillai has held leadership roles in Reliance Group, Globacom Africa, Petroleum Development of Oman, and Akums Group. He has worked across India, MENA, Europe, and Africa in industries such as telecom, technology, education, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. His experience in managing financial operations, improving efficiency, and driving business success will be a great asset to Entod. A Chartered Accountant, Pillai also holds a First-Class Postgraduate Degree from the University of Pune, an LLB from the University of Mumbai, an SMP from IIM Calcutta, and is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) from ISACA, USA. With Pillai’s leadership, Entod Pharmaceuticals aims to strengthen its financial foundation, take its innovation drive to the next level and deliver record growth in the Indian and international markets. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25842/dr-shivkumar-kalyanaraman-assumes-charge-of-ceo-of-anusandhan-national-research-foundation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25842/dr-shivkumar-kalyanaraman-assumes-charge-of-ceo-of-anusandhan-national-research-foundation.html Mon, 17 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Secretary Department of Science and Technology (DST) Professor Abhay Karandikar who was acting as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has handed over the charge to Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman who has been appointed the CEO. Dr Shivkumar who earlier held the post of Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Energy Industry, Asia at Microsoft is a Distinguished Alumnus Awardee of IIT Madras & Ohio State University (2021). He is also a Fellow of the IEEE (2010), Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (2015), ACM Distinguished Scientist (2010), Microsoft Gold Club (2024) and Technology Review TR100 young innovator (1999). ANRF will act as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP). ANRF will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, and government departments and research institutions, and create an interface mechanism for participation and contribution of industries and State governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25808/aragen-makes-new-appointments-for-advancing-scientific-innovations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25808/aragen-makes-new-appointments-for-advancing-scientific-innovations.html Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Aragen, a leading global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO), has announced two senior level appointments. Dr Manjunath Ramarao has been appointed as the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Executive Vice President, Integrated Drug Discovery (IDD) and will be based in the USA. Jayadeva Sajankila has been appointed as the Vice President and Head, Chemical Development Solutions and will be based in Hyderabad. As the CSO, Dr Ramarao will provide scientific leadership, nurture scientific talent, identify new and emerging capabilities and technologies and focus on green science initiatives. He will also lead Aragen’s IDD business and will be responsible for formulation and execution of the IDD strategy with P&L responsibility.  Dr Ramarao comes with over 25 years of multidisciplinary experience in the global biopharmaceutical research and development. Prior to joining Aragen, he was the CSO at Atomic AI and Ribometrix Inc in the US. He has also held various leadership positions at Bristol Myers Squibb and Wyeth (Pfizer).  On the other hand, Jayadeva joins as the Vice President and Head of Chemical Development Solutions (CDS), one of the largest and critical businesses of Aragen. He will be responsible for driving growth of the CDS business, enhancing operational excellence, and spearheading new technology initiatives to bolster Aragen’s capabilities in small molecules development and manufacturing. He will also oversee client engagement, retention, and growth along with P&L responsibilities for the division. Jayadeva comes with over 26 years of industry experience in Process R&D, Process Safety, Technology Transfer and Commercialization. Prior to joining Aragen, he was the Head of Project & Portfolio Management, Chemical Development at Syngene International Limited, Bengaluru.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25790/eris-lifesciences-appoints-murari-ranganathan-to-spearhead-cardiometabolic-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25790/eris-lifesciences-appoints-murari-ranganathan-to-spearhead-cardiometabolic-business.html Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Eris Lifesciences Limited, a leading Indian branded formulations manufacturing company has appointed Murari Ranganathan as President, Cardiometabolic Business. He will be based out of the company’s Mumbai office and take charge of the company’s Anti-Diabetes and Cardiology businesses. Prior to joining Eris, Ranganathan was Commercial Director, Women’s Health, Metabolics, and International Business at Abbott India Limited. He joined Abbott in 2010 as Head Sales, Medical Nutrition and played a variety of roles in his 15-year stint with the Company. Prior to Abbott, he has worked with organisations like Baxter, Novo Nordisk, and Torrent Pharma. He has a bachelor’s in physics and mathematics from Bangalore University and has completed his Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from St. Joseph College of Business Administration, Bengaluru. On his new appointment, Ranganathan, Eris Lifesciences said, “I’m excited to join Eris Lifesciences in its growth journey. Eris is the youngest among the Top-20 companies in the Indian Pharmaceutical Market with a dynamic and entrepreneurial culture. I look forward to working together with the team and set new benchmarks in disease management and patient care.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25792/onesource-specialty-pharma-strengthens-board-by-appointing-three-new-independent-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25792/onesource-specialty-pharma-strengthens-board-by-appointing-three-new-independent-directors.html Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 OneSource Specialty Pharma Limited, formerly known as Stelis Biopharma Limited, has announced the appointment of three new non-executive independent directors to its Board — Dr Claudio Albrecht, Debarati Sen and Vijay Karwal—effective February 27, 2025. The directors bring decades of leadership experience and expertise in Pharma, Business Strategy, Transformation, Merger & Acquisition (M&A) among others. These appointments align with the group’s philosophy of having a strong and independent board with exceptional industry experts, ensuring strategic guidance and effective governance. Dr Claudio Albrecht is a pharmaceutical industry veteran with over 30 years of experience. He co-founded Albrecht, Prock & Partners and previously served as CEO of STADA AG, Actavis Group, and Ratiopharm Group. He serves as an Independent Director on the Board of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. He has led significant internationalization and turnaround strategies, including driving Ratiopharm’s biosimilars program and orchestrating Actavis’s $6 billion sale to Watson. Dr Albrecht holds a PhD in law and has a deep understanding of pharmaceutical strategy and global market dynamics. Debarati Sen is a seasoned global business leader with a track record of driving transformative business performance. Currently the Group President at HMTX Industries, she has led growth and strategic initiatives across industrial and consumer businesses, including heading the largest division in 3M’s Consumer Business Group with brands like Filtrete, Command, and ScotchBlue. She previously served as CEO and Managing Director of 3M India Ltd. and is an active leader in non-profit and academic boards, including the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota and the Carlson School of Management. Vijay Karwal is a Managing Director at CBC Group, Asia's largest healthcare-dedicated asset management firm, where he is focused on capital deployment and portfolio management for the firm’s private equity and royalty & private credit investment funds. With over 25 years of global experience, he has held industry leadership roles at AffaMed Therapeutics and DaVita Inc., and senior investment banking roles with Nomura, CIMB, RBS, and ABN AMRO. He also serves as an Independent Director of Mega Lifesciences PCL and brings a wealth of expertise in healthcare investments and strategic growth initiatives.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25737/paras-health-elevates-vineet-aggarwal-to-group-chief-operating-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25737/paras-health-elevates-vineet-aggarwal-to-group-chief-operating-officer.html Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Paras Health, based in Gurugram, has announced the elevation of Vineet Aggarwal to Group Chief Operating Officer (GCOO), effective immediately. Previously serving as Chief Information Officer (CIO), he brings extensive experience and strong leadership to his new role.  Since joining Paras Health in September 2021, Aggarwal has demonstrated exceptional leadership and played a crucial role in driving key operational and strategic initiatives across various departments. His innovative approach to digital transformation, patient engagement, and business process optimization has significantly contributed to the company’s growth. Aggarwal has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership in spearheading key initiatives that have driven both operational excellence and enhanced organizational outcomes. His strategic and visionary approach to leadership has been instrumental in advancing the company’s broader goals and fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, positioning the organization for long-term success.  With over 22 years of experience in industries such as Healthcare, Pharma, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Telecom, and IT/ITES, Aggarwal brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Group COO role. His ability to align business strategy with operational needs, combined with his collaborative approach, will be instrumental as Paras Health continues to evolve and expand. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25692/practo-ropes-in-jagnoor-singh-as-chief-operating-officer-to-drive-strategic-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25692/practo-ropes-in-jagnoor-singh-as-chief-operating-officer-to-drive-strategic-growth.html Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Practo has announced the appointment of Jagnoor Singh as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). This appointment supports Practo's vision of improving health outcomes while building a profitable, innovative, and user-focused business. Singh will focus on building robust processes, relentless execution, and driving accelerated growth. He will spearhead go-to-market (GTM) strategies, driving deeper penetration into existing markets and entry into new markets. With an MBA from SPJIMR (SP Jain Institute of Management & Research) Mumbai and over 16 years of leadership experience at Airtel, OYO, Mondelez and Unacademy, he brings deep expertise in sales, marketing and business development. He has a proven track record of implementing structured, scalable processes that enhance execution, optimise operations, and unlock exponential growth. In his new role, Singh will be working closely with Shashank ND, Co-founder & CEO at Practo, to expand Practo’s footprint and accelerate its reach to drive impact in the healthcare sector.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25694/alvarez-marsal-strengthens-healthcare-life-sciences-practice-with-appointment-of-akash-kedia-as-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25694/alvarez-marsal-strengthens-healthcare-life-sciences-practice-with-appointment-of-akash-kedia-as-md.html Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) India has announced the appointment of Akash Kedia as Managing Director (MD) within its Life Sciences Business Transformation Services practice.   This strategic appointment aligns with A&M India’s continued expansion in the Healthcare and Life Sciences sector, reinforcing its commitment to providing end-to-end solutions for businesses in the sector.   Kedia brings over 20 years of consulting and industry experience, specialising in large-scale business transformation, digital strategy, revenue growth, and operational excellence.   Prior to joining A&M, he led the Life Sciences industry vertical at Accenture in India, where he was instrumental in expanding its consulting and digital business. His expertise spans pharmaceuticals, wellness, and consumer goods, with a proven track record of driving growth and efficiency for clients across India, the US, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.     Akash Kedia, Managing Director at A&M India said, "The industry is undergoing significant transformation, with businesses seeking strategic, results-driven solutions to enhance operational efficiency, and accelerate digital adoption. A&M’s hands-on, results-oriented approach aligns well with these evolving needs, enabling organizations to navigate the increasing complexities in the sector. I look forward to working at A&M to help clients build stronger, more agile businesses that are well-positioned for long-term success."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25683/smt-names-bhargav-kotadia-as-ceo-and-jose-calle-gordo-as-chairman.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25683/smt-names-bhargav-kotadia-as-ceo-and-jose-calle-gordo-as-chairman.html Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Sahajanand Medical Technologies (SMT), a global leader in cardiovascular medical devices, has announced the appointment of Bhargav Kotadia as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Jose Calle Gordo as the Chairman effective April 1st 2025. Bhargav Kotadia (as seen in the image) succeeds Ganesh Sabat, who has played an instrumental role in SMT’s growth journey over the past 12 years. Sabat's leadership has been pivotal in expanding SMT’s global footprint, strengthening its innovation pipeline, and fostering a high-performance culture. Dhirajlal Kotadia, SMT’s Founder and Chairman, will take on the role of Chairman Emeritus, continuing to provide strategic guidance while Jose Calle Gordo will assume the role of Chairman, working closely with Kotadia to drive SMT’s next phase of growth. Kotadia has been closely associated with SMT’s strategic direction for last 12 years, playing a key role in shaping the company's expansion and innovation agenda. Under his leadership, SMT will remain committed to its core values of Care, Innovation, Excellence and Agility, with a continued focus on advancing cardiovascular care globally. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25667/zeiss-india-appoints-baskar-kesavalu-as-head-of-vision-technology-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25667/zeiss-india-appoints-baskar-kesavalu-as-head-of-vision-technology-solutions.html Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 ZEISS, a pioneer of science in optics and optoelectronics, has appointed Baskar Kesavalu as Head of Vision Technology Solutions (VTS), ZEISS India. He will be responsible for overseeing VTS Research & Development, Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs, and Product Management in India. He joins at a time when ZEISS is strengthening its ties in India by growing its business through investments, strategic alliances, and launches. Baskar has more than 30 years of experience in the defense, healthcare, and consumer electronics industries. Before joining ZEISS India, he worked at GE HealthCare, where he was responsible for creating mission-critical patient monitoring systems and cloud-native medical solutions for hospitals throughout the United States and Europe. He has also been associated with brands like Cisco Systems and ST Microelectronics. With his expertise in technology leadership, product development, and agile transformation, Baskar has helped successfully build and manage teams across multiple locations, including Bangalore and Milwaukee, USA. He specialises in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Continuous Integration & Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), and DevOps, ensuring high-quality and efficient product development. Baskar holds a Master of Science in Software Engineering from the National University of California and an Executive General Management Program credential from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bengaluru. With a strong focus on collaboration and innovation, he is known for building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of excellence in technology and product development. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25663/syngene-ceo-jonathan-hunt-steps-down-peter-bains-takes-over.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25663/syngene-ceo-jonathan-hunt-steps-down-peter-bains-takes-over.html Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Syngene International Limited has announced that Jonathan Hunt has stepped down from his role as Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as well as from the Board of Directors to pursue other opportunities in due course. Consequent to this, the Board has appointed Peter Bains as the CEO Designate of Syngene. Both changes are effective immediately, i.e., February 10, 2025.  Commenting on the announcement, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Non-Executive Chairperson, Syngene International, said, “After almost 10 years with Syngene International as MD & CEO, Jonathan Hunt will be leaving to pursue other opportunities. The Board thanks Jonathan for his many contributions to the growth of the Syngene business since April 2016 and its impressive value enhancement over the last decade and wishes him well in his future endeavours.”    Peter Bains has over three decades of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. Peter also served as CEO of Syngene from June 2010 to March 2016 and was instrumental in creating a strong foundation for the business and taking it public in 2015. Bain's deep domain experience, knowledge, and familiarity with the business, together with his leadership acumen makes him eminently qualified to step into this role. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25664/doceree-appoints-ritesh-patel-as-chief-growth-officer-to-accelerate-global-expansion.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25664/doceree-appoints-ritesh-patel-as-chief-growth-officer-to-accelerate-global-expansion.html Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Doceree, the world's first global network of physician-only platforms for programmatic messaging, has announced the appointment of Ritesh Patel, a globally renowned digital evangelist, as Chief Growth Officer, to expand its presence in the US and key global markets. In his new role, Patel will be responsible for leading Delhi-based startup Doceree's growth initiatives, expanding strategic partnerships, and accelerating global adoption of Doceree's innovative solutions, especially in the Point-of-Care space, aimed at enriching HCP-patient conversations. A visionary leader with over two decades of experience in healthcare, marketing, and enterprise technology and multiple accolades to his name (including the UN Leadership Council Award, PharmaVoice 100 Inspiring Leader, and a Clio Award), Patel now brings his expertise in digital transformation and emerging technologies to Doceree. Previously, as the Managing Partner-Global Digital Health at Finn Partners, he played a pivotal role in driving digital transformation and strategic innovation. He has been at the forefront of shaping and driving conversations around Point-of-Care (POC) marketing in healthcare, advocating for its critical role in delivering relevant, data-driven messaging to healthcare professionals (HCPs) at the moment of care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25666/bioasia-2025-announces-genome-valley-excellence-award-to-singapores-prof-patrick-tan-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25666/bioasia-2025-announces-genome-valley-excellence-award-to-singapores-prof-patrick-tan-.html Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 BioAsia, Asia's largest annual global biotechnology and life sciences forum organised by the Government of Telangana, has announced that the prestigious Genome Valley Excellence Award will be conferred upon Prof. Patrick Tan, Executive Director of PRECISE (Precision Health Research, Singapore), National University of Singapore, for his outstanding contributions to precision medicine, cancer genomics, and population health research. Prof. Tan has played a transformative role in advancing biomedical research and personalised healthcare, particularly through his leadership at PRECISE. His pioneering work in integrating genomics with clinical care has shaped the future of medicine, making healthcare more predictive, personalized, and precise. The award will be presented during the 22nd edition of BioAsia, which will be held from February 24–26, 2025, in Hyderabad. Prof. Patrick Tan’s contributions to the fields of cancer genomics and population health are globally recognised. His research has led to groundbreaking discoveries in cancer biology, especially in gastrointestinal cancers, and the identification of novel biomarkers for targeted therapies. At PRECISE, Prof. Tan has spearheaded Singapore’s national precision medicine program, which integrates advanced genomic research with artificial intelligence to create predictive models for disease prevention and treatment. His efforts have bridged the gap between research and clinical practice, impacting healthcare systems worldwide. Prof. Tan’s leadership in population genomics initiatives has helped build one of Southeast Asia’s most comprehensive genomic databases, addressing the underrepresentation of Asian populations in global genomic research and improving the relevance of precision health solutions across diverse populations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25650/mujtaba-hasan-askari-steps-in-as-telangana-state-head-for-healthcare-professionals-aipc.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25650/mujtaba-hasan-askari-steps-in-as-telangana-state-head-for-healthcare-professionals-aipc.html Sat, 08 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Mujtaba Hasan Askari has been appointed as the Telangana State Head for the Healthcare Professionals Domain under the All-India Professionals Congress (AIPC). He expressed his gratitude to Praveen Chakravarty, Chairman of AIPC, for entrusting him with this responsibility.  In this role, Askari will focus on addressing the concerns of healthcare professionals particularly the Frontline health workers like Asha, ANMs, Emergency Paramedical staff, etc across Telangana and working with the state government to ensure effective solutions. His work will encompass various sectors, including medical and dental practitioners, nursing and allied health professionals, mental health experts, emergency and critical care teams, alternative medicine practitioners, and veterinary professionals. His efforts will be directed toward ensuring that healthcare professionals receive the necessary support. Mujtaba Hasan Askari is the Founder & Trustee of Helping Hand Foundation (HHF). Leaving his lucrative career at Infosys Technologies, he dedicated his life to public health and social development. He brings to the table 14 years of IT experience and 18 years in the development sector. He has worked with a mission of making healthcare accessible, equitable and affordable for the common man by strengthening the public health systems. He thus set up Help Desk systems with 13 state run hospitals to enhance patient care services, & later through international charities & local CSR grants set up 20+ urban primary health centers, serving 6-7 lakh poor citizens annually, covering a catchment of 100 plus Urban and Peri Urban slums.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25629/lilly-india-appoints-winselow-tucker-as-president-and-general-manager.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25629/lilly-india-appoints-winselow-tucker-as-president-and-general-manager.html Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) has announced the appointment of Winselow Tucker as President and General Manager for Lilly India, effective immediately. Winselow will lead all of Lilly’s operations in India, including the Lilly India commercial organisation and the Lilly Capability Centre India (LCCI) in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. In a related move, Vineet Gupta, Associate VP, Managing Director, India, will transition to a new leadership role in Lilly’s headquarters in Indianapolis, USA.   Since joining Lilly in 2022, Winselow has served as Group Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Lilly Oncology. In this role, he led the commercialisation activities for the Oncology Business, including overseeing US and global teams in the development of go-to-market strategies, new product development, and leadership of the US oncology business. Prior to Lilly, Winselow held senior leadership roles at BMS, Celgene, and Novartis. Winselow holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Howard University and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25631/bhavin-mukund-mehta-steps-in-as-vice-chairman-of-pharmexcil.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25631/bhavin-mukund-mehta-steps-in-as-vice-chairman-of-pharmexcil.html Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), a leading authorised body of the Government of India for promotion of pharmaceutical exports from India has appointed Bhavin Mukund Mehta, Wholetime Director, Kilitch Drugs (India) Limited as the Vice-Chairman of the council.  Mehta is an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. As the Director at Kilitch Drugs (India) Ltd, he took the initiative to establish the company's export business, expanding its reach beyond Indian boundaries while leading in domestic market.  His extensive knowledge and expertise in leadership, business development, strategy management, international marketing, and operations will greatly benefit the esteemed members of Pharmexcil. In 2012, Mehta was appointed Chairman of the Exhibition Committee for Pharmexcil by the Ministry of Commerce. He played a key role in establishing IPHEX, India's largest exhibition to promote pharmaceutical exports to other countries. Bhavin Mukund Mehta holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from S.P. Jain Institute of Management, Mumbai, and a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences degree from the University of Mumbai. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25608/roche-pharma-india-appoints-rajwinder-mehdwan-as-new-country-general-manager-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25608/roche-pharma-india-appoints-rajwinder-mehdwan-as-new-country-general-manager-.html Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Roche Pharma India has announced the appointment of Rajwinder (Rajji) Mehdwan as country General Manager, effective 1 April 2025. She will also join the CEETRIS (Central Eastern Europe, Turkey, Russia & Indian Subcontinent) region leadership team, reporting to Francois du Toit, Area Head of CEETRIS, Roche Pharmaceuticals. Rajji joins at a time when Roche has been increasing its commitment to India by expanding into new therapy areas through innovative launches, strategic partnerships and investments. Rajji brings over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, having held key leadership positions at Roche and prior to that at Johnson & Johnson. She joined Roche in 2010 as Associate Director, Virology and Specialty Care business for Genentech. Rajji has since contributed significantly to Roche’s success through her diverse leadership roles - as Portfolio Operations Leader for BioOncology, Portfolio Strategy Director for Denmark, and as the General Manager for Roche Pharma Norway. Most recently, she led People & Culture for Roche’s Pharma International Business across 100+ markets and was part of the Roche Pharma International Leadership Team.  During her stint in Norway, she was also the Chairwomen and Board Member, American Chamber of Commerce, Norway, and a Board Member of the Norway Pharmaceutical Industry Association. Rajji holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Government College for Women, Ludhiana, Registered Nursing Degree from the Royal Free Hospital in London, and an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Roche Pharma India also announces that V Simpson Emmanuel, who has served as General Manager since 2020 will step down due to personal reasons.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25600/appasamy-associates-names-annaswamy-vaidheesh-as-non-executive-chairman.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25600/appasamy-associates-names-annaswamy-vaidheesh-as-non-executive-chairman.html Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Appasamy Associates, a leading Indian manufacturer of ophthalmic equipment and devices in India, has announced the appointment of Annaswamy Vaidheesh as Non-Executive Chairman. Vaidheesh brings over 35 years of core experience in the Indian healthcare and med-tech industry including senior management roles at Suven Pharma, GSK Pharma, and Johnson & Johnson. He has a strong leadership track record in building organizational capabilities, expertise in market creation, developing new business models, and achieving significant turnarounds. He has held key positions, as President of OPPI (Organization of Pharmaceutical Producers of India) and Chairman of various committees and councils of Industry bodies in India and the Asia-Pacific region. Senthil Kumar, CEO, Appasamy said, “Over the past 40+ years, Appasamy has evolved into a leading player in the Indian and global ophthalmic equipment and devices space, with a vision to provide affordable, high-quality eyecare both in India and globally. Vaidheesh joins us at an exciting stage of Appasamy’s growth as we strengthen our presence in India and globally, seeking to be at the forefront of innovation. His extensive knowledge and experience in the pharma and med-tech sectors will be invaluable in supporting Appasamy’s vision as we shape the next chapter of progress.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25603/intuitive-appoints-new-vice-president-and-general-manager-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25603/intuitive-appoints-new-vice-president-and-general-manager-in-india.html Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Medtech firm Intuitive, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery, has announced its appointment of Rohitt Mahajan as vice president and general manager for India. Mahajan will lead the company's business strategy and operations. "India is poised to be a global leader in minimally invasive care. The combination of innovative surgeons, patient-focused hospitals, and forward-thinking policymakers committed to delivering exceptional care makes India incredibly dynamic and important for Intuitive,” said Intuitive Senior Vice President and President, Asia Pacific, Glenn Vavoso. “Rohitt Mahajan brings deep healthcare experience from India and across Asia, which will enable Intuitive to build stronger partnerships with healthcare providers and positively impact patient care in India.” Mahajan brings more than 17 years of diverse experience in sales, marketing, strategy, and operations in the healthcare, consumer durables, and IT sectors. Since joining Intuitive in 2018, he has held key leadership roles, including area sales director for India and director of commercial operations for Asia, where he contributed to the expansion of Intuitive’s commercial operations capabilities and range of global offerings across India and broader Asia region including China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Intuitive began direct operations in India in 2018 and has focused on advancing minimally invasive care across the country through the adoption of its robotic-assisted surgical systems. The company has invested $6 million to establish four training centres across India, including at AIIMS New Delhi. Today, there are more than 180 da Vinci surgical programmes across India, with more than 1 lakh procedures performed by more than 850 da Vinci trained surgeons. To support its expanding operations, Intuitive recently opened a global capability centre (GCC) in Bengaluru. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25587/government-announces-winners-of-padma-awards-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25587/government-announces-winners-of-padma-awards-2025.html Sun, 26 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Winners of Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, have been announed. These are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. The winners in the medicine field include- Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy (Padma Vibhushan) Jose Chacko Periappuram (Padma Bhushan) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra (Padma Shri) Budhendra Kumar Jain (Padma Shri) Hemant Kumar (Padma Shri)  Neerja Bhatla  (Padma Shri) Sheikha Shaikha Ali Al-Jaber Al-Sabah  (Padma Shri) Soniya Nityanand  (Padma Shri) Vijayalakshmi Deshamane (Padma Shri)   Dr Chetan Chitnis (Padma Shri) and Prof Pankaj Patel (Padma Bhushan) are some of the other winners working in the area of life sciences. These Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year. For the year 2025, the President has approved conferment of 139 Padma Awards including1 duo case (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one). The list comprises 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards. 23 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and13 Posthumous awardees.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25588/zydus-chairman-pankaj-r-patel-receives-padma-bhushan-award-by-government-of-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25588/zydus-chairman-pankaj-r-patel-receives-padma-bhushan-award-by-government-of-india.html Sun, 26 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Pankaj R. Patel, the Chairman of Zydus Lifesciences, has been conferred with the Padma Bhushan (Trade & Industry) by the Government of India.  With a Masters in Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology from the L.M. College of Pharmacy and an alumni of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, he was always driven by a passion to become a pharma entrepreneur. Patel combines both research and techno-commercial expertise. He has published over 100 research papers in peer reviewed journals and is a co-inventor in more than 64 patents. Patel is on the board of several prestigious institutions, including the Reserve Bank of India. He is also the Chairperson of the Board of Governors of IIM Ahmedabad and Chairman of IIM Udaipur and Invest India. He also officiates on the board of several Not-for-Profit & charitable institutions. Patel is the Executive Chairman of the Gujarat Cancer Society and Chairman of the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, a Regional Cancer Centre and one of the largest cancer centres of India, reaching out to the needy and underprivileged cancer patients. He also officiates as the Chairman of the Deaf and Mute School, Ahmedabad. He is also the Chairman on the Board of Zydus Foundation which has set up Zydus Hospital and Medical College at Dahod. Patel supports the Group’s CSR initiatives in the field of education, pharmaceutical technology and innovation, grassroot innovation, sustainable livelihoods, water conservation, skill development for women from economically disadvantaged groups, and also specially abled children and Green Gujarat initiatives for sustainability.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25578/dr-cyrus-s-poonawalla-receives-2nd-dr-k-anji-reddy-memorial-fellowship.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25578/dr-cyrus-s-poonawalla-receives-2nd-dr-k-anji-reddy-memorial-fellowship.html Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT Mumbai), under its flagship initiative, the Mumbai Biocluster, has awarded 2nd Dr. K. Anji Reddy Memorial Fellowship for Affordable Biopharmaceuticals to Dr Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Chairman, Serum Institute of India, a revolutionary entrepreneur, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to biopharmaceutical innovation and global healthcare. Dr Cyrus S. Poonawalla’s extraordinary contributions to global healthcare have established India as a hub for affordable vaccines, saving billions of lives worldwide. As the visionary chairman of the Serum Institute of India, Dr Poonawalla has demonstrated how innovation and unwavering dedication can drive transformative change. His remarkable legacy, delivering over 1.5 billion vaccine doses annually to more than 170 countries, and his pivotal role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic stand as enduring testaments to his leadership and commitment to humanity. Established by ICT Mumbai to honour the late Dr. K. Anji Reddy, founder of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, a visionary in Indian pharmaceuticals, the fellowship recognises individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. The fellowship celebrates innovation, leadership and commitment to addressing global healthcare challenges. The award was presented during a special ceremony at Pune, in the presence of Chief Guest Dr R. A. Mashelkar, a distinguished scientist and Padma Vibhushan awardee. The ceremony was jointly hosted by the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai and the Ministry of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra, represented by Professor Anniruddha B. Pandit, Vice Chancellor and Shri Chandrakant (Dada) Patil, Minister of Higher and Technical Education. On the sidelines of the event Professor A. B. Pandit, Vice Chancellor, ICT Mumbai said, “Mumbai Biocluster is an organization that is going to be established on the premises of ICT. Currently, many drugs and medicines are manufactured using synthetic chemicals. However, producing them through natural methods can significantly reduce side effects. This groundbreaking research will take place within the Biocluster, with support from several leading pharmaceutical companies."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25525/medanta-appoints-leading-urologist-dr-sanjay-gogoi-as-chairman-of-renal-care-institute.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25525/medanta-appoints-leading-urologist-dr-sanjay-gogoi-as-chairman-of-renal-care-institute.html Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Reinforcing its leadership in advanced kidney care and transplantation, Medanta has appointed globally renowned urologist and transplant surgeon Dr Sanjay Gogoi as Chairman of Urology, Kidney Transplant, and Uro-Oncology at the Renal Care Institute in its flagship hospital Medanta, Gurugram. With almost three decades of experience, Dr Gogoi is recognised globally for delivering outcomes on a par with international benchmarks in complex urological procedures and kidney transplants. His appointment bolsters Medanta’s capabilities to offer world-class, holistic, compassionate care in a patient-first way. Trained in advanced robotic surgery at the da Vinci Training Center in California, Dr Gogoi is acclaimed the world over for management of challenging urological complications. He is sought-after for robotic kidney transplants in high-BMI patients and transplants requiring reconstructive techniques such as neobladders and augmentation cystoplasty. Notably, Dr Gogoi has led one of India’s largest series of paediatric kidney transplants and is widely acclaimed for managing congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). Dr Gogoi’s appointment will further enhance Medanta’s integrated approach to managing urinary cancers, combining his expertise in advanced minimally invasive (robotic and laparoscopic) treatment techniques, such as Retzius Sparing Robotic Prostatectomy and Robotic Partial Nephrectomy for large and complex kidney tumours, with cutting-edge diagnostics.  Prior to joining Medanta, Dr Gogoi has headed the departments of Urology and Renal Transplantation at Apollo hospital (Colombo), Fortis Memorial Research Institute (Gurugram), Manipal Hospital (Delhi) and Max Super Speciality Hospital (Dwarka). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25529/dr-sunita-tandulwadkar-steps-in-as-63rd-fogsi-president-for-transforming-womens-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25529/dr-sunita-tandulwadkar-steps-in-as-63rd-fogsi-president-for-transforming-womens-healthcare.html Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Sunita Tandulwadkar, an internationally acclaimed infertility specialist, endoscopic surgeon, and gynecologist, has been formally appointed as the 63rd President of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI). Dr Sunita takes on this prestigious role with a steadfast commitment to tackling critical challenges in women’s health and advancing healthcare accessibility, education, and preventive care across India. She serves as a Chief IVF Consultant and Endoscopist of Ruby Hall Clinic. She is the one who started the trend of Laparoscopic Hysterectomy and advanced endoscopic surgeries in the city of Pune – since 1995. She has earlier served as the Vice-President Elect, West Zone FOGSI (2017); and FOGSI Infertility Committee Chairperson (2011-2013). Visionary initiatives announced under Dr Sunita’s leadership at FOGSI include nationwide campaign emphasising the importance of pre-conceptional care to improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality;  identifying early signs of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and anemia through a new programme; a large scale project aimed at combating cervical cancer by increasing awareness about screening and HPV vaccination.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25532/dr-krishna-m-ella-receives-prestigious-insa-india-fellowship.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25532/dr-krishna-m-ella-receives-prestigious-insa-india-fellowship.html Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Krishna Ella, a distinguished scientist, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech International, has been recognised with the prestigious India Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) for the year 2025, for his contributions to new knowledge, discoveries, development of new vaccine technologies, noteworthy improvement in existing technologies. Dr Ella joins a list of distinguished scientists, industry leaders and luminaries from varied fields. This year a total of 61 fellowships were awarded, and for the first time ever, the fellowships were awarded to Industry leaders. Elected INSA fellows may attend and vote at INSA general meetings and can propose other individuals for fellowships or INSA awards. Dr Ella’s fellowship recognition came for his pathbreaking vaccine development contributions. Close to 3 decades, Bharat Biotech has been in the forefront of vaccine discovery, manufacturing and distribution having delivered more than 9 billion doses of vaccines to over 125 countries. Today, it boasts of 18 vaccines in its portfolio. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25473/health-tech-startup-zyla-health-on-boards-rohit-boda-as-advisor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25473/health-tech-startup-zyla-health-on-boards-rohit-boda-as-advisor.html Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Gurugram-based Zyla Health, a care management platform, has announced the onboarding of renowned industry leader, Rohit Boda, to the Board of Advisors. His distinguished career and wealth of experience marks a new chapter in Zyla’s Health mission to redefine care management globally with data-driven, tech-enabled solutions. Boda, Group Managing Director at J.B.Boda Group and Founder Chairman of RB Ventures, is a third generation entrepreneur poised as a visionary in the Insurance & Reinsurance sector. He upholds a commitment to service-oriented brokerage and steers the Group's operations. With over a decade of experience in the industry and leadership roles, he brings valuable insights gained from his family's long-standing presence in the Insurance & Reinsurance broking business with trading partnerships in over 90 countries. Boda will help Zyla Health in unlocking global partnerships to implement its clinical risk management solutions with global insurers. As the healthcare and insurance industries continue to converge, the appointment of Rohit Boda to Zyla Health’s Board of Advisors is expected to bring significant strategic value. Known for his expertise in the insurance and reinsurance sectors, Boda’s insights will help Zyla Health develop innovative solutions tailored to the needs of its users and clients. His involvement aligns with Zyla's Health efforts to expand its technology-driven health solutions, aiming to make them more accessible and impactful for individuals and insurers. A forward-thinking investor, he actively supports innovative startups shaping the future. As the Founder of RB Ventures, a Dubai-based entity, he connects global investors with high-impact ventures in the insurance, reinsurance, and insurtech sectors.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25468/redcliffe-labs-reinforces-strategic-leadership-as-aditya-kandoi-steps-into-ceo-role-and-dheeraj-jain-as-chairman.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25468/redcliffe-labs-reinforces-strategic-leadership-as-aditya-kandoi-steps-into-ceo-role-and-dheeraj-jain-as-chairman.html Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Redcliffe Labs, a purpose-driven pan-India omnichannel diagnostics service provider, has announced strategic leadership transition. Its founder, Aditya Kandoi, has stepped in as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Dheeraj Jain has taken up the role of Chairman of the Board.  As a CEO, Kandoi (left in the image) furthers the purposeful vision of Redcliffe Labs which is focused on giving every Indian the right to quality diagnostics. Recognising the critical-care gap in the healthcare sector, he has made it his mission to ensure that timely and accurate diagnostic services are accessible to all. Kandoi is introducing a strategic framework based on four key pillars: awareness, affordability, accuracy, and accessibility. By creating awareness campaigns, the company aims to highlight the importance of preventive care and democratize access to high-quality diagnostics to every Indian, especially the underserved population.  Under his leadership, Redcliffe Labs has an ambitious expansion strategy that will extend the company’s reach to Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4 cities and beyond so that everyone across the nation has access to quality healthcare services and does not limit to metro & Tier 1 cities only. In the new position, Dheeraj Jain (right in the image) leads the Board of Directors as Chairman, providing strategic oversight, facilitating governance, and ensuring effective board management. As a Founder & Mentor to the company, he will be crucial in guiding Redcliffe Labs through its next growth phase. Jain is a flag bearer of entrepreneurship, well known for numerous success stories; he continues to support the startup ecosystem very actively by strategically guiding the budding companies and serves as an inspiration to many entrepreneurs to scale and contribute to India’s super growth story.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25472/dr-raghavan-varadarajan-wins-tata-transformation-prize-of-rs-2-cr-for-rsv-vaccine-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25472/dr-raghavan-varadarajan-wins-tata-transformation-prize-of-rs-2-cr-for-rsv-vaccine-development.html Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Raghavan Varadarajan, PhD., from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has won the Tata Transformation Prize in the healthcare category. Dr Varadarajan is working to develop a cost-effective Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine that will allow for greater access to wide-spread deployment of vaccination programmes. His scientific advances will surmount the challenges that have hindered RSV vaccine development for decades and will provide broad, longer-lasting protection against RSV infection. The Tata Group and The New York Academy of Sciences honoured the 2024 Tata Transformation Prize winners at an award ceremony and dinner at Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. Launched in 2023, the Tata Transformation Prize aims to identify and support visionary scientists in India who are developing breakthrough technologies that address India’s most significant societal challenges in Food Security, Sustainability, and Healthcare. The 2024 Tata Transformation Prize Winners were selected from 169 entries from 18 Indian states by an international jury of leading experts. Intending to drive impactful innovation and scale-up implementation of high-reward research, each Winner received Rs 2 crore (approximately $240,000) in prize money and was honoured with a Tata Transformation Prize medal at the ceremony. C. Anandharamakrishnan , PhD, from CSIR - National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology won in the Food Security category; while Amartya Mukhopadhyay, DPhil, from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay won in the sustainability category.   Image caption- (L-R) N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons; Dr Raghavan Varadarajan, PhD, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Former Chief Scientist of the WHO ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25464/kiran-mazumdar-shaw-receives-jamsetji-tata-award-for-pioneering-biosciences-movement-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25464/kiran-mazumdar-shaw-receives-jamsetji-tata-award-for-pioneering-biosciences-movement-in-india.html Sat, 14 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Biocon Group Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has been conferred the prestigious Jamsetji Tata Award by the Indian Society for Quality (ISQ) for pioneering the biosciences movement in India and serving patients in India and across the world through an unwavering focus on quality, while leading Biocon to a preeminent global position. The Jamsetji Tata Award, instituted in 2004 by ISQ, is named after Jamsetji Tata, regarded as the ‘Father of Modern Indian Industry’ and recognises business leaders who have made significant contributions to Indian society and demonstrated focus on quality, commitment, and a record of outstanding results. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is a pioneering biotech entrepreneur, a healthcare visionary, a global influencer, and a passionate philanthropist. As founder of Biocon, an innovation-led global biopharmaceuticals enterprise, her vision and work have drawn global recognition both for Indian industry and her company. The impact she has made as a leading woman in science has made her a role model globally. She is committed to equitable access to healthcare through affordable innovation as she pursues a path of making a difference to billions of lives globally. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’sinspiring achievements have earned her several coveted titles and awards, both national and international. She has been recognized with two of India’s highest civilian honours, the Padma Shri (1989) and the Padma Bhushan (2005). She has been conferred with the Order of Australia, Australia’s highest civilian honour, in 2020 and appointed Knight of the National Order of the French Legion of Honour in 2016. She was named EY World Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020. In 2014, she was honoured with the Othmer Gold Medal by the US-based Chemical Heritage Foundation. The same year, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Germany, awarded her the Global Economy Prize. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25465/international-diabetes-federation-elects-dr-v-mohan-as-honorary-fellow.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25465/international-diabetes-federation-elects-dr-v-mohan-as-honorary-fellow.html Sat, 14 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Dr V. Mohan, renowned diabetologist and Chairman of Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre & Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, has been elected Honorary Fellow of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), one of the most prestigious recognitions in the global diabetes community. This esteemed award is presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of diabetes care, research and advocacy. Dr V. Mohan is one of only 17 individuals worldwide, and two from India, to receive this incredible honour, alongside Dr A. Ramachandran. The recognition highlights Dr Mohan’s unwavering commitment to advancing the understanding of diabetes and improving the lives of people affected by this chronic condition. With over three decades of experience in diabetes care and research, Dr V. Mohan has been at the forefront of various groundbreaking initiatives, including pioneering research on diabetes in India and working towards establishing comprehensive care programmes for individuals living with the condition. His efforts have had a profound impact on public health policy, medical education and the implementation of innovative treatment strategies. With over 1750 publications, Dr Mohan has the highest number of research publications by any Indian doctor. His work has received over 213,000 citations and has a h-index of 157 next only to the legendary chemist Bharat Rathna Prof C N R Rao.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25458/heartnet-appoints-indranil-das-as-senior-advisor-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25458/heartnet-appoints-indranil-das-as-senior-advisor-technology.html Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Heartnet India, an IoT-based solution dedicated to enhancing cardiac healthcare delivery, has announced the appointment of Indranil Das as Senior Advisor - Technology. In this role, Das will play a pivotal role in guiding the company’s technological advancements and strategic initiatives.  With over 34 years of experience in the IT industry, Das brings a wealth of knowledge in cloud, mainframe, and data centre operations. Previously, he held leadership positions at DXC, IBM, and Maersk, where he led large teams across the EU, APAC, the Americas, and Canada, delivering innovative solutions for Fortune 500 clients.   Heartnet aims to strategically reach 10,000 care points within the next 24 months. By placing innovation and patient data safety at the forefront, Heartnet is creating technology that truly meets the needs of healthcare providers and patients. With the appointment of Indranil Das as Senior Advisor- Technology, Heartnet is poised to enhance the way cardiac care is delivered across India by bridging the accessibility gap. The collaboration will ensure that Heartnet’s mission to bridge the accessibility gap in rural India is accomplished efficiently while empowering healthcare providers and enhancing patient experiences.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/66/25451/universal-health-coverage-day-building-a-strong-healthcare-system-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/66/25451/universal-health-coverage-day-building-a-strong-healthcare-system-in-india.html Thu, 12 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 On December 12, the world unites to celebrate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, a powerful reminder that quality healthcare is not a privilege but a fundamental right. For India, this day holds particular significance. With its immense population of 1.4 billion people and diverse challenges, the nation faces the dual task of bridging healthcare gaps and building a system that is both equitable and resilient. Universal Health Coverage ensures that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need, ranging from prevention to palliative care, without suffering financial hardship. It is not just a lofty ambition; it is a vehicle to drive economic growth, social justice, and public well-being. As India takes bold strides towards a healthier future, its efforts underline the importance of comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable healthcare. State of Indian Healthcare: A Mixed Report Card  The Problem: India’s healthcare system has made notable strides in recent years, but the road to effectively bring the entire population under its ambit is still long. A staggering 36.1% of households in the lowest wealth quintile lack health insurance, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) highlighting a glaring disparity in access to essential care Meanwhile, out-of-pocket healthcare expenses in India remain among the highest in the world. In India, over half (52%) of the healthcare expenditure is paid directly by individuals, with the State and Union governments covering just 35.3%. This reliance on personal spending places a heavy burden on families, pushing many into financial hardship. A 2021 NITI Aayog report titled “Health Insurance for India’s Missing Middle” highlights the severity of this issue, revealing that around 10 crore Indians are pushed into poverty each year due to healthcare costs. This financial burden places immense pressure on families, hindering their ability to seek timely medical help and exacerbating existing health disparities. Progress Made: India has made remarkable strides in improving healthcare access, with several government initiatives leading the charge. Ayushman Bharat- A Major Step Towards UHC: The government's flagship Ayushman Bharat initiative seeks to tackle healthcare inequities by providing health insurance coverage to over 55 crore individuals through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). As the world’s largest government-funded health assurance scheme, it offers comprehensive, cashless hospitalization benefits for secondary and tertiary care, covering up to ₹5 lakh per family annually. National Health Mission (NHM): NHM has been central in improving healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, by focusing on maternal and child health, immunization, and strengthening primary healthcare services. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): This initiative provides free healthcare services to pregnant women and newborns, aiming to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. By offering free deliveries and essential care, JSSK has had a significant impact on improving maternal health outcomes across the country. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY): PMSSY continues to expand healthcare access by establishing new AIIMS institutions and upgrading existing medical facilities in underserved regions. Mission Indradhanush: India’s vaccination success story, highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, has established a robust infrastructure for immunization. The Mission Indradhanush, which targets full immunization for children and pregnant women, aims to achieve over 90% coverage which in turn will significantly reduce mortality rates. Moreover, there have been positive shifts in the country's healthcare spending. The share of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) in total health expenditure declined from 62.6% in 2014-15 to 47.1% in 2019-20, signaling a reduction in the financial burden on individuals. Simultaneously, government health expenditure as a share of India’s GDP increased from 1.13% in 2014-15 to 1.35% in 2019-20. These initiatives and trends reflect India’s growing commitment to ensuring healthcare accessibility, affordability, and equity for all its citizens. The Path Forward: To achieve UHC, India must adopt a forward-thinking, multi-pronged approach: Prioritize Preventive Care- Preventive healthcare must take center stage. Scaling up vaccination programs, health screenings, and nutrition interventions can drastically reduce disease burdens. India’s recent successes in polio eradication and anemia control among adolescent girls can serve as blueprints for future campaigns. Public-Private Synergy- India's private sector has the necessary resources, expertise, and infrastructure to complement public healthcare initiatives and address gaps in access. However, the reluctance of private entities to participate in government schemes often stems from the low compensation offered. To foster greater involvement, the government could allow hospitals to choose participation based on their capacity and introduce a flexible payment model, similar to the resource-based relative value scale (RBRVS) used in the U.S. Improving AB-PMJAY- Expanding AB-PMJAY to cover domiciliary care for pre-and post-hospitalization would be a significant step forward toward achieving UHC. Additionally, broadening the coverage to include treatments for chronic and long-term conditions is also essential. By learning from successful state schemes like Gujarat’s Ma Yojna and Telangana’s Arogyasri, AB-PMJAY can refine its operations and improve outcomes. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day serves as a powerful reminder of the need for healthcare that is accessible, affordable, and equitable for all. Prioritizing preventive care, enhancing public-private partnerships, and expanding health insurance coverage are crucial steps toward achieving UHC. With sustained effort and innovation, India can make healthcare a reality for everyone, ensuring a healthier, more just future for all its citizens.  By Dr. Vivek Desai, Founder & Managing Director, HOSMAC Asia’s leading Hospital Planning, Design and Management Consultancy ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25443/amgen-announces-senior-leadership-appointment-to-accelerate-technology-and-innovation-from-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25443/amgen-announces-senior-leadership-appointment-to-accelerate-technology-and-innovation-from-india.html Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Amgen has announced the appointment of Naveen Gullapalli as Managing Director of Amgen India. Gullapalli will lead the Amgen India Technology and Innovation site in Hyderabad leveraging his extensive experience leading global operations and adjoining functions across the pharmaceutical, finance and technology industries. Gullapalli joins Amgen from Novartis where he led the development of their Global Center in Hyderabad and their network of six centers across the world where he was instrumental in driving strategic growth and innovation for the enterprise. His deep experience in developing specialized skills and enabling business transformation aligns closely with Amgen’s vision for its Hyderabad site as a global technology and innovation hub. Som Chattopadhyay, national executive for India at Amgen said, "Amgen India is key to furthering our global vision of unlocking the convergence of biotech and tech to accelerate innovation and help meet the needs of a globally aging population. Naveen’s wealth of experience and strategic leadership will drive the success of this new site.” “India’s talent pool offers a compelling opportunity for Amgen to deliver world-class functional excellence, operational excellence, innovation and technology-led transformation,” said Naveen Gullapalli.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25423/entod-pharmaceuticals-appoints-dr-anish-desai-as-scientific-research-adviser.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25423/entod-pharmaceuticals-appoints-dr-anish-desai-as-scientific-research-adviser.html Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Entod Pharmaceuticals has appointed Dr Anish Desai as its Scientific and Research Adviser. Dr Desai, a Clinical Pharmacologist with expertise in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, brings over 30 years of distinguished experience spanning academia, research, and the healthcare industry. Known for his strategic vision, innovative problem-solving skills, and entrepreneurial mindset, Dr Desai has been instrumental in driving sustainable growth and revenue generation for numerous organisations. In his new role, Dr Desai will guide Entod’s research strategies, focussing on integrating progressive methodologies to develop novel therapies in ophthalmology, ENT, and dermatology. His appointment comes as Entod strengthens its commitment to leveraging advanced technologies for creating impactful healthcare solutions that address unmet patient needs.  Entod’s current research pipeline is dedicated to addressing critical healthcare challenges, including myopia, digital eye strain, and glaucoma. Several of these treatments are anticipated to be industry-firsts in India, with some also expected to achieve global breakthroughs. Additionally, Entod is advancing indigenous formulations aimed at managing corneal scarring, keratitis, and neurotrophic keratitis, further cementing its role as a leader in healthcare innovation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25425/infinx-appoints-ninad-chavda-as-new-chief-financial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25425/infinx-appoints-ninad-chavda-as-new-chief-financial-officer.html Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Infinx, a trusted provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions for patient access and revenue cycle management, has announced the appointment of Ninad Chavda as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With over 25 years of expertise in financial management, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and strategic planning across the manufacturing and technology sectors, Chavda will spearhead Infinx’s financial strategy across its offices in India, the US, and Manila. Chavda holds a prestigious qualification from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and has built a strong track record in financial planning, analysis, and management reporting throughout his career. Prior to joining Infinx, he served as CFO for the Asia Pacific region at Fiserv, where he successfully supported key financial strategies and contributed meaningfully to significant M&A initiatives. In his new role at Infinx, Chavda will provide financial leadership, collaborating with finance and accounts teams across multiple regions. His global expertise - spanning APAC, the US, UK, and India - will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s financial roadmap as it continues its rapid expansion within the healthcare revenue cycle management (RCM) space. Currently, Infinx serves over 172,000 healthcare professionals across more than 4,000 facilities, including ambulatory, acute care, and post-acute care providers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25415/nathealth-foundation-announces-appointment-of-dr-indu-bhushan-neeraj-jain-to-the-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25415/nathealth-foundation-announces-appointment-of-dr-indu-bhushan-neeraj-jain-to-the-board.html Fri, 29 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 NATHEALTH Foundation has announced the induction of two distinguished leaders, Dr Indu Bhushan and Neeraj Jain, to its Board. Their unparalleled expertise and commitment to advancing healthcare will significantly strengthen the Foundation's mission to foster a robust and inclusive healthcare ecosystem in India. Dr Indu Bhushan, Former IAS officer, Senior Associate at Bloomberg School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins University and Founding CEO of the National Health Authority, has a distinguished career spanning over four decades. As the CEO of Ayushman Bharat, he spearheaded the implementation of the world’s largest healthcare coverage scheme, ensuring its successful nationwide rollout. His visionary leadership and experience in leading transformative healthcare initiatives have left a profound impact on millions of lives, making him a trailblazer in enhancing healthcare access. Neeraj Jain, currently serving as Country Director - India and Director - Growth Operations for AMEE (Asia, Middle East & Europe) at PATH, has over 30 years of experience across the social impact and global health sector. He has overseen PATH’s strategic, operational, and growth activities across the region and represents PATH to governments, policymakers, and the global health community in South Asia. Neeraj is a strong advocate for leveraging technology, partnerships, and Global South collaboration to promote health access and equity. He has been instrumental in driving public health innovations and forging strategic collaborations across the public health value chain. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25393/molbio-diagnostics-strengthens-leadership-onboards-distinguished-public-health-advocates.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25393/molbio-diagnostics-strengthens-leadership-onboards-distinguished-public-health-advocates.html Wed, 27 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Molbio Diagnostics, a pioneer in global healthcare based in Goa, has announced the appointment of two new Independent Directors to its board, Professor (Dr) Balram Bhargava and Dr Arun Kumar Jha. These appointments come as the company continues to strengthen its Leadership and make significant strides in healthcare accessibility with its innovative solutions that cater to the remotest regions globally. Professor (Dr) Balram Bhargava is a leader in the public health sector with over 35 years of experience in medical research and health system strengthening. His previous roles include Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research and Secretary of India’s Department of Health Research, being at the forefront of managing several public health crises in India. Dr Bhargava’s ongoing work in pandemic preparedness and health policy has been instrumental in promoting affordable healthcare innovations. His leadership at the National Academy of Sciences and numerous other institutions showcases his commitment to enhancing health outcomes worldwide. Dr Arun Kumar Jha brings a wealth of experience in public health and policy, including his role as an Adviser in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and as an Economic Adviser in the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. He is currently working as the Chancellor of the National Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (NIAMT) and Senior Adviser in John Snow India. With his active involvement with the Government of India in schemes and programs that focus on tuberculosis elimination in the country, Dr Jha has recently signed up an assignment with the Stop TB Partnership and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), positioning him as an invaluable asset in advancing Molbio’s mission to support global health initiatives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25398/rj-corp-healthcare-appoints-dr-alok-khullar-as-group-chief-executive-officer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25398/rj-corp-healthcare-appoints-dr-alok-khullar-as-group-chief-executive-officer-.html Wed, 27 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 RJ Corp Healthcare, a leading name in the healthcare sector through its renowned entities Cocoon Hospital and Cryoviva Stem Cell Bank, has announced the appointment of Dr Alok Khullar as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With over two decades of experience spanning hospitals, health insurance, medical assistance, and health risk consulting, Dr Khullar brings a wealth of expertise to the role.  Dr Khullar began his career as an Emergency Physician before transitioning into healthcare management in 2008. Throughout his career, he has held key leadership positions at prestigious organizations, including Gleneagles Hospitals, Kauvery Hospitals, HCL Healthcare, Max Bupa Health Insurance, and International SOS. A distinguished alumnus of Dr. Sampurnanand Medical College in Jodhpur, Dr Khullar also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Narsee Monjee, Mumbai, and a fellowship in Emergency Medicine from Duke Medical School, Singapore Welcoming Dr. Khullar, Devyani Jaipuria, Pro vice chairperson DPS Gurgaon, DPS Jaipur, DPS International, Chairperson Dharav High School, Director - Healthcare & CSR (Under RJ Corp), remarked, “His extensive experience in healthcare leadership, coupled with his clinical background and strategic acumen, makes him uniquely suited to drive our vision forward. At RJ Corp Healthcare, we have always prioritised innovation and patient-centric care, and I believe Dr Khullar’s expertise will not only strengthen our existing initiatives but also open new avenues for growth and impact.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25383/ovais-sarmad-joins-granules-india-as-advisor-for-sustainability-and-climate-strategy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25383/ovais-sarmad-joins-granules-india-as-advisor-for-sustainability-and-climate-strategy.html Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based pharma manufacturing company Granules India has announced the appointment of Ovais Sarmad as an Advisor to the company, focusing on sustainability, climate policy, and environmental initiatives. Sarmad's role will help guide Granules India as it integrates sustainable practices across its business operations and enhances its climate strategy. With over three decades of experience in global climate policy and sustainable development, Sarmad brings expertise to his new advisory position. He is currently the Vice-Chair of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Steering Committee and served as the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from 2017 to 2023. During his tenure at the UNFCCC, he played a key role in shaping landmark international climate agreements, including the Paris Agreement implementation guidelines, the finalization of Article 6 at the Glasgow Climate Summit, and the establishment of the Loss & Damage Fund at COP27. Before his work at the UNFCCC, Sarmad held senior positions at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), including Chief of Staff and Director of Resources Management. His extensive experience in leading high-level international initiatives and shaping global climate policy positions him well to advise Granules on its sustainability journey. In his advisory capacity, Sarmad will help Granules advance its environmental strategy, navigate the complex landscape of climate action, and implement corporate responsibility initiatives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25353/icmr-recognises-dr-anjana-of-madras-diabetes-research-foundation-with-research-excellence-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25353/icmr-recognises-dr-anjana-of-madras-diabetes-research-foundation-with-research-excellence-award.html Thu, 14 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Dr R M Anjana, President of Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and Managing Director of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, Chennai, has received the "Research Excellence Recognition Award” in the Best Extramural Paper category at the DHR-ICMR Health Research Excellence Summit, 2024, held as part of ICMR’s 113th Foundation Day celebrations, on 14 November. The event was presided over by Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of States in the Health and Family Welfare, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. The summit honoured exceptional contributions of biomedical researchers recognizing their impactful publications and innovative advancements in health research. Dr Anjana’s paper on the ICMR-INDIAB study published in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology in June 2023 was selected for this prestigious award. Dr Anjana has published nearly 400 research papers and has an h-index of 81 and has been recognised as one of the top most young medical researchers and Scientists in the country by several agencies nationally and internationally. Her contributions in the field of Epidemiology and Physical Activity especially the evolution of ‘Thandav’ a High Interval Intensity Training (HIIT) activity involving dance as a method of preventing Non communicable diseases has been widely recognised nationally and internationally. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25329/rpg-life-sciences-appoints-ashok-nair-as-managing-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25329/rpg-life-sciences-appoints-ashok-nair-as-managing-director.html Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 After successfully leading RPG Life Sciences for over six years, Yugal Sikri, the Managing Director of the company, will superannuate at the close of business hours on April 30, 2025. To facilitate smooth and structured transition, Ashok Nair is appointed by the Board on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee as Managing Director (Designate) of the Company w.e.f. January 7, 2025. He will assume office of Managing Director w.e.f. from May 1, 2025, subject to necessary approval by the shareholders of the Company. Nair is an established healthcare leader with 39 years of experience and successful track record of building new businesses and turning around existing ones. He has worked with a broad spectrum of companies, from mature ones to healthtech startups. His last corporate role was as the Managing Director of Abbott Primary Care. Through his long career, he worked with leading pharmaceutical companies such as Abbott, Torrent Pharma, Sun Pharma and Cipla; in areas such as sales, marketing, commercial and product management. He was also involved in formulating policy under the aegis of various industry bodies. More recently, Nair was a Co-Founder of WatchYourHealth, a B2B healthtech startup since June 2023. He also advised PE firms on healthcare topics.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25333/medgenome-appoints-dr-felix-olale-as-ceo-and-jennifer-rose-as-chief-commercial-officer-to-lead-us-expansion.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25333/medgenome-appoints-dr-felix-olale-as-ceo-and-jennifer-rose-as-chief-commercial-officer-to-lead-us-expansion.html Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 MedGenome, a global leader in multiomics and precision medicine, has announced the appointment of two distinguished executives to lead its US operations. Felix Olale, M.D., Ph.D., has been named President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Jennifer Rose joins as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. Together, these seasoned industry veterans will fuel MedGenome’s expansion in North America, advancing its mission to provide unparalleled insights into disease mechanisms, biomarkers, and personalised medicine through cutting-edge multiomics solutions. Dr Olale, a global leader in genomics and healthcare, most recently served as Global Co-Lead of Healthcare Investments at LeapFrog Investments, a pioneer in impact investing and a global expert in scaling purpose-driven businesses. His leadership at MedGenome will accelerate the company’s transformation into the preferred partner for academic institutions, biopharma, and biotech companies seeking advanced multiomic and genomic technologies to tackle the most challenging scientific questions, helping them develop medicines for patients in areas of unmet need. Dr Olale’s appointment as CEO follows his previous role as Chairman of MedGenome’s Board of Directors, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategy. He steps into his leadership role as Dr Amit Kakar, Managing Partner and Head of Novo Holdings Asia, takes over as Chairman. Jennifer Rose, on the other hand, brings extensive expertise in life sciences, having previously served as Regional Vice President of Business Development at Precision for Medicine, a global clinical research organisation. She has held senior leadership roles at NeoGenomics Laboratories, GE Healthcare, PerkinElmer, and Thomson Reuters.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25326/dr-pooja-wadwa-joins-marengo-asia-hospitals-as-clinical-director-critical-care-medicine-ecmo-specialist.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25326/dr-pooja-wadwa-joins-marengo-asia-hospitals-as-clinical-director-critical-care-medicine-ecmo-specialist.html Wed, 06 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, has taken a major leap in its critical care capabilities with the appointment of Dr Pooja Wadwa as Clinical Director of Critical Care Medicine and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Specialist. With over 12 years of extensive experience in critical care, Dr Pooja’s leadership marks a key milestone in the hospital's commitment to providing cutting-edge patient care. Previously a pivotal figure at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, she is widely recognised for her expertise in ECMO and her contribution to raising critical care standards. Her addition to Marengo Asia Hospitals is set to enhance the hospital's critical care services, benefiting patients and elevating healthcare outcomes. Dr Pooja’s arrival at Marengo Asia Hospitals signifies a renewed commitment to delivering world-class critical care services. As the leader of a highly skilled team of critical care professionals, Dr Pooja will play a pivotal role in advancing the hospital’s critical care infrastructure. A key focus of her leadership will be the integration of digital ICU technologies, an innovation that allows for continuous, real-time monitoring of patients using advanced sensors and remote capabilities. This system provides a 360-degree view of each patient's condition, enabling faster interventions and improved accuracy in decision-making. During her career, she has spearheaded several cutting-edge initiatives in critical care and ECMO, significantly improving survival rates and patient outcomes. Her pioneering work in developing ECMO treatment protocols has garnered widespread recognition, establishing her as one of the most sought-after specialists in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25283/lupin-appoints-claus-jepsen-as-president-global-specialty.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25283/lupin-appoints-claus-jepsen-as-president-global-specialty.html Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Global pharma major Lupin Limited (Lupin) announced the appointment of Claus Jepsen as President, Global Specialty. He brings over three decades of  experience in commercial strategy, portfolio management, and launch planning across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Lupin Limited is a global pharmaceutical leader headquartered in Mumbai, India, with products distributed in over 100 markets. Lupin specializes in pharmaceutical products, including branded and generic formulations, complex generics, biotechnology products, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Trusted by healthcare professionals and consumers globally, the company enjoys a strong position in India and the U.S. across multiple therapy areas, including respiratory, cardiovascular, anti-diabetic, anti-infective, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and women's health. Lupin has 15 state-of-the-art manufacturing sites and 7 research centers globally, along with a dedicated workforce of over 22,000 professionals. Lupin is committed to improving patient health outcomes through its subsidiaries - Lupin Diagnostics, Lupin Digital Health, and Lupin Manufacturing Solutions. Claus joins Lupin from Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where he led the Global Strategy for Rare Diseases. Prior to that Claus was at GlaxoSmithKline, where he served in many roles including country head in  Asia, and Global franchise management in Immunology, Respiratory and Neurology therapeutic areas. Claus has launched major brands like Ellipta in the U.S.  and led Advair and Seretide success in Europe and U.S. Commenting on the appointment, Lupin’s CEO, Vinita Gupta said, “We are delighted to welcome Claus to our executive leadership team. His experience in leading specialty strategy, commercial planning and portfolio choices across key markets will enable us to build our Specialty brand business.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25280/shyamakant-giri-to-join-as-ceo-of-gland-pharma.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25280/shyamakant-giri-to-join-as-ceo-of-gland-pharma.html Sat, 19 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Gland Pharma’s Board has approved the appointment of Shyamakant Giri, as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. Giri is expected to join the company with effect from January 15, 2025. Giri is a business leader with over 25 years of strategic and operating experience in pharmaceuticals, devices, diagnostics and healthcare services in leading Indian and multinational organisations across Asia, Africa, MENA & LATAM markets. He possesses rich experience in creating new ventures and improving existing businesses, developing leaders, identifying opportunities for value creation, and executing with discipline. His specialties include Business Development, Operations, Strategy, Product Marketing, startups, and turnarounds. Giri is currently the President (India Business & Emerging Markets) of Amneal Pharmaceuticals, responsible for the commercial expansion and growth in India and Rest of the World markets. Previously, Giri was associated with Rivaara Labs as the Chief Executive Officer. Earlier, Giri was associated in various roles with Abbott India, AbbVie (India Region) and Abbott Diagnostics for almost eighteen years (2002-2020). Giri started his professional career with Wockhardt and was associated during the period 1999-2002. Giri has done his Master’s in Marketing Management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies and also holds a Master’s degree in Science (Organic Chemistry) from Mumbai University. He completed his Executive Programme from INSEAD, Singapore and Executive Programme in Hospital Management from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Srinivas Sadu will continue to be the Executive Chairman of the company and support the company’s next phase of growth. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25268/zynova-shalby-hospitals-appoints-reny-varghese-as-chief-operating-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25268/zynova-shalby-hospitals-appoints-reny-varghese-as-chief-operating-officer.html Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Zynova Shalby Hospitals, Ghatkopar, Mumbai has announced the appointment of Reny Varghese as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO). With a distinguished career spanning over 24 years in healthcare management and administration, Varghese brings unparalleled expertise and leadership to the hospital's operations. Before undertaking the role of COO, Varghese served as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at Zynova Shalby Hospitals, where he played an integral part in streamlining hospital functions and improving operational efficiency. His prior experience includes leadership roles at several prominent healthcare institutions, including Wadia Hospital, Hinduja Healthcare, and Apollo Health and Lifestyle. He also contributed to public health initiatives during his time as an Honorary Advisor for the Commissionerate of Police, Thane. Varghese's leadership will drive the hospital's mission to evolve beyond conventional treatment and emerge as a centre for overall wellness. Under his guidance, Zynova Shalby aims to integrate modern technology into its services, enhancing patient outcomes and ensuring top-tier medical care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25249/dr-bipin-chevale-joins-gleneagles-hospitals-parel-mumbai-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25249/dr-bipin-chevale-joins-gleneagles-hospitals-parel-mumbai-as-ceo.html Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Bipin Chevale has been named the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gleneagles Hospitals located in Parel, Mumbai. He previously worked with Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai. Before joining Gleneagles Hospitals (IHH Healthcare network), he was working as a Director and Head at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai from December 2019 -September 2024. Previous to this, he served at Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai as Chief Operating Officer (from August 2019 - December 2019). He was GM-Operations at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Andheri, Mumbai from Oct 2018 - Aug 2019. He has also worked as the CEO and Zonal Director of S L Raheja Hospital - A Fortis Associate from August 2016 - October 2018. He was also associated with Bombay Hospital for 11 years as Medical Superintendent. Dr Chevale has an experience spanning over 23 years in the healthcare sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25199/integris-appoints-medtech-veteran-probir-das-as-new-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25199/integris-appoints-medtech-veteran-probir-das-as-new-ceo.html Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Integris Healthcare, a global diversified medical technology company, has announced the appointment of Probir Das as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He will join effective November 2024 and will be based in New Delhi. With over three decades of global medtech experience, he will lead the next phase of growth and innovation for the company. Das joins Integris from Terumo Asia Pacific, where he served as Chairman & Managing Director since 2019. He was earlier working as Director- Diagnostics Systems at BD, where he had the complete P&L & Strategic responsibility for BD's microbiology and women's health / cancer business vertical. His role involved creating a long term strategic plan, driving investment, leading marketing, sales & issue based advocacy, building an organisation and kick starting locally relevant product development. Avnish Mehra, Vice Chairman - Everstone Capital commented, “Probir's exceptional track record of scaling businesses at Terumo both in India and in Southeast Asia, combined with his years of experience in India at Becton Dickenson and at Boston Scientific make him the ideal leader to take Integris to new heights.” Integris has built a strong market access and commercialisation capability in India, South East Asia and key strategic markets in Europe, Middle East and LatAm, through which the company distributes its own innovative products and solutions and those of its partners. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25202/bhushan-akshikar-steps-in-as-oppi-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25202/bhushan-akshikar-steps-in-as-oppi-president.html Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), which represents the global research-based pharmaceutical companies in India, has appointed Bhushan Akshikar as its President for a term of two years effective 26th September 2024. Akshikar is a seasoned business leader and has an experience of over 13 years in key leadership roles in GSK across India, Middle East, Russia CIS & Africa region. Before joining GSK, Akshikar spent 15 years with Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, in local and regional positions in India, South Korea and Belgium. Bhushan joined GSK India in September 2011 to lead the specialty business and commercial excellence function. In 2014, he was appointed Head of the Mass Markets business. He was subsequently elevated as the Managing Director of the publicly listed entity of GSK in Nigeria, Africa in end- 2016. Apart from a strong business turn-around, he also built a high performing, resilient team. He then moved to Turkey in 2019 as the VML to drive strategic initiatives and launches in both private and tender segments in the Middle East, Russia CIS & Africa region. In December 2020 he returned to India as the Commercial Head of the General Medicines business and has led a cultural transformation journey delivering strong results reflected in the competitive performance of all flagship brands. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25186/qr678-appoints-industry-veteran-and-medtech-leader-sridhar-ranganathan-to-advisory-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25186/qr678-appoints-industry-veteran-and-medtech-leader-sridhar-ranganathan-to-advisory-board.html Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 QR678, a pioneering company dedicated to revolutionising hair and skin science through groundbreaking research and innovative solutions, has announced the appointment of Sridhar Ranganathan to its Board of Advisors. Ranganathan, former Managing Director at Allergan, brings a wealth of expertise in biotechnology, healthcare, and aesthetics, which is expected to significantly bolster QR678's strategic direction and market penetration. During his tenure as Managing Director at Allergan India and South Asia, Ranganathan played a pivotal role in scaling up Botox over several years, significantly expanding its market presence and transforming it into a leading product in the aesthetics industry. His leadership and strategic vision were instrumental in elevating Botox’s prominence, contributing to Allergan’s strong foothold in the market. Ranganathan is a distinguished figure in the medtech industry, currently being part of the IIT Madras incubated enterprises including HELYXON. His role encompasses driving strategic initiatives and leveraging his extensive experience in sales, marketing, and transformational leadership. Additionally, he is a member of the Steering Committee of HRD at the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, that provides strategic directions in biotechnology education and development. Sridhar is also a IICA certified Indpendent Director.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25175/dr-r-n-gupta-steps-in-as-national-president-of-indian-pharmaceutical-association.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25175/dr-r-n-gupta-steps-in-as-national-president-of-indian-pharmaceutical-association.html Mon, 23 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Dr R N Gupta has been elected as the National President of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), the oldest and largest association of pharmaceutical professionals in the country, for the term 2024 - 2026 (1st October 2024 - 30th September 2026). Dr Gupta is a senior professional, with almost five decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, academia and research. Currently, an Adjunct Professor with NIPER – Kolkata, Dr Gupta has earlier worked with Smith Stanistreet Pharmaceuticals, Kolkata, Bihar State Pharma & Chemical Development Corporation, Patna, Eastern Chemical Industries, Cuttack and Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi. With over 100 research publications in peer- reviewed journals and 2 authored books on ‘Pharmaceutical Marketing Management’ and ‘GPP or Good Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Pharmacy’ respectively, he has successfully guided 8 Doctorate students. A true crusader for the profession, Dr Gupta has raised numerous issues concerning various facets of the profession through over 350 ‘Letters to the Editor’ and has succeeded in resolving many of these in favor of the profession, through his sustained advocacy initiatives. Interestingly his first paper "A Spot-light on GMP" published in August 1980, was subsequently inserted in Schedule M of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules in 1988. He has been expert Committee Member of IPC, PCI, DGHS and various govt Committees and Reviewer of NFI. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25134/medgenome-appoints-dr-amit-kakar-as-new-chairman-of-the-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25134/medgenome-appoints-dr-amit-kakar-as-new-chairman-of-the-board.html Wed, 11 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 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.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25124/akums-appoints-shantanu-r-chobhe-as-corporate-quality-assurance-head.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25124/akums-appoints-shantanu-r-chobhe-as-corporate-quality-assurance-head.html Sat, 07 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 New Delhi-based Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO), Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals has announced the appointment of Shantanu R Chobhe as the Corporate Quality Assurance Head. Chobhe brings over 30 years of extensive experience in quality and regulatory management within the pharmaceutical industry. His career has spanned across several leading companies, including Lupin, Glenmark Generics, UniChem Laboratories, Wockhardt, and Cipla. Prior to joining Akums, he served as a key member of Abbott Healthcare, where he was instrumental in driving quality excellence. At Akums, Chobhe will take charge of all quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) departments, overseeing both active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and formulations. His deep expertise in quality management and regulatory affairs will be critical as Akums continues to uphold its commitment to delivering high-quality pharmaceutical products. He is a member of the IP Expert Committee, the Parenteral Drug Association (PDA), and the Indian Pharmaceutical Scientists and Educators (IPSE).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25125/cactus-communications-appoints-akhilesh-ayer-as-new-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25125/cactus-communications-appoints-akhilesh-ayer-as-new-ceo.html Sat, 07 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Cactus Communications, a leading science communication and technology company, has announced the appointment of Akhilesh Ayer as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Abhishek Goel, founder and outgoing CEO will continue to serve as a board member and transition into the role of Chief Mentor.   Established in 2002, CACTUS has flourished under Abhishek Goel’s leadership, partnering with researchers, institutions, and publishers worldwide to accelerate research publishing and impact. This leadership change aligns with Cactus' strategic vision for its next phase of growth and innovation as the company enters its third decade.   Ayer comes with over 25 years of leadership experience in running global businesses, managing clients and running transformation programs across a range of industry verticals, products and services. His previous experience include leadership stints at WNS, GE and Crisil amongst others.    Akhilesh Ayer joins CACTUS from WNS Global Services, where he served as Executive Vice President & Head of Data, Analytics, AI & Research (Triange) business unit. At WNS, he successfully transformed the business unit by adopting a differentiated go-to-market strategy, re-imagining the product-service mix, building a best-in-class operational ecosystem and bringing in industry-leading people practices that helped achieve stellar results. He also played a key role in the business unit’s M&A strategy, leading successful acquisitions and integrations.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25123/amit-mookim-steps-in-as-ceo-of-immuneel-therapeutics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25123/amit-mookim-steps-in-as-ceo-of-immuneel-therapeutics.html Fri, 06 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Immuneel Therapeutics, a pioneering cell and gene therapy platform, has announced the appointment of Amit Mookim as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mookim brings over two decades of extensive experience across life sciences, technology and private equity, making him ideally suited to lead Immuneel into its next phase of growth and innovation. Mookim joins Immuneel from IQVIA, a Fortune 500 global leader in clinical research, technology and analytics, where he served as Managing Director for South Asia. At IQVIA, he played a pivotal role in integrating two large organisations post-merger, overseeing the site operations for a combined workforce of 20,000+ professionals across India. His leadership was instrumental in growing the South Asia commercial business both organically and inorganically. Prior to his tenure at IQVIA, Mookim was Head of Healthcare at KPMG India. He built KPMG’s healthcare business from the ground up and worked extensively with leading hospitals, PE funds and international healthcare companies to establish and grow their presence in India. His deep expertise in healthcare transactions, M&A, and private equity investments positioned him as a thought leader in the industry. Mookim possesses significant experience in developing innovative business models and supporting entrepreneurship in the healthcare industry. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25096/enzene-appoints-norm-stoffregen-to-lead-biologics-manufacturing-facility-in-us.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25096/enzene-appoints-norm-stoffregen-to-lead-biologics-manufacturing-facility-in-us.html Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Enzene Biosciences, a fully integrated contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) with services spanning discovery, development and commercial supply, has announced the appointment of Norm Stoffregen as SVP, site head, and head of biologics manufacturing at the company’s new $50 million manufacturing facility in Hopewell, near Princeton, New Jersey, US.   As well as taking responsibility for Enzene’s global biologics business, Stoffregen will lead the final stages of work to commission the 54,000-square-foot facility. He will then lead ongoing operations at the site, where the company intends to transfer-in existing customers’ manufacturing projects and expand to add further bioreactor capacity, employing a workforce of 300 by the end of 2025.   Significantly, Stoffregen brings a vast experience of building manufacturing businesses, having worked in the area since 2015 when the Hopewell facility was owned by Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS).   Immediately prior to joining Enzene, Stoffregen was VP-site head at PTC Therapeutics, and before that held various roles of increasing responsibility at BMS and with other biotherapeutics/bioprocessing companies, where he amassed more than 20-years’ experience in leadership, quality assurance, and Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25090/akums-boosts-leadership-team-with-amrut-medhekar-as-ceo-of-cdmo-biz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25090/akums-boosts-leadership-team-with-amrut-medhekar-as-ceo-of-cdmo-biz.html Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 New Delhi-based Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, a leading contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), has announced the appointment of Amrut Medhekar as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its CDMO business, effective August 24, 2024. Medhekar, who will report to Sanjeev Jain and Sandeep Jain, the Joint Managing Directors of Akums, brings over 27 years of extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry. His expertise spans corporate strategy, business leadership, key account management, portfolio strategy and supply management. Before joining Akums, Medhekar held the position of President of India Business at Wockhardt, where he spearheaded significant growth initiatives. His also spend considerable time of his career at the Zydus Group, along with key roles at Novartis, JK Tyre and Industries, Life Medicare Biotech, Torrent Pharmaceuticals and Ranbaxy.   Medhekar brings a robust academic background, including an Executive MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, an Executive Program in Finance from XLRI, and a Management Development Program (MDP) from MDI Gurgaon. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Science from Jiwaji University, Gwalior. In addition to his academic credentials, Amrut has served as a Jury Member for the HULT Prize $1M Challenge at IIM Ahmedabad and has been an honorary speaker at various prestigious management institutes, including FMS, Symbiosis, AIMA, and UpGrad. Medhekar’s proven track record of leadership and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector positions him to drive Akums’ CDMO business to new heights. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25071/medikabazaar-appoints-dinesh-lodha-as-group-chief-executive-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25071/medikabazaar-appoints-dinesh-lodha-as-group-chief-executive-officer.html Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based startup Medikabazaar, India's largest B2B e-commerce marketplace for medical supplies, has announced the appointment of Dinesh Lodha as its new Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With over two decades of experience in the medtech industry and a distinguished career marked by leadership roles across various sectors, Lodha brings a wealth of expertise to Medikabazaar. Before joining Medikabazaar, Lodha managed large B2B and B2C operations in FMCG and healthcare sectors. He has worked with multinational, private equity-led businesses and large publicly listed Indian companies. His experience spans medical consumables category at Healthium & TI Medical, and equipment category at GE Healthcare and Samsung. Regarded by the ecosystem for his ability to drive substantial growth and profitability, Lodha upholds a robust culture of compliance and customer success. He was pivotal in successful private equity transactions at Healthium and spearheaded significant profitability growth for the publicly listed B2C giant. His leadership also drove the transformation of GE Healthcare’s supply chain operations. Lodha’s appointment comes at an opportune time with the healthcare market expanding multi-fold. Medikabazaar represents ~7% of the entire market opportunity which stands at $11 billion and is poised for a strong growth in the future. Given the market opportunity and the company’s growth trajectory, the company has expanded its global presence, targeting markets such as Dubai, Singapore, and China, and explore avenues of inorganic growth through strategic acquisitions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25072/dr-vipul-rastogi-joins-sukoon-health-as-clinical-regional-head-of-delhi-ncr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25072/dr-vipul-rastogi-joins-sukoon-health-as-clinical-regional-head-of-delhi-ncr.html Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Gurugram-based startup Sukoon Health, a mental health hospital chain, offering residential and outpatient psychiatry, psychology, and de-addiction services, has onboarded Dr Vipul Rastogi as the clinical regional head of Delhi-NCR. At Sukoon Health, Dr Rastogi will spearhead a team of skilled professionals, leading them to deliver empathetic and evidence-based treatment to patients in the region. Dr Rastogi brings over 23 years of distinguished experience in psychiatry to his new role. Trained in the UK and practicing in India for the past decade, he is one of the few dual-trained specialists in psychiatry and neurology. His expertise and dedication have consistently placed him among the top 10 psychiatrists in India. Trained in the Recovery Model in the UK, Dr Rastogi has expertise in treating severe mental health disorders including deaddiction, acute psychosis, severe anxiety and depression and is proficient in the safe retrieval of psychiatric emergency cases.  He has worked as a consultant neuropsychiatrist at Medanta – The Medicity Hospital in Gurug. His clinical expertise includes managing complex neuropsychiatric conditions, liaising with multidisciplinary teams, and working with various medical specialities to provide comprehensive mental health care. He is also a TEDx speaker and has done numerous presentations and facilitated training on mental health disorders.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25058/red-health-appoints-prashant-agarwal-as-vp-to-transform-250-hospital-emergency-services-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25058/red-health-appoints-prashant-agarwal-as-vp-to-transform-250-hospital-emergency-services-across-india.html Mon, 26 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based startup RED.Health, a medical emergency response platform, has announced the appointment of Prashant Agarwal as Vice President (VP) of Hospital Business. This strategic appointment aims to propel RED.Health’s mission to revolutionise emergency care across India through innovative technology and unparalleled service.  With a pharma background and MBA from IMT Ghaziabad, Agarwal brings over two decades of extensive experience in the healthcare industry. Before RED.Health, he held key positions with leading pharmaceutical and healthcare entities, namely Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Abbott, Sanofi, and AstraZeneca. In his new role, Agarwal will spearhead efforts to expand RED.Health’s hospital partnerships to enhance operational efficiency and ensure broader accessibility to the company’s life-saving technologies and services. He will focus on deeper integration with healthcare providers and regulatory bodies to create a more robust emergency response ecosystem. His appointment comes at a crucial time for RED.Health, following its recent achievement as Asia’s first JCI Accredited Medical Transport Company. With a fleet of over 10,000 ambulances serving 510+ cities, RED.Health continues to raise the bar in emergency medical response, with plans to significantly expand their hospital network from 120 to over 250 hospitals within this financial year. As RED.Health embarks on its next growth phase, Agarwal will play a crucial role in expanding the company’s impact, optimising its service offerings, and encouraging a culture of innovation and excellence across the organisation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25051/padma-vibhushan-awardee-dr-ra-mashelkar-joins-iihmr-university.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25051/padma-vibhushan-awardee-dr-ra-mashelkar-joins-iihmr-university.html Sat, 24 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 IIHMR University, (earlier Know as Indian Institute of Health Management Research), a leading health management research university based in Jaipur, has announced the appointment of Dr RA Mashelkar as a distinguished professor, aiming to further elevate the institution’s academic quality, scientific research and innovative landscape. Dr Raghunath Anant Mashelkar has spoken on the future of the Indian healthcare landscape at various platforms where his focus has been on “Indovation”- a concept where he believes that India needs innovation done by Indians for the Indian challenges considering the Indian conditions. He also firmly believes, achieving affordable excellence can help us upscale digital healthcare in India. He has significantly contributed to academics, scientific research, science, technology, innovations, IPR leadership, and society. He is renowned for his contributions in polymer science & engineering, for his transformative national research institution leadership, for his pioneering different movements such as evolving global systems for traditional knowledge protection, helping create strong yet balanced IPR systems, inclusive innovation movement based on the concept of Gandhian Engineering that he pioneered. Dr Mashelkar, who is known for his world-class scientific research, has been honoured with three of India’s highest civilian awards, Padmashri (1991), Padmabhushan (2000) and Padma Vibhushan (2014). With many firsts to his credit, he has also won the most prestigious TWAS-Lenovo Science Prize (2018), the highest science prize by the World Academy of Science. Another feather in his cap is the record of 47 honorary doctorates from universities around the world, from London to Pretoria to Wisconsin to Monash to Delhi.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25035/dr-yogesh-shouche-steps-in-as-director-of-skan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25035/dr-yogesh-shouche-steps-in-as-director-of-skan.html Thu, 15 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based SKAN Research Trust (SKAN), promoted by Indian entrepreneur Ashok Soota, has announced Dr Yogesh Shouche's appointment as Director.  Dr Shouche is a well-known expert in microbiome. He has been associated with SKAN for the last two years in different capacities and has been instrumental in building a great team of scientists and developing a culture of collaboration in research.  In his new role, Dr Shouche will further enhance and guide efforts to achieve SKAN's mission: “TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE. IMPACTING MILLIONS OF LIVES.” Ashok Soota, the Chairman & Managing Trustee of SKAN, said “Yogesh is the fulcrum and pillar for all SKAN’s activities.  Yogesh is widely respected as the leading expert on the gut-microbiome in India and abroad.  He has conceptualised many of the research projects we are doing. He has been a magnet for the talent we have brought into SKAN and will continue to expand.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25031/wanbury-appoints-prakash-venkatraman-as-president-of-api-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/25031/wanbury-appoints-prakash-venkatraman-as-president-of-api-business.html Wed, 14 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Wanbury has announced the appointment of Prakash Venkatraman as President of the API business. With a stellar career spanning over three decades, Venkatraman brings a wealth of experience in API operations, P&L management, and business strategy. Venkatraman most recently served as Senior Vice President of the API business at Shilpa Pharma Lifesciences for over 3 years. In this role, he spearheaded the API division, driving growth and delivering on revenue and EBITDA targets. Previously, Venkatraman led Global Sales and Business Development for Sun Pharma's API division as Senior Vice President. Venkatraman spent 8 years at Jubilant Life Sciences as Senior Vice President of the API business establishing Jubilant as a global leader in specific molecules and expanding capacity to meet surging demand. Venkatraman's career also includes senior leadership roles at Wockhardt, Ranbaxy, and Kopran, where he consistently delivered on organisational objectives. Wanbury is confident that Venkatraman's strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and strategic vision will elevate its success and significantly contribute to achieving our business goals and objectives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24994/healthium-medtech-appoints-sudeep-dhariwal-as-group-chief-financial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24994/healthium-medtech-appoints-sudeep-dhariwal-as-group-chief-financial-officer.html Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Healthium Medtech, a global player in medical devices, focused on products in surgical and post-surgical ecosystem including wound closure, advanced wound care, arthroscopy and infection prevention segments, has announced the appointment of Sudeep Dhariwal, as their new Group Chief Financial Officer. Dhariwal joins Healthium Medtech after a successful stint at Danaher - Cepheid, where he was the Vice President - Finance, for APAC. As Healthium continues to expand their access to a fast growing Indian and diversified international market, Dhariwal will be managing the entire gamut of finance, legal, supply chain management and company secretarial functions for the Healthium Group, in his current role. With over 24 years of experience in strategic, operational and financial roles across global MNCs, Dhariwal will spearhead the vision for overall business and finance. A qualified Chartered Accountant and certified Treasury Manager, Dhariwal comes aboard with more than 24 years of diverse experience in building and leading highly engaged teams that deliver robust business partnerships, best-in-class financial reporting capabilities, good accounting practises, efficient risk and strict compliance management. In his previous stints, he has worked with organizations like Perfetti Van Melle, Reckitt Benckiser, Nokia, Mars and Medtronic, with a proven track record in establishing vision and strategy for both business and finance functions.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24982/dr-umesh-steps-in-as-drugs-controller-in-charge-of-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24982/dr-umesh-steps-in-as-drugs-controller-in-charge-of-karnataka.html Fri, 02 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530   The Karnataka government has appointed Dr S Umesh as the Drugs Controller in-charge of the state's drugs control department, following the retirement of Bhagoji T Khanapure. Dr Umesh's new role comes after his appointment as the Additional Drugs Controller. With his new responsibilities, he will oversee the regulation and enforcement of drug laws in the state, ensuring the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals. The appointment of Dr Umesh marks a significant transition for the department. His extensive experience in the field is expected to bring a renewed focus on the challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector in Karnataka. As the Drugs Controller in-charge, he will be responsible for supervising the regulation of drug manufacturing and sales, conducting inspections, and ensuring compliance with legal standards. The state government has indicated that further orders will be issued regarding the full-time appointment for the position of Drugs Controller. In the interim, Dr Umesh will lead the department, continuing the work of his predecessor while bringing his own expertise to the role. This leadership change occurs at a crucial time as Karnataka's pharmaceutical industry continues to grow and adapt to new regulatory demands. The appointment aims to maintain the department's efficiency and uphold its commitment to public health and safety. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24966/francis-desouza-former-ceo-of-illumina-joins-4basecares-advisory-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24966/francis-desouza-former-ceo-of-illumina-joins-4basecares-advisory-board.html Tue, 30 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup 4baseCare, an Illumina Accelerator Company, that offers cutting-edge precision oncology solutions using advanced genomics and digital health technology, has appointed Francis deSouza to its advisory board. Francis deSouza is known for his strong track record of advancing healthcare through leveraging the power of genomics. In his decade-long career leading Illumina, the world’s leading provider of DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, he played a key role in making genomics more accessible globally. Under his leadership from 2016 to 2023, Illumina significantly reduced sequencing costs, delivered innovative clinical solutions, and expanded operations to 150+ countries. “I am excited to join 4baseCare and to work with Hitesh and Kshitij. The company's mission to make genomics accessible and affordable for under-represented populations deeply resonates with me,” said Francis deSouza. “4baseCare has shown remarkable growth over the last 6 years, and I am confident that this is just the beginning of our journey to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients in India and the region.” Hitesh Goswami, CEO and Co-Founder, 4baseCare, “Francis deSouza's extensive experience of growing Illumina across geographies aligns with our plan of expanding our genomics capabilities in SE Asia and the Middle East. We look forward to working with him to achieve our vision of making genomics accessible to everyone and create a positive impact on the lives of millions of people fighting cancer in the region.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24900/healthpresso-appoints-manuj-sanduja-as-co-founder-cto.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24900/healthpresso-appoints-manuj-sanduja-as-co-founder-cto.html Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Delhi-based startup HealthPresso, a leading digital platform reshaping health content for healthcare professionals, has announced the appointment of Manuj Sanduja as Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). With his extensive experience and expertise, Sanduja will play a pivotal role in driving innovation and digital transformation in the healthcare industry. As an accomplished professional with over 17 years of experience in client acquisition, product management, and cutting-edge IT solutions, Sanduja is well-positioned to lead HealthPresso's global expansion efforts and spearhead groundbreaking advancements in healthcare content automation. HealthPresso's mission is to revolutionise health content for healthcare professionals, making it more accessible and efficient. Sanduja's appointment marks a significant step in achieving the vision as HealthPresso seeks to leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to redefine the future of health content. His diverse expertise in brand strategy, financial performance evaluation, and marketing will be instrumental in driving HealthPresso’s vision forward. With a dual background in engineering and management, Sanduja possesses a unique blend of technical and managerial skills, enabling him to effectively manage both products and teams.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24883/siemens-healthineers-appoints-kalavathi-gv-as-executive-director-and-head-of-development-center.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24883/siemens-healthineers-appoints-kalavathi-gv-as-executive-director-and-head-of-development-center.html Tue, 09 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Kalavathi GV has been appointed as the Head of Development Center (DC) and executive director at Siemens Healthineers India, starting July 1, 2024. In her new role, she will lead over 3,500 DC employees in India and Slovakia, driving the development of precision healthcare solutions using artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation for all business lines of Siemens Healthineers. Kala has an extensive track record of driving global digital transformation at large multi-national organisations. She has previously held leadership positions at Philips Healthcare and GE Healthcare, and is a strong advocate of representation of senior female leaders in the Indian IT ecosystem. Kala has taken office from Dileep Mangsuli, who will now lead global corporate activities in the fight against tuberculosis at Siemens Healthineers. Peter Schardt, Chief Technology Officer, Siemens Healthineers said, “She comes with three decades of industry experience with a strong medtech and healthcare acumen, and we look forward to benefitting from her insights and ideas to strengthen our leadership in innovation. As a strong female business leader, we are confident that Kala will be a role model for our teams globally, fostering an environment of collaboration, mutual learning, inclusivity, and growth.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24876/raja-bhanu-steps-in-as-new-director-general-of-pharmexcil.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24876/raja-bhanu-steps-in-as-new-director-general-of-pharmexcil.html Sat, 06 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 K. Raja Bhanu has been elevated from Executive Director to Director General of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), effective July 1, 2024. This announcement follows the retirement of Ravi Udaya Bhaskar on June 30, 2024. The appointment was confirmed by S.V. Veeramani, Chairman, and Namit Joshi, Vice Chairman of Pharmexcil. Raja Bhanu, a distinguished former official of the Drug Control Administration (DCA), has a robust background in drug control and regulation. His previous role as Executive Director of Pharmexcil showcased his capability to lead and implement significant initiatives within the organization. Bhanu's career with the DCA is notable for his numerous achievements in ensuring drug quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. During his tenure, he implemented key initiatives that improved the standards and enforcement of drug regulations in India. These efforts have not only safeguarded public health but also bolstered the reputation of Indian pharmaceuticals in international markets. In his new role, Bhanu is expected to focus on expanding India's pharmaceutical exports, enhancing global competitiveness, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes in various countries. His deep understanding of both domestic and international pharmaceutical regulations is anticipated to benefit the industry and promote its growth. As Director General, Bhanu will be instrumental in facilitating collaborations, addressing trade barriers, and advocating for the industry's interests on a global platform.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24846/ai-health-startup-cloudphysician-appoints-dr-mandar-vaidya-as-ceo-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24846/ai-health-startup-cloudphysician-appoints-dr-mandar-vaidya-as-ceo-india.html Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based AI health startup Cloudphysician, a full-stack tech and operations company that partners with hospitals to manage patients in their ICU and Emergency departments, hs announced the appointment of Dr Mandar Vaidya as CEO-India, effective June 2024.  Vaidya brings over two decades of experience driving global businesses and delivering transformative results. His experience as a former partner at McKinsey & Co., where he led the healthcare practice in Asia and developed strategies for hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, will help Cloudphysician serve partner hospitals effectively and drive growth across India.  He was regional CEO at OYO for four years, where he led multiple geographies outside of India (Europe, SE Asia, Middle East, and Japan). He led profitable and transformative growth in these markets via a tech-enabled approach: building scale from India for the world.  Additionally, Vaidya is an independent director on the board of Cipla Limited. His experience in driving growth and innovation for global companies over the last 20 years will help foster a long-term institutional approach within Cloudphysician. Cloudphysician recently raised $10.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from Elevar Equity and venture debt firm Panthera Peak. Vaidya aims to unlock opportunities to ensure that high-quality intensive care is accessible, scalable, and cost-effective for hospitals everywhere.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24850/happiest-health-appoints-dr-sreenivasan-narayana-as-president-ceo-of-healthcare-services-division.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24850/happiest-health-appoints-dr-sreenivasan-narayana-as-president-ceo-of-healthcare-services-division.html Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Happiest Health has announced the appointment of Dr Sreenivasan Narayana as President & Chief Executive Officer of the knowledge, health and wellness enterprise’s new division— Healthcare Services. This will help Happiest Health to strengthen its offerings in the healthcare services sector. Dr Sreenivasan will be responsible for strategic planning, operations, and the development of new healthcare service centres. Dr Sreenivasan Narayana is an ENT surgeon who has worked in renowned healthcare organisations such as the Apollo Hospitals Group and Narayana Health. He also founded Doctree Health, a startup aimed at affordable treatments. Dr Sreenivasan completed his postgraduate programme in management at the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, where he undertook a full semester exchange MBA programme at The Wharton School, USA.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24811/ravindra-boratkar-publisher-mm-activ-media-receives-exemplary-leadership-award-of-exhibition-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24811/ravindra-boratkar-publisher-mm-activ-media-receives-exemplary-leadership-award-of-exhibition-industry.html Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530   Ravindra Boratkar, Publisher & Managing Editor, BioSpectrum (India and Asia), NUFFOODS Spectrum (India and Asia) and AgroSpectrum (India and Asia) was presented the Exemplary Leadership Award in the Exhibition Excellence Awards in the Editor’s Choice category in his capacity as the Managing Director of MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications Pvt Ltd., the parent company of all the media brands.  Exhibition Excellence Awards are presented annually for various events, exhibitions, conferences seminars, venues and personalities to recognise their contribution and felicitate the distinguished achievers of the sector. The awards are Asia’s iconic, only recognition initiative for the exhibition and convention industry. The awards are given by the Exhibition Showcase, Asia's most comprehensive media platform for exhibitions. This was the 8th edition of the Exhibition Excellence Awards and Summit 2024, held at the CIDCO exhibition and convention centre in Navi Mumbai. The award citation said, “Boratkar’s remarkable contributions and visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on the industry, shaping its trajectory for the better. Boratkar is a driving force in the organisational consulting, marketing, management and event organisation.” MM Activ Sci Tech Communications, the publishing company of BioSpectrum (India and Asia), NUFFOODS  Spectrum and AgroSpectrum, received awards for two of its shows.     Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023, encapsulating Bio Technology, bagged the award as the Grand Conference, while the Start Up Mahakumbh 2024 received award as Top Start-Up India Promotion Show and 1st runner up in the category Top New Show (B2C). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24794/rajnish-rohatgi-takes-reins-of-orchid-ams-as-chief-executive-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24794/rajnish-rohatgi-takes-reins-of-orchid-ams-as-chief-executive-officer.html Wed, 19 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Orchid Pharma, a Chennai-based pharmaceutical company catering across the pharmaceutical value chain (discovery to delivery) with expertise in R&D and marketing, has announced the appointment of Chief Executive Officer, Rajnish Rohatgi, for its new division Orchid AMS. He will be responsible for setting up a new division focused on promoting the rational use of anti-infectives, to  favourably impact a key aspect of Indian public health. Rohatgi is a seasoned leader and strategic thinker with over 35 years of experience in steering both B2C and B2B product and service businesses across sectors including consumer goods and healthcare. He has held prominent positions at prominent companies like Unilever, Max Hospital, and Becton Dickinson, where his visionary leadership and entrepreneurial acumen delivered significant impact. In 2022-23, Rohatgi consulted with Orchid Pharma and was instrumental in developing a unique strategy and business plan focused on entering the domestic formulations market, with a range of antibiotics. Recognising his exceptional expertise, Orchid Pharma invited him to join full-time, undertaking the challenge of building a successful business from the ground up. Backed by a strong educational foundation from IIT Kanpur and IIM Calcutta, Rohatgi has cultivated a robust foundation in propelling business growth, fostering innovation, and spearheading strategic initiatives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24789/2070-health-names-gaurav-porwal-as-chief-operating-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24789/2070-health-names-gaurav-porwal-as-chief-operating-officer.html Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 2070 Health, India’s first healthcare focused venture studio, has announced the strategic appointment of Gaurav Porwal as Chief Operating Officer and Operating Partner. In this senior leadership role, Porwal will lead portfolio management and work closely with the founders and operating teams of 2070 Health to drive growth and success of 2070 Health’s portfolio companies. Porwal brings two decades of founder and senior leadership experience in the Indian startup ecosystem and has a proven track record of building and scaling businesses, including his successful exit from Sparsh NephroCare, which was acquired by Fresenius Medical Care in 2016. His experience spans multiple consumer and healthcare ventures, including Ola Cabs (COO - Global Mobility) and Tata Digital (SVP – Service Commerce) where he built businesses across healthcare, food delivery and mobility for Tata Group's super-app, Tata Neu. 2070 Health plans to launch 8-10 startups over the next 3-4 years and will also expand operations outside India over the coming years. With Porwal's appointment, 2070 Health reinforces its commitment to building a robust ecosystem of healthcare startups. As the studio expands its operations and launches new startups, Porwal's strategic guidance will be instrumental in shaping the future of healthcare and realising the studio's bold vision. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24766/first-lady-deputy-director-for-first-iit-of-the-country.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24766/first-lady-deputy-director-for-first-iit-of-the-country.html Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur as announced Prof. Rintu Banerjee as the new Deputy Director of IIT Kharagpur. Prof Rintu has created a historical breakthrough by being the first woman to take over the charge of a Deputy Director of the first IIT of the country and the world. Prof. Rintu is the Founder Head and is presently the Chairperson of P K Sinha Centre for Bioenergy and Renewables. She has also served as the Head of the Centre for Rural Development, Innovative and Sustainable Technology and Head of the Department of Agricultural & Food Engineering at IIT Kharagpur for 3 years. In her career span, she has held many important portfolios including Chairperson of Centre of Excellence in Precision Agriculture & Food Nutrition; Nodal Coordinator for Australia and New Zealand for SPARC & Coordinator for RuTAG. Prof. Rintu has completed her PhD in Microbial Biotechnology from Chemical Engineering Department at IIT Kharagpur. From the beginning of her career she was engaged in industry-academy collaborative research activities. As an outcome of her research, she has transferred several technologies to different industries and have many national/international patents to her credit. Recently, she has successfully transferred her 1G & 2G Ethanol technology to the industry for commercialisation. She has published two books in the area of environmental biotechnology and OMICS Based Approaches in Plant Biotechnology.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24746/prataprao-g-jadhav-steps-in-as-union-minister-of-state-in-ministry-of-health-family-welfare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24746/prataprao-g-jadhav-steps-in-as-union-minister-of-state-in-ministry-of-health-family-welfare.html Tue, 11 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav took over the charge as the Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. He also holds the portfolio of the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayush. Jadhav has represented the people of Maharashtra in various capacities, including as a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for three terms and as a State Minister for Sports, Youth Welfare, and Irrigation.  He was elected to the Lok Sabha from the constituency of Buldhana in 2009, 2014, 2019 and again in 2024. He was also the State Minister for Sports, Youth Welfare & Irrigation, Government of Maharashtra from 1997 to 1999.  Since his election to the Lok Sabha, he has held key positions such as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24752/anupriya-patel-takes-charge-as-union-minister-of-state-in-ministry-of-health-family-welfare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24752/anupriya-patel-takes-charge-as-union-minister-of-state-in-ministry-of-health-family-welfare.html Tue, 11 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Anupriya Patel has taken over the charge as the Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Anupriya was elected to the Lok Sabha from the constituency of Mirzapur in 2014, 2019 and again in 2024. She was the Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from July 2016 to May 2019 and Union MoS in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry from July 2021 to June 2024.  She has served in various capacities, from being a Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly to her recent role as Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. She was previously elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Rohaniya constituency of the Legislature of Uttar Pradesh in Varanasi, where she had fought a campaign in alliance with the Peace Party of India and Bundelkhand Congress from 2012 to 2014. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24742/jp-nadda-takes-charge-of-health-ministry-and-ministry-of-chemicals-and-fertilizers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24742/jp-nadda-takes-charge-of-health-ministry-and-ministry-of-chemicals-and-fertilizers.html Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed the allocation of portfolios among the members of the Union Council of Ministers, for Modi government's third term. Jagat Prakash Nadda (JP Nadda) has taken charge as Union Minister, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. He succeeds Mansukh Mandaviya who got the charge of Health Ministry and the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers back in 2021. Nadda had served as the Union Health Minister from 2014 to 2019. He was appointed as a National Working President of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2019, and was elected as a BJP National President in 2020. He has served a Cabinet Minister in Himachal Pradesh. He has also shouldered the responsibilities of BJP National General Secretary and Member Secretary of BJP Parliamentary Board.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24744/dr-jitendra-singh-retains-charge-as-minister-of-science-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24744/dr-jitendra-singh-retains-charge-as-minister-of-science-technology.html Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 First from Jammu and Kashmir to secure a ministerial berth at the Centre for a third consecutive term, Dr Jitendra Singh retains charge of Ministry of Science and Technology. He took over as the Minister back in 2014. Dr Jitendra Singh is currently serving as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy; and Minister of State in the Department of Space. He is a physician known for his work on diabetes and endocrinology. Dr Singh has been a professor, a consultant, clinical practitioner, author of eight books, and a newspaper columnist and also the ex-chairman for the National Scientific Committee Diabetes and the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24745/dr-jitendra-singh-retains-charge-as-minister-of-science-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24745/dr-jitendra-singh-retains-charge-as-minister-of-science-technology.html Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 First from Jammu and Kashmir to secure a ministerial berth at the Centre for a third consecutive term, Dr Jitendra Singh retains charge of Ministry of Science and Technology. He took over as the Minister back in 2014. Dr Jitendra Singh is currently serving as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy; and Minister of State in the Department of Space. He is a physician known for his work on diabetes and endocrinology. Dr Singh has been a professor, a consultant, clinical practitioner, author of eight books, and a newspaper columnist and also the ex-chairman for the National Scientific Committee Diabetes and the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24738/srinivas-sadu-steps-in-as-executive-chairman-and-ceo-of-gland-pharma.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24738/srinivas-sadu-steps-in-as-executive-chairman-and-ceo-of-gland-pharma.html Fri, 07 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Gland Pharma, a generic injectable-focused pharmaceutical company, has announced that Srinivas Sadu, the incumbent Managing Director (MD) and CEO, has been appointed as Executive Chairman and CEO of the company, effective June 10, 2024. Srinivas Sadu, a seasoned professional with over two decades of rich experience, has been a key part of Gland’s journey. He assumed the role of MD and CEO on April 25, 2019, and has been instrumental in the company's growth and success.  His career with the company began in 2000, and he steadily rose through the ranks to become chief operating officer in 2011. Gland Pharma was established in 1978 in Hyderabad and has grown over the years from a contract manufacturer of small-volume liquid parenteral products to become one of the largest and fastest growing injectable-focused companies, with a global footprint across 60 countries, including the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, India, and other markets.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24735/augnito-appoints-hamza-moftah-as-associate-vice-president-of-sales.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24735/augnito-appoints-hamza-moftah-as-associate-vice-president-of-sales.html Thu, 06 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based startup Augnito has announced the  appointment of Hamza Moftah as Associate Vice President of Sales. In this role, Moftah  will leverage his extensive experience to augment and lead Augnito's growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) healthcare ecosystem.  Moftah brings over 18 years of private and public sector digital health transformation expertise across the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region. Built on the bedrock of nearly a decade with Oracle Health (Cerner), his career spans management consulting roles at firms such as PwC and EY, as well as significant positions in leading regional digital health and medtech startups like Brighter and Okadoc. Moftah's specialties encompass a wide range of areas, including Digital Health Startup Partnerships (B2B2C), Consumer Digital Health, Virtual Care, Health Information System/Electronic Health Record Implementation, and IT Strategy with Roadmap.  Rustom Lawyer, Co-Founder & CEO of Augnito, expressed his enthusiasm for Hamza's  appointment, stating, "The GCC region is of paramount importance to us as AI innovators.  Hamza's deep understanding of the digital health landscape and his ability to drive  impactful change will be instrumental in our mission to empower clinicians, ensure the highest levels of quality and precision in documentation and administration, and improve  patient outcomes in the region."    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24719/organon-india-appoints-vivek-soares-as-new-country-lead-for-india-and-south-asia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24719/organon-india-appoints-vivek-soares-as-new-country-lead-for-india-and-south-asia.html Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Organon India has announced the appointment of Vivek Soares as its new Country Lead for India and South Asia, commencing on June 1st, 2024. Soares will take the reins from Anjan Sen, who will retire after 35 years in the biopharmaceutical sector, which includes 11 years with MSD and Organon.  Soares brings over 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, having held numerous leadership roles at both country and regional levels. He has successfully led diverse teams across markets, developed and executed successful strategies, to increase sales and profitability, while building future capabilities. Prior to joining Organon India, Soares served as Strategic Partnerships & Business Development Lead for Organon Thailand. He has also held positions such as Director, Fertility Business Unit in Asia Pacific, Head of Tender & Key Account in Vietnam, and Senior Marketing Manager for Women's Health covering India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Healthcare company Organon has a global footprint with significant scale and geographic reach, world-class commercial capabilities, and approximately 10,000 employees with headquarters located in Jersey City, New Jersey. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24701/medtronic-appoints-mandeep-singh-kumar-as-vice-president-of-india-biz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24701/medtronic-appoints-mandeep-singh-kumar-as-vice-president-of-india-biz.html Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 India Medtronic Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medtronic plc has announced the appointment of Mandeep Singh Kumar as the new Vice President and Managing Director of India Medtronic Pvt. Ltd., beginning May 2024. He succeeds Michael Blackwell who has moved back to the US to pursue new opportunities. Assuming this position, he will oversee sales, marketing, and commercial operations for Medtronic’s business in India. Mandeep Singh Kumar has extensive experience spanning over 25 years and has demonstrated agile leadership in driving successful growth and business transformations across healthcare, pharmaceutical and med-tech sectors. His expertise includes strategy development, ensuring successful execution, driving commercial excellence, and building winning teams across the globe. Singh’s previous role was as Country Leader with Intuitive India where he led the development and implementation of plans to broaden patient access, build a holistic ecosystem for robotic assisted surgery, and drive successful customer robotic programmes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24702/paras-health-appoints-nakul-anand-as-independent-director-on-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24702/paras-health-appoints-nakul-anand-as-independent-director-on-board.html Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Paras Health hasannounced the appointment of Nakul Anand, Past President of the Hotel Association of India as Independent Director to its Board. Anand brings a wealth of strategic insights and operational expertise to his new role in enhancing service quality and patient experience across all hospitals of Paras Health. Paras Health expects to benefit from this esteemed addition to their Board in streamlining operations to optimize hospital workflows. It aims to leverage Anand’s strategic insights and experience in sustainable business models from Hospitality to Hospitals and Health.  Prior to joining Paras Health, Anand served ITC Hotels for 45 years and as a Director on the Board of ITC Ltd. for 12 years. He has been acknowledged for his vision and commitment to the tourism and hospitality industry and was also recognized as the ‘Corporate Hotelier of the World 2019’ by Hotels Magazine USA. He has also been the past President of the Hotel Association of India. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in Economics from Delhi University and an AMP Degree from the Bond University, Australia. Dr Dharminder Nagar, Managing Director, Paras Health said, “With his dynamic impact and growth-oriented mindset, we believe that Nakul will propel our journey towards redefining healthcare. His strategic insights will help augment our long-term growth strategy, ensuring alignment with our vision of building a healthier Bharat with a strong focus on enhancing patient-experience with holistic approach.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24682/dr-reddys-announces-appointment-of-milan-kalawadia-to-ceo-north-america.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24682/dr-reddys-announces-appointment-of-milan-kalawadia-to-ceo-north-america.html Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy's Laboratories has announced the appointment of Milan Kalawadia as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), North America, and member of the Management Council. As part of the Dr. Reddy’s senior leadership team, he will be responsible for the company’s North America business and will be based out of the Princeton, New Jersey, US office. During his 18-year tenure at Dr. Reddy’s, Kalawadia has held various positions of increasing responsibility beginning in 2006 with roles in Finance, Investor Relations, Corporate/Business Development, Marketing and Head of NAG OTC and SRx divisions. Most recently, Kalawadia served as Chief Commercial Officer, responsible for the customer-facing and commercialisation operations for the three main verticals of the core NA business: retail Rx, hospital/institutional injectable, and private label OTC. Kalawadia led the early efforts to develop strategies for the Biosimilars and the Self-care & Wellness business units in the US. He played a critical role in driving various new growth initiatives including the acquisition of OTC brands; the development of our e-commerce presence on Amazon; and engaging with alternate channel partners. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24627/takeda-appoints-annapurna-das-as-general-manager-for-india-operations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24627/takeda-appoints-annapurna-das-as-general-manager-for-india-operations.html Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India (formerly known as Baxalta Bioscience India Private Limited), part of a global values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader, has announced the appointment of Annapurna Das as General Manager for its India operations. In her new role, Annapurna will lead the company in India, ensuring patient access to its highly innovative medicines and vaccines, and advancing valuable collaborations to contribute to the growing domestic healthcare and pharmaceutical market. Annapurna comes with more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry across India and Southeast Asia. Before joining Takeda, she held key leadership positions at various multinational healthcare companies, including Miltenyi Biotec, Sanofi, GSK, MSD, Pfizer and Organon, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership in sales, marketing, corporate strategy and business development across both pharma and vaccines businesses. Commenting on her new role, Annapurna Das said, “I am truly honoured to be entrusted with this responsibility by Takeda. India is one of the key countries for us, given its diverse population and the significant healthcare challenges. We are fully committed to serving patients in India by providing them with greater access to our innovative medicines and vaccines, ensuring they receive the best possible care. I look forward to working closely with our stakeholders and partners to strengthen our commitment in India while positively impacting the lives of patients across the country.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24603/rossari-biotech-strengthens-leadership-with-sunil-nair-as-chro.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24603/rossari-biotech-strengthens-leadership-with-sunil-nair-as-chro.html Wed, 08 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Rossari Biotech, a leading manufacturer of specialty chemicals, enzymes, and other products for various industries including home, personal care and performance chemicals, textiles specialty chemicals, animal health & nutrition products, has announced the appointment of Sunil Nair as the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for Rossari Biotech and its esteemed Group Companies. Based in the dynamic hub of Mumbai, Nair steps into this pivotal role with a dedication not only to lead the Human Resources (HR) function but also to oversee corporate communications. With a strategic focus, he will be instrumental in aligning with organizational goals across Rossari and its Group's diverse operational units and locations. With a remarkable career spanning over 26 years, Nair brings a wealth of experience to his new role at Rossari Biotech. Having served as the Head of HR at Ashok Leyland Limited for eight years, he adeptly aligned HR strategies with the overarching objectives of the company.  Nair's professional journey includes diverse sectors, including automotive and garment manufacturing, immigration consultancy, and recruitment consultancy. His career trajectory has seen him undertake pivotal roles in both Dubai, UAE, and Chennai, showcasing his adaptability and expertise in navigating varied professional environments. Mr. Nair's proficiency in strategic HR management is exemplified by his achievements in talent acquisition, organizational design, performance management, compensation and benefits, career and succession planning, and employee engagement. His adeptness in crafting and executing HR processes and policies, combined with his capability to lead sizable teams, will play a central role in propelling Rossari Biotech's growth trajectory.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24574/ezerx-appoints-santi-ranjan-karar-as-principal-social-impact-adviser.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24574/ezerx-appoints-santi-ranjan-karar-as-principal-social-impact-adviser.html Thu, 02 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bhubaneswar-based medtech startup EzeRx has announced the appointment of Santi Ranjan Karar as its Principal Social Impact Adviser. In his new role at EzeRx, Karar will leverage his extensive experience to guide the company's social impact initiatives, ensuring its innovative healthcare solutions reach those who need them most. His insights will be invaluable in shaping EzeRx's strategy for addressing healthcare disparities and promoting equitable access to quality care. Karar's illustrious career has been defined by his unwavering commitment to social welfare, sustainable development, and humanitarian aid across the globe. From leading disaster relief efforts during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami to participating in the United Nations peace mission in Darfur, Sudan, his contributions have left an indelible mark. His remarkable journey has spanned international organizations, government bodies, and grassroots initiatives, aligning with EzeRx's vision of leveraging technology to drive positive social impact at scale. Among the highlights of his distinguished career are his roles as a Managing Board Member of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) National Headquarters, where he supported humanitarian relief efforts across India, and as Chairman of the IRCS West Bengal State Branch, leading the organization's response during natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other crises.   Karar's expertise has been widely recognised, earning him accolades such as the Dadabhai Naoroji Millennium Award, a certificate of recognition from the President of the General Women's Union in the United Arab Emirates, and Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24564/dr-krishna-ella-takes-helm-of-indian-vaccine-manufacturers-association-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24564/dr-krishna-ella-takes-helm-of-indian-vaccine-manufacturers-association-as-president.html Mon, 29 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association (IVMA) has announced Dr Krishna M Ella, a distinguished scientist and successful entrepreneur, as the association’s new President for a two-year period from April 2024-2026.   Dr Ella, Co-Founder, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, acknowledged as the father of Genome Valley, and known for his pioneering work in biotechnology with his visionary leadership in the biotech industry, is set to steer the Association towards new horizons in vaccine development and production.   Dr Ella takes over the Presidency from Adar C Poonawala who held the post from 2019 to March 2024. For the current 2-year term, Mahima Datla, Managing Director of Biological E assumes the role of Vice President; T. Srinivas, CFO of Bharat Biotech, will be Treasurer and Dr Harshavardhan, will continue as Director General of IVMA.   His appointment comes at a critical time when the world is grappling with emerging infectious diseases and the need for preventative vaccine research and development, and access to safe and affordable vaccines, is more pressing than ever.   Under Dr Ella's leadership, the IVMA aims to fortify collaboration between vaccine manufacturers, researchers, and policymakers to accelerate the development of new vaccines and improve production processes.   IVMA's mission is to bring to the fore the Indian private-sector human vaccine manufacturer’s concerns related to the progress and profitability of the industry and in streamlining regulatory pathways and matters related to audits and inspections in consultations with the Central Drugs Standard and Control Organization. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24549/former-kpmg-partner-jaideep-ghosh-joins-heartnet-indias-advisory-board-as-chief-of-strategy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24549/former-kpmg-partner-jaideep-ghosh-joins-heartnet-indias-advisory-board-as-chief-of-strategy.html Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup Heartnet India, a rapidly scaling digital health innovator committed to 'Delivering Quality and Affordable Healthcare for All,' has announced the induction of Jaideep Ghosh to its Advisory Board as Chief Advisor- Strategy. Jaideep Ghosh will advise on critical business strategies, including go-to-market initiatives, brand management, investor relations and talent management, among others alongside the leadership team. He will take an instrumental role in directing Heartnet India to accomplish its mission of reaching a target of 10,000 care points within the next 24 months, making cardiac care accessible and affordable across India. An alumnus of Columbia Business School in New York, Jaideep Ghosh has a distinguished career of over two decades. He currently serves on the Advisory Council of Harvard Business Review and previously held leadership positions as Chief Operating Officer at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., a premium law firm, and a senior Partner, National Industry Head and COO at KPMG Management Consulting. He is also dedicated to social causes, holding an advisory board position at a grassroot organization providing education to underserved communities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24546/ezerx-appoints-arnab-bhattacharya-as-sales-director-to-drive-innovative-device-portfolio.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24546/ezerx-appoints-arnab-bhattacharya-as-sales-director-to-drive-innovative-device-portfolio.html Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bhubaneswar-based medtech startup EzeRx, a front runner in the field of healthcare, has announced the appointment of industry stalwart, Arnab Bhattacharya as Sales Director. In this pivotal role, he will spearhead the commercialisation strategy and sales efforts for EzeRx's innovative medical device scheduled for launch later this year. Bhattacharya brings over 22 years of experience driving revenue growth and building high-performing sales teams in the pharmaceutical industry across diverse geographies in India. With an outstanding track record of success in Eastern, Northern, and North-Eastern regions, he has consistent results for all the organszations he’s been associated with while gaining deep insights into varied therapy areas. Prior to joining EzeRx, Bhattacharya served as Zonal Manager at Nutrigold India based in Delhi, overseeing operations across Delhi NCR, Chandigarh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Western Uttar Pradesh. He also held key regional and area business manager roles in Kolkata, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, and the Northeastern states.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24481/merck-india-announces-life-science-managing-director-changes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24481/merck-india-announces-life-science-managing-director-changes.html Tue, 09 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Merck, a leading science and technology company, has recently announced the appointment of Dhananjay Singh as the Managing Director of Merck Life Science in India, in addition to his current position as Head of Science & Lab Solutions Commercial, India. Effective April 1, 2024, Dhananjay Singh has taken over from Sreenath NS, who is retiring after 36 years of illustrious service with Merck in India. "As an expert with 26 years with Merck, Dhananjay has been instrumental in shaping the Science and Lab Solutions Commercial business in India and is exemplary in his commitment to advancing scientific progress in partnership with our customers. Dhananjay's expertise in market dynamics and multi-stakeholder relationship management will further strengthen Merck Life Science’s position in the Indian market” said Pratima Reddy, Country Speaker, Merck India. In his role as the Managing Director, Singh will be responsible for driving the Life Science strategy in India, ensuring governance and compliance alongside other leaders from Merck's businesses in India. Singh joined Sigma-Aldrich in 1997. Over the years he took on several leadership roles in Commercial Organisation before his appointment as Head of Science & Lab Solutions Commercial for India, a position he held since 2022. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24467/abhay-soi-steps-in-as-new-president-of-nathealth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24467/abhay-soi-steps-in-as-new-president-of-nathealth.html Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 NATHEALTH, the apex body representing the Indian healthcare industry, has announced Abhay Soi as its new President for FY24-25. Soi is the Promoter, Chairman and Managing Director of Max Healthcare Institute Limited (MHIL). Prior to the acquisition and merger with MHIL, Soi was the Promoter, Chairman and Managing Director of Radiant Life Care.    Prior to Radiant, Soi co-founded Special Situations Private Equity Fund, where he made investments across sectors such as Mining, Financial Services, Agri-processing, Retail, Paper & Paperboards manufacturing, Textiles and Specialty Chemicals.   Soi takes charge from Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, erstwhile President of NATHEALTH during FY23-24, and assumes responsibility for steering the organisation towards new horizons. This was announced in the Annual General Meeting post the 10th NATHEALTH Arogya Bharat Summit 2024.   Joining Soi in the new leadership team are Ameera Shah, Promoter & MD of Metropolis Healthcare, as Senior Vice President and Dr.Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals Group, as Vice President. Dr Om Prakash Manchanda, Managing Director, Dr Lal PathLabs is Treasurer and Anish Bafna, CEO & MD, Healthium Medtech, is Secretary.    Continuing in his role, Secretary General, Siddhartha Bhattacharya will lead the NATHEALTH Secretariat team in its ongoing efforts to foster strategic partnerships, bring together healthcare stakeholders across India through the regional chapters, and work with policymakers to create a synergy that will power the next wave of healthcare for all.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24457/apollo-hospitals-appoints-vishal-lathwal-as-ceo-for-homecare-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24457/apollo-hospitals-appoints-vishal-lathwal-as-ceo-for-homecare-business.html Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals, India’s leading private hospital network with 71 owned and managed hospitals has recently onboarded Vishal Lathwal as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for its homecare business. In his new role, Lathwal will be responsible for driving the company towards the next phase of growth, backed by his visionary approach to business, and an in-depth understanding of the home healthcare space. With over 15 years of professional experience spanning consulting, automobile, and healthcare sectors, Lathwal brings invaluable expertise in building and expanding direct-to-consumer (D2C) offerings. As a founding member of Max@Home, the homecare division of Max Healthcare, he played a pivotal role in establishing and elevating the brand to become one of the nation's largest providers. Drawing from this wealth of experience, he will play a crucial role in formulating and executing core business strategies at Apollo Home Healthcare. Being the youngest executive at this role in the company and a proven track record of strengthening market position and growth, Lathwal will cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, identify growth opportunities, and manage financial performance, whilst also ensuring the delivery of high-quality home healthcare services akin to the Apollo’s ethos.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24462/lupin-appoints-dr-ranjana-pathak-as-chief-quality-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24462/lupin-appoints-dr-ranjana-pathak-as-chief-quality-officer.html Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Global pharma major Lupin has announced the appointment of Dr Ranjana Pathak as Chief Quality Officer, succeeding Johnny Mikell who will be retiring from the services of the company. With over three decades of industry experience, Dr Ranjana brings a wealth of expertise and leadership and will oversee all aspects of quality and regulatory compliance for Lupin’s global operations. Dr Ranjana’s career includes serving as the Global Head for Quality and Pharmacovigilance at Dr. Reddy’s. Prior to this, she served as the President & Global Head of Quality, Medical Affairs and Pharmacovigilance at Cipla and has also held Global Quality and Compliance leadership positions at Watson/Actavis and Endo Pharmaceuticals in the US.  Dr Ranjana has strong experience across generic and brand medicines across dosage platforms including injectables, inhalation products and biologics.  Vinita Gupta, CEO and Nilesh Gupta, MD, Lupin said, “Her extensive global experience and proven track record in building and sustaining a strong culture of quality and compliance align with Lupin’s commitment to be best-in-class in delivering quality products to the communities we serve.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24453/alembic-pharma-appoints-manish-kejriwal-as-independent-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24453/alembic-pharma-appoints-manish-kejriwal-as-independent-director.html Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Alembic Pharmaceuticals has appointed Manish Kejriwal as an Independent Director of the company for the period of five consecutive years effective from March 31, 2024. Kejriwal brings over 30 years of experience in private equity investments and is currently the founder and Managing Partner of Kedaara Capital. Prior to founding Kedaara Capital, Kejriwal served as the head of the India office of Temasek Holdings, managing all investments and activities. He also held a prominent role as a Partner at McKinsey & Company, Inc., where he co-founded "The Private Equity Practice" and authored influential reports such as the "NASSCOM McKinsey reports." Kejriwal currently serves on the boards of Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Holdings Investment, various Kedaara investee companies, and K Raheja Corp Investment Managers. An active member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) and a Young Global Leader (YGL) recognised by the World Economic Forum, Kejriwal is deeply involved in education initiatives, including the United World College movement and Ashoka University. He has authored articles on private equity in India, featured in leading publications, and is a sought-after speaker at conferences worldwide.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24450/able-re-elects-g-s-krishnan-as-president-for-2024-2026.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24450/able-re-elects-g-s-krishnan-as-president-for-2024-2026.html Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 G S Krishnan, President of the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) has been re-elected for another two-year term from April 2024 - 2026, as the head of India’s leading biotech industry organisation. Krishnan, with three decades of experience in the Bio Industrial sector, currently - Director, external stakeholder relations at Danish biotech company, Novonesis and Independent Consultant/Advisor to various Biotech companies, assumed ABLE president’s role in April 2021. Krishnan will head a 14-member governing body that is elected for a two -year term, during the recently held elections. The other office bearers will be: Vice President- Dr Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, Chairperson of IKP, Hyderabad; General Secretary- Dr Ezhil Subbian, co-founder and CEO, String Bio, Bangalore and Treasurer- Ravi Bhola, senior Partner, K&S Partners, Bangalore. Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, will continue as the association’s honorary non-executive chairperson. Elected members of the ABLE Governing Body for 2024-26 are: 1. Dr Ashvini Shete, Strategy & Technology Lead - Renewable Chemicals & Materials, Praj Industries; 2. Dr B N Manohar, MD & CEO, Stempeutics Research; 3. Dr Jayashree Aiyar, VP and Head Discovery Biology, Syngene International; 4. Krishna Kalyan T. D., Executive Director & COO, Laurus Bio; 5. Dr Sandeep Nilkanth Athalye, Chief Development Officer, Biocon Biologics; 6. Sanjeev Balahall Neelappa, Managing Director, Yokogawa Technology Solutions India; 7. Dr S. Shriram, Senior Vice President, Jananom; 8. Sowmya Lakshmi Balendiran, Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, Sea6 Energy; 9. Dr Vasan Sambandamurthy, Senior Vice President - Global Strategy, Bugworks Research Inc; and 10. Venkat Kamalakar Bundla, Managing Director, Garphi Biosciences. The Council is currently chaired by Dr P M Murali, Founder of Jananom. The other members are- Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson and Founder of Biocon and Biocon Biologics; Dr K K Narayanan, Founder & Director, Sthayika Seeds; Dr Vijay Chandru, Co-founder & Director - Strand Life Sciences and Shrikumar Suryanarayan, CMD, Sea6 Energy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24410/bio-rad-appoints-roop-k-lakkaraju-as-executive-vice-president-chief-financial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24410/bio-rad-appoints-roop-k-lakkaraju-as-executive-vice-president-chief-financial-officer.html Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 US-based Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., a global leader in life science research and clinical diagnostics products, has announced that Roop K. Lakkaraju will join the company as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective April 15, 2024. Lakkaraju joins Bio-Rad from Benchmark Electronics, a multi-national leader in electronics manufacturing services, where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer responsible for all finance-related functions supporting the company’s global operations since 2018. Prior to Benchmark, he held Chief Financial Officer and senior operational roles at several large, multinational companies including Support.com, a provider of cloud-based software and services, and Solectron, a leading global provider of electronics manufacturing and integrated supply chain services. Lakkaraju began his career as an auditor with Grant Thornton and PricewaterhouseCoopers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24401/apollo-appoints-dr-madhu-sasidhar-as-president-ceo-hospitals-division.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24401/apollo-appoints-dr-madhu-sasidhar-as-president-ceo-hospitals-division.html Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo, one of the world’s largest vertically integrated healthcare provider, has announced appointment of Dr Madhu Sasidhar as President & Chief Executive Officer of its hospital division. In this role, Dr Sasidhar will oversee Apollo’s hospital business and will focus on continuing to deliver the world’s best clinical outcomes, coupled with enhancing Apollo’s hallmark patient care and experience. Prior to joining Apollo, Dr Sasidhar held various roles at Cleveland Clinic, including President of Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital. He is a practicing physician with US board certifications in internal medicine, as well as pulmonary and critical care medicine. He is a published author with numerous contributions to book chapters, journal articles, and peer-reviewed publications. Dr Sasidhar is also a self-taught programmer with expertise in big data systems and holds a patent through Cleveland Clinic Innovations for a technology he invented. Dr Sasidhar’s appointment is part of a planned transition that has been in effect since he joined Apollo as its Chief Strategy Office in October 2023. As part of this transition, Dr K Hari Prasad, the outgoing President of Apollo Hospitals, will be retiring from his position after a distinguished 27 years career at Apollo.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24396/lupin-appoints-christoph-funke-as-chief-technical-operations-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24396/lupin-appoints-christoph-funke-as-chief-technical-operations-officer.html Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based pharma major Lupin has announced the appointment of Christoph Funke to the newly-created position of Chief Technical Operations Officer. With over 30 years of global pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain, and technical operations experience, Funke brings a wealth of expertise to Lupin. He will be based in Mumbai and will oversee Lupin's Technical Operations function, integrating manufacturing, supply chain, and procurement. Funke’s extensive career includes leadership roles at organisations such as Fresenius Kabi and  Strides Pharma Science. In his leadership roles, Funke has managed large-scale technical operations and manufacturing networks across 27 sites in 19 countries, overseeing production value exceeding $2 billion and leading teams of over 12,500 employees. He holds an engineering degree from South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Commenting on the appointment, Lupin’s CEO, Vinita Gupta, and MD, Nilesh Gupta said, “His impressive track record and extensive experience across manufacturing, supply chain, and technical operations make him a valuable addition as we continue to advance our mission of improving patient lives globally.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24343/lupin-appoints-rakesh-bhardwaj-as-chief-information-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24343/lupin-appoints-rakesh-bhardwaj-as-chief-information-officer.html Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Global pharma major Lupin announced the appointment of Rakesh Bhardwaj as Chief Information Officer (CIO). He will be based in Mumbai and lead Lupin’s global Information Technology function and spearhead the company’s digital transformation. Bhardwaj brings to Lupin rich experience of over three decades in building and managing cutting edge global IT teams and systems for some of the largest enterprises in the world. His last assignment was with Ola as Group Chief Information Officer, prior to which he has held leadership positions with Cognizant, Microland, General Electric and BISIL. Bhardwaj holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering in Computer Science from Gulbarga University, Karnataka. Commenting on the appointment, Ramesh Swaminathan, Executive Director, Global CFO and Head – Corporate Affairs, Lupin said, “Information Technology plays a critical role in advancing and expanding our horizons as a global pharmaceutical leader. We are pleased to welcome Rakesh to Lupin, further enhancing our IT foundation. With his expertise, he will drive our efforts in digitalization, process automation, data management and analytics, all of which will reinforce Lupin’s position as a frontrunner in innovation and excellence within the industry.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24338/veeda-clinical-research-appoints-dr-mahesh-bhalgat-as-group-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24338/veeda-clinical-research-appoints-dr-mahesh-bhalgat-as-group-ceo.html Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Veeda Clinical Research has announced the appointment of Dr Mahesh Bhalgat as the Group CEO. Dr Bhalgat is an accomplished leader and professional with more than three decades of a successful career in developing business strategies, driving growth, spearheading multiple initiatives across several verticals, and managing operations in diverse businesses including, Biopharmaceuticals, Vaccines, Contract Research Organization (CRO), Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO),  Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research reagents and services space. At Veeda, Dr Bhalgat will provide strategic leadership and drive the integration of different business segments to build a multinational integrated technology-enabled, clinical research organization by overseeing a diverse portfolio of research services of Veeda group companies, which includes Preclinical Research business (Bioneeds India), and Clinical Research entity (Veeda Clinical Research). Dr Bhalgat has vast experience of being in a senior leadership roles. Prior to joining Veeda, Mahesh was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Syngene International (Biocon Group Company). Prior to that, he was the COO and Executive Director for Sanofi in Hyderabad, where he was responsible for initiating the first-ever Indian manufacturing operation for injectable polio vaccine. Dr Bhalgat started his India career with Biological E, which he joined after 20 years in North America pursuing his study and working with multi-national drug development companies, which include Amgen and Monsanto and Thermofisher.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24320/united-we-care-appoints-ex-google-executive-prabeer-nair-as-global-chro.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24320/united-we-care-appoints-ex-google-executive-prabeer-nair-as-global-chro.html Tue, 05 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 United We Care (UWC), a leading deep tech Generative AI startup focused on transforming mental health and well-being, has announced the appointment of Prabeer Nair as its Global Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Nair brings extensive experience across the entire employee lifecycle, from hiring and training to development, benefits, and research. He possesses a deep understanding of global workforces and cultures, having lived and worked in over twelve countries throughout his career. His career highlights include leadership positions at Google, where he focused on employee motivation and team dynamics, as well as experience with companies like PetroChina, Oracle, and disruptive companies like Google X, Sprinklr, and Speechify. This diverse background equips him with the expertise to navigate the complex landscape of global talent acquisition and cultural integration. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24324/lubrizol-names-bhavana-bindra-as-managing-director-india-middle-east-and-africa.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24324/lubrizol-names-bhavana-bindra-as-managing-director-india-middle-east-and-africa.html Tue, 05 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Lubrizol Corporation, producing multiple grades of high molecular weight polymers for the pharmaceutical market, has announced the appointment of Bhavana Bindra as Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA). The newly created role will support Lubrizol’s aggressive growth goals and ongoing commitment to the region. With over two decades of experience in the manufacturing industry and working with renowned companies in this space like REHAU and Cummins India, Bhavana will apply her leadership and industry expertise to drive Lubrizol’s growth in the region. As Lubrizol IMEA Managing Director, Bhavana will be responsible for leading the company’s IMEA team to deliver regional growth for Lubrizol and its customers, based on a local-for-local approach. Bhavana will work closely with Lubrizol leaders across the company to support localized market opportunities and strengthen relationships with in-region customers, suppliers and stakeholders. She also will provide oversight of a new Global Capability Center in Pune, which will serve as a regional hub that enhances Lubrizol’s capabilities for regional growth. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24281/medibuddy-onboards-kuldeep-singh-as-senior-vice-president-head-of-engineering.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24281/medibuddy-onboards-kuldeep-singh-as-senior-vice-president-head-of-engineering.html Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 MediBuddy, Bengaluru-based digital healthcare platform, has announced the appointment of Kuldeep Singh as Senior Vice President and Head of Engineering. With over 18 years of experience leading distributed teams across the globe, Singh brings a wealth of technical leadership from his notable roles in high-value startups and global financial institutions. In his new role, he will spearhead the engineering efforts at MediBuddy, focusing on designing and implementing innovative solutions that align with the company’s vision of making high-quality healthcare accessible to a billion people.  In his previous role at Gojek, Singh was leading Engineering for Business platforms (Marketplace, Cartography, Customer, and Communication platform). This formed the core engine of Gojek powered by machine learning systems for real-time, high throughput use cases, in pricing, allocations, routing, and incentives.  Prior to Gojek, Singh served as a Distinguished Engineer at Deutsche Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland and as Director of Engineering at Indian e-commerce unicorn Snapdeal. He holds an engineering degree from IIT Delhi. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24277/dr-pradeep-mahajan-receives-maharashtra-bhushan-award-2024-for-work-in-regenerative-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24277/dr-pradeep-mahajan-receives-maharashtra-bhushan-award-2024-for-work-in-regenerative-medicine.html Tue, 27 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Pradeep Mahajan, the Founder and CMD of StemRx Hospital and Research Centre, and StemRx Bioscience Solutions, has received the Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2024. This recognition celebrates his pioneering work in regenerative medicine, highlighting his significant contributions to the field. Dr Mahajan's dedication, leadership, and innovative spirit have truly made a difference in the lives of many. Known for his remarkable achievements, Dr Mahajan is highly respected in the field of regenerative medicine. His groundbreaking clinical successes and scholarly contributions have earned him a well-deserved reputation. Through his work, he has not only improved individual lives but has also pushed the boundaries of medical science itself. His associations with prestigious institutions like Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Institute of Technology & Management (ITM), and Amity University reflect his commitment to education and research. Additionally, his certification from the American Board of Regenerative Medicine speaks volumes about his expertise and proficiency. He is enthusiastic in exploring alternative therapies for life-threatening diseases and painful conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, and arthritis, aims to provide cost-effective solutions with minimal side effects. Dr Mahajan has spearheaded numerous groundbreaking treatments, including the world's youngest case of Cerebral Palsy and the first instance of Empty Nose Syndrome in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24263/care-hospitals-group-appoints-shalabh-dang-as-chief-sales-and-marketing-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24263/care-hospitals-group-appoints-shalabh-dang-as-chief-sales-and-marketing-officer.html Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 CARE Hospitals, a leading healthcare group in India, has announced the appointment of Shalabh Dang as its Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. With a distinguished career spanning over two and a half decades, DAng brings a wealth of cross-domain experience to his new role. Before joining CARE Hospitals, he served as the Group Head - Domestic, International Sales and collections for Fortis Healthcare. His last assignment was with Red.Health as the Chief Revenue Officer. His impressive career also includes notable stints at renowned companies such as Philips, Vodafone, and TATA Teleservices. DAng's contributions to the healthcare industry were recognised with the prestigious Top 100 Global Healthcare Leader Award in Dubai in 2019, presented by the International Forum on Advancements in Healthcare (IFAH).  CARE Hospitals anticipates that Dang's strategic vision and leadership will play a pivotal role in advancing the organisation's marketing initiatives, digital transformation, boosting revenue growth in domestic and international markets and strengthening its position as a leader in the healthcare sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24227/boston-scientific-appoints-madan-krishnan-to-lead-india-subcontinent.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24227/boston-scientific-appoints-madan-krishnan-to-lead-india-subcontinent.html Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 US-based medtech firm Boston Scientific has announced the appointment of Madan Krishnan as vice president and managing director, India Subcontinent and Commercial Operations / Excellence APAC, effective February 1, 2024. In this role, Krishnan will be responsible for the commercial business across India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, as well as commercial operations and excellence across Asia Pacific. Krishnan is an international business leader with more than two decades of progressive leadership experience in emerging and developed healthcare systems. He was previously with Medtronic, where he led the India business, and AstraZeneca where he held leadership roles based in Turkey, South Korea and Singapore. He takes over leadership of the India Subcontinent for Boston Scientific from Manoj Madhavan, who is relocating to the US to assume a global role within the company. “Madan brings rich experience of the healthcare sector to our business in India, where we have established a strong footprint and built a team that is dedicated to improving the health of patients in India as well as around the world,” said Stephen Morse, senior vice president and president, Asia Pacific, Boston Scientific.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24231/iit-m-appoints-ramesh-kumar-as-ceo-of-sports-science-centre-of-excellence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24231/iit-m-appoints-ramesh-kumar-as-ceo-of-sports-science-centre-of-excellence.html Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has appointed Ramesh Kumar, former ESPN Vice President and Head of ESPN (India and South Asia) and Global Head of ESPNcricinfo, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Center of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics (CESSA). Ramesh Kumar comes with a wealth of experience in sports industry & new business initiatives and is greatly positioned to lead this hub for sports analytics & science, which is first-of-its-kind in India and aims to be among top centres globally in a three-year time frame. Kumar, an alumnus of IIT-M (BTech (ME), 1992 Batch) comes with more than three decades of industry experience with an initial corporate stint with the Tata Group in India and close to 24 years in the sports industry. He has been providing leadership to drive global digital leadership, innovation and growth of the world’s no 1 digital sports brand ‘ESPNcricinfo’. He also drove overall strategic leadership for ESPN India and South Asia operations. The Center of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics at IIT-M will be a global platform for fostering innovation in sports technology and deliver products and solutions to enhance athlete performance and also serve general fitness and health consumers. It will also create and deliver products and solutions across media platforms and work with sporting federations and bodies (creating their platforms and enhancing on ground experience and working with other media platforms) to increase fan engagement. CESSA will also be establishing an incubator ecosystem for sport tech startups. Over the next few years, CESSA will also take the lead in carrying out cutting-edge research in sports science and analytics in collaboration with leading institutes in the world.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24182/indian-chemical-society-honours-bharat-ratna-prof-c-n-r-rao-as-the-chemist-of-the-century.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24182/indian-chemical-society-honours-bharat-ratna-prof-c-n-r-rao-as-the-chemist-of-the-century.html Fri, 09 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Chemical Society (ICS), in the midst of its centennial year, celebrated the remarkable achievements of Bharat Ratna Prof. C.N.R. Rao by conferring upon him the prestigious title of "The Chemist of the Century." The felicitation ceremony served as a fitting tribute to Prof. Rao's outstanding career, characterised by ground-breaking research, international acclaim, and impactful leadership roles in the field of chemistry. Prof. C.N.R. Rao, a luminary in the realm of chemistry, has significantly shaped the scientific landscape with his prolific contributions. His illustrious journey, from earning his academic credentials at esteemed institutions to assuming leadership positions in prominent scientific organisations, reflects a lifetime dedicated to advancing the frontiers of knowledge. The felicitation ceremony witnessed the presence of distinguished personalities, including Prof. G. D. Yadav, President of the Indian Chemical Society and National Science Chair, Emeritus Professor of Eminence, and Former Vice Chancellor of ICT Mumbai, Prof. G. U. Kulkarni, President of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), and Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman of MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications. Prof. Rao's legacy, encapsulated in this prestigious title, stands as an inspiration for future generations of scientists and underscores the profound and lasting influence he has had on the scientific community.   Image caption- (From Left to Right): Prof. G.D. Yadav, President, Indian Chemical Society; Prof. C. N. R. Rao, FRS, Honorary President & Linus Pauling Research Professor, JNCASR; Dr Indumati Rao, Coordinator, ETU, JNCASR; Prof. G.U. Kulkarni, President, JNCASR ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24162/omniactive-health-appoints-amit-chopra-as-president-and-chief-executive-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24162/omniactive-health-appoints-amit-chopra-as-president-and-chief-executive-officer.html Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 OmniActive Health Technologies, an innovative science and natural health company, has announced the appointment of Amit Chopra as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Chopra has served in various leadership positions and brings a wealth of experience in general management, commercial, manufacturing, M&A, and innovation. Most recently, he served as Managing Director for India and South Asia at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he led the region to become one of the fastest-growing markets globally by building a highly engaged world-class leadership team, transforming customer experience, and successfully integrating multiple Indian and global acquisitions. In his prior role, he worked in several leadership roles with ICI in India and Asia Pacific. Chopra holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, and an MBA in Marketing and Finance from XLRI Jamshedpur, India. Amit Chopra said, “OmniActive is a pioneer and an innovator, and the company’s investments in research and sustainability have led to meaningful breakthroughs in the global healthcare and nutraceuticals industries. OmniActive’s inspiring mission of ‘improving lives through innovative science and natural health solutions’ aligns closely with my values.” He will be based at the OmniActive Mumbai headquarters. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24118/ophthalmic-equipment-and-devices-maker-appasamy-names-senthil-kumar-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24118/ophthalmic-equipment-and-devices-maker-appasamy-names-senthil-kumar-as-ceo.html Thu, 25 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Chennai-based Appasamy Associates, a leading manufacturer of ophthalmic equipment and devices, has announced the appointment of Senthil Kumar as the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director. His appointment is effective from 15th January 2024. Kumar brings over 25 years of core experience in the ophthalmology devices sector, across sales, marketing and technical services management. He has been a transformative growth leader throughout his career and was most recently the Head of Emerging Markets – Asia at Alcon – a global leader in eye care. Some members of the family who have played a key role in the Appasamy journey so far will continue to be engaged with the company. Arvind Kasthuri and Dr. Rengasamy, the promoters of Appasamy said, "We are actively looking to do more in India and globally and seek to be at the forefront of innovation. Senthil is a uniquely talented leader, with over 2 decades of experience in this industry and many achievements to his name." Senthil Kumar, CEO & MD, Appasamy said, “A great foundation has been laid at the company over the last 40+ years to enable its evolution into a major global player. I’m thrilled to take on this new role and look forward to working with the family and the talented individuals at Appasamy to take it to new heights.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24099/srinath-venkatesh-steps-in-as-md-india-and-south-asia-at-thermo-fisher-scientific.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24099/srinath-venkatesh-steps-in-as-md-india-and-south-asia-at-thermo-fisher-scientific.html Sun, 21 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Srinath Venkatesh has stepped in as the Managing Director (MD), India and South Asia, Thermo Fisher Scientific India, as the company embarks into another transformative year of growth and making a meaningful impact with its purpose-driven mission.Venkatesh’s proven record of over 30 years has been pivotal in driving sustained growth and success across businesses. Under his visionary leadership, Thermo Fisher will continue its legacy of excellence and steer its operations in India to greater heights. Previously, Venkatesh was serving as the President- Danaher India, and prior to that, business leadership roles including Managing Director- India & South East Asia for Cepheid; Country Leader and Chief Executive Officer for GE in Bangladesh.He started his professional career in 1993, and has held several sales, commercial and business leadership positions across the industrial and capital businesses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24064/dr-kuldeep-singh-sachdeva-to-assume-key-leadership-role-at-molbio-diagnostics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24064/dr-kuldeep-singh-sachdeva-to-assume-key-leadership-role-at-molbio-diagnostics.html Fri, 12 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Goa-based Molbio Diagnostics has announced the appointment of Dr Kuldeep Singh Sachdeva to its leadership team. Dr Sachdeva will join as President – Chief Medical Officer and will be responsible for Strategy and Project Management in the company. Leveraging Dr Sachdeva’s vast experience and expertise in public health, Molbio aims to further strengthen its mission to facilitate improved and cost-effective healthcare at the Point of Care (POC). Dr Sachdeva is a medical doctor with specialisation in respiratory diseases, tuberculosis and public health. With more than 35 years of experience in public health, he has held senior positions in the Ministry of Health, Government of India (Former head of India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme and National AIDS Control Programme). He has served as a nodal officer at The Global Fund for TB, HIV and Malaria and held the position of Regional Director, Southeast Asia at the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. Dr Sachdeva is actively involved as an expert in various committees and technical working groups and has over 95 publications in peer-reviewed journals.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24042/citiustech-appoints-sudhir-kesavan-as-chief-operating-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24042/citiustech-appoints-sudhir-kesavan-as-chief-operating-officer.html Thu, 04 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 CitiusTech, a leading provider of healthcare technology services, solutions, and platforms, has announced the appointment of Sudhir Kesavan as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). In his new role, Kesavan will be instrumental in steering CitiusTech towards the execution of its strategic vision and ensuring unparalleled service delivery excellence. As Chief Operating Officer, Kesavan will assume responsibility for leading CitiusTech's global delivery organisation. This will encompass enhancing practice capability, service delivery maturity, market innovation to drive profitable business growth by collaborating across practices, markets, delivery, and functions. His leadership will be instrumental in ensuring that CitiusTech continues to empower healthcare and life sciences companies with next-gen technologies and solutions.  Kesavan brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having spearheaded digital transformation initiatives for numerous enterprises across the US and Europe. His work involves customer-centric design exploration, resulting in innovative digital products. Sudhir is known for his consultative approach and collaboration with clients. He has successfully facilitated inside-out and outside-in transformations, optimising technology operations and promoting customer-driven business models for clients. Prior to CitiusTech, Kesavan served as Partner, Advisory - Cloud Transformation, responsible for PwC India’s cloud business. He also has a rich experience working for large scale IT companies like Wipro and Tata Consultancy Services.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24034/bain-capitals-portfolio-company-porus-labs-appoints-radhesh-welling-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/24034/bain-capitals-portfolio-company-porus-labs-appoints-radhesh-welling-as-ceo.html Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Porus Labs, a leading technology-driven manufacturer of specialty chemicals, has announced a partnership with  Radhesh Welling. He will join the board and take over as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Welling will build on Porus’ strengths in research & development, process innovation and deep customer relationships to drive growth in new products and chemistries that will serve both existing and new customers. He has a nearly thirty-year track record of building and leading innovative, high-performance specialty chemicals companies internationally. He was earlier with Navin Fluorine, where he served as Managing Director and Group CEO since 2018. At Navin Fluorine, Welling formulated and led the company’s strategic expansion and built a new organisational framework to drive significant growth over last 5 years. Previously, he worked in US with J.M.Huber Corporation.   Established in 1994 in Hyderabad, the company started with as a single manufacturing unit for all Sulpha-based drugs. Since then, Porus Labs has supported domestic API manufacturers and scaled agro-chemical capabilities as well. The company’s growth trajectory reflects its commitment to innovation and adaptability in meeting growing industry demands. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23974/sanofi-india-appoints-himanshu-bakshi-as-gm-for-consumer-healthcare-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23974/sanofi-india-appoints-himanshu-bakshi-as-gm-for-consumer-healthcare-business.html Tue, 19 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Sanofi India has announced the appointment of Himanshu Bakshi as General Manager (GM) for its Consumer Healthcare (CHC) business, effective 15th January 2024. With a vision of building the best Fast Moving Consumer Healthcare, (FMCH) company in the world and for the world, Sanofi earlier this year had announced that the company’s Consumer Healthcare business will be demerged into its wholly owned subsidiary, Sanofi Consumer Healthcare  India Limited (SCHIL), subject to necessary approvals and sanction by the National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai. Bakshi has successfully led organisations in the business of FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) and healthcare products, through many transformation journeys, from starting new businesses to scaling them up. In over two decades, he has worked in various roles across commercial, marketing, and general management in Indian and multinational companies. He has led large and diverse teams by fostering a culture of growth and development in Reckitt Benckiser, PepsiCo and Dabur. His most recent stint was with Danone India as its Managing Director. Bakshi will be a member of Sanofi India’s leadership team and senior management. He will also be a member of Sanofi’s AMEA (Africa, Middle East & Asia) Region leadership team, and CHC senior management.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23972/shweta-rai-to-take-over-as-managing-director-of-bayer-zydus-pharma.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23972/shweta-rai-to-take-over-as-managing-director-of-bayer-zydus-pharma.html Mon, 18 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bayer has announced that Shweta Rai will take over as Managing Director of Bayer Zydus Pharma and Country Division Head (CDH) for Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Business in South Asia effective, January 1, 2024.  Manoj Saxena will move out of his present role to take on the role of CDH for Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division and Senior Bayer Representative, Bayer Group for the Australia & New Zealand (ANZ) cluster, with effect from the same date. Shweta joined Bayer in 2019 and her last assignment was as Business Unit Head. With a distinguished career spanning over 22 years, Shweta has a strong track record of leading high performance diverse teams across strategic business positions in the pharmaceuticals and medical device sectors. Her expertise extends across a myriad of therapy areas, including Cardiology, Diabetes, Women’s Health Care, Immunology, Virology, Anti-infectives, Vaccines, Neurology, Orthopedics and Pain Management. Prior to this, she worked with companies of repute like Johnson & Johnson, MSD Pharmaceuticals, IQVIA and Pfizer. Shweta holds a bachelor’s degree in Zoology (Honors) from Miranda House Delhi University, a Postgraduate degree in Management Studies, Mumbai and completed a Strategic Management Program from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kolkata.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23908/renowned-diabetologist-dr-v-mohan-receives-prestigious-lakshmipat-singhania-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23908/renowned-diabetologist-dr-v-mohan-receives-prestigious-lakshmipat-singhania-award.html Thu, 07 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Recognising outstanding contributions and exceptional leadership in Research on Diabetology, Dr V. Mohan, Chairman of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, was honoured with the Lakshmipat Singhania Award in the category of ‘Leader in Science and Technology.’ at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow National Leadership Awards 2022-23 function which took place at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on December 7th, 2023. President of India, Droupadi Murmu, presented the prestigious award to Dr V. Mohan. This well recognised platform is a joint initiative by IIM Lucknow and the industrial conglomerate JK Organization, in Delhi. In a career spanning over five decades, Dr V. Mohan has published 1635 papers including 1052 original papers which has received 193,000 citation and an h-index of 153. Dr Mohan has received numerous awards and accolades including the prestigious Dr. B C Roy Award from the Medical Council of India, the Dr. Harold Rifkin Award by American Diabetes Association and the Padma Shri in 2012 from the Government of India. Dr V. Mohan has been at the forefront of promoting and pioneering breakthrough research in the field of diabetes through the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation including describing subtypes of type 2 diabetes and monogenic diabetes. The Lakshmipat Singhania - IIM, Lucknow National Leadership Awards, held in honour of the late Lakshmipat Singhania, a pioneering industrialist, have recognised other scientists in the past including the Chemist Bharat Ratna Dr CNR Rao, Dr Kasthurirangan, Dr R.A. Mashelkar, Nuclear Physicist Dr Anil Dabolkar, former ISRO Chief G. Madhavan Nair. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23840/dr-arun-shukla-wins-infosys-prize-2023-in-life-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23840/dr-arun-shukla-wins-infosys-prize-2023-in-life-sciences.html Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) has announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2023 in six categories – Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences. The Infosys Prize 2023 in Life Sciences is awarded to Arun Kumar Shukla, Professor, Biological Sciences and Bioengineering (BSBE), IIT-Kanpur, for his outstanding and far-reaching contributions to the field of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) biology. Dr Shukla’s research has established a new understanding of GPCRs, which are one of the most important classes of drug targets. His work has opened up previously uncharted avenues for designing novel and effective therapeutics. Dr Shukla obtained M.Sc. in Biotechnology from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi and pursued his Ph.D. with Prof. Hartmut Michel at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics in Frankfurt, Germany.  He subsequently joined the laboratory of Prof. Robert J. Lefkowitz at Duke University as a Research Associate and worked in a very close collaboration with Prof. Brian Kobilka's laboratory at Stanford University. Prior to joining the BSBE faculty in April 2014, he was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at Duke University, North Carolina, USA. Since its inception in 2008, the Infosys Prize has honoured the accomplishments of the recipients and awarded them for their contributions to scientific research and scholarship impacting India. The prize for each category comprises a gold medal, a citation, and a prize purse of $100,000. The event was hosted at Infosys Science Foundation’s office in Bengaluru. The laureates of Infosys Prize 2023 were shortlisted from 224 nominations by an international panel of jurors comprising world-renowned scholars and experts. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23813/healthplix-appoints-amitabha-mukhopadhyay-as-svp-for-pharma-business-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23813/healthplix-appoints-amitabha-mukhopadhyay-as-svp-for-pharma-business-development.html Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup HealthPlix Technologies has announced the appointment of Amitabha Mukhopadhyay as the Senior Vice President (SVP) - Pharma, Business Development, and Growth Catalyst. In his new role, Mukhopadhyay will play a crucial role in fostering collaborations to enhance HealthPlix's presence in the pharmaceutical domain. He will also be responsible for identifying new growth opportunities in the healthcare sector and establishing new verticals. Mukhopadhyay is an accomplished leader with 23 years of experience in strategic marketing and business development. He joins the Bengaluru based health-tech startup following a successful tenure at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, where he served as General Manager & Head Marketing Excellence. Before joining Glenmark, Mukhopadhyay held leadership positions in both the Centre of Excellence and Marketing departments at Dr Reddy's Laboratories. Amitabha also worked in strategic marketing at Zydus Cadila and IPCA Laboratories.   This appointment comes at a pivotal moment in HealthPlix's growth trajectory as the company strives to become the Android of Healthcare in India. With Mukhopadhyay onboard, HealthPlix is well-positioned to collaborate with key stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem, reinforcing its position as a leader in the industry.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23852/arunish-chawla-steps-in-as-secretary-department-of-pharmaceuticals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23852/arunish-chawla-steps-in-as-secretary-department-of-pharmaceuticals.html Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Arunish Chawla, IAS, previously serving as Officer on Special Duty, Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has taken over the charge of Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, effective 1 November 2023. Chawla has worked as Additional Chief Secretary, Planning and Development, with additional charge of Secretary, Bihar State Planning Board, Patna/ Project Director, Bihar Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Society, Patna; and Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development and Housing and MD, Patna Metro Rail Corporation. He has also worked as a Senior Economist in the Institute of Capacity Development of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington DC, USA for a period of 2 years in 2020. S Aparna, a 1988-batch IAS officer of Gujrat cadre, was previously working as Secretary, DoP, since 1 Oct 2020. Aparna had then replaced Dr PD  Vaghela who superannuated on 30 September 2020.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23768/sami-sabinsa-group-appoints-dr-vijaya-kumar-as-new-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23768/sami-sabinsa-group-appoints-dr-vijaya-kumar-as-new-ceo.html Mon, 30 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Sami-Sabinsa Group, a multi-national health science company headquartered in Bengaluru, has announced the appointment of Dr Vijaya Kumar S as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). A well-known professional in the industry, Dr Vijaya Kumar has a proven track record of fostering sustainable business growth in the pharmaceutical space. He has held leadership positions across large organisations such as Saurav Chemicals, Biocon, Centrient, Aurobindo, Dr. Reddy’s, Mckinsey, Novartis, GSK, and others. With an illustrious career of 35 years in research and development, manufacturing, operations, and management, he brings a wealth of experience to his new role as the CEO of Sami-Sabinsa Group. Dr Kumar has a depth of experience in manufacturing science, plant and process engineering, process analytics, plant automation, regulatory frameworks, and CAPEX management. He is passionate about leveraging continuous improvement methodologies as Lean Sigma and Kaizen and delivering process improvements in his assignments. Dr Vijaya Kumar has completed his postgraduate in management from National University of Singapore and holds a doctorate degree in chemical engineering from Indian Institute of Science (IISc).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23727/kedar-upadhye-steps-in-as-new-cfo-of-biocon-biologics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23727/kedar-upadhye-steps-in-as-new-cfo-of-biocon-biologics.html Thu, 19 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL), a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd has announced that the Board of Directors of Biocon Biologics have appointed Kedar Upadhye as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the company’s current CFO, MB Chinappa, will transition to take on a strategic finance role at Biocon Group. These leadership changes will be effective October 31, 2023. Upadhye brings with him over 23 years of experience in senior global leadership roles spanning Corporate Finance, Strategy, Accounting, FP&A, Business Finance, Governance and Investor Relations at leading Pharma, Energy and FMCG players such as Cipla, Dr. Reddy’s, PepsiCo, and Thermax. He joins us from ReNew Energy Global Plc, a NASDAQ-listed decarbonization & renewable energy company, where he was the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Prior to ReNew, Kedar was the Global CFO at Cipla where he was instrumental in setting up a strong global finance footprint with a focus on capital allocation, strategic partnership with the business, governance, and risk management in addition to driving the organisation towards the next level of growth and delivering a superior return profile. He has a proven track record of overseeing value creation, strengthening investor relations and acting as an enabler of business.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23702/iict-hyderabad-launches-autobiography-of-former-director-dr-a-v-rama-rao.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23702/iict-hyderabad-launches-autobiography-of-former-director-dr-a-v-rama-rao.html Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 “My Life My Way”, an autobiography of Dr A V Rama Rao, was unveiled at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) auditorium in Hyderabad. Eminent chemical engineer and former director of Institute of Chemical Technology- ICT (UDCT) Prof M M Sharma launched the autobiography as a part of joint book release programme and Alumni association meet. Prof. Sharma commended Dr Rao's extraordinary courage in venturing into the pharmaceutical industry post-retirement, an uncommon feat for a scientist. To begin with, Dr Rama Rao focused his research on synthetic dyes and advanced studies on plant and insect pigments. Association with Corey at Harvard University shifted his focus to studies related to the synthesis of biologically active natural products and he turned his attention to antitumour antibiotics, macrolides, immunosuppressants, and cyclic peptides. After his return to India and resuming his career at NCL, he set up a school for the synthesis of biofunctional molecules. Later, he guided the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology to become one of the top schools in India and introduced private and public sector industry participation in the research projects of the institution.  The contributions of Dr Rama Rao are reported to be noteworthy in the area of organic synthesis, especially asymmetric synthesis. He is known to have developed cheaper methodologies for the synthesis of anti-tumour antibiotics such as Anthracyclines, Fredericamycin-A, Cervinomycins A1 and A2, Aronorosin, and Lavendamycin.   Mumbai-based pharma firm Cipla utilised the cost-effective methodology Rao introduced in the manufacture of Azidothymidine (AZT), the first curative drug in the disease management of AIDS. His research has also helped in the synthesis of the HIV inhibitors namely Betzalladines, Calanolides, Mischellamines, and Abbot's protease inhibitor.   He holds 30 patents, for chemical synthesis and isolation processes, many of which are in use with drug manufacturers in the US and India. Besides being a member of many government policy-making bodies, he has been associated with the World Health Organization and the Ozone Cell of United Nations Environmental Programme.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23704/dr-v-mohan-tops-endocrinology-metabolism-by-stanford-university-global-ranking-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23704/dr-v-mohan-tops-endocrinology-metabolism-by-stanford-university-global-ranking-in-india.html Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr V. Mohan, Chairman of Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre & Madras Diabetes Research Foundation has been ranked No.1 in India by the Stanford University Global Ranking, a highly esteemed recognition in the field of scientific research. It is a measure of the impact and influence of scientists based on their H-index, which is a numerical indicator that quantifies the productivity and impact of a researcher's work. Dr Mohan holds the No. 1 position in India for the second consecutive year in the field of Endocrinology and Metabolism. He has published 1646 papers which have received a no. of 191,256 citations and he has an enviable H-index of 153, highest among all medical scientists in India. Globally, the list comprises 210,199 scientists from all fields of scientific research expertise, out of which 4,635 scientists are from India (2.2%). Dr Mohan oversees a chain of 48 diabetes centres across 8 states of India and has over 500,000 registered diabetes patients in his centres. He has trained a large number of physicians & diabetologists in addition to nurses, educators and received over 180 awards including the prestigious Dr. B.C. Roy National Award by the Medical Council of India and the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Centenary Award from the Indian Council of Medical Research, the highest award for biomedical research in India. For his extensive contribution in the field of diabetes, in 2012 Dr Mohan was awarded Padma Shri by the Government of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23711/oppi-appoints-anil-matai-as-director-general.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23711/oppi-appoints-anil-matai-as-director-general.html Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), which represents global research-based pharmaceutical companies, has appointed Anil Matai as its Director General (DG). Matai, a seasoned general management professional, has extensive experience in the life sciences space having worked across MNCs including spearheading operations across Novartis India, GSK India, and Global Pharma, Dubai. After superannuating as Managing Director of Zydus Healthcare, Matai was engaged as Senior Advisor - Life Sciences at IQVIA Consulting and Information Services India, and most recently as Operating Partner at Jashvik Capital - a mid-market Private Equity Fund focused on Healthcare & Consumer sector. He has functioned on the boards of Zydus Healthcare, Bayer Zydus Pharma, Novartis Healthcare and Biochem Pharmaceutical Industries. As an influential leader, his proven skillsets in operations leadership, collaborative working, stakeholder management, have contributed towards market-leading results. He has championed multi-million-dollar businesses and is proficient in unlocking company value by successfully executing growth strategies, institutionalising controls, and enhancing productivity. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23712/zydus-appoints-punit-patel-as-president-and-ceo-to-lead-business-operations-in-north-america.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23712/zydus-appoints-punit-patel-as-president-and-ceo-to-lead-business-operations-in-north-america.html Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Ahmedabad-based Zydus Lifesciences has announced the appointment of Punit Patel as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Americas. He will be responsible for the business operations of all Zydus entities in North America which include generics, injectables and specialty business, rare and orphan disease portfolio and also future forays into novel therapeutics. He will be based out of the group's office in Pennington, New Jersey, US. A licensed pharmacist who earned his Doctorate of Pharmacy from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences, Patel has more than 20 years of experience in the generics and branded pharmaceutical marketplace. His deep understanding of the complex generic pharmaceutical market (specialty, 505b2, injectables & biosimilars), coupled with his people leadership and results-driven style, unlocks value by enabling long-term strategy to be translated into actionable plans. Prior to his joining Zydus, Patel was the President of Red Oak Sourcing, helming a multi-billion-dollar generic portfolio. He was overseeing all aspects of Red Oak's business including setting and implementing the strategic roadmap, overseeing supplier relationships, managing financial obligations, transforming company culture and collaborating with the company's stakeholders – CVS Health, Cardinal Health and OptumRx. Under his leadership, Red Oak was recognised as a Great Place to Work for the first time since its inception. Patel has also worked at Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics and CVS Caremark. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23696/healthcare-chain-gnrc-appoints-dr-vinoth-kumar-as-group-chief-supply-chain-officer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23696/healthcare-chain-gnrc-appoints-dr-vinoth-kumar-as-group-chief-supply-chain-officer-.html Sun, 15 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 GNRC Hospitals, the largest healthcare chain in North East, has appointed Dr Vinoth Kumar as Group Chief Supply Chain Officer, effective 6th October. Prior to that, Dr Kumar held leadership positions at Apollo Hospitals Group, Global Health City and Jehangir Hospitals. Dr Kumar is a seasoned healthcare supply chain management professional, an innovator, author, researcher, and a sustainability advocate. His career is marked by a unique blend of academic, research, and industry experience, spanning more than two decades. He has held various leadership roles in internationally renowned healthcare institutions, including Apollo Hospitals Group, Global Health City, and KIMS Health. Dr Kumar has received numerous awards and accolades from organisations both within the country and abroad. A remarkable achievement is his recognition in the India Book of Records (IBR), Asia Book of Records (ABR), World Book of Records (UK) and Guinness World Records. Notably, he is the first healthcare supply chain management professional in India to achieve this feat. He is also the inaugural healthcare management professional in India to be awarded with World Book of Records (UK) and the prestigious Guinness World Records. Furthermore, he holds the distinction of being the first healthcare supply chain management professional in India to be awarded the Level 3 (Highest) Badge, “Qimpro Certified Qualitist”, by the Qimpro Foundation. He has pioneered the innovative concept of 4D MUSIC Model for achieving healthcare sustainability, earning him the “Best Innovator Award” and “Sustainability Champion Award” in healthcare.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23655/katalin-karik-and-drew-weissman-win-2023-nobel-prize-in-medicine-for-mrna-vaccines-work-against-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23655/katalin-karik-and-drew-weissman-win-2023-nobel-prize-in-medicine-for-mrna-vaccines-work-against-covid-19.html Tue, 03 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has decided to award the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. The discoveries by the two Nobel Laureates were critical for developing effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 during the pandemic that began in early 2020. Through their groundbreaking findings, which have fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system, the laureates contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times.  Dr Katalin Karikó is a Hungarian-American biochemist who specialises in ribonucleic acid-mediated mechanisms, particularly in vitro-transcribed messenger RNA for protein replacement therapy. On the other hand, Dr Drew Weissman is an American physician-scientist best known for his contributions to RNA biology. His work was used for the development of mRNA vaccines, the best known of which are those for COVID-19 produced by BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna. Dr.Weissman's laboratory in the US focuses on the study of RNA and innate immune system biology and the application of these findings to vaccine research and gene therapy.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23610/biocon-board-appoints-peter-bains-as-group-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23610/biocon-board-appoints-peter-bains-as-group-ceo.html Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Biocon has announced that its Board has approved the appointment of Peter Bains as the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with effect from September 18th, 2023. He will be reporting directly to Biocon Group Chairperson, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. Bains has accordingly stepped down from his role on the Biocon Board as an Independent Director with immediate effect, to assume this strategic executive responsibility. He has a unique fit and profile for the role having both extensive global leadership experience and success across the biopharmaceutical field and a comprehensive understanding of the Biocon Group, having led Syngene for 5 years, taking it through its very successful IPO in 2015. Siddharth Mittal, CEO & MD Biocon; Shreehas Tambe, CEO & MD Biocon Biologics; and Jonathan Hunt, CEO & MD  Syngene International will continue to have independent charge of their businesses and will work with Bains to strengthen synergistic strategic leadership at a Group level to maximise the combined value of all 3 businesses.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23605/iit-k-director-prof-abhay-karandikar-takes-charge-as-dst-secretary.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23605/iit-k-director-prof-abhay-karandikar-takes-charge-as-dst-secretary.html Sun, 17 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Prof Abhay Karandikar, Director, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) to the post of Secretary, Department of Science & Technology (DST). Karandikar will take over from Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), who assumed additional charge as Secretary, DST in July 2023, after Dr S Chandrashekhar decided to move back to the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, much before the end of his tenure. Karandikar has held a number of positions including Dean and Institute chair professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay; Centre for Development of Advanced Computing and Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI). He was one of the founding members of TSDSI and appointed as its first Vice Chairman from 2014 to 2016, and then was appointed its Chairman from 2016 to 2018. He was Chairman of the committee to give recommendations to Government of India on size, scope and quantum of spectrum for experimental spectrum license for 5G. Karandikar has also been the Chairman of the committee setup by the Ministry of Defence in 2018 for preparing a Roadmap for the development of Indigenous Software Defined Radio Ecosystem. He is the Chairman of Defence Standards Development Authority (SDA), set up by Ministry of Defence based on the recommendations of the committee.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23565/kiran-mazumdar-shaw-becomes-member-of-court-of-regents-at-royal-college-of-surgeons-of-edinburgh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23565/kiran-mazumdar-shaw-becomes-member-of-court-of-regents-at-royal-college-of-surgeons-of-edinburgh.html Thu, 07 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon and Biocon Biologics has been appointed as Regent of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSed), at a ceremony earlier this month. The RCSed’s Court of Regents comprises a group of distinguished and accomplished individuals in their field who provide the College with advice and expertise. The concept of the RCSEd Court of Regents dates back to 1980, when College President at the time, Professor John Gillingham, noted the success of the Court in the Australasian College. Professor Gillingham discussed his idea for a Court of Regents with a Lord Kadoorie in Hong Kong, who agreed to become one of the first members. Initially ten members were elected, none of whom had medical backgrounds. Currently, the College has several active Regents and several Emeritus Regents. The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is a prestigious Scottish medical association which was founded in 1505 by Royal Charter granted from King James IV. It is the oldest Surgical Colleges in the world with nearly 30,000 members in 100 countries, and about half of them are from overseas, touching every stage of career path from medical students to consultants. The RCSed holds a rich history of promoting excellence in the field of surgery. It plays a pivotal role in training and certifying surgeons, ensuring the highest standards of surgical practice worldwide. With a global reach, it provides a platform for knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and professional development within the surgical community.  Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the RCSEd has another location at Birmingham’s prestigious Colmore Row, UK. It also has an international office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, catering to its growing international membership. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23566/dr-ravi-teja-juloori-takes-helm-as-new-lab-head-for-india-at-trustlab-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23566/dr-ravi-teja-juloori-takes-helm-as-new-lab-head-for-india-at-trustlab-.html Thu, 07 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 TRUSTlab Diagnostics, a prominent clinical reference laboratory headquartered in Hyderabad, has announced the appointment of Dr Ravi Teja Juloori as the esteemed new Lab Head. With a robust professional background spanning over 10 years in the healthcare industry, Dr Juloori's wealth of experience and expertise is set to further elevate TRUSTlab's commitment to excellence in diagnostics. Dr Juloori brings a formidable academic foundation to his role, having successfully earned Gold Medal in MD in Pathology from Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education in Chennai. His academic achievements are closely aligned with TRUSTlab's dedication to upholding the highest standards in the field of clinical diagnostics. Prior to joining TRUSTlab Diagnostics, he held pivotal positions that showcased his leadership and proficiency in various domains of pathology. Notably, he served as the Laboratory Head at SRL diagnostics and as a Consultant Pathologist at renowned institutions such as Vijaya Diagnostics and Tapadia Diagnostics. During his tenure, he capably managed departments encompassing Hematopathology, Cytopathology, Biochemistry, and Quality Management, underlining his multidisciplinary competence.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23553/jesal-doshi-steps-in-as-director-at-mtai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23553/jesal-doshi-steps-in-as-director-at-mtai.html Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Board of Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI) has recently announced the appointment of Jesal Doshi as one of the Directors. Doshi is currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of B Medical Systems India, a global manufacturer and distributor of vaccine cold chain and medical refrigeration solutions, headquartered in Luxembourg. Since joining the company in 2015, Doshi has developed and implemented several initiatives that have transformed B Medical Systems from a regional/niche player to one of the most innovative companies in the medical refrigeration industry. Doshi was instrumental in the strategic geographic expansion of B Medical Systems into the United States and has launched several initiatives to extend the company’s reach into new markets and customer segments, thereby contributing significantly to the growth of B Medical Systems. Doshi has been on the boards of several companies in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Europe, and the US. He has lived and worked across India, South East Asia, Europe, and the US. Doshi's appointment strengthens MTaI's initiatives to partner with the Government of India in setting a roadmap for the growth of medical devices industry by bringing in bigger investments, through technology upgradation and knowledge dissemination in the provider space, through members who can contribute towards furthering foreign direct investment (FDI) and the government’s ‘Make In India’ initiative.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23500/ghx-announces-global-expansion-in-india-appoints-swastik-bihani-as-md-and-country-head.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23500/ghx-announces-global-expansion-in-india-appoints-swastik-bihani-as-md-and-country-head.html Sat, 26 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX), leading the charge in helping organisations run the new business of healthcare, has announced the appointment of Swastik Bihani as Managing Director (MD) and Country Head of India. In this role, Bihani will lead the expansion of GHX India's Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Hyderabad, driving value enablement through continuity and resilience, while keeping customer experience at the core of the operation. Bihani brings a wealth of experience in technology and enterprise cybersecurity across product management, professional services, support and customer success. Bihani, an alumnus of UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, joins GHX India with more than 15 years of experience in leading high-performance teams across engineering, product management and technical marketing spanning multiple geographies (US, UK, Brazil, India) in the cybersecurity industry. As Head of Products & GM, at Paypal, India, he oversaw all aspects of operations. Prior to this, he was the founding VP of Product Management at Simility, which got acquired for $120 million. He also previously held marketing leadership positions at Juniper Networks and CipherCloud. GHX aims to triple its workforce in India by 2025, with plans to expand to more than 300 employees. The focus will be on expanding its Engineering and Operations teams, bolstering its existing technological capabilities and accelerating innovation at scale. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23501/cancer-expert-dr-naveen-salins-steps-in-as-commissioner-of-the-lancet-commission.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23501/cancer-expert-dr-naveen-salins-steps-in-as-commissioner-of-the-lancet-commission.html Sat, 26 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Lancet Commission has announced the appointment of Dr Naveen Salins as their new Commissioner. Dr Salins, known for his exceptional contributions to the field of palliative medicine and cancer care, will spearhead a comprehensive study addressing the humanitarian crisis of cancer in low-resource regions across the globe. The commission has a distinguished body of experts hailing from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania as its members. The Lancet Commission will convene its inaugural meeting in London from November 15-17, 2023, followed by a subsequent gathering in Toronto in 2024. Over the next two years (2023-2025), Dr Salins and his esteemed team will diligently analyse the underlying factors contributing to the disparity between the biomedical and humanitarian aspects of cancer care. Their mission encompasses devising strategic approaches to rectify this imbalance while examining the intricate interplay of political economy, value systems, and commercial drivers that impact resource allocation for cancer research, education, and clinical care. As a Professor and Head of the Palliative Medicine Department at Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Coordinator of Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre, and Associate Dean of Research, Dr Salins brings a wealth of expertise and experience to this critical endeavour. His recent receipt of the prestigious international palliative care award from the European Association of Palliative at Rotterdam, Netherlands, underscores his immense clinical impact of research in the field.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23450/hyderabads-vitreoretina-surgeon-wins-rhett-buckler-award-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23450/hyderabads-vitreoretina-surgeon-wins-rhett-buckler-award-.html Thu, 10 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Raja Rami Reddy P, an accomplished vitreoretina surgeon, the Chief Retina surgeon, and Medical Director at Neoretina Eyecare Institute Hyderabad, was conferred the Rhett Buckler Award for his surgical skill video on diabetic retinal detachments with macular holes at the recently concluded annual meeting of the American Society of Retina specialists, Seattle, USA.  Dr. Raja Rami's surgical video titled, “Macular holes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy: Fixing two problems with one shot” was among the 79 selected entries from all over the world at the Fim Festival at the American Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting July 28-August 1, Seattle, USA. The film shows a series of challenging surgeries where Dr. Reddy, has successfully operated macular holes in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The video was very well received and was adjudged the Rhett Buckler award winner.  Dr Raja Rami Reddy studied both his MBBS and MD (Ophthalmology) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, completing his MD in December 2000. In 2004, he was awarded the coveted Diploma of Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (FRCS - Ophthalmology) of Glasgow, the United Kingdom. After completing his MD, Dr Reddy was appointed Specialist Registrar for the Retina and Vitreous Department of the Dr. R. P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences at AIIMS, a post he held until 2003. Since then, he had been a consultant retina and vitreous surgeon at various corporate hospitals in Hyderabad. He is a contributing surgeon to the vitreoretinal surgical video atlas published in 2010. Dr Reddy is a regular presenter of scientific papers and surgical videos at national and international meetings, and has publications in various indexed journals to his credit.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23436/biocon-biologics-announces-key-leadership-appointments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23436/biocon-biologics-announces-key-leadership-appointments.html Fri, 04 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL), a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd, has announced several key leadership appointments which will play an important role in transforming the organisation and realising the company’s ambition of building a global biosimilars leader. Rhonda Duffy has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) and will lead Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain Management. She brings over 30-years of experience in the global pharmaceuticals industry. Dr Sandeep Athalye who has been with Biocon Biologics for over 6 years as its Chief Medical Officer has been elevated to Chief Development Officer to head CMC, Clinical Development and Medical and Regulatory Affairs. David Gibson joins the Company from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to lead all licensing, strategic partnering and business development activities as its Global Head – Business Development Stephanie Wasco joins as Head of Communications – Advanced Markets to lead Corporate and Marketing Communications and Product Branding in Advanced Markets such as the US and Europe. In addition to the above key leadership appointments, the company has on-boarded global leadership talent across several functions including Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT), Clinical Development, Finance, HR, Legal and Compliance.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23421/telerad-group-makes-new-cto-appointment-to-drive-healthcare-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23421/telerad-group-makes-new-cto-appointment-to-drive-healthcare-innovation.html Wed, 02 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Telerad Group, a leading global provider of remote radiology services, has announced the appointment of Madhusudhan KM as the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). With his extensive experience in the IT industry, building technology and infrastructure for scale, Madhusudhan joins Telerad Group at a pivotal moment as the company is poised for exponential growth.  In his capacity, Madhusudhan assumes a crucial role of driving the organisation's technological transformation. With over 32 years experience in the IT industry, Madhusudhan has held several leadership positions in Alfaive, Mindtree, MISys and Singapore Airlines amongst others and nurtured the growth of various organisations. Being a seasoned business leader, Madhusudhan will be responsible for crafting a comprehensive technology strategy, analysing market trends, and adopting emerging technologies to keep Telerad Group at the forefront of the healthcare industry. He will lead the technology team, fostering collaboration and driving innovation to optimise processes and ensure regulatory compliance. With his guidance, Telerad Group aims to strengthen its technology infrastructure, enabling the delivery of exceptional healthcare services across India and beyond. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23422/tarundeep-singh-rana-joins-zydus-healthcare-as-chief-marketing-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23422/tarundeep-singh-rana-joins-zydus-healthcare-as-chief-marketing-officer.html Wed, 02 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Former Sun Pharma Consumer Healthcare senior executive Tarundeep Singh Rana has joined Zydus Healthcare Limited as the Chief Marketing Officer. He was with Sun Consumer Healthcare (CHC) for 6 years as Head Marketing and eCommerce.Prior to Sun CHC, Rana was with Dr. Reddy's Laboratories as Director – OTC for Emerging Markets.He has over 23 years of experience in leading big global brands as well as establishing new brands in the consumer healthcare domain across India and emerging markets. Through the years, he has championed initiatives across multi-category, multi-channel environments (especially Healthcare, Personal Care and Modern Trade), resulting in accelerated revenue growth and enhanced profitability. With a track record of delivering long term sustainable growth, Rana offers an ideal mix of strong strategic thinking combined with unique ability to manage short term goals.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23420/bengaluru-based-startup-skinq-appoints-meera-iyer-as-ceo-and-co-founder.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23420/bengaluru-based-startup-skinq-appoints-meera-iyer-as-ceo-and-co-founder.html Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530   SkinQ, India’s first Made Safe Certified, dermatologist formulated, active solutions brand for people with skin of colour, has announced the appointment of Meera Iyer as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Founder. Meera has over 17 years of leadership experience across domains like FMCG, consumer internet businesses, and verticals like sales, brand, and marketing. Prior to SkinQ, Meera served as the Business Unit Head for the RPSG Group (Dr Vaidya’s), where she steered the brand through a post-acquisition phase and readied it for relaunch. She also served as the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Business Head (OTC & Private Label, Offline Stores) for Medlife, India’s leading online healthcare technology platform, where she played a pivotal role in doubling the business within two years. Meera’s career includes a tenure as the CMO at bigbasket, during which she significantly expanded the Private Label business to 25 cities and achieved substantial topline growth. Furthermore, she spent nine years at Unilever, last as the Regional Brand Manager for Dove and Pears. With her vast experience and proven ability to drive business growth, Meera is well-equipped to guide SkinQ through its next growth phase and towards profitability.  Since beginning its operations in January 2022, SkinQ has gained considerable recognition within the Indian dermo cosmetic industry, offering 14 products specifically for treating common Indian skin problems like Pigmentation, Acne & Sensitive skin.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23389/johnson-johnson-medtech-india-appoints-anuj-virmani-as-managing-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23389/johnson-johnson-medtech-india-appoints-anuj-virmani-as-managing-director.html Tue, 25 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Johnson & Johnson Private Limited has announced the appointment of Anuj Virmani as the Managing Director for its Johnson & Johnson MedTech India division. With an exceptional track record of 28 years in the industry, Virmani brings extensive healthcare experience and a strategic patient-centric vision to lead the company's operations and expand reach in the tier II & III cities of the country. With a Masters in Management Studies from BITS Pilani, Virmani has been associated with Johnson & Johnson since 1995. His extensive experience includes a stint as the Chief Financial Officer for the Middle East, Central Europe, Russia, Turkey, and Africa within the EMEA MedTech division. His expertise in General Management, Marketing, Finance, and New Business Development has fuelled successful initiatives such as developing specialties like Bariatric, Thoracic, and Colorectal, in addition to enhancing standards of care and optimizing patient pathways. His priorities as the Managing Director of Johnson & Johnson MedTech India encompass ethical leadership, nurturing talent, and reinforcing the organization’s vision of empowering 1.4 billion lives of Indians.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23321/plaksha-university-appoints-dr-ravi-jasuja-as-indegene-chair-for-digital-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23321/plaksha-university-appoints-dr-ravi-jasuja-as-indegene-chair-for-digital-health.html Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530   Mohali-based Plaksha University has announced the appointment of Dr Ravi Jasuja as Indegene Chair for Digital Health. This is a collaborative initiative between Plaksha University and Bengaluru-based Indegene to introduce quality education in the health-tech space.   Dr Jasuja also serves as Director of Translational Research and Discovery, Research Programme in Men’s Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a world class academic medical center based in Boston, Massachusetts. Over the past two decades, he has made major contributions to science at the interface of engineering and biophysics. He will be Advisor for the Indegene Digital Health initiative with students at Plaksha, and help bring an independent, academic perspective to improve the healthcare ecosystem. Dr Jasuja is well known for his advanced research capabilities and expertise in healthcare. Dr Jasuja is one of the Founders at Plaksha and also the Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Function Promoting Therapies LLC, XYone Inc.. He was trained as a Belfer Fellow, Biophysics/Physiology from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23294/healthium-medtech-appoints-dr-vivek-s-iyer-as-gm-for-market-growth-strategy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23294/healthium-medtech-appoints-dr-vivek-s-iyer-as-gm-for-market-growth-strategy.html Thu, 06 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Healthium Medtech, a global player in medical devices, focused on products in surgical, post-surgical and chronic care, has announced the appointment of Dr Vivek S. Iyer, a seasoned professional in the medical education space, as their new General Manager (GM) for Professional Education & Market Growth Strategy. Dr Iyer joins Healthium after a stint at Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson. As Healthium expands its presence in India and beyond, Dr Iyer will focus on medical upskilling, digital training initiatives, strategic growth projects and implementation of customer centric solutions. With over 12+ years of experience in medical devices, Dr Iyer will continue to partner with healthcare professionals to identify and deliver strong skill programmes for surgeons, nurses and paramedics.  He brings more than 12 years of experience and has an excellent track record in leading education initiatives, HCP trainings in Gynaecology and Cardiovascular surgeries, medical affairs through various positions across microbiology, laboratory testing, advanced sterilisation, infection prevention and allied healthcare services. Previously, Dr Iyer has been associated with companies like Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson, BD India and Godrej Hospitals.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23291/merck-india-appoints-pratima-reddy-as-country-speaker.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23291/merck-india-appoints-pratima-reddy-as-country-speaker.html Wed, 05 Jul 2023 02:00:00 +0530 Merck, a leading science and technology company, has announced Pratima Reddy as their Country Speaker for India. Pratima takes on this role in addition to leading healthcare strategy and operations in India as GM and Managing Director of Merck Specialities India Pvt Ltd. In her current role, Pratima continues to demonstrate focused leadership to drive positive business outcomes through inclusive and strategic thinking and collaborative execution.  Pratima has over 18 years of experience, including over ten years in the pharmaceutical industry. Since joining Merck in October 2013, she has held several significant leadership positions across multiple functions in local and global teams. Prior to taking over as the General Manager of Healthcare India Operations, Pratima was the Regional Franchise Leader (RFL) of the Cardiovascular, Metabolism and Endocrinology (CM&E) franchise in APAC, where she demonstrated exemplary leadership and delivered successful business outcomes.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23290/siemens-healthcare-names-hariharan-subramanian-as-managing-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23290/siemens-healthcare-names-hariharan-subramanian-as-managing-director.html Wed, 05 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Hariharan Subramanian has been named as the Managing Director of Siemens Healthcare Private Limited (SHPL), India, effective July 1, 2023. SHPL is the wholly owned subsidiary company of the global MedTech company, Siemens Healthineers AG (listed in Frankfurt, Germany: SHL). Subramanian leads the business for Siemens Healthineers India including, manufacturing, sales, and distribution, strategy for “Zone India”, comprising neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives. During his association of over 25 years with Siemens, he has held leadership positions in Finance, Business Administration, Enterprise Services, and Sales functions across Software engineering, IT Consulting, and Healthcare business.  Before assuming responsibilities of Zone India in May 2023, he was the Head of Sales for the Diagnostic Imaging and Advanced Therapy businesses in India. He has been leading the team in Zone India towards the common goal of pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare, for everyone, everywhere, so that therapy becomes more precise and affordable, value is at the heart of care delivery, patients are treated as consumers, healthcare becomes digital and in turn, we improve access to care.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23266/boehringer-ingelheim-names-gagandeep-singh-as-md-head-human-pharma-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23266/boehringer-ingelheim-names-gagandeep-singh-as-md-head-human-pharma-for-india.html Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Germany-headquartered pharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim has announced the appointment of Gagandeep Singh as Managing Director and Head of Human Pharma India, effective July 10, 2023. He will also join the Board of Boehringer Ingelheim India.                           Singh succeeds Vani Manja, who moved to Boehringer Ingelheim UK in February 2023. During her transition, Sandip Agrawal, Director of Finance and Administration, took over the added responsibility of Interim Managing Director.  Gagandeep Singh started his career in pharmaceutical sales and has an experience of 20 years in leading corporate strategy at multinational pharmaceutical companies in India and other emerging markets. He has a deep understanding of healthcare industry and is dedicated to driving patient benefit through innovative medicines and sustainable care. He joins Boehringer Ingelheim from AstraZeneca, where he was the Managing Director for India and Africa Cluster Head.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23249/dst-secretary-dr-s-chandrashekhar-decides-to-move-out.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23249/dst-secretary-dr-s-chandrashekhar-decides-to-move-out.html Thu, 22 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr S Chandrashekhar, serving as the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is moving back to the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, much before the end of his tenure. His appointment as DST Secretary was announced in December 2021. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved premature repatriation of Dr Srivari Chandrasekhar to his parent organisation- IICT on personal grounds, effective 10th July. Dr Chandrashekhar has been associated with IICT since his doctoral studies in the late 1980s. He joined the institute in 1994 and since then has served in varying scientific positions till he took charge as the institute’s director in 2015. Dr Chandrasekhar has received several accolades including Eminent Scientist Award for contributions in the field of Chemistry from Telangana State Government in 2017, CNR Rao National Prize for Chemical Research in 2012, CSIR Technology award 2014 and Infosys prize in Chemical sciences in 2014 for his contributions in synthetic organic chemistry. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23230/sudhansh-pant-to-step-in-as-new-union-health-secretary.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23230/sudhansh-pant-to-step-in-as-new-union-health-secretary.html Mon, 19 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Sudhansh Pant has been appointed as the Officer on Special Duty in the Department of Health and Family Welfare. He will take over as Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare upon retirement of Rajesh Bhushan on July 31, 2023. Pant holds a B. Tech (Hons.) degree from IIT Kharagpur. He joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in the year 1991 in the Rajasthan Cadre. In the early years of his service he has worked as Collector & District Magistrate in the districts of Jaisalmer, Jhunjhunu, Bhilwara and Jaipur. He has also worked as Chairman and Managing Director of the State Power Transmission Corporation, the State Power Distribution Companies and the State Renewable Energy Corporation. He has been Secretary in the Mines and Petroleum Department in Government of Rajasthan besides having worked as Commissioner of the Jaipur Development Authority and Secretary in the Urban Local Bodes and Housing Department. He has a long experience in working in the Cooperative Sector and has headed several Co-operative Federations. He was earlier working as Joint Secretary in the Department of Pharmaceuticals, looking after Pharmaceuticals Policy, Planning, Development of Pharma Industry, Research and Development in Pharma sector, Pricing and International Cooperation issues. He has received several awards from the Government of Rajasthan, Government of India and the Election Commission of India for meritorious achievement in different fields during the course of his career. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23173/medibuddy-names-seema-vijay-singh-as-senior-vp-of-people-culture.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23173/medibuddy-names-seema-vijay-singh-as-senior-vp-of-people-culture.html Sat, 03 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based MediBuddy, a digital healthcare platform, has announced the appointment of Seema Vijay Singh as the Senior Vice President (VP) of People & Culture. With over 25+ years of experience in the human resources sector, Seema will help build the team and culture to drive the next phase of growth at Medibuddy. She  brings an extensive  wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success in building consumer technology organisations across both multinational corporations and  startups. Seema played a key role in the conceptualisation and launch of Amazon.in in India, where she led the HR function during its rapid growth into a multi-billion-dollar operation. She was also a crucial member of the core team that drove InMobi, India's first unicorn, to achieve EBITDA-0 in 2016. In her recent endeavors, Seema has served as an advisor to prominent Indian startups and non-profit organisations, including Vedantu, Udhyam Learning Foundation, Avanti Fellows, Scaler Academy, and MediBuddy.  With Seema Vijay Singh's strategic hire, MediBuddy is poised to elevate its organizational capabilities and further cement its position as a pioneer in revolutionizing healthcare accessibility in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23171/pag-led-sekhmet-pharmaventures-ropes-in-anil-khubchandani-as-md-and-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23171/pag-led-sekhmet-pharmaventures-ropes-in-anil-khubchandani-as-md-and-ceo.html Fri, 02 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A private equity consortium led by PAG, a leading Asia-based investment firm, has hired Anil Khubchandani as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sekhmet Pharmaventures, an investment platform established to nurture and grow India's next generation of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) companies. Anil Khubchandani is an accomplished leader with over 30 years of experience in strategic partnerships, global sales & marketing, operations management, and research & development. In his most recent role, he served as Co-CEO and Whole-time Director of Jubilant Ingrevia, a globally integrated provider of life science ingredients and specialty chemicals, where he focused on business transformation and growth strategy implementation. Over his 20-year career at Jubilant Ingrevia, Khubchandani also served as a strategic business leader, developed high-performing teams, and oversaw solutions and offerings for pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and other industrial clients. He has spearheaded several global CDMO assignments and new business initiatives for pharmaceutical innovator companies. Sekhmet Pharmaventures is the India arm of Gamot API, a Singapore-based platform launched by PAG along with Indian private equity firms CX Partners and Samara Capital to buy stakes in fast-growing pharma companies. The platform acquired control of Chennai-based Anjan Drug in October 2020 and the Hyderabad-based Optimus Drugs group of companies in September 2022. Gamot API is majority owned by PAG, which has invested over $1.5 billion in India across its private equity and private debt businesses.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23166/astrazeneca-india-appoints-bhavana-agrawal-as-chief-financial-officer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23166/astrazeneca-india-appoints-bhavana-agrawal-as-chief-financial-officer-.html Wed, 31 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 AstraZeneca Pharma India has announced the appointment of Bhavana Agrawal as Chief Finance Officer (CFO) with effect from October 1, 2023, following a transition period. She succeeds Rajesh Marwaha, who is retiring as CFO and full-time director of the Company from the close of business hours on September 30, 2023. Marwaha has been instrumental in building strategic frameworks for the company in India in tandem with the evolving environment of pharmaceutical sector in the country. As a board member, he has also been a strong anchor behind key initiatives focused on improving access to healthcare.  An All‐India rank holder as a Chartered Accountant, Bhavana has been a strategic finance partner for businesses with consistent performance in maximising revenue, margin and cash for over two decades. Her last role was as CFO of the Services business at GE Healthcare for Middle East, Africa & Russia, where she was responsible for revenue, costs, cash, planning session and financial closing activities in more than 30 countries. At AstraZeneca India, Bhavana will oversee company's financial strategy and operations, planning and analysis, and investor relations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23135/health-tech-startup-medrabbits-names-rana-bhattacharyya-as-gm-international-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23135/health-tech-startup-medrabbits-names-rana-bhattacharyya-as-gm-international-business.html Wed, 24 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Pune-based healthcare tech startup, MedRabbits has announced the appointment of Rana Bhattacharyya as their new General Manager (GM) of International Business. The company seeks to solidify its position as a holistic healthcare platform for pre- and post-treatment care in the global Medical Value Tourism (MVT) market through this appointment. Bhattacharyya brings with him 23 years of cross-industry experience, much of which involved catalyzing growth in the MVT segment for brands like Aditya Birla Hospital (Pune) and Narayana Health (Bangalore). In his role at MedRabbits, he is keen to identify a few cost-effective international locations for medical treatment for Indian domestic clients. In addition, he plans to further promote the Government’s ‘Heal In India’ mission, where India is positioned to act as a premier destination for high-quality medical treatment. Rana Bhattacharyya, General Manager, International Business, MedRabbits said: “My aim is to establish MedRabbits in the growing MVT segment as a differentiated market leader with a tech first approach. We want to position ourselves as an authentic global MVT partner with a specific, therapy-wise approach to medical tourism." I MedRabbits was conceived in 2017 as a way to bring fast, affordable and high-quality healthcare to the Indian customer’s doorstep. In addition to home healthcare, their medical tourism portfolio will help patients access the care they need at hospitals across India and the Middle East. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23125/dr-jitendra-kumar-to-take-charge-as-new-birac-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23125/dr-jitendra-kumar-to-take-charge-as-new-birac-md.html Mon, 22 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Jitendra Kumar, currently serving as the Director, Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC), will be stepping in as the new Managing Director (MD) of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), an institution set up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, to nurture and promote biotechnology innovations and industry in India. He will be joining the office in the first or second week of June 2023. In an exclusive chat with BioSpectrum, Dr Kumar spoke in detail about his vision and strategies for the new role. “A major challenge being faced by startups in India is the inability to scale up. So, my vision would be to facilitate scaling up of startups. There is also a need to establish a platform where big companies can interact with startups. BIRAC can provide such a platform to the startups”, he said. “BIRAC can also partner with some of the progressive states, and run state level programmes for the startups. Such an exercise has not been done before”, he added. Dr Kumar also has plans to lay emphasis on developing new policy norms for the regulatory hurdles being encountered by startups across the country, particularly those working on new emerging technologies. When asked whether BIRAC is exploring a new strategy to ensure an increase in the number of biotech startups from 5000 to 50,000 in the years to come, Dr Kumar said, “A more robust way to gradually increase the number of biotech startups in our country would be to adopt institutional mechanisms where we can have dedicated programmes within the academic institutes to commercialise those technologies that are lying on the shelf, with support, funding and incubation from BIRAC. The institutional mechanisms could also create ventures and it can turn out be an evolutionary process for the growth of biotech startups”. Dr Kumar holds a PhD degree in Biotechnology from Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh. Subsequently, he moved to University of Illinois at Chicago, where he worked on leukaemia. He also holds an MBA degree from the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University, US. After returning from US, he joined as a Vice- President of Life Science Incubator at IKP Knowledge Park, Hyderabad where he was involved in actively mentoring incubatee companies, creating pipeline of entrepreneurs through innovative models of team building around the technologies, working with public R&D laboratories and universities to create entrepreneurial models of commercialisation. Later, he took charge as the Director & Head of BBC with a focus on incubating innovations in agriculture, food and nutrition, biofuel/bio-energy and pharma/healthcare. He has worked closely with Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and the Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, to create a vibrant Life Sciences Innovation cluster in Bangalore. He is also a guest faculty at University of Agricultural Sciences, Centre for Human Genetics, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine (MIRM). In addition, he has also delivered guest lectures at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore. He is a member of various Central and State Government Committees and advises on policy matters related to startups, innovation and entrepreneurship in Life Sciences. Currently, he is a member of CII national committee on Biotechnology, Member of Association of Biotech Led Enterprises (ABLE), Member of committee for Karnataka Start-up policy and Member for Government of India supported Bangalore Innovation cluster under the aegis of IISc, Bangalore. Dr Kumar is an internationally acclaimed thinker and advisor on Biotech Innovations and entrepreneurship. He has been invited as a speaker at various conferences in USA, South Korea and the Netherlands to represent India and Karnataka. He has inspired thousands of youths to start and build successful Biotech ventures. He has around 20 years of experience in research and innovation management in the area of life sciences. He has around 25 peer reviewed publications and around 45 products have been launched under his mentorship.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23109/medica-group-appoints-new-chairman-bids-farewell-to-founder-dr-alok-roy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23109/medica-group-appoints-new-chairman-bids-farewell-to-founder-dr-alok-roy.html Sat, 20 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Medica Group of Hospitals, the largest private hospital chain in Eastern India, has announced the appointment of Dr Nandakumar Jairam as its new Chairman, bidding adieu to Founder & Former Chairman Dr Alok Roy. Dr Nandakumar Jairam comes with rich and varied experience in the country’s healthcare landscape. Formerly, he has served as Chairman, CEO and Group Medical Director at Columbia Asia Hospitals in India, Chairman of the NABH under the auspices of QCI (Quality Council of India) and Chairman, FICCI Health Services Committee. He has been member of the Health Insurance Forum of IRDA and FICCI. Additionally, he is Founder Member of NATHEALTH and President of GAPIO.  Dr Alok Roy’s contribution to the Indian Healthcare system has been incredible. For over 35 years he has established numerous healthcare facilities across the country like Fortis Hospital (Noida), BM Birla Heart Institute (Kolkata), Manipal Heart Foundation (Bangalore), Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (Kolkata) and Narayana Hrudayalaya (Bangalore).    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23061/yash-raj-joins-medulance-healthcare-as-chief-business-officer-hospital-partnerships.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23061/yash-raj-joins-medulance-healthcare-as-chief-business-officer-hospital-partnerships.html Mon, 08 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 New Delhi-based startup Medulance has announced the appointment of Yash Raj as Chief Business Officer. With his extensive experience in business development, strategic partnerships, and product marketing, his partnership with Medulance will play a pivotal role in bolstering Medulance's commitment to delivering cutting-edge technologies for prompt and high-quality responses during medical emergencies nationwide. Yash Raj is a seasoned executive with over 7 years of experience in the healthcare and education industry. He has held multiple leadership roles during his career, including at Think and Learn (which runs BYJU's), where he was one of the early employees and rose through the ranks to take on leadership responsibilities. Yash Raj oversaw the company's sales and marketing verticals, including its international business, and led a team of 550+ members. At Medulance, Yash Raj will take on key responsibilities including establishing hospital tie-ups, cultivating client relationships, fostering strategic partnerships, and overseeing operations.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23039/healthium-medtech-picks-prashant-krishnan-to-head-advanced-wound-care-and-surgery-biz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23039/healthium-medtech-picks-prashant-krishnan-to-head-advanced-wound-care-and-surgery-biz.html Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Healthium Medtech, a global player in medical devices, focused on products in surgical, post-surgical and chronic care, has announced the appointment of Prashant Krishnan, an experienced leader and veteran in the medtech industry, as their new global business head for its advanced wound care and surgery portfolio. Krishnan joins Healthium after his stint at Medtronic. As Healthium expands its presence in India and beyond, Krishnan will continue to raise the bar in operational excellence and business growth. His appointment comes at a juncture when the company is strengthening its portfolio in advanced surgery, wound care, orthopaedics and post-surgical care through organic and inorganic routes.   An industry veteran, Krishnan brings more than 27 years of experience and has an excellent track record of leading businesses across India, South Asia and the US in various leadership positions across Surgery, Cardiology and Orthopaedics medical devices. Previously, Krishnan has been associated with companies like Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, Godrej & Boyce and has delivered significant transformations for the businesses that he has led; his key role in working with Niti Aayog & USIBC for the Ventilator project during the Covid period has been recognised globally.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23041/health-tech-platform-thb-onboards-former-mckinsey-partner-dr-chirag-adatia-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23041/health-tech-platform-thb-onboards-former-mckinsey-partner-dr-chirag-adatia-as-ceo.html Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 THB, a leading Enterprise Healthcare SaaS company, has appointed  Dr Chirag Adatia as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of India and South Asia. Akansh Khurana, Co-Founder of THB, has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Group CEO. Dr Adatia, a doctor by education, joins THB from McKinsey, where he has spent over 15 years helping healthcare enterprises across topics, with a specific focus on growth and digital transformation. As a Partner at McKinsey, he handled the Digital Health and Sales & Marketing practice for healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and med-tech across Asian markets. As India CEO, Dr Adatia would be responsible for scaling the core business to its next orbit and establishing THB as the preferred revenue acceleration technology partner for leading healthcare enterprises across the country.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23023/medikabazaar-appoints-vishal-chaturvedi-as-chief-technology-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/23023/medikabazaar-appoints-vishal-chaturvedi-as-chief-technology-officer.html Fri, 28 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based B2B platform for healthcare procurement solutions, Medikabazaar, has appointed Vishal Chaturvedi as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Chaturvedi will be working towards further scaling up current tech stack & focus towards developing newer technology products whilst continue to solve complex healthcare supply chain issues & leveraging on digital monetisation for the company.       Chaturvedi brings strong tech and business experience of close to two decades.  An alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) & Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), he has previously been associated with giants such as Samsung, Amazon, British Telecom, Jio and BlackBuck where he was last associated with.     Founded in 2015 by Vivek Tiwari and Ketan Malkan, Medikabazaar is a digital platform connects sellers with medical establishments for streamlined and cost-effective procurement. They source high-quality medical supplies and equipment from China, the US, and Europe, serving both Indian and international healthcare companies. Medikabazaar collaborates with manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare facilities of all sizes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22915/aurobindo-pharma-names-dr-sanjay-chaturvedi-as-ceo-of-subsidiary.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22915/aurobindo-pharma-names-dr-sanjay-chaturvedi-as-ceo-of-subsidiary.html Sat, 08 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Sanjay Chaturvedi has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Apitoria Pharma, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyderabad-based Aurobindo Pharma. Chaturvedi is an accomplished leader with close to three decades of rich experience in various prestigious organisations. His proven success of creating and growing organisations demonstrates his commitment to strategy and transformative excellence. Prior to this role, he was associated with IOL Chemicals and Pharma as Executive Director & CEO. He has also worked as the President at Praj Industries. He has earlier worked with Aurobindo Pharma from 2013 to 2015 as the Senior Vice President. Chaturvedi has also gained experience working as the Vice President and Global Head - Sales and Marketing at Dr. Reddy's Laboratories. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22916/dr-soumya-swaminathan-steps-in-as-board-member-of-coalition-for-epidemic-preparedness-innovations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22916/dr-soumya-swaminathan-steps-in-as-board-member-of-coalition-for-epidemic-preparedness-innovations.html Sat, 08 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Norway-based Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has announced a new board member- Dr Soumya Swaminathan (Independent). Dr Soumya previously served as Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation (WHO) and was instrumental in the establishment and implementation of COVAX, which has enabled access to over 1.9 billion COVID-19 vaccines globally. Prior to that she was Secretary to the Government of India for Health Research and Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research from 2015 to 2017. She is a globally recognised researcher on tuberculosis and HIV and brings over 30 years’ experience in clinical care and research. She has also worked throughout her career to translate research into impactful programmes. From 2009 to 2011, she also served as Coordinator of the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases in Geneva. She is an elected Foreign Fellow of the US National Academy of Medicine and a Fellow of all three science academies in India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22902/iol-chemicals-and-pharmaceuticals-appoints-vikas-vij-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22902/iol-chemicals-and-pharmaceuticals-appoints-vikas-vij-as-ceo.html Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, a leading manufacturer of pharmaceutical (APIs) and specialty chemicals based in Ludhiana, has appointed Vikas Vij as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with effect from 3rd April 2023. Vij’s role is expected to aid the company to bolster growth across domestic and international markets by leading IOL’s portfolio enhancement and efficiencies. He takes over from Dr Sanjay Chaturvedi. Vij has a techno-commercial background with a nuanced understanding of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), Finished Dosage Forms (FDF), Custom Pharmaceutical Services (CRAMS), specialty chemicals, and operations from his previous leadership roles across the pharma value chain. He was previously associated with Cipla as the Senior Vice President of API and Access Business Units. In his career spanning over 30 years, he has donned various roles in Ranbaxy, GVK Biosciences, Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharma, and Apollo Hospitals.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22892/health-tech-firm-curebay-appoints-vasant-nangia-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22892/health-tech-firm-curebay-appoints-vasant-nangia-as-president.html Mon, 03 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 CureBay, a health-tech startup focused on bringing high-quality and affordable healthcare to underserved patients in rural India, has announced the appointment of Vasant Nangia as President effective 3 April. In his new role, Nangia will forefront CureBay’s operations and spearhead its efforts to augment its reach and impact across the region.  With Vasant’s appointment, CureBay now aims to rapidly scale up from its current 30 e-clinics and pharmacies to building a world-class health-tech enterprise, by  harnessing innovative technology  and rapidly building seamless infrastructure across geographies. An alumnus of IIM Calcutta, Nangia recently stepped down as the CEO of Chumbak Design, a home and lifestyle retailer acquired by GOAT Brand Labs earlier this year.  Following his successful tenure at Tanishq, Nangia co-founded Oyzterbay.com along with Priyadarshi Mohapatra to provide contemporary and affordable jewellery for the burgeoning young Indian population. The Oyzterbay team was acquihired by the US-based Fossil Group in 2007 where Nangia further played a vital role in establishing Fossil India as one of the group's largest global subsidiaries. He then relocated to Hong Kong as Fossil Group’s Senior Vice-President.  Co-founded in 2022 by Priyadarshi Mohapatra along with Shobhan Mahapatra and Sanjay Swain, CureBay has recently closed a Series A funding round of Rs 50 crore led by Elevar Equity, positioning the organization for further growth and expansion. The brand has operational eClinics in Odisha and will be expanding to other cities as part of its growth strategy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22893/citiustech-names-rajan-kohli-as-chief-executive-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22893/citiustech-names-rajan-kohli-as-chief-executive-officer.html Mon, 03 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 US-headquartered CitiusTech Healthcare Technology, with presence in Mumbai and Bengaluru, has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Rajan Kohli, an experienced technology executive as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Kohli joins CitiusTech from Wipro, a global leader in technology services and solutions, where he spent nearly three decades and was responsible for $6 billion in annual revenues. He most recently served as the President of the iDEAS (Integrated Digital, Engineering and Application Services) business, supporting clients globally across industry segments.  He has held a variety of leadership positions at Wipro, including Head of Banking & Financial Services and Chief Marketing Officer, Kohli also founded and scaled Wipro Digital in the decade before taking over leadership of the iDEAS global business line.   Established in 2005, CitiusTech develops software and technology solutions for over 140 leading healthcare and life sciences organisations, including large healthcare providers, payers, pharmaceutical organisations and medical technology companies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22878/intas-pharma-appoints-dr-narahari-chittoor-rao-as-associate-vp-cell-gene-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22878/intas-pharma-appoints-dr-narahari-chittoor-rao-as-associate-vp-cell-gene-therapy.html Thu, 30 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Ahmedabad-based Intas Pharmaceuticals has announced the appointment of Dr Narahari Chittoor Rao as Associate Vice President- Cell & Gene Therapy. Dr Rao has over two decades of experience in the biotech industry having worked for both large multinational companies and startups. In addition to traditional biologicals such as recombinant proteins and antibody based projects, he has also worked with newly emerging modalities such as mRNA and viral vectors. His experience spans process and product development from pre-clinical stage to commercially manufactured products.  He was previously serving as the Head of Global Process Development at Pune-based Enzene Biosciences. He has also worked with companies like Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Moderna Therapeutics, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, amgen, to name a few. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22853/dr-ashutosh-raghuvanshi-steps-in-as-new-president-of-nathealth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22853/dr-ashutosh-raghuvanshi-steps-in-as-new-president-of-nathealth.html Mon, 27 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Managing Director and CEO, Fortis Healthcare has been announced as the new President of NATHEALTH – an apex body representing the entire ecosystem of the Indian healthcare industry. He takes charge from Dr Shravan Subramanyam, erstwhile President of NATHEALTH during FY 2022-23.  A cardiac surgeon turned management leader, Dr Raghuvanshi has over 35 years of healthcare experience and numerous national and international healthcare awards under his belt. Before joining Fortis, Dr Raghuvanshi spent over 18 years with Narayana Health, a leading healthcare chain operating over 28 hospitals, in various leadership roles including as its Vice Chairman, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO), where he played an instrumental role in getting the company successfully listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). His past tenure includes stints with the Bombay Hospital, Apollo Hospitals, Vijaya Heart Foundation and Manipal Heart Foundation. Dr Raghuvanshi has participated in various industry forums including Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and Healthcare Federation of India (NATHEALTH).     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22823/aster-dm-healthcare-appoints-dr-nitish-shetty-as-india-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22823/aster-dm-healthcare-appoints-dr-nitish-shetty-as-india-ceo.html Mon, 20 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare, one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the GCC and India, has announced the appointment of Dr Nitish Shetty as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its India business. In this capacity, Dr Shetty will oversee the company’s overall India operations and lead the growth of Aster DM Healthcare in India.  Dr Shetty joined Aster DM Healthcare in 2014, taking charge as the CEO of Aster CMI Hospital in Bengaluru and then rose to become the Regional Director of Aster Hospitals in Karnataka and Maharashtra, alongside assuming responsibility as a Director for Aster Labs. His promotion to the role of CEO of Aster DM Healthcare India is in alignment with the Group’s strategy to further strengthen Aster DM Healthcare’s presence in the country. Before joining Aster, Dr Shetty worked for some of the reputed healthcare companies in India including BGS Global and Narayana Hrudayalaya.  For more than 23 years, Dr Shetty has specialised in strategic planning and management. Over last 8 years he has played a significant part in the commissioning and establishment of numerous projects including Aster CMI Hospital, Aster RV Hospital, Aster Whitefield Hospital and Aster clinics at Bangalore. He has also taken charge of Aster Labs recently.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22773/ratan-p-watal-joins-board-of-tb-alliance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22773/ratan-p-watal-joins-board-of-tb-alliance.html Fri, 10 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 TB Alliance, a New York based global not-for-profit organisation, has appointed Ratan P. Watal to its Board of Directors. Ratan P. Watal is presently Chairman, Central Vista Oversight Committee, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.  He has more than four decades of experience working in and advising the Indian government, including in the areas of health and finance. He has earlier held various key positions that included - Member Secretary of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Government of India, Principal Adviser (Social sector, including health) in NITI Aayog and Secretary (Expenditure) in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Watal has been appointed as the Principle Adviser for social sector in Niti Aayog in 2016. A retired IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, Watal had been the Finance Secretary between August 2015 and April 2016.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22754/dr-paul-salins-steps-in-as-vice-chairman-of-skan-research-trust.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22754/dr-paul-salins-steps-in-as-vice-chairman-of-skan-research-trust.html Tue, 07 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Skan Research Trust, founded by Ashok Soota, has announced the appointment of Dr Paul Salins as Vice Chairman of the Trust.  Dr Salins is the Medical Director and Sr. Vice President of Narayana Health – Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre and also Managing Director, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation. Dr Salins work on the systems approach to drug discovery to arrest or reverse lifestyle and ageing-related chronic diseases early, during its continuum has led to a genre of “interceptive therapeutics”. In the area of computation, Dr Salins terms his work “predictability before knowability” creating intuitive artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning systems for the analysis of large, complex data clusters and adaptive systems as the foundation for pattern-based topologic analytics and inverse kinematics. He has also key contributions in facial aesthetic surgery and his surgical work has restored self-respect and dignity to numerous people with deformities and mutilations of the facial region. He is a Fellow by the American College of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons. Currently, his research interests are in the area of engineering applications, particularly of modelling based decision making processes to surgical practice.  Dr Paul Salins said, “I am delighted to be a member of the apex governance group in Skan.  I am very impressed with the long-term orientation of Skan and look forward to contributing to its Mission and 10-year goals.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22731/upasana-kamineni-konidela-steps-in-as-independent-director-of-zydus-lifesciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22731/upasana-kamineni-konidela-steps-in-as-independent-director-of-zydus-lifesciences.html Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Ahmedabad-based Zydus Lifesciences has announced the appointment of Upasana Kamineni Konidela as an Independent Director for the first term of five consecutive years. Through meticulous analysis of Upasana’s skill set, knowledge and experience in Healthcare and Philanthropy, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC), recommended her appointment for the efficient functioning of the company with her expertise particularly in the areas of, Human Resources, Corporate Social Responsibility and Information Technology. Currently, Upasana is making waves in the business world as one of the youngest and most dynamic independent directors in India of a publicly listed company. She strongly believes in building sustainable businesses deeply rooted in social welfare that create a long-term, profound impact. Upasana is a third-generation entrepreneur and philanthropist from the Apollo Hospitals family in India. During her long stint in the healthcare sector, she successfully handled the responsibilities such as Founder of URLife, Vice Chairperson CSR, Apollo Hospitals Group and Managing Director of Family Health Plan Insurance TPA Limited and continues to play her significant role in these organisations. Besides, she is also a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Hyderabad chapter and of CII, Telangana. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22716/dr-nachiket-mor-joins-the-board-of-sukoon-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22716/dr-nachiket-mor-joins-the-board-of-sukoon-healthcare.html Tue, 28 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Gurugram-based startup Sukoon Healthcare, India's leading inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facility, has inducted Dr Nachiket Mor as an Independent Director on its board.  Dr Mor is leader in health systems design & policy and recently supported the Govt of Meghalaya as part of its Mental Health Policy Drafting Sub-committee. He is also currently a Commissioner on the Lancet Citizen’s Commission on Reimagining India's Health System. He was previously the India Country Director for Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and has also served as a member of the Planning Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on Universal Healthcare.   In his earlier avatar, Dr Mor was on the Board of directors of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is widely credited with leading the financial inclusion movement in India.   Highlighting the urgent need for in-patient psychiatric care infrastructure in India, Dr Nachiket Mor, Board Director, Sukoon, said, “While the incidence or population impacted by severe mental health disorders could be considered low – 0.3% for schizophrenia and 0.6% for bipolar disorder - the burden of the disease is quite high, further exacerbated by the inheritability of these conditions. As per the Lancet’s 2019 estimations, the burden of mental health disease is larger than respiratory disease, cancer or diabetes and yet India has only around 10,000 clinical psychiatrists treating these disorders. Both in-community & hospital care are required to holistically treat severe mental disorders”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22681/dr-gianluca-de-novi-comes-on-board-as-simulation-advisor-for-medisim-vr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22681/dr-gianluca-de-novi-comes-on-board-as-simulation-advisor-for-medisim-vr.html Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 MediSim VR, a part of the Johnson & Johnson innovation labs, Boston and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras Research Park, Chennai, has announced its association with a global industry expert, Dr Gianluca De Novi, to lead the penetration of virtual reality (VR)-based education at a global level. Dr Gianluca De Novi is known as an expert who turned down Ferrari to contribute to the medical field.  A lover of luxury and sports car, Dr Gianluca De Novi was supposed to work on the simulation of the Ferrari car, instead, he went into the medical field after witnessing a surgical operation on a five-year-old girl. He is an expert in High-Performance Computing and a pioneer in artificial intelligence (AI), virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), computer vision, and blockchain. With a Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering, followed by a PhD from the University of Boston, in Robotics and Control Systems, he joined Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences as a visiting researcher for a year before completing a postdoctoral fellowship in Medical Simulation at Harvard Medical School. By the mid-'90s, Dr Gianluca De Novi developed a keen interest in simulated computed-based surgeries. This led him to develop state-of-the-art technologies and AR/VR frameworks for ultimate Surgery Simulation including Task Recognition and Gesture Analysis. Today Novi is on the Board of Directors of many leading technology & med-tech companies.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22689/dr-renu-swarup-receives-dr-b-s-bajaj-memorial-faba-excellence-award-2023-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22689/dr-renu-swarup-receives-dr-b-s-bajaj-memorial-faba-excellence-award-2023-.html Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr B S Bajaj Memorial FABA Excellence Award-2023 has been conferred upon to Dr Renu Swarup, former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India for her outstanding contribution in promoting science and technology in the country.  Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) is a non-profit society, which represents 20 Asian countries with a common interest in promoting human health through advances in biotechnology. The award was conferred during the Hyderabad Life Sciences innovation cluster meeting on 23rd February 2023 at the Indian council of medical research - National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical Research (ICMR-NARFBR) situated in Genome valley, Hyderabad.  Dr Renu Swarup has been instrumental in the planning and implementation of national programmes and actively engaged in the formulation of National Biotechnology Vision & Strategy. She served as a member of the Task Force on Women in Science by the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister. As the Secretary of DBT, she led a Network of 16 Autonomous Research Institutes, 2 Public Sector Undertakings, and R&D Network of more than 5000 projects across 100 research institutes, Universities & Laboratories. During the pandemic, she led the COVID-19 Vaccine, Diagnostic & Genome sequencing Mission. She was the founding Managing Director and Chairperson of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), and has supported more than 5000 startups and 60 incubators.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22675/eyestem-appoints-ravi-achar-to-lead-us-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22675/eyestem-appoints-ravi-achar-to-lead-us-business.html Wed, 22 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Eyestem, a Bengaluru-based cell therapy startup, with a focus on ophthalmology, has appointed Ravi Achar as Head- North America Strategy and also engaged Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth as its US law firm. Achar has significant experience in the US startup ecosystem having successfully established fund raising and partnership strategies for several biotech companies. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Arnold A Semler Inc, a defense company based in Los Angeles, US. The company distributed and also did some manufacturing of ground communication equipment, accessories and ancillaries for the US and Global defense Industry. Achar has co-founded Semler Research Centre (SRC), in 2006, as part of Arnold A Semler Inc, a leading pharmaceutical contract research organisation, which was based in Bengaluru.He has a diverse entrepreneurial C level background in engineering, operations, business development, finance, strategic partnerships, international business. Dr Jogin Desai, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Eyestem, said, “As we get closer to getting human data for Eyecyte-RPE, our lead product, we have been laying the groundwork for Eyestem’s global expansion through partnerships and strategic alliances. Achar has a distinguished track record executing global alliances and we are delighted to have him on board as an experienced industry veteran."  Eyecyte-RPE, the company’s patented flagship product, is an experimental treatment for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22680/rajeev-raghuvanshi-steps-in-as-new-drug-controller-general-of-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22680/rajeev-raghuvanshi-steps-in-as-new-drug-controller-general-of-india.html Wed, 22 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Rajeev Raghuvanshi as the new Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Raghuvanshi, who is currently the Secretary-cum-Scientific Director at Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, has been given the DCGI charge for a three-year period ending on February 28, 2025. A Senior Executive with proven track record in leading Indian Pharmaceutical industry, he has demonstrated the capability of establishing, growing and taking R & D organisations to next level. He is experienced in generics, nanotechnology, innovative platform technologies, open innovation, out sourcing, cost cutting, lean development, international and national collaborations. He has served as the Senior Vice President and Head, Differentiated Formulations R & D / BRaIN at Dr. Reddy's; Director at Ranbaxy Research Laboratories; Scientist at the National Institute of Immunology; and Research Associate, Formulation Development at Dabur Research Foundation Raghuvanshi will be replacing PBN Prasad, who was given an interim charge of DCGI up until now. Prasad had replaced V G Somani, whose three-year tenure had expired in August last year. He was, however, given two extensions of three months each. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22668/bugworks-research-welcomes-dr-renu-swarup-to-its-global-advisory-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22668/bugworks-research-welcomes-dr-renu-swarup-to-its-global-advisory-board.html Tue, 21 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup Bugworks Research, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has engaged Dr Renu Swarup as a honorary member of the Global Advisory Board. Dr Renu is the former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India and brings in more than three decades of experience in the biotech sector.  As the Member Secretary of the Expert Committee, Dr Renu oversaw the formulation of Biotechnology Vision in 2001, National Biotechnology Development Strategy in 2007 and Strategy II, 2015-20.  She was the Founding Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Public Sector Company with special focus on supporting Start-ups and SMEs. By strengthening biotechnology translational research and industry-academia partnerships, she has supported more than 5000 startups and nearly 500 small companies to pursue innovative research and product development. She is a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI). She has actively supported women scientists as a member of the Prime Minister's Scientific Advisory Committee's task force on women in science and is part of The Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World.  She played a critical role in DBT’s response to create technological solutions to tackle COVID-19 in India. On joining Bugworks Research, Dr Renu Swarup said, “I am pleased to be associated with Bugworks in my capacity as an Honorary Advisor and member of their Global Advisory Board. The vision of Bugworks on combating critical unmet health priorities of AMR and cancer is of global importance. Their work on new broad-spectrum antibiotics and novel immuno-oncologic small molecules targeting several solid cell tumors, to make these affordable and accessible to humanity, is of special significance. The company occupies a niche area in their effort to enable patients especially from LMICs to gain access to cutting-edge therapies in infection and cancer.”    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22672/prof-ls-shashidhara-takes-on-as-new-director-of-tifr-ncbs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22672/prof-ls-shashidhara-takes-on-as-new-director-of-tifr-ncbs.html Tue, 21 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) under the Department of Atomic Energy of the Government of India, has announced the appointment of its new director- Prof LS Shashidhara.  Specialised in Genetics, Molecular Biology and Evolutionary biology, Prof Shashidhara takes charge of the new position earlier held by Prof Satyajit (Jitu) Mayor. Prof Shashidhara has been very involved in the promotion of science and science education and has had many experiments in this area, including working with the Ministry of Education on the training of high school and undergraduate teachers in adopting inquiry-based teaching methods. Beyond conventional education and research, he has organised several career workshops for scientists in science journalism, science policy, climate education, administration and management. He has also served on the Board of IndiaBioscience from almost the very beginning, reflecting his commitment to the Life Science research community in India.  A JC Bose National Fellow and an elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO), he has served in the past as Vice-President of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and is the current President of the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22658/nobel-prize-winner-recombinant-dna-discoverer-dr-paul-berg-passes-away.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22658/nobel-prize-winner-recombinant-dna-discoverer-dr-paul-berg-passes-away.html Mon, 20 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Paul Berg, an American biochemist whose development of recombinant DNA technique won him a share (with Walter Gilbert and Frederick Sanger) of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1980, died at the age of 96 on 15th February 2023. Dr Berg’s gene-splicing experiment resulted in the first man-made recombinant DNA (rDNA), as such molecules came to be called.  As chair of the National Academy of Science’s Committee on rDNA molecules, Dr Berg played an active role in the debate among scientists and with the public about potential limitations on such research. In the 1970s the National Institutes of Health issued guidelines for the safe conduct of rDNA research. Over time these guidelines have been eased, as more experience has shown the hazards to be far less than imagined. Dr Berg’s later research at Stanford focused on the mechanism of repairing DNA damage, and he continued to influence federal policy regarding stem-cell research, biotechnology, and human cloning. In 2005 Paul Berg received the Biotechnology Heritage Award from the Chemical Heritage Foundation, now the Science History Institute, and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. The honour was given in recognition of his pioneering work in gene splicing, one of the foundations of biotechnology; the award also recognised his work in teaching and medical research and as a leader who helped lay the ethical foundations of the biotechnology enterprise. He also was awarded the 2008 American Institute of Chemists Gold Medal.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22634/healthplix-appoints-nagesh-is-as-data-safety-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22634/healthplix-appoints-nagesh-is-as-data-safety-officer.html Tue, 14 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based health tech startup HealthPlix Technologies has appointed Nagesh IS as its Data Safety Officer. He will oversee the state of affairs concerning data privacy and security at HealthPlix. The appointment of Nagesh highlights the company’s focus on protecting the fundamental needs of its 10000+ individual active doctors on its platform who are digitizing their patient health journey with HealthPlix.  Nagesh has extensive experience in building and scaling PAAS (Platform as a service) and IAAS (Infrastructure as a service) companies. He has been the Director of Engineering at HealthPlix and was instrumental in setting up security-first engineering practices. Before HealthPlix, Nagesh worked with companies like PharmEasy and redBus.  Nagesh is a seasoned software engineer with 12+ years of experience in fast-growing AI and Fin-tech startups. He excels in data governance, security, and building scalable products with a focus on personal and sensitive user data. Nagesh holds an engineering degree in Electronics & Communication from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22619/stryker-appoints-new-vice-president-and-general-manager-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22619/stryker-appoints-new-vice-president-and-general-manager-in-india.html Fri, 10 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Stryker, US-headquartered medical technology company, has announced the appointment of Aman Rishi as its new Vice President and General Manager for India, effective March 1, 2023. In his new role, Rishi will lead the India organisation with a goal to drive sustainable business growth and accelerate healthcare professionals’ access to medical technology and innovation that can help impact patients’ lives. With a decade of experience at Stryker, he has spearheaded initiatives that have enabled Stryker to establish its presence in today’s reshaped medtech industry environment regionally and grow in India. Rishi started as finance controller and advanced through a series of increasingly senior commercial and functional leadership roles. In 2018, he was appointed to lead the MedSurg business in India where he turned the business around by reenergising the product portfolio, the culture and the team. Most recently, he was appointed senior director of strategy and business development for Asia Pacific where he helped strengthen Stryker’s market and category leadership in the region. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22623/aster-dm-healthcare-appoints-rahul-kadavakolu-as-group-cmo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22623/aster-dm-healthcare-appoints-rahul-kadavakolu-as-group-cmo.html Fri, 10 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare has announced the appointment of Rahul Kadavakolu as Group Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). In this role, Kadavakolu will be leading the overall Group Brand, Marketing, Communications and Go to Market strategy across the company by aligning closely with the strategic vision of the organization. The appointment comes amid the diversification of the company’s business portfolio and its ongoing evolution and foray into different markets. Kadavakolu has over 22 years of experience in Strategy, Branding, Marketing, Communication, Sports & Entertainment projects spanning across industries. Prior to joining Aster, he was with Rakuten Group, a conglomerate with 70+ businesses, where he led Global Branding, Marketing & Partnerships for the Group. He was instrumental in inking partnerships with FC Barcelona, Golden State Warriors, NBA, Davis Cup and helped build strong associations with Stephen Curry, Andres Iniesta, Messi’s Cirque Du Soleil show, Shakira’s Eldorado World Tour, etc. to name a few. He also led the Global Sports Business. Kadavakolu began his career in advertising at Hakuhodo Percept, managing a portfolio of Domestic and Japanese brands. He later went on to work for Ogilvy & Mather before transitioning into the IT & Digital Services industry. His longest stint was with Wipro where he held leadership positions within the brand and marketing function. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22617/pfizer-india-announces-appointment-of-meenakshi-nevatia-as-md-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22617/pfizer-india-announces-appointment-of-meenakshi-nevatia-as-md-.html Thu, 09 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Pfizer India has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Meenakshi Nevatia as an Additional Director and the Managing Director (MD) for a period of five years with effect from 3rd April 2023. She succeeds S.Sridhar, who announced his early retirement in August 2022. Meenakshi is a seasoned leader with nearly 30 years of business leadership and consulting experience with top companies such as Mckinsey and Co, Novartis Pharmaceuticals and more recently with Stryker Corporation. Meenakshi has worked in over 8 countries (developed and emerging) and has held several General Management roles across multiple markets such as Thailand, Spain (Iberia) and India. In her recent role as Vice President and Managing Director of Stryker India, Meenakshi was responsible for building Stryker’s business strategy and setting up the organisation for long-term, sustainable growth in the Indian market.  Her strengths include building strategies that foster diverse teams who are driven to deliver differentiated innovation in service to healthcare professionals and patients.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22610/vani-manja-takes-charge-as-md-of-uk-ireland-biz-at-boehringer-ingelheim-exits-india-role.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22610/vani-manja-takes-charge-as-md-of-uk-ireland-biz-at-boehringer-ingelheim-exits-india-role.html Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Vani Manja, former Country Managing Director (MD) for India at Germany headquartered biopharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), has moved to a new role- as the Managing Director for the company's UK and Ireland business and Head of Human Pharma. Until her successor is announced at Boehringer Ingelheim India, Sandip Agrawal, Director – Finance and  Administration has taken on the additional responsibility of Interim Managing Director. "I carry a wide range of learnings from the India healthcare environment and the BI India organisation, especially from the diverse interactions with some very interesting and inspiring people in the industry, healthcare community and the media fraternity. India continues to be a fascinating market that I look to learn from in the future as well, though for now from the outside", said Vani. Vani was appointed the Country Managing Director for India, on January 1, 2021. In this role, she assumed responsibility for the company’s businesses in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. She was formerly the Global Head of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Go-To-Market and Business Steering organisation, based in the company’s headquarters in Germany. She joined Boehringer Ingelheim in the US in 2011, working across Strategy & Operations, Marketing and Sales leadership roles before moving to Ingelheim in 2016 as Regional Business Manager for Japan. Her global experience in healthcare spans nearly two decades across McKinsey & Company, Becton Dickinson and Boehringer Ingelheim, and is characterised by strong global mobility and cross-functional leadership assignments across healthcare and management consulting. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22602/renowned-scientist-and-moderna-co-founder-robert-s-langer-wins-genome-valley-excellence-award-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22602/renowned-scientist-and-moderna-co-founder-robert-s-langer-wins-genome-valley-excellence-award-2023.html Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The 20th edition of BioAsia - the marquee healthcare and Life Sciences event, organised by the Government of Telangana, has announced that the coveted Genome Valley Excellence Award for the year 2023 will be conferred upon Prof. Robert S. Langer, in light of his pioneering research that has led to the development of the first commercial mRNA vaccines used for variety of infectious diseases. Langer is currently the David H. Koch Institute Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA. He is also being acknowledged for his exemplary research in human health, including the detection, monitoring, and treatment of cancer. A veteran in his field, his remarkable contributions to biomedical and therapeutic research include developing long-term and controlled-release drug delivery systems used for a variety of applications including cancer therapy, insulin and vaccines.  As the director of the eponymous Langer Labs, he works at the intersection of biotechnology and material science and his research helped lay foundation for the underlying delivery mechanism that led to the development of the first commercial mRNA vaccines. In 2010, he co-founded Moderna, the biotech company that came to prominence for developing an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19. He is also prolific in the scientific community having authored more than 1,500 scientific papers, making him the most-cited engineer in history. In addition, he is also a serial entrepreneur being instrumental in starting more than 40 companies and is a recipient of numerous awards including the Queen Elizabeth prize for Engineering.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22603/practo-elevates-amit-kumar-verma-as-chief-technology-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22603/practo-elevates-amit-kumar-verma-as-chief-technology-officer.html Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Health tech firm Practo has announced the elevation of its head of engineering, Amit Kumar Verma as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Verma has been leading the technology and engineering team across Practo's business and has been playing an integral role in building Practo’s technology prowess. With this elevation, he will be working closely with Abhinav Lal, Co-founder, to scale current systems further and develop newer technology products that will help improve the delivery of quality healthcare. In his new role, Verma will also be responsible for expanding the overall tech team & development of the company. He brings more than two decades of experience in the field of product engineering and has built software systems in the enterprise(B2B) and consumer-facing(B2C) domains. He has a proven track record as an industry leader in setting-up teams for multiple businesses and driving them to build scalable software platforms. Before joining Practo, he has worked with renowned consumer technology brands such as Bigbasket, Ola, Oracle, Yahoo and Microsoft.  With increased focus on healthcare, the country is at the cusp of a digital healthcare revolution. Verma’s elevation comes timely as the company scales up its operations to support the government in this mission and make quality healthcare accessible to its billion+ population. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22582/ict-confers-inaugural-dr-k-anji-reddy-memorial-fellowship-to-satish-reddy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22582/ict-confers-inaugural-dr-k-anji-reddy-memorial-fellowship-to-satish-reddy.html Fri, 03 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) has awarded the inaugural version of 'Dr. K. Anji Reddy Memorial Fellowship for Affordable Biopharmaceuticals' to Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, for his immense contribution to the Indian pharmaceutical industry. The fellowship was delivered at ICT’s 4 th edition of Biosimilar Workshop, held on February 2, 2023 in Goa. The fellowship has been envisaged to honour the life and dedication to the pharmaceutical field of Dr. K. Anji Reddy, an alumnus of ICT and founder of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. The fellowship is awarded to industrialists and leaders who have made outstanding contributions in biotherapeutics and towards the growth of Indian pharmaceutical industry As the Chairman of Dr. Reddy’s, Satish Reddy has led the organisation’s transition from a unifocused manufacturer of APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients) to a company that moved up the value-chain with a diverse product portfolio of Finished Dosage Formulations. He oversaw the expansion and establishing of a strong footprint for Dr. Reddy’s finished dosage products in Russia, China and other emerging markets. As an active member of major industry associations and governmental panels, he played a key role in shaping policies concerning the pharmaceutical sector that include India’s patent law, drug pricing and important amendments to the Drugs & Cosmetics Act. Keeping true to the legacy of the founder of the company, Dr. K. Anji Reddy, Satish Reddy drives the organisation's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. The Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, of which he is Chairman, works to help the less privileged create sustainable livelihoods through appropriate vocational education.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22550/medtronic-india-appoints-michael-blackwell-as-vice-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22550/medtronic-india-appoints-michael-blackwell-as-vice-president.html Mon, 30 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Ireland-headquartered medtech firm Medtronic plc has recently announced the appointment of Michael Blackwell as Vice President of India Medtronic, effective January 2023. In this role, he will be responsible for sales, marketing, and commercial operations of Medtronic’s India business. Blackwell will be appointed as the Managing Director of Medtronic India in due course. Blackwell succeeds Madan Krishnan, who has been leading the dynamic India market and is now transitioning to a global role in the US as Vice President & CFO of Medtronic’s community, corporates, academia, and industry associations work together to improve access to quality healthcare by introducing newer technologies, services, and solutions that ultimately lead to better patient outcomes. He was also the Chair of AdvaMed India. Blackwell joined Medtronic in 2006 and has worked in various markets globally.   With a career spanning over 20 years in healthcare, he has worked across business groups of Medtronic that include Cardiovascular, Neuroscience, and Medical Surgical. In his last assignment with Medtronic, he led the Frontier Markets consisting of Indonesia, Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Guam, Brunei, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, Fiji, and New Papa Guinea.  His earlier assignments involved, leading the Cardiovascular group for Medtronic Canada. He has also had dual responsibilities in the United States, as the Vice President of Sales for the Advanced Surgical division, West Area and the National Hernia Lead within the Medical Surgical business group. Additional roles included Director of Strategic Accounts and multiple manager positions across Medtronic’s portfolios.   Additionally, Blackwell has taken an active role in Medtronic’s Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s) including a leadership position in the African Descent Network (ADN), a liaison to the Asia Impact at Medtronic – Field Acceleration Resource Group (AIM - FAR) and supports Accelerating and Advancing Sales Professionals through Innovation Results and Excellence (ASPIRE), a Medtronic ERG that is focused on the growth, development and success of women field employees. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22533/rajiv-gandhi-takes-charge-as-chairman-ficci-gujarat-state-council.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22533/rajiv-gandhi-takes-charge-as-chairman-ficci-gujarat-state-council.html Thu, 26 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Rajiv Gandhi, Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Hester Biosciences has been appointed as Chairman, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) Gujarat State Council. A first-generation entrepreneur, Gandhi started a proprietary trading company in 1985 in Mumbai for distributing animal health products with no experience or knowledge in animal health business. He then transformed that proprietary business into Asia’s largest single location animal vaccine and health products manufacturing company based in Ahmedabad under the name of Hester Biosciences. Hester is now a 500 people-strong organisation which recorded a turnover of Rs 219.35 crore in the financial year 2021-22, earning a net profit of Rs 39.52 crore. Hester subsequently expanded its animal vaccine manufacturing activities by setting up plants in Nepal and in Tanzania respectively. In 2016, Gandhi was awarded the ‘Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year’ by the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA). He is a member of the governing council for Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA); Chimanbhai Patel Institute, Ahmedabad; Kamdhenu University, Gandhinagar; Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat; and National Advisory Committee for Animal Husbandry and Dairying Sector, constituted by The Government of India     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22534/connect-and-heal-appoints-nishant-kashyap-of-pharmeasy-as-vp-engineering.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22534/connect-and-heal-appoints-nishant-kashyap-of-pharmeasy-as-vp-engineering.html Thu, 26 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Connect and Heal, Bengaluru-based health-tech startup, has announced the joining of Nishant Kashyap as Vice President (VP) – Engineering. In this position, he will be responsible for the entire technology platform and consumer facing applications.  Kashyap has over 16 years of technology experience across Development, Information Security, Automation, RPA, and Performance Engineering & Internal Tools. Previously, he has worked with leading companies like LinkedIn, Myntra, Oracle, Yahoo, Adobe Systems, and a few startups.  One of his most recent stints was at API Holdings (Pharmeasy). He managed the design and development of platform tools and setup information security practices, automation processes, in-house RPA development, and performance engineering practices from scratch, along with setting up the entire process. He oversaw the growth of the engineering teams from 10 people to 100+ across various functions and the company scaling to more than 5X in just four years.   Nishant Kashyap, VP - Engineering, Connect and Heal, said, "There is rapid growth in the Indian healthcare ecosystem, with technology playing a significant role. We have a unique opportunity at Connect and Heal to positively impact this ecosystem by developing cutting-edge healthcare platforms for the lives we touch - enabling ease of access and high-quality health outcomes."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22506/chaitanya-sarawate-steps-in-as-india-md-for-wipro-ge-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22506/chaitanya-sarawate-steps-in-as-india-md-for-wipro-ge-healthcare.html Thu, 19 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Wipro GE HealthCare has announced the appointment of Chaitanya Sarawate as the Managing Director (MD), Wipro GE HealthCare and President & CEO, GE HealthCare South Asia. He succeeds Dr Shravan Subramanyam who is leaving to pursue an opportunity outside the company. Sarawate will work closely with Dr Shravan for a smooth transition as he integrates into his new role, effective February 13, 2023, and will be reporting to Elie Chaillot, President & CEO, GE HealthCare Intercontinental. Sarawate brings with him over two decades of corporate and healthcare experience and has been with GE HealthCare for over 12 years. In his new role, he will be responsible for strengthening company’s market leadership position in South Asia by driving localization strategy and delivering clinical excellence, access and precision care. Prior to this, Chaitanya was the Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer for AKA (ASEAN, Korea, Australia & New Zealand), where he spearheaded organizational transformation that drove enhanced visibility, increased empowerment, and gains through segment specialisation.  Dr Subramanyam joined Wipro GE HealthCare in 2020. During his tenure, the organisation observed robust growth and a focus on localisation, skilling and PPP (Public-Private Partnership) initiatives aligned to the national agenda of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. Wipro GE HealthCare launched its PLI factory and ‘Made in India’ products, built collaborations to advance patient care pathways as well as launched the first 5G Innovation Lab for GE HealthCare globally, in Bengaluru.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22397/beato-appoints-dr-navneet-agrawal-as-chief-clinical-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22397/beato-appoints-dr-navneet-agrawal-as-chief-clinical-officer.html Thu, 22 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 New Delhi-based startup BeatO has announced the appointment of Dr Navneet Agrawal as its Chief Clinical Officer.  Dr Agrawal will head BeatO’s proprietary Diabetes Care Programmes. He is an MBBS, MD, Ph.D., FCCP, FIACM, Dip. Diabetology with over 22 years of clinical experience and more than 16 years of teaching experience. He has published more than 100 research papers in several prestigious national and international journals.  Dr Agrawal has treated over a lakh patient hailing from metros, tier 2 and tier 3 towns across India and helped them to control and manage their diabetes. He has trained over 300 diabetes educators and imparted his rich and diverse experience to train and certify qualified and dedicated diabetes educators and doctors from across the country. He has designed the clinically verified BeatO Diabetes Care Programmes which provide personalised digital care solutions with proactive and supervised diabetes counseling by doctors and health experts on diet planning, exercise advice, and medication. The programme has over 25,000 enrolled users and is tailor-made for people with pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and type 1 diabetes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22381/cadila-pharma-names-ashraf-allam-as-global-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22381/cadila-pharma-names-ashraf-allam-as-global-coo.html Mon, 19 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Ahmedabad-based Cadila Pharmaceuticals has appointed Ashraf Allam as the Global Chief Operating Officer (COO). Allam joined Cadila Pharma on November 30, 2022. He will be based at Bhat corporate office and will report to Cadila’s Group Chairman and Managing Director Dr Rajiv Modi. An accomplished and well-regarded industry leader with more than three decades of experience, Allam was serving recently as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Public Investment Fund prior to joining Cadila Pharmaceuticals. He also serves as a board member for a number of US, European and regional Pharma, Biotech, Medical devices, Diagnostics, Self-medication and technology companies. In addition, he is also serving as senior executive advisor for global private equity funds and family offices both in the US, Europe and in the Middle East. Allam has a strong track record of holding senior positions at global multinational and privately-held companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Amgen, Eli Lilly, BMS and Mundipharma. He brings a great mix of leadership, inspiration, operational experience, technical breadth, and passion for patients. An energetic entrepreneur, global business leader, and strategic thinker, Allam has deep knowledge and extensive experience in building and managing businesses in the healthcare Industry. His ability to drive growth of people and businesses, build brands, transform operations, scale-up capabilities, and successful corporate acquisitions and alliances have been the hallmark of his successful track record.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22367/medical-emergency-startup-stanplus-appoints-shalabh-dang-as-chief-revenue-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22367/medical-emergency-startup-stanplus-appoints-shalabh-dang-as-chief-revenue-officer.html Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 StanPlus, Hyderabad-based medical emergency response platform, has announced the appointment of Shalabh Dang as its Chief Revenue Officer to expand StanPlus’ business verticals and footprint across India & International markets. In his new role, Dang will be responsible for driving and implementing strategic partnerships with hospitals, corporates, and other channels to boost revenue growth and support the company's mission of creating a 911 model for Indian healthcare. Dang comes with over two and a half decades of cross-domain experience. In his previous role, he was leading the international and domestic sales and collections at Fortis Healthcare as their Group Sales Head. He has also worked with leading companies like Philips, Vodafone, and TATA Teleservices, amongst others. He has been rewarded with the Top 100 Global Healthcare Leader Award, Dubai in the year 2019 by IFAH.  StanPlus has raised $22.6 million so far from investors like HealthQuad, Kalaari Capital and HealthX Capital Singapore amongst others. The company vows to reach emergencies in less than 15 minutes. The company aims to achieve the core pillars of response technologies during emergencies: access, triage, destination selection, and vital sharing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22361/astrazeneca-india-appoints-dr-sanjeev-panchal-as-country-president-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22361/astrazeneca-india-appoints-dr-sanjeev-panchal-as-country-president-md.html Wed, 14 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 AstraZeneca Pharma India has announced a change in its leadership with the appointment of Dr Sanjeev Panchal as Country President & Managing Director (MD), with effect from 1st January 2023. Dr Panchal has been with AstraZeneca for 19 years and began his career in India back in 2003 as a Brand Associate. Over time, he progressed through several positions in India, Indonesia, Asia Pacific and International region, based in Singapore and the UK. He is currently the Country President for AstraZeneca Malaysia, where he has been instrumental in transforming the business, by driving new launches, innovative patient centric partnerships and Market Access strategies, guiding an inclusive and diverse team to achieve double digit growth outpacing market. Dr Panchal played a critical role in supporting the government in combating the pandemic through AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine and long-acting monoclonal antibodies, as well as leading the Corporate Affairs strategy and sustainability initiatives. He is a Science graduate (BSc) with Post Graduation and Doctorate in Business Administration (PhD). Dr Panchal will be assuming the new role starting January 2023 and will be taking forward the commitment of the organisation in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22329/shreehas-tambe-steps-in-as-managing-director-ceo-of-biocon-biologics-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22329/shreehas-tambe-steps-in-as-managing-director-ceo-of-biocon-biologics-.html Tue, 06 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Shreehas Tambe, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Biocon Biologics, has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of the company from December 5, 2022. Tambe will lead Biocon Biologics in realising its goal of being a global biosimilars leader.   Tambe takes over from Dr Arun Chandavarkar, who will continue to serve as a non-Executive, non-Independent Director on the Board of Biocon Biologics. As Deputy CEO of Biocon Biologics since March 2021, Tambe has played an important and very effective role in supporting Dr Arun Chandavarkar steer the company towards sustainable growth and build a strong foundation for the future. Both have also played an integral role in Biocon Biologics’ historic acquisition of Viatris’ global biosimilars business and the strategic alliance with Serum Institute Life Sciences (SILS), which will drive the company’s future growth and create long-term value for all its stakeholders.   Tambe has been with Biocon since 1997 and has held diverse leadership and operational roles. Over the past 25 years, he has helped build and shape Biocon’s biosimilars business and spearheaded the Group’s strategic capital investments, including its first overseas facility in Malaysia. He has also been instrumental in securing regulatory approvals and enabling the successful launch of several of the Company’s biosimilar assets in global markets such as the US and EU.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22301/msd-india-appoints-bhargavi-kakunuri-as-human-resources-lead.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22301/msd-india-appoints-bhargavi-kakunuri-as-human-resources-lead.html Tue, 29 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 MSD (tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA) has announced Bhargavi Kakunuri’ s appointment as the Human Resources (HR) Lead, India and member of the India Country Leadership Team, as well as the Asia Pacific HR Leadership Team. She will succeed Sameer Tamhane, who retires in November. In this role, Bhargavi will report to Noora Alsagoff, Head of Human Resources, MSD Asia Pacific, responsible for developing and implementing the HR strategy that drives innovation and business growth in India. She will lead the HR function across the enterprise to enable an agile learning culture, leverage talent opportunities in the market, promote managerial and leadership capability building, and bring impactful diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives to life. Bhargavi joins MSD from P&G India Consumer Health, where she led the annual business formulation exercise and focused on strengthening capabilities for the future while building a strong leadership succession pipeline and driving an engaged and high-performance culture. Diversity, equity, and inclusion have always been at the forefront of Bhargavi’s priorities as an HR leader. She has executed many innovative initiatives to improve gender balance and create a culture of inclusion in her past organisations. Bhargavi is a seasoned HR professional with more than ten years of experience in a breadth of HR Business Partner and HR Director roles, including corporate, commercial, sales, and supply chain functions. She also led the HR Operations Centre of Excellence during an earlier stint at P&G India. Prior to this, she was HR Director for the supply chain organisation of AMA West Region.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22316/waters-corp-appoints-dan-brennan-and-mark-vergnano-to-board-of-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22316/waters-corp-appoints-dan-brennan-and-mark-vergnano-to-board-of-directors.html Mon, 28 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Waters Corporation has announced the appointment of Dan Brennan and Mark Vergnano, to its Board of Directors, effective November 23, 2022. Brennan currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Boston Scientific Corporation, a global medical device company, and Vergnano is the former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Chemours Company, a chemistry company. With these appointments, the Board will expand to nine members, eight of whom are independent and five of whom have been appointed in the last five years. In his current role as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Boston Scientific Corporation, Brennan is responsible for several company functions, including global controllership, global internal audit, corporate finance, treasury, corporate tax, investor relations, and corporate business development. Prior to that, he was the company’s Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller and held other roles of increasing responsibility within finance.  Vergnano currently serves as a Partner at Sea Shell Partners. He previously served as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Chemours Company. Prior to that, he held roles of increasing responsibility at E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Company, culminating in his role as Executive Vice President. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22257/dr-bipin-nair-steps-in-as-vice-chair-of-india-amr-innovation-hubs-special-interest-group.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22257/dr-bipin-nair-steps-in-as-vice-chair-of-india-amr-innovation-hubs-special-interest-group.html Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s Life Science, School of Biotechnology, Dean Dr Bipin Nair has been appointed as the vice chair of one of the five Special interest Groups (SIG) of the India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH), a national-level body engaged in research related to antimicrobial resistance. Dr Nair will be the AMR Environment Committee’s vice chair, one of the five SIGs of IAIH. Additionally, four SIGs focusing on key areas are Human AMR, AMR in Human-animal- Agri Interface, AMR stewardship, and Surveillance & Public Health Preparedness. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been identified by WHO as one of the top ten global healthcare threat that is presently claiming 700,000 lives per year.  In 2004, Dr Nair took over as Professor and Chairman of the Centre for Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus. Under his leadership, the School of Biotechnology has been a trail-blazer in the Biotechnology arena for both undergraduate and postgraduate academic programmes as well as an active PhD programme at the School. D. Nair is also the Coordinator of the TIFAC Centre of Relevance and Excellence in Biomedical Technology at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, under the Mission Reach programme of the Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22250/resmed-appoints-sandeep-gulati-as-general-manager-south-asia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22250/resmed-appoints-sandeep-gulati-as-general-manager-south-asia.html Tue, 15 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 ResMed, a global leader in digital health, connected sleep and respiratory care, is reinforcing its commitment to India by strengthening its leadership with the appointment of Sandeep Gulati as General Manager, South Asia. In his new role, Gulati will be responsible for further growth in India market and ensuring that there is increased awareness about sleep and respiratory disorders. A seasoned and dynamic professional, Gulati brings a rich twenty-three-year long experience of leading Sales and Marketing organisations in the pharmaceuticals and medical device industry. He has been a part of ResMed since 2020 and will now be leading from the front. In his two years at ResMed as Sales Head – India & South Asia, his long-term vision and strategy led ResMed to achieve strong business results in a short span of time. Gulati has previously worked in various assignments in Sales & Marketing in Novartis & Baxter for a major part of his career.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22252/healthifyme-picks-stanfords-dr-shebani-sethi-as-chief-medical-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22252/healthifyme-picks-stanfords-dr-shebani-sethi-as-chief-medical-officer.html Tue, 15 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 In a first for a healthtech startup in India, Bengaluru-based HealthifyMe has announced the appointment of Dr Shebani Sethi as its consulting Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr Shebani is the Founding Director of Metabolic Psychiatry, a term she coined at Stanford University School of Medicine. She brings a decade of experience in obesity medicine and psychiatry along with cutting-edge knowledge of metabolic health. She will play an instrumental role in building HealthifyMe 2.0 where the larger organisational goal is to put metabolic health at its core and weave key cognitive and behavioral neuroscience elements as a part of the company's DNA across all its products. Dr Shebani is a physician board-certified in obesity medicine and psychiatry. Besides consulting with HealthifyMe, she is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she pursues metabolic psychiatry research and runs a clinical program in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She works at the intersection of metabolic health and psychology which is a rare and newer field of research applicable to fitness and wellness. She will apply her expertise to make HealthifyPro the world's foremost metabolic health solution by adding principles of neuropsychology and metabolic medicine into its core design.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22233/society-for-emergency-radiology-appoints-dr-arjun-kalyanpur-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22233/society-for-emergency-radiology-appoints-dr-arjun-kalyanpur-as-president.html Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Arjun Kalyanpur, Co-founder and Chief Radiologist of Teleradiology Solutions has been appointed President of the Society for Emergency Radiology (SER), for 2022 – 2024. SER is a not-for-profit society established with the goal of promoting awareness, education and research in emergency radiology. During his tenure, Dr Kalyanpur will focus on leading and communicating the larger vision of SER in India, driving key initiatives with the support of the executive committee, enhancing connections with other International Societies and further promoting the educational programs and activities of SER across the nation and globe. Dr Kalyanpur is the Co-founder and Chief Radiologist of Teleradiology Solutions. In 2002, he founded Teleradiology Solutions, which currently provides Teleradiology reporting services (CT, MRI, X-ray, and Ultrasounds Reports) to over 100 hospitals in the United States, Asia, and Africa. Dr Kalyanpur is trained at AIIMS, New Delhi, Cornell University Medical Center and Yale University. He is a passionate advocate for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiology.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22223/health-tech-platform-medikabazaar-appoints-two-industry-stalwarts-as-chro-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22223/health-tech-platform-medikabazaar-appoints-two-industry-stalwarts-as-chro-coo.html Wed, 09 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Creaegis backed soonicorn Medikabazaar has announced two top level appointments to their current management, making it one of the high profile additions in the recent times. This appointment takes place at a time when Medikabazaar is seeking to further strengthen its leadership in healthcare supply chain, grow in the emerging market segment, aid in institutional linkage, and create new strategic partnerships globally. Dr Sandeep Gandhi has been appointed as the chief human resources officer (CHRO). He will support the company's people-first culture and human resources strategy. Dr Gandhi has close to 2.5 decades of experience and has held positions with PepsiCo, Aircel Maxis, Vodafone, and Telenor, among others. He has three consecutive years of winning the Brandon Hall Award for best CHRO and HR practices. Dedicated author who has produced a large number of papers and case studies in prestigious business publications like Dukes Publishing, Dr Gandhi will concentrate on bringing in top talent and enhancing the organisation's people first culture. On the other hand, Manish Gahlaut has been named as the company's Chief Operations Officer (COO), and he will be spear heading supply chain management. Manish has more than 2.5 decades of experience in the healthcare sector, working with numerous multinational corporations (MNCs) like Novartis, Abbott, and Bausch & Lomb throughout India and the Asia Pacific region. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22199/dr-amit-kakar-joins-medgenome-board-of-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22199/dr-amit-kakar-joins-medgenome-board-of-directors.html Wed, 02 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 MedGenome has announced the appointment of Dr Amit Kakar, from Novo Holdings, to its Board of Directors. This announcement comes on the heels of MedGenome's $50 million funding round led by Novo Holdings in August 2022. They have also appointed Navjeewan Khosla, Principal, Novo Holdings as Board Observer. Dr Kakar is Senior Partner, Head of Novo Holdings Asia, and a healthcare professional with over 30 years of experience across key verticals including medical technology, R&D, manufacturing, pharma retail, drug discovery, clinical research, biotech, hospitals and diagnostic centres, primary and specialty care centres, among others. His diverse experience also encompasses investing, operational and management roles across health-tech companies. He is currently part of the Board of Directors of Singapore-based life science company, ESCO, telemedicine portal – Doctor Anywhere and leading health tech firm Qure.ai. As a Senior Partner, Dr Kakar's expertise will help accelerate MedGenome's expansion plans. Previously, Dr Kakar served as Head of M&A and Business Development at Everlife Asia in Singapore, was Head of Healthcare Investments at Avenue Capital Group and served in several senior leadership roles at GE Healthcare   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22160/john-shaw-biocon-founder-kiran-mazumdars-husband-passes-away.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22160/john-shaw-biocon-founder-kiran-mazumdars-husband-passes-away.html Tue, 25 Oct 2022 04:20:00 +0530 John Shaw, Vice Chairman of Biocon and husband of Kiran Mazumdar, Founder and Executive Chairperson of Biocon, passed away on 24th October. He was undergoing treatment for cancer in Bengaluru. John had been with Biocon since 1999. He played an important role in the Corporate Governance of the company. He also played a key role in the financial and strategic development of the group. John was a member of the Biocon board and the company’s key management team.  He worked for over 30 years with Coats Viyella plc. He served in financial and General Management positions in Latin America, Africa, and Europe. He was Chairman of Madura Coats Ltd from 1991-98. He completed his M.A. (Hons.) in History and Political Economy at Glasgow University in 1970. John was educated at Glasgow High School. He was an avid art lover and in his spare time enjoyed golf, football, rugby and cricket. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22153/dr-hrishikesh-pai-takes-charge-as-fogsi-president-for-2022-23.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22153/dr-hrishikesh-pai-takes-charge-as-fogsi-president-for-2022-23.html Thu, 20 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Hrishikesh Pai, one of the leading gynaecologists and amongst the pioneers in the field of infertility treatment in India, has been named as the 61st President of FOGSI, the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India. FOGSI is the professional organization representing practitioners of obstetrics and gynecology in India with 262 member societies and over 37,000 individual members spread across the country. Dr Pai, Founder and Medical Director of the Bloom IVF Group, is one of the earliest gynecologists in India to foray into the world of Assisted reproductive technology (ART) in 1991 and has introduced many innovations in the field. He is also a leading teacher and academician and has many articles and research papers published in national and international books and journals. He has been honoured with over 55 awards including the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Special Award to Eminent Medical Men for Distinguished Achievement of the Highest Order 2020-21 by National Indian Medical Association. Dr Pai is also the recipient of the prestigious Fellowship Endeum FRCOG from the Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, London, UK. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22128/gsk-india-names-bhushan-akshikar-as-managing-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22128/gsk-india-names-bhushan-akshikar-as-managing-director.html Tue, 18 Oct 2022 08:00:00 +0530 The Board of Directors of the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharmaceuticals at its meeting held on October 17, has appointed Bhushan Akshikar as a Managing Director of the company for a period of four years effective 1st December, 2022. He succeeds Sridhar Venkatesh who is moving to a new senior role within GSK Group effective 30th November 2022. Akshikar is a seasoned business leader with a successful track record of over 26 years across local and area roles within the pharmaceutical industry. He joined GSK India in September 2011 to lead the specialty and commercial excellence business units.  In 2014, he was appointed Head of the Mass Markets business. He was subsequently elevated as the Managing Director of the publicly listed entity of GSK in Nigeria, Africa in end- 2016. Apart from a strong business turn-around, he also built a high performing, resilient team. He then moved to Turkey in 2019 to lead GSK’s Vaccines business to drive strategic initiatives and launches in both private and tender segments in the Middle East, Russia CIS & Africa region. In December 2020, he returned to India as the Commercial Head of the General Medicines business and has led a cultural transformation journey for the large Rs 2500+ crore General Medicines business. He has built a strong leadership pipeline reflecting in leadership position and improved competitive performance of several flagship brands of GSK. Before joining GSK, Akshikar spent 15 years with Janssen, Johnson & Johnson in various roles leading both specialty and primary care business units in local and regional positions living in India, Korea and Belgium. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22129/empe-group-appoints-raghavendra-goud-vaggu-as-ceo-diagnostics-global.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22129/empe-group-appoints-raghavendra-goud-vaggu-as-ceo-diagnostics-global.html Tue, 18 Oct 2022 05:25:00 +0530 The EMPE Group has announced the appointment of Raghavendra Goud Vaggu as the Chief Executive Officer of EMPE Diagnostics Global, a WHO-recognised company specialised in the precision diagnosis of tuberculosis.               A seasoned business leader with 25 years of experience in the biotech, biopharma industry, Vaggu was leading Cytiva (a former GE Healthcare life-sciences company) for India & South Asia, managing a team of 160 associates with approx. 2000 crore revenue.  Having extensive knowledge and experience in engineering, research and global commercial operations, he is one of the well-known executive leaders in the bio-industry. He has also received several national and international awards and played a significant role during the pandemic by providing all the COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers with the necessary tools, technology and support on time. He is cited in leading newspapers and business journals and was recognised as one of the top luminaries in the biopharma space by BioSpectrum in their 20th Edition. Other than his present role in EMPE Diagnostics Global, he also serves on the board of Advisors/Directors at Xact Diagnotek, ATGC Biotech, GenePoweRx and TranScell Biologics, some of the leading startups in the new age technologies. He is also on the board of studies at KIIT Bhuvaneshwar and is a technical expert on the BIG – BIRAC evaluation panel and a few other funding agencies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22092/haystackanalytics-names-dr-mahua-kapoor-dasgupta-as-director-of-medical-affairs-infectious-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22092/haystackanalytics-names-dr-mahua-kapoor-dasgupta-as-director-of-medical-affairs-infectious-diseases.html Tue, 11 Oct 2022 12:00:00 +0530 HaystackAnalytics, a Mumbai based health-tech startup, supported by the Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India, healthcare veterans like Dr Velumani, and private players such as GE Healthcare and Intel India Startup Program, has announced the appointment of Dr Mahua Kapoor Dasgupta as Director of Medical Affairs (Infectious Diseases), commenced from 1st October 2022. Dr Mahua’s appointment comes at an opportune time as the company expands towards building a larger diagnostics play for infectious diseases, with more innovative strategies on the way. Dr Mahua has a proven track record of surpassing diverse roles and positions in the healthcare industry. She has most recently served as the Consultant Microbiologist, Infection Control & Quality Head, Bhagirathi Neotia Woman & Child Care Centre, New Town, Kolkata. She has been a life member of Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists., Academy of Clinical Microbiologists, Hospital Infection Control Society of India, Executive Member of Healthcare Quality and Patient safety Forum, Kolkata. She has about 18 years of extensive experience ranging from being an ICU resident medical officer at a reputed multispecialty hospital to a Senior Research Scientist for setting the virus research and diagnostic laboratories (VRDL) network under the Indian Council of Medical Research to joining as a Senior Medical Officer in a PSU to heading infection control and quality of a super-specialty hospital. Jer specializations will help the organisation to cater to a wider audience in the department of infectious diseases.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22087/translumina-strengthens-senior-leadership-team.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22087/translumina-strengthens-senior-leadership-team.html Tue, 11 Oct 2022 10:50:00 +0530 Interventional cardiovascular device company Translumina has appointed Indranil Mukherjee as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Armin Kiser as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the company's Europe operations.    Mukherjee is a veteran in the healthcare industry. In his most recent role as Managing Director at B Braun Group in India, he turned around and delivered sustainable profitable growth, managing several product lines (across three production plants) and a team of over 2,000 colleagues in India.   Kiser has deep technical experience in the med-tech industry encompassing six sigma, lean manufacturing and change management best practices. He was previously the Chief Operating Officer at Biedermann Motech, a developer and manufacturer of innovative implants and instruments for spinal and extremity surgery. Prior, Kiser was the site leader for Edward's manufacturing facility in Switzerland. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22078/founder-chairman-of-panacea-biotec-passes-away.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22078/founder-chairman-of-panacea-biotec-passes-away.html Mon, 10 Oct 2022 01:05:00 +0530 New Delhi-based pharmaceutical firm Panacea Biotec announced the demise of the Founder Chairman Soshil Kumar Jain on 7th October 2022. With 56 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Jain was the founder promoter/director of the company and has been the Chairman of the company since October, 1984. He started his career in the Indian pharmaceutical industry by joining business in the form of a chemist shop set up by his father. Prior to promoting the company, he was associated with Radicura & Co., a partnership firm (formerly owned by the promoters of Panacea Biotec and taken by Radicura & Co.). He was the director of PanEra Biotec, Neophar Alipro, Adveta Power (formerly known as Advaita Power Ventures) and White Pigeon Estate. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22071/lupin-appoints-dr-shahin-fesharaki-as-global-cso.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22071/lupin-appoints-dr-shahin-fesharaki-as-global-cso.html Fri, 07 Oct 2022 10:35:00 +0530 Global pharma major Lupin has announced the appointment of Dr Shahin Fesharaki as Global Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Dr Fesharaki will be responsible for Lupin’s global research and development efforts across branded, generics and specialty products. Commenting on the appointment, Vinita Gupta, CEO and Nilesh Gupta, MD, Lupin said, “Shahin’s exceptional track record in delivering brands and generics across developed and emerging markets will be valuable to us as we accelerate our evolution into complex generics and specialty while driving growth across all our major markets." With nearly 30 years' experience in drug development in leading global pharmaceutical companies, Dr Fesharaki most recently served as the Chief Scientific Officer and Global Head of R&D for Hikma Pharmaceuticals. Prior to that he held various leadership positions in Teva, Allergan/Actavis, Watson Pharmaceuticals and Apotex. Dr Fesharaki has extensive development experience in both generic and branded pharmaceuticals across a broad range of technologies and dosage forms. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22051/deeptek-ropes-in-amit-gandhi-as-chief-business-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22051/deeptek-ropes-in-amit-gandhi-as-chief-business-officer.html Mon, 03 Oct 2022 12:00:00 +0530 Pune-based startup DeepTek has announced the appointment of healthcare industry veteran Amit Gandhi as its Chief Business Officer. Gandhi is an experienced business leader and has led several healthcare and medtech companies for over 20+ years in various business leadership roles. With experience across different functions and handling multimillion-dollar P&L in MNCs such as GE Healthcare, DuPont, and Philips, he brings a wealth of expertise to this role. Having served as Director - Radiology/Diagnostic Imaging for South Asia at Philips, Gandhi has successfully grown businesses by his ability to sift insights into executable business strategies. He has also worked with GE Healthcare as General Manager and has a deep understanding of the medical devices industry across Radiology, Oncology, Cardiology and Critical care, and maternal-infant care areas. Gandhi brings a great mix of insight-led strategic and tactical skills, growing business in each role through bold decision making, novelty, team development and customer focus. One of his most profound contributions has been changing the industry landscape with his work in affordable CT and make in India initiatives in the MNCs he has worked with. Gandhi will be focused on leading Deeptek’s international expansion along with the India business and helping scale the business across the globe.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22049/dr-deepa-desai-to-lead-labcorp-biz-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22049/dr-deepa-desai-to-lead-labcorp-biz-for-india.html Mon, 03 Oct 2022 11:35:00 +0530 US-based Labcorp, a leading global life sciences company, has announced the appointment of Dr Deepa Desai as senior vice president and country head of Labcorp Drug Development India.   Dr Deepa brings extensive industry and scientific knowledge to the position, which gives her oversight of more than 6,000 employees. She most recently served as CEO of D Cube Consultancy, a firm she founded to help redesign and refocus organisations and teams in the healthcare space.   Before establishing her consulting firm, Dr Deepa spent nearly two decades serving in various roles at a global contract research organization (CRO). These positions included global head of quality management systems, vice president and global lead for the company’s clinical delivery network, as well as global head of cardiac safety services. Dr Deepa also acted as a diversity and inclusion champion at the CRO, making her a key advocate and mentor within the company and across the broader health care community.   An alumna of INSEAD, Deepa was recognised in 2020 as one of PharmaVoice’s 100 Most Inspiring Leaders, and in 2019 she received a prestigious Luminary Award from the Healthcare Businesswomen Association. She earned her degree in homoeopathic medicine and surgery from Mumbai University.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22048/acg-announces-shankar-gupta-rejoining-in-new-role-as-chief-sales-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22048/acg-announces-shankar-gupta-rejoining-in-new-role-as-chief-sales-officer.html Mon, 03 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based ACG, an integrated pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturing solutions provider, has announced that Shankar Gupta will be re-joining the business in the newly created role of Chief Sales Officer. In his new role, Gupta will be responsible for driving sales across all four ACG divisions (Films and Foils, Capsules, Inspection and Engineering) in order to continue building the company’s ‘One ACG’ agenda. Essentially, this will involve bringing further uniformity to ACG's customer outreach processes, creating more integrated solutions, and ultimately providing a consistent brand experience to ACG’s global customers, regardless of business division or location. He will also focus on scaling new initiatives. Gupta will report directly into the Managing Director, Karan Singh. He is expected to be playing a pivotal in calibrating and aligning the company's business units to the goal of ‘Making it Better’, and the belief that everyone deserves access to good medicine. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22045/piramal-pharma-appoints-vibha-paul-rishi-to-its-board-of-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22045/piramal-pharma-appoints-vibha-paul-rishi-to-its-board-of-directors.html Fri, 30 Sep 2022 10:40:00 +0530 Piramal Pharma Limited (PPL) has announced the appointment of Vibha Paul Rishi to its Board of Directors. Rishi's appointment will add to the well-diversified experience that currently exists across the PPL Board.Vibha is a marketing professional and has held global leadership positions across branding, strategy, innovation and human capital. In the domains of marketing and innovation, she has been associated with PepsiCo, Max India and the Future Group. Vibha currently serves on the Boards of several reputed companies, including Tata Chemicals, ICICI Bank, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, Asian Paints, and others. She is also on the Board of Pratham Education Foundation, an NGO that provides education to underprivileged children in India. She has joined the PPL Board which consists of senior professionals with significant industry experience across multiple sectors. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22023/qure-ai-appoints-dr-shibu-vijayan-as-medical-director-global-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22023/qure-ai-appoints-dr-shibu-vijayan-as-medical-director-global-health.html Wed, 28 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based startup Qure.ai has appointed renowned global health expert, Dr Shibu Vijayan as its Medical Director for Global Health Practice. The company enjoys clear leadership in the global health space and the new addition of Dr Vijayan to its helm will bolster its partnerships with strategic change-makers in public health, manifold. Dr Vijayan is a senior clinician in Community and Public Health Services. He has 25 years of experience in developing, monitoring, and evaluating public health projects, including developing healthcare-related proposals in both private and not-for-profit organizations. He is also an accredited International general Tuberculosis (TB) expert by the TB team hosted by WHO and Stop TB Partnership. Prior to Qure.ai, he was at PATH and has also worked with the WHO as Technical Consultant for the TB Control Program in India and was associated with Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF, Netherlands) as a field Epidemiologist in Ethiopia. “Qure’s AI and digital solutions are targeted towards accelerating Universal Health Coverage. This dynamic team is doing stellar work towards improving global healthcare access and I am excited to be part of the journey. We will continue to strive towards optimizing global health practices and expand our footprint further to reach remote communities and their unmet medical needs”, said Dr Shibu Vijayan, Medical Director, Global Health, Qure.ai. The company is one of the leading artificial intelligent (AI) solutions providers to be recommended by WHO, in the absence of a human reader. Qure.ai is present in 600+ sites across 60+ countries, including the UK, US, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Australia, and Africa.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22011/oppi-elects-suresh-pattathil-as-president-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22011/oppi-elects-suresh-pattathil-as-president-.html Mon, 26 Sep 2022 15:20:00 +0530 The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) has elected Suresh Pattathil as its next President. The term is for two years and is effective from September 26, 2022. Pattathil takes over from S Sridhar, MD Pfizer India, who has been with the association since 2021.    Pattathil is the Managing Director and General Manager, Allergan, an AbbVie Company responsible for commercial operations in India & South Asia markets. With more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Pattathil has held several senior management positions in companies such as Pfizer, Schering Plough, MSD and Ferring.    Most recently Pattathil was the Chief Executive Officer for Ferring Pharmaceuticals India with responsibility for Commercial Operations, Research & Development centre and setting up a pilot plant and manufacturing facility in Hyderabad. He has broad experience in both specialities as well as mass therapeutic areas and in launching global products successfully in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22003/new-head-appointments-for-icmr-aiims.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/22003/new-head-appointments-for-icmr-aiims.html Fri, 23 Sep 2022 22:00:00 +0530 Dr Rajiv Bahl has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Secretary of the Department of Health Research, for a period of three years. Dr Bahl has been serving as the Head of Research on Maternal, Newborn child and adolescent health-cum-newborn unit head,Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organisation. He steps into this new position after former DG-ICMR Dr Balram Bhargava completed his term. Dr Bhargava was appointed as DG-ICMR in April 2018. On the other hand, Dr M Srinivas is taking charge as the new director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. With three decades of service at Department of Pediatric Surgery, AIIMS, New Delhi, he has an illustrious career & has spearheaded the development of new units, departments and trained thousands of students and trainees so far. The tenure of the outgoing AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria came to an end this week. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21965/parexel-appoints-peyton-howell-as-chief-operating-and-growth-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21965/parexel-appoints-peyton-howell-as-chief-operating-and-growth-officer.html Fri, 16 Sep 2022 17:25:00 +0530 Parexel, a leading global clinical research organization (CRO), announced the promotions of Peyton Howell to the newly-created role of Chief Operating and Growth Officer and Amy McKee, MD, to Chief Medical Officer and Global Head, Oncology Center of Excellence.    As Chief Operating and Growth Officer, Howell will lead Parexel’s operational delivery, strategy and growth. She joined Parexel in May 2018 and most recently was President, Consulting and Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer, leading the company to record new business growth and the creation of a patient-focussed strategy.    In addition to providing strategic oversight for the rebranding of Parexel in 2019, Howell was a key architect in the launch of the organisation’s new Business Strategy and has consistently led Parexel’s global Biotech and Enterprise Commercial teams to record new business growth.    As Chief Medical Officer and Global Head, Oncology Center of Excellence, Dr McKee will provide patient-focused medical and scientific leadership globally in support of the company’s Phase I to IV clinical trials. With nearly 20 years of FDA regulatory, clinical research, bench science and clinical medicine experience, she will provide strategic oversight for the company’s therapeutic/medical and scientific centres of excellence to drive growth and innovation, including collaboration with key stakeholders to strengthen Parexel as a collaborative drug development partner and establish market-leading, patient-centred teams.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21959/ami-lifesciences-appoints-amit-kaptain-as-chief-executive-officer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21959/ami-lifesciences-appoints-amit-kaptain-as-chief-executive-officer-.html Thu, 15 Sep 2022 03:25:00 +0530 Vadodara-based Ami Lifesciences, a pure-play manufacturer and exporter of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and intermediates to leading pharmaceutical companies of the world, has announced the appointment of Amit Kaptain as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. As part of the Ami Lifesciences senior management team, Kaptain will be responsible for building business strategy & longstanding global partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies (including Big Pharma and Innovators) by developing products in niche therapeutic areas, and thereby becoming a reliable partner of choice from India. With 20+ years of experience in the API industry, Kaptain is a seasoned professional in driving sales, marketing and operations across global markets and has worked with large Indian MNCs such as Dr. Reddy’s, Ranbaxy, and Sun Pharma. Prior to joining Ami Lifesciences, he worked as COO at Aurore Lifesciences. Prior to that Kaptain worked at Dr. Reddy’s (DRL) for 7 years in various leadership roles and managed one of the top 10 P&L’s in the API industry globally. At DRL, he was also responsible for product portfolio & strategy, customer service and new market development. At Ranbaxy, Kaptain was Head of Global API Sales & Marketing and was responsible for driving new product development. He spent ~6 years with Sun Pharma where he was responsible for sales & marketing in India, Far & South-East Asia. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21925/tushar-naik-joins-icpa-as-vp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21925/tushar-naik-joins-icpa-as-vp.html Thu, 08 Sep 2022 12:45:00 +0530 ICPA Health Products (ICPA) has appointed Tushar Naik as its new Vice President, Marketing & Sales division, effective August 2022. Naik, who served as the Senior GM - Sales & Marketing of the Biovation Division of Immunology (Rheumatology & Dermatology) at Zydus, will spearhead the pan-India marketing team at ICPA. He will be responsible for marketing and product strategy for all product categories, brand positioning and market expansion in conjunction with sales.   Naik, a pharma industry professional has over three decades of experience in the healthcare industry, especially in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and cosmetology. He also headed the Sales & Marketing of Ranbaxy’s Ortholands Division of Bone Health & Growth Hormone. Naik has also recently authored a book titled Medical Representative - An Indispensable Medium For The Pharmaceutical Industry.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21881/icga-foundation-appoints-dr-suveera-dhup-as-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21881/icga-foundation-appoints-dr-suveera-dhup-as-coo.html Mon, 29 Aug 2022 23:20:00 +0530 The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) Foundation, a not-for-profit, public-private-philanthropic partnership, announced the appointment of Dr Suveera Dhup as its Chief Operating Officer, effective August 2022. Dr Dhup will oversee ICGA’s ongoing operational and administrative functions. She will also support the Board of Directors in executing theFoundation’s strategy and vision.Dr Dhup has over nine years of experience in research and management, with a PhD in Life Sciences and postdoctoral experience in regenerative biology and cancer metabolism. She has a decade of experience in research administration and support, working with the DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance (India Alliance) and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB). With expertise in programme management, stakeholder and donor engagement along with articulating policy framework, Dr Dhup will play a key role in scaling ICGA’s collaborations with different institutions for large-scale multi-omics profiling of Indian cancers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21871/ashok-bajpai-appointed-as-chairman-of-global-hospitals-parel-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21871/ashok-bajpai-appointed-as-chairman-of-global-hospitals-parel-mumbai.html Mon, 29 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0530 Global Hospitals, Parel, Mumbai, a part of IHH Healthcare, has announced the appointment of Ashok Bajpai as its new Chairman.    Bajpai has over 30 years of experience working for leading multinationals in the region as well as the Government of India. As the Group Head of Operational Strategy at IHH Healthcare. Bajpai plays a key role in expanding IHH’s global footprint and integrating its global businesses into its performance and business management processes. He is also the Chairman of Gleneagles Global Hospitals in India and serves as Director on several other IHH boards.   As the Chairman of Global Hospitals, Parel, Mumbai, Bajpai, alongside other Board members, will guide the management team. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21868/-world-stroke-organization-appoints-dr-arvind-sharma-on-its-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21868/-world-stroke-organization-appoints-dr-arvind-sharma-on-its-board.html Fri, 26 Aug 2022 15:25:00 +0530 Dr Arvind Sharma, a neuro physician at Zydus Hospital in Ahmedabad, has been elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the Geneva-based World Stroke Organization (WSO).The elections for the WSO board of directors for the period 2022-2026 took place between July and 25, and 959 members of the organisation placed their votes.Dr Sharma, who is secretary of the Indian Stroke Association and Director of Brain - Heart Foundation, will take over as WSO Board member on October 22 at the World Stroke Congress to be held in Singapore.“I am thrilled to be elected to the Board of World Stroke Organization, which is the only global body solely focused on stroke. Stroke is the second largest cause of death and a major cause of disability worldwide. As a board member, my efforts will be focused on making a meaningful contribution towards stroke awareness and advocacy,” said Dr Sharma. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21863/zeon-lifesciences-appoints-dr-vivek-srivastava-as-senior-vp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21863/zeon-lifesciences-appoints-dr-vivek-srivastava-as-senior-vp.html Fri, 26 Aug 2022 10:55:00 +0530 Zeon Lifesciences has appointed Dr Vivek Srivastava as a Senior Vice President- innovation, Business Strategy & Scientific Affairs of the company. Dr Srivastava has worked at various CXO level roles with several initiatives in the domain of Nutrition & Herbals during his 15 years of expertise in the field of Nutrition & Alternative medicine.   Dr Srivastava pursued his Masters in Alternative Medicine with a specialisation in Herbals and Phytonutrients followed by Doctorate in Phytonutrients. He has executed innovative research, product development, and curated practical solutions with claims that are backed by research in the health and wellness industry. He has developed and marketed more than 75 formulations. Dr Srivastava is also a member of MNI (Medical Nutrition Industry) and has been instrumental in representing the food industry to implement food regulation and its harmonisation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21834/cadila-pharmas-dr-bakulesh-khamar-bags-swadesh-samman-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21834/cadila-pharmas-dr-bakulesh-khamar-bags-swadesh-samman-award.html Mon, 22 Aug 2022 15:30:00 +0530 Dr Bakulesh Khamar, Executive Director of R&D at Cadila Pharmaceuticals was bestowed with Swadesh Samman Award at the Swadesh Conclave 2022 in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.   Dr Khamar was felicitated for his invaluable contribution to research in the field of medicine for innovative product development in India at the hands of Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Ministry of Science and Technology and Ashwani Kumar Choubey, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.   Dr Khamar completed MBBS Medicine BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad in 1975 and Master of Surgery Ophthalmology B J Medical College, Ahmedabad in 1980. He researched cataract formation, which was supported by ICMR and the Government of Gujarat. He also developed a medical device to predict visual potential in presence of opaque media e.g. cataract, vitreous haemorrhages for which was awarded the Col. Rangachari award from the All India Ophthalmic Society. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21817/meenakshi-nevatia-joins-apacmed-as-chairperson-for-india-executive-committee-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21817/meenakshi-nevatia-joins-apacmed-as-chairperson-for-india-executive-committee-.html Thu, 18 Aug 2022 14:25:00 +0530 The Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMED) representing the medical device industry is delighted to welcome Meenakshi Nevatia, VP and MD, Stryker India, as its new chairperson for its India Executive Committee.    Nevatia has been intricately involved in the healthcare, medical technology, and pharmaceutical industries throughout her career, which spans over 25 years in a variety of key global leadership roles. A proven medical device leader with a strong passion for making healthcare better, Nevatia’s strengths include building strategies that foster diverse teams who are driven to deliver differentiated innovation in service to healthcare professionals and patients.    In her current role as Vice President and Managing Director of Stryker India based in Gurgaon, Meenakshi is responsible for building Stryker’s business strategy and setting up the organisation for long-term, sustainable growth in the Indian market. Additionally, one of Meenakshi’s priorities is to build a winning culture and cultivate a strong commitment to Stryker’s mission and values in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21815/jashvik-capital-appoints-anil-matai-vijender-singh-on-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21815/jashvik-capital-appoints-anil-matai-vijender-singh-on-board.html Thu, 18 Aug 2022 08:25:00 +0530 India-focused growth private equity firm Jashvik Capital announced the appointment of Anil Matai and Vijender Singh as operating partners.   Vijender Singh was most recently CEO of Metropolis Healthcare and COO of Dr Lal Pathlabs. Singh helped scale both these companies under private equity ownership. Previously, he held leadership roles at Ranbaxy Labs, in their OTC/Wellness business, and at Bausch & Lomb.    Matai was most recently the Managing Director of Zydus Healthcare and CEO of Novartis Pharma India. Under his leadership, Zydus made significant strides in delivering affordable care and gained significant market share while improving margins. Previously, he also held leadership positions at GlaxoSmithKline India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21780/dr-nitiz-murdia-joins-as-member-of-the-national-assisted-reproductive-technology-and-surrogacy-board-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21780/dr-nitiz-murdia-joins-as-member-of-the-national-assisted-reproductive-technology-and-surrogacy-board-.html Tue, 09 Aug 2022 17:40:00 +0530 The Government of India has appointed Dr Nitiz Murdia as a Member of the National Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board for the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. Dr Murdia has been nominated for the designation by the Department of Human Research (DHR) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and is the Director and Co-Founder of India’s leading chain of infertility hospitals, Indira IVF.   As an Expert Member of the National Board, Dr Murdia will be an instrumental change-maker by devising policy and processes related to technology in ART and surrogacy services. Other members appointed as experts to the Board include Dr Shubha Phadke – Medical Geneticist, Dr Neeta Singh – Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, Dr RG Patel – Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, and N Lalitha – Social Scientist. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21767/csir-appoints-first-woman-director-general.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21767/csir-appoints-first-woman-director-general.html Sun, 07 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has appointed Dr Nallathamby Kalaiselvi as the first woman director general (DG). She succeeds Dr Shekhar Mande, who retired from the post in April 2022. Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, was given the additional charge after Dr Mande’s exit. Dr Nallathamby is currently serving as the Director, CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI), Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu. Her research work of more than 25 years is primarily focused on electrochemical power systems and in particular, development of electrode materials, custom designed synthesis methods, optimization of reaction parameters and electrochemical evaluation of in-house prepared electrode materials for their suitability in energy storage device assembly.  Her research interests include lithium and beyond lithium batteries, supercapacitors and waste-to-wealth driven electrodes and electrolytes for energy storage and electrocatalytic applications. Dr Nallathamby has more than 125 research papers and 6 patents to her credit. She is a recipient of many prestigious awards including Materials Research Society of India (MRSI) medal, CSIR Raman Research Fellowship, Indian National Science Academy- National Research Foundation (INSA-NRF) Exchange award, Brain Pool Fellowship of Korea and the Most Inspiring Women Scientist award. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21742/pratima-reddy-joins-merck-specialities-as-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21742/pratima-reddy-joins-merck-specialities-as-md.html Mon, 01 Aug 2022 12:50:00 +0530 Merck has appointed Pratima Reddy as the Managing Director for Merck Specialities, the healthcare business of Merck, Darmstadt in India. Reddy will lead India's healthcare strategy and operations, effective August 1, 2022, as successor to Anandram Narasimhan, transitioning into a regional role at APAC.  Before taking over as the Managing Director of India Operations, Reddy was the Regional Franchise Leader (RFL) of the Cardiovascular, Metabolism and Endocrinology (CM&E) franchise in APAC. An active member of the APAC Leadership team, her efforts have ensured that the CM&E franchise continues to grow in the region and continues its market leadership despite market challenges. Reddy has an extensive experience of over 17 years, with nine years in the pharmaceutical industry, including varied roles across functions in national and global teams since joining Merck in October 2013. In addition, she headed the oncology unit in the country, where she led the turnaround of the oncology business by demonstrating the opportunity to drive strong growth via focussed access strategies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21731/aman-mehta-joins-torrent-pharma-as-director-on-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21731/aman-mehta-joins-torrent-pharma-as-director-on-board.html Fri, 29 Jul 2022 19:10:00 +0530 Aman Mehta has been appointed as Director on the Board of Torrent Pharma effective August 1, 2022. Mehta is an MBA from Columbia University, New York, and a Bachelor of Economics from BostonUniversity, Boston.During his tenure with Torrent, he has worked in both Power and pharma sectors. He has been Executive Director at Torrent Pharma and heads the India Business along with Corporate HR. Mehta's key achievement has been the successful integration of the Unichem acquisition. Further, he has led several organic growth initiatives that have started delivering market share gains, with a focus on new product launches. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21698/phable-consolidates-leadership-team-hires-sanil-bhatia-as-senior-vp-revenue-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21698/phable-consolidates-leadership-team-hires-sanil-bhatia-as-senior-vp-revenue-.html Tue, 26 Jul 2022 14:00:00 +0530 Phable announced the appointment of Sanil Bhatia as Sr Vice President - Revenue. With this appointment, Phable focuses on strengthening its full-stack and value-driven chronic disease management offerings and accelerating market expansion to create India's first comprehensive healthcare ecosystem to assist patients in better managing their condition. Before joining Phable, Bhatia founded and led the Healthcare Vertical at udaan.com. He was also an early member of Uber India & Flipkart, where he has built and scaled ride-sharing & e-commerce categories. Daniel brings in over 13 years of experience, managing large-scale P&Ls and teams for B2C & B2B technology companies. He has a demonstrated track record of delivering long-term business results by building passionate teams in a high-energy entrepreneurial culture. He has supported businesses in gaining market prominence by setting up successful teams, systems, and processes in countries like Iran and the US. At Phable, all revenue-generating functions will report to Bhatia. To achieve the desired business outcome, he will work directly with the founders - Sumit Sinha and Mukesh Bansal - and Functional Heads. As the Vice President of Revenue, he will oversee and lead categories such as medicine, lab tests, programmes, health and wellness, and devices. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21651/art-fertility-clinics-appoints-dr-richa-jagtap-dr-parul-katiyar-as-co-medical-directors-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21651/art-fertility-clinics-appoints-dr-richa-jagtap-dr-parul-katiyar-as-co-medical-directors-.html Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:50:00 +0530 ART Fertility Clinics announced the appointment of two co-medical directors, Dr Richa Jagtap and Dr Parul Katiyar for its India operations. Dr Jagtap has been a popular name in the field of treating infertility and she owns multiple international fellowships on her name. Dr Katiyar is also an infertility expert and has dedicated her decades of experience in evidence-based treatment to patients.   Prof Dr Human Fatemi, Group Medical Director, ART Fertility Clinics, said, “Dr Jagtap and Dr Katiyar are not only experts in fertility treatments and assisted reproduction, but also have rich experience managing complex cases. They are highly qualified doctors, with international publications on their names and are known for their professional excellence in patient care."  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21629/ritesh-mittal-joins-heaps-ai-as-head-of-strategy-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21629/ritesh-mittal-joins-heaps-ai-as-head-of-strategy-.html Thu, 14 Jul 2022 14:50:00 +0530 AI-driven Health-Tech B2B SaaS Platform, Heaps Health Solutions has appointed Ritesh Mittal as the Head of Strategy and Customer Success - Provider Network. He brings in 14 years of rich experience in healthcare delivery and has previously worked with Paras Healthcare and Medanta-the Medicity. He has held various roles spanning growth strategy, P&L leadership and core hospital operations. He is an alumni of Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor from where he graduated with honours.    At HEAPS.ai, Mittal will be driving the expansion of the provider network across India, forging strategic partnerships with other health-tech players and leading the customer success vertical.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21595/manipal-hospital-yeshwanthpur-appoints-dr-ajay-shetty-as-lead-consultant-urology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21595/manipal-hospital-yeshwanthpur-appoints-dr-ajay-shetty-as-lead-consultant-urology.html Sat, 09 Jul 2022 15:05:00 +0530 Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur announced the appointment of Dr Ajay Shridhara Shetty, as Lead Consultant – Urology, Renal Transplantation & Robotics Surgeon. He is a renowned urologist, andrologist, and specialist in renal transplantation. He has a wider experience in handling complex laparoscopic surgeries to treat urological disorders. He has successfully treated many cases of urological cancers of the prostate, bladder, and kidney, and has also specialised in the treatment of male infertility and impotence.Dr Shetty earned his undergraduate degree in JSS Medical College Mysore, completing his MBBS in 1999. He had the benefit of comprehensive general surgical training at Bangalore Baptist Hospital, Bangalore, which was adjudged as the best DNB training hospital in the country. He was awarded the Dr B Ramamurthy DNB Gold medal for General Surgery in 2004 at the national level.  He then went on to complete his DNB-Urology training at Muljibhai Patel Centre for Research in Nephron-Urology, in Nadiad, Gujarat, a Centre of Excellence of international repute. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21585/piramal-pharma-inducts-three-new-board-members-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21585/piramal-pharma-inducts-three-new-board-members-.html Thu, 07 Jul 2022 14:55:00 +0530 Piramal Pharma announced the addition of Peter Stevenson, Nathalie Leitch and Sridhar Gorthi to the board of directors. These new appointments, which come ahead of the planned de-merger of PPL from Piramal Enterprises (PEL), will assist in maintaining high governance for the new listed corporate entity.     The appointments will add to the well-diversified experience that currently exists on the PPL board. Led by Chairperson Nandini Piramal and Piramal Global Pharma CEO Peter DeYoung, the Piramal Pharma board also includes leaders such as S Ramadorai, Neeraj Bhardwaj, Jairaj Purandare and Vivek Valsaraj.    Stevenson brings in-depth knowledge in contract manufacturing, business operations, supply chain management and operating in a complex regulatory environment. Gorthi is an authority in corporate law, M&A and private equity. His experience spans manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, insurance, banking and financial services, technology, telecom and media. Leitch is a subject matter expert in pharmaceuticals and the US generics industry, with domain experience in creative product strategies and formulations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21579/bd-names-rishi-grover-as-chief-integrated-supply-chain-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21579/bd-names-rishi-grover-as-chief-integrated-supply-chain-officer.html Wed, 06 Jul 2022 15:50:00 +0530 BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) announced that Rishi Grover has been named executive vice president (EVP) and chief integrated supply chain officer for BD, effective July 7, 2022.   In this role, Grover will have global responsibility for the leadership of the supply chain, operations, procurement, sustainability and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) teams across the company and will become a member of the BD executive leadership team.   Grover has more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing and supply chain roles, most recently serving as senior vice president of Operations for Carrier, a $20 billion company that is the leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions, with 47 manufacturing facilities around the world. In this role, he was responsible for all aspects of global operations, including lean manufacturing excellence, supply chain efficiency, operational transformation and EHS. He also led the modernisation and digitisation of Carrier's operations and processes across the company. Before Carrier's spinoff from United Technologies Corporation (UTC), Rishi served as vice president of Global Operations and Systems for Collins Aerospace and held roles of increasing responsibility at UTC Power, Hamilton Sundstrand and UTC Aerospace Systems. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21554/art-fertility-clinics-appoints-dr-somesh-mittal-as-ceo-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21554/art-fertility-clinics-appoints-dr-somesh-mittal-as-ceo-india.html Mon, 04 Jul 2022 15:20:00 +0530 ART Fertility Clinics, India announced the appointment of Dr Somesh Mittal as their Chief Executive Officer (CEO), India. Dr Mittal has previously managed Multiple backed Vikram Hospital as CEO and was associated with Fortis Escorts Heart Institute as zonal director. He is also an alumnus of the University of Delhi’s Faculty of Management Studies.    Mittal said, “India needs global standard assisted reproduction and ART Fertility Clinics brings the right kind of expertise and advancement to it. They adhere to the highest clinical practise standards and patient care protocols that match the best in class from the world while maintaining the highest ethical standards. The highly qualified doctors, with international peer-reviewed original research papers in their names, are known for their professional excellence in patient care." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21543/namitesh-roy-choudhury-assumes-role-of-vice-chairman-md-for-lanxess-india-region.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21543/namitesh-roy-choudhury-assumes-role-of-vice-chairman-md-for-lanxess-india-region.html Fri, 01 Jul 2022 12:45:00 +0530 Namitesh Roy Choudhury has assumed the role of Vice Chairman and Managing Director of LANXESS India. He also takes on the responsibility of Region Head for India. In this new role, he will represent the businesses of LANXESS India to the global organisation and will report to Dr Anno Borkowsky, member of the Board of Management and head of all the four regions, globally.   Roy Choudhury has been the Executive Director since October 1, 2021 and Vice President, Industrial & Environmental Affairs for LANXESS India since 2007. He moved to the LANXESS India organization in 2004 after the carve-out from Bayer as the Head of Production, Technology, Safety & Environment (PTSE) and Capital Investment.    Backed by over 30 years of experience, he has executed several projects at the greenfield LANXESS manufacturing site in Jhagadia, Gujarat, including the state-of-the-art ion exchange resins plant for business unit Liquid Purification Technologies, compounding facility for business unit high-performance materials and relocation of the rubber chemicals business and rubber compounding facilities.    Roy Choudhury is also the Chair of the Indian Bromine Platform (IBP).   Before joining LANXESS, Roy Choudhury spent 16 years at Bayer in various departments such as plant engineering, central engineering and energy and environment projects. He also spent three years in China executing projects for Bayer. Before joining Bayer, he also worked with the Tata Group at the beginning of his career.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21490/dr-khalida-parveen-adnanas-joins-neuberg-anand-reference-lab-as-chief-of-lab.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21490/dr-khalida-parveen-adnanas-joins-neuberg-anand-reference-lab-as-chief-of-lab.html Sat, 25 Jun 2022 23:35:00 +0530 Neuberg Anand Reference Laboratory has appointed Dr Khalida Parveen Adnanas as chief of lab, Karnataka. Dr Adnanas has extensive experience of over 12 years in the clinical diagnostics industry, and her areas of expertise encompass the entire spectrum of laboratory and quality management systems which makes her one of therecognized laboratory professionals in India. She is the former MD of MB Diagnostics and Healthcare Services, Bangalore.She will play a key role of technical advisor, responsible for serving customers by constantly exceeding their expectations in terms of quality, service, value and time, in alignment with the moto and strategy of Neuberg Anand Reference Laboratory. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21478/dr-sweta-gupta-joins-crysta-ivf-as-medical-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21478/dr-sweta-gupta-joins-crysta-ivf-as-medical-director.html Thu, 23 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0530 Crysta IVF has appointed Dr Sweta Gupta as Medical Director. In her new role, Dr Gupta will be responsible for overseeing the organisation’s clinical effectiveness and operational strategy to get superior treatment results.    With over 25 years of experience, her work pedigree specifically in NHS (UK), is commendable. She is currently an Editor of the Indian Fertility Society and is a member representative of RCOG NZ India. She is one of the few Indian medical specialists as a membership examiner of RCOG(UK) and a member of the IFS Ethical Committee. She has published many research papers in international and national journals and written chapters and edited books on ART.   In her previous professional capacity, Dr Sweta led Medicover Fertility as Clinical Director. She was Ex Medical Director of Bournhall, Moolchand fertility and was associated with Apollo Fertility before joining Crysta.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21469/john-kuriyan-to-join-vanderbilt-school-of-medicine-basic-sciences-as-dean.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21469/john-kuriyan-to-join-vanderbilt-school-of-medicine-basic-sciences-as-dean.html Wed, 22 Jun 2022 14:15:00 +0530 Vanderbilt University has named John Kuriyan, a leading structural biologist, as its next dean of the School of Medicine Basic Sciences. Kuriyan’s appointment, effective January 1, 2023, will advance the university’s goal of expanding its global research impact by leveraging fundamental investigations in molecular, cellular and developmental biology into foundational advances in drug discovery, pharmacology and genetic engineering. Kuriyan, a distinguished professor of molecular and cell biology and professor of chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator for more than 30 years, will succeed Lawrence J Marnett, the founding dean of Basic Sciences, who has agreed to extend his leadership through December. Kuriyan is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a foreign member of the Royal Society, the independent scientific academy of the UK. Kuriyan, originally from India, studied for two years at the University of Madras before transferring to Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor of science in chemistry from Juniata College in 1981 and enrolled in graduate school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a doctorate in physical chemistry in 1986.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21465/herve-berdou-joins-piramal-pharma-solutions-as-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21465/herve-berdou-joins-piramal-pharma-solutions-as-coo.html Wed, 22 Jun 2022 09:45:00 +0530 Piramal Pharma's pharma solutions business announced the appointment of Herve Berdou as Chief Operating Officer, Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS).Berdou joins Piramal Pharma Solutions from Lonza, where he was the Global Head of Operations, Cell and Gene Technologies. He has more than two decades of experience across the global supply chain, procurement, and operations, including manufacturing and site head positions at both small and large facilities. At Lonza, Berdou led a network of contract services sites across the globe. Before that, he worked with many well-respected pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca & MedImmune and Novartis. For his new role, Berdou will be based in the Northeastern US.Berdou holds a Master's (DESS) in Procurement and Supply Chain from IAE in Grenoble, France - Écoles Universitaires de Management, and a degree in Economics and Politics from Université Pierre Mendès-France. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21461/oppi-appoints-vivek-sehgal-as-new-dg.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21461/oppi-appoints-vivek-sehgal-as-new-dg.html Tue, 21 Jun 2022 17:00:00 +0530 The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) has appointed Vivek Sehgal as its new Director-General (DG). Sehgal takes over from KG Ananthakrishnan who has been with OPPI since 2020.    Sehgal has close to three decades of cross-sectoral experience on policy issues with central/state governments, regulators, and other key stakeholders. In his most recent role, he was the Assistant Secretary-General, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry where he handled varied sectors including - Health, AYUSH, Defense and Homeland Security, Capital and Commodity Markets, Corporate Affairs, and Direct Selling. His work on policy advocacy in sectors like health, AYUSH, IT, and defence has been significantly successful in its acceptance by the concerned ministries.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21419/healthplix-appoints-tech-entrepreneurs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21419/healthplix-appoints-tech-entrepreneurs.html Mon, 13 Jun 2022 10:40:00 +0530 HealthPlix has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of two entrepreneurs, Manpreet Singh – Head of Commerce and Subhadeep Mondal – VP, Products. The appointments are in line with the company’s growth strategy which entails bringing in seasoned professionals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to lead the company’s healthcare e-commerce vertical and product portfolio.  Their entrepreneurial skills and dynamic thinking will help leverage the ever-evolving healthcare landscape effectively.    Singh is responsible for setting up the e-commerce platform unlocking pharmacy, diagnostics, wearable devices, and a few other categories while Mondal is responsible for accelerating product innovation at HealthPlix. Their vast experience is invaluable to the company as it continues to expand its business in India and pursue its mission to advance health technology for doctors.   With a little over six months at HealthPlix, both Singh and Mondal have been through their entrepreneurial journey as CoFounders at CrewFoundry and PregBuddy resp. They bring a combined experience of close to three decades and have held key positions at companies like Punj Lloyd, StepOne, SignEasy and Gaana.com amongst others.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21397/pravin-rao-dr-ashish-gupta-jairaj-purandare-join-indegenes-board-of-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21397/pravin-rao-dr-ashish-gupta-jairaj-purandare-join-indegenes-board-of-directors.html Wed, 08 Jun 2022 22:30:00 +0530 Indegene, a technology-led healthcare solutions provider, announced the appointment of three industry luminaries, Pravin Rao, Dr Ashish Gupta and Jairaj Purandare as Independent Directors on its board.   Together, they bring deep expertise in building global-scale organisations and strong Board experience to elevate Indegene’s corporate governance practices. Rao served as Infosys’ COO, having risen through the ranks after joining the company in 1985. He is a member of the National Council of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the Executive Council of NASSCOM. He also served as NASSCOM’s Chairman in FY2020-21.    Dr Gupta is a Cofounder and Senior Managing Director of Helion Venture Partners and serves on the boards of Pubmatic, Simplilearn, Gupshup, Infoedge (Naukri) and Hindustan Unilever. He co-founded two successful companies - Tavant Technologies and Junglee (subsequently acquired by Amazon).    Purandare is the Founder and Chairman, JMP Advisors, recognised as the leading tax firm in India. He was the Regional Managing Partner and Country Leader-Markets and Industries of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) India and Chairman of Ernst & Young (EY) India.   Manish Gupta, Cofounder and CEO, Indegene said, "Life sciences companies are accelerating their adoption of digital transformation. That is creating exciting growth opportunities for our team. Rao, Gupta and Purandare's experience and wisdom will benefit us tremendously as we build the next phase of growth for Indegene. We look forward to partnering with them and making the most of the opportunity."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21391/stanplus-appoints-suhas-kulkarni-as-ctpo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21391/stanplus-appoints-suhas-kulkarni-as-ctpo.html Wed, 08 Jun 2022 16:15:00 +0530 StanPlus has appointed ex-Uber techie, Suhas Kulkarni as the Chief Technology Product Officer (CTPO). Bespoke CTO Search firm, Purple Quarter was the preferred partner for the tech leadership search.   With over 20+ years of technical experience, the ex-Uber engineering leader has worked on multiple products and domains. In his previous stints, he has been associated with renowned brands such as Oracle, SocialCode and Gree among others. He has built talented teams and delivered reliable, scalable, mission-critical applications, systems, and infrastructure.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21389/dfe-pharma-appoints-marie-louise-mans-as-global-hr-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21389/dfe-pharma-appoints-marie-louise-mans-as-global-hr-director.html Wed, 08 Jun 2022 11:35:00 +0530 DFE Pharma has appointed Marie-Louise Mans as Global Human Resources (HR) Director, joining as a member of the Leadership Team. DFE Pharma, headquartered in Goch, Germany, has facilities in nine countries, employing around 450 people globally.A senior HR professional with decades of experience with global corporates, Mans joins coming from Royal Reesink (the Netherlands), a global distributor and services provider employing over 3,000 people worldwide, where she worked as Group HR Director. Speaking on her new role, Mans says, “DFE Pharma is recognised for having some of the best people in the industry working across its portfolio and I’m looking forward to building on this reputation and continuing to do the best for our employees."Announcing the senior appointment, DFE Pharma CEO Martti Hedman said, "Her wealth of experience in leadership development, organizational planning, and HR strategy, in general, is critical to us in the current competitive recruitment climate. Marie-Louise has overseen the HR function of multiple global companies and we are excited to have someone of her calibre to lead this area.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21369/practo-appoints-amit-kumar-verma-as-head-of-engineering-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21369/practo-appoints-amit-kumar-verma-as-head-of-engineering-.html Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:35:00 +0530 Practo has appointed Amit Kumar Verma as Head of Engineering (SVP), Consumer Business. Verma will be responsible for the overall product engineering and development of the company.    Verma brings in more than two decades of experience in the field of product engineering and has built software systems in the enterprise (B2B) and consumer-facing(B2C) domains. Before joining Practo, he worked with renowned consumer technology brands such as Bigbasket, Ola, Oracle, Yahoo and Microsoft. He has a proven track record as an industry leader in setting up teams for multiple businesses and driving them to build scalable software platforms.    In this role, Verma will be working closely with Abhinav Lal, Co-founder & CTO at Practo in scaling the current systems and building platforms to bring efficiencies in backend operations and improve customer experiences.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21358/avisa-smart-hospitals-appoints-hamad-taryam-al-shamsi-as-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21358/avisa-smart-hospitals-appoints-hamad-taryam-al-shamsi-as-director.html Thu, 02 Jun 2022 08:40:00 +0530 Healthtech co Avisa Smart Hospitals has announced that Hamad Taryam Al Shamsi, a senior official from the Ministry of Health of Northern Emirates in UAE, has come on board as a Director to strengthen the core team of Avisa Smart Hospitals in the Middle Eastern country. In addition to it, the company also declared the opening of its first offshore state-of-the-art office in Dubai. Shamsi adds a lot of value to the Avisa Dubai core team. As the Director of Avisa Smart Hospitals, he will spearhead the expansion and on-ground activities of the company to foster innovation and further growth, including the partnership with an increased number of hospitals across the United Arab Emirates.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21354/sanofi-india-appoints-preeti-futnani-as-gm-vaccines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21354/sanofi-india-appoints-preeti-futnani-as-gm-vaccines.html Wed, 01 Jun 2022 13:05:00 +0530 Sanofi India announced the appointment of Preeti Futnani as the Company’s General Manager – Vaccines, with effect from June 1, 2022. She transitions from Sanofi’s Greater Gulf MCO (a cluster of six countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait) where she was the Franchise Head for Dupixent Dermatology.    Futnani has over two decades of experience in delivering growth and transformation that spans several therapeutic areas and functions within healthcare (primary and speciality care, medical technology) and finance.   She started her journey with Sanofi over six years ago in Specialty Care Gulf, after various roles of increasing responsibility in Novartis marketing and commercial operations across Switzerland, the UK, and India. She has held leadership roles in marketing, sales, and management across several geographies from mature markets in the UK and the EU to emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East.   Futnani succeeds Annapurna Das, who is elevated to Head of Vaccines, Asia. Futnani will be based in Mumbai.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21346/phable-bolsters-top-leadership-with-two-key-appointments-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21346/phable-bolsters-top-leadership-with-two-key-appointments-.html Tue, 31 May 2022 11:10:00 +0530 Bengaluru headquartered, Phable, announced the appointment of Anuraag Dubey as Chief Product Officer (CPO) and Sagar Ramteke as Head of Corporate Development to strengthen its full-stack and value-driven chronic care ecosystem and accelerate market expansion.In addition to building B2C and B2B software products, Dubey brings 23 years of experience to Phable. IIT (BHU) Varanasi alumnus who has previously built and grown adoption of India-focused B2C and SaaS products in Education and Healthcare. He has worked for companies such as Edureka and Practo before joining. Dubey will play a crucial role in developing the company's product and tech aligned with its mission to simplify chronic disease management via the Phable App, so that more consumers will take up active management of conditions like Sugar and BP. Working closely with the Phable co-founders and executive leadership team, he will play a vital role in the company's success.An alumnus of ILS, Pune, Ramteke is an accomplished business leader with more than two decades of experience in technology, business operations, strategic sourcing, sales, investments, and fundraising. Having worked in international markets such as Europe, America, China, and India, he has diverse geographical and cultural experience. He will report to Sumit Sinha, Phable’s co-founder and CEO, and will oversee the company's M&A, fundraising, and strategic investments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21332/admi-announces-new-leadership-team.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21332/admi-announces-new-leadership-team.html Sun, 29 May 2022 20:05:00 +0530 Association of Diagnostics Manufacturers of India (ADMI) has announced a new leadership team for the period 2022-2025. The new leadership team comprises Thomas John – President (also MD, Agappe Diagnostics), Veeraal Gandhi – Vice President ( also Founder Chairman, Voxtur Bio), Jatin Mahajan – Secretary (also Managing Director, J Mitra & Company) and Chirag Joshi – Treasurer (CEO, Beacon Diagnostics).The new leadership was formally handed charge by Veena Kohli, the outgoing President, at the AGM in Mumbai. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21317/redcliffe-appoints-ishaan-khanna-as-director-reproductive-medicine-and-genetics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21317/redcliffe-appoints-ishaan-khanna-as-director-reproductive-medicine-and-genetics.html Thu, 26 May 2022 11:35:00 +0530 Redcliffe Labs has announced Ishaan Khanna as Director - Reproductive Medicine and Genetics. Khanna is a techno-commercial leader with over 19 years of experience in institutional and commercial healthcare businesses. He has effectively built organisations from the ground up and demonstrated success in establishing successful; diagnostic business models in India and abroad.    He started his career as a scientist with assignments spanning across Australia and UK. After coming back to India he worked in business development leadership roles in biotech and pharma companies such as Avesthagen and Krishna Antioxidants. His last assignment was at Lifecell where he was the CEO, Biobank and Diagnostics where he spent over a decade.    Khanna is a Gold Medalist in Bachelors Biotechnology, Manipal University, Kasturba Medical College/ Manipal Lifescience School India; and holds Masters in Biotechnology and Masters in Enterprise, University of Manchester. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21299/dr-cyrus-s-poonawalla-bags-johns-hopkins-bloomberg-school-of-public-health-awards.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21299/dr-cyrus-s-poonawalla-bags-johns-hopkins-bloomberg-school-of-public-health-awards.html Mon, 23 May 2022 16:15:00 +0530 The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health awarded the Dean's Medal to Serum Institute of India (SII) Chairman, Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla, Chairman, Serum Institute of India for his outstanding work in developing and delivering affordable vaccines and contributing to the Indian biosciences industry for decades now.    Dr Poonawalla said, “It is a proud moment for me to receive this prestigious award from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Over the years, our constant endeavour has been to provide high-quality vaccines with regular supplies, which ensure excellent immunization coverage to children and families worldwide at an affordable, sustainable price point. This award is a motivation for SII to take up bigger challenges ahead and fortifies our objective of inclusive healthcare for all.”      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21274/dr-nina-kottler-joins-synapsicas-advisory-board-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21274/dr-nina-kottler-joins-synapsicas-advisory-board-.html Thu, 19 May 2022 15:30:00 +0530 Dr Nina Kottler, Associate Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Artificial Intelligence at Radiology Partners, has joined as a member of its Advisory Board.   Nina Kottler is a radiologist with over 16 years of experience in emergency radiology. With a background in applied mathematics and optimization theory, she has been using imaging informatics to improve quality and drive value in radiology. Dr Kottler is the associate CMO for Clinical AI and VP of Clinical Operations at Radiology Partners (RP). She leads RP's Data Science and Analytics division, whilst overseeing clinical AI for the practice.    Dr Kottler also developed and works in Radiology Partners’ remote imaging division, Matrix, and serves internally on their AI, IT, Leadership and Culture support boards and their Belonging Council. Externally, Dr Kottler chaired the Population Subcommittee of the ACR DSI’s non-interpretive panel and served on the ACR Informatics Commission and RSNA Radiology Informatics Committee (RadLex Steering Committee). In 2018, Dr Kottler received the Trailblazer Award – an award recognising a pioneering female leader in the field of imaging informatics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21271/plum-appoints-jayanth-ganapathy-as-director-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21271/plum-appoints-jayanth-ganapathy-as-director-healthcare.html Thu, 19 May 2022 14:00:00 +0530 Plum, an employee health insurance platform, has appointed Jayanth Ganapathy as Director, Healthcare. Ganapathy will work towards creating a countrywide hyperlocal healthcare network which is easily accessible to Plum’s customers. He has a strong understanding of driving healthcare operations having earlier led telemedicine and diagnostics business units for organisations such as Practo, Connect & Heal and Qikwell. At Plum, he will be instrumental in expanding Plum’s partnership footprints within the healthcare ecosystem including clinics, pathology labs and e-pharmacies among others.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21261/bert-labs-announces-strategic-senior-level-appointments-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21261/bert-labs-announces-strategic-senior-level-appointments-.html Wed, 18 May 2022 10:15:00 +0530 Bert Labs has appointed, Dr Dinabandhu Naskar as Director & Bert Evangelist, Pharma Research, Dr Rudresha Prasad as Director & Bert Evangelist, Pharma Manufacturing, and Shailendra Borole as Bert Evangelist, Pharma Engineering. This appointment comes as Bert Labs continues to explore applications of Bert Platform Solution in several industry verticals and line with its domain led growth strategy.Dr Naskar, who is Director & Bert Evangelist – Pharma Research, was VP, Syngene (a Bicocon Company), in his 20+ years of experience as Lead Investigator & Senior Scientist in Drug Discovery & Development. He has a PhD from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from the University of Gottingen, in Germany.  Dr Prasad is Director & Bert Evangelist – Pharma Manufacturing. Prasad was VP, GSK, responsible for the technical process of all manufacturing plants in India. He has a PhD from IISc and two Post-Doctoral Fellowships from the University of Strathclyde and Oxford University.  Borole is Bert Pharma HVAC/Utility Expert. Borole was responsible for 21 years for projects and engineering at Cipla.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21256/dr-pk-desai-joins-beacon-board-as-advisor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21256/dr-pk-desai-joins-beacon-board-as-advisor.html Tue, 17 May 2022 12:25:00 +0530 The Beacon Board has announced the appointment of Dr PK Desai as an advisor from May 2022 onwards. As a doctor, Dr Desai is an experienced professional with over 40 years in Span Diagnostics India where he developed many indigenous products to replace imported ones during that tenure. he is currently the president of Span Diagnostics Sarl, France. As a pathologist, Dr Desai held many positions. He was the president of ADMI, a member of FICCI's biotechnology committee and a member of FICCI's Expert Group for Immunodiagnostics. Dr Desai published more than 20 scientific papers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21240/gimsr-appoints-dr-karthik-mikkineni-as-hod-vascular-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21240/gimsr-appoints-dr-karthik-mikkineni-as-hod-vascular-surgery.html Mon, 16 May 2022 09:00:00 +0530 Dr Karthik Mikkineni, Assistant Professor of Surgery at Stanford University, has been initiated as the Head of Department (Vascular Surgery) at the GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (GIMSR). Dr Mikkineni will be involved in advising, supervising, and directing consultation, treatments, procedures, and education in vascular surgery to patients and students/staff of GIMSR.   Dr Mikkineni is an internationally recognised American Board of Surgery certified vascular surgeon specialising in vascular disease. He is currently the Director of vascular surgery at AIG Hospitals, Mayo Clinic care Network Hospitals, India, as part of Global surgery.   He graduated as the Chief Resident of the Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Program from Temple and Drexel University, Pittsburgh and has completed his internship at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center and his medical degree from Guntur Medical College. He has remarkable academic and clinical productivity involving new and dramatically improved techniques for diagnosing and treating vascular disease with grants from NIH and AHA. He serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Vascular Ultrasound. He held key leadership positions at Stanford University School of Medicine as the ranking member of the MD and fellowship admissions committees.   In his new role at GIMSR, he will be bringing his expertise in best practices, teaching, research and patient care to further the vision of GIMSR to provide the highest standards of clinical excellence, education and research. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21237/cadila-pharma-appoints-jawed-zia-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21237/cadila-pharma-appoints-jawed-zia-as-ceo.html Fri, 13 May 2022 13:40:00 +0530 Jawed Zia has joined as the Chief Executive Officer of Cadila Pharmaceuticals. Zia, who will report to the Board of Cadila Pharmaceuticals, will lead the strategy and business operations of Cadila’s branded prescriptions pharmaceuticals business. A seasoned industry professional with more than three-and-a-half decades of experience, he last served as vice chairman of healthcare start-up Rivaara Holdings.   A strategic thinker with versatile experience, Zia has deep knowledge and extensive experience in building and managing businesses in the healthcare industry. His innate ability to drive the growth of people and businesses, build brands, transform operations and scale capabilities has been the hallmark of his success.   A graduate of Clinical Pharmacology from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Zia studied business administration at Trinity College, Dublin. He joined Novartis in 1987 and had a successful career passing over 30 years across market research, brand management, marketing, and other functions in Ireland, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Switzerland, Turkey, and India. His experience includes roles in Rx Pharmaceuticals, consumer health and medical devices and Instrumentations. He also led Abbott India operations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21200/mylab-appoints-rajesh-patel-as-executive-director-of-in-vitro-diagnostics-business-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21200/mylab-appoints-rajesh-patel-as-executive-director-of-in-vitro-diagnostics-business-.html Mon, 09 May 2022 19:40:00 +0530 Mylab Discovery Solutions announced the appointment of Rajesh Patel as the Executive Director – in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) business. In his role, he will be responsible for spearheading the IVD testing equipment and reagent business at Mylab by setting up production units, overseeing the related research and development and the launch of the products across the domestic and overseas markets.   Patel brings over 30 years of deep and diverse experience in the area of sales, marketing and business development in various healthcare segments including Pharmaceuticals, Clinical Research Organizations, Clinical Trials and IVD/ Medical Devices. He was previously working as the CEO of IVD business at Trivitron Healthcare and drove its growth through innovation.   Patel has held positions of increasing responsibilities in several reputed companies including Pfizer Limited, Meril Diagnostics, Agappe Diagnostics, Transasia Bio-Medicals Limited and Quest Diagnostics. Rajesh was closely involved in building the business right from conceptualisation to planning and then to implementation. He also knows biochemistry, haematology, molecular biology, immunology, critical care, coagulation and general laboratory consumables.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21199/saumen-chakraborty-joins-premas-biotechs-board-of-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21199/saumen-chakraborty-joins-premas-biotechs-board-of-directors.html Mon, 09 May 2022 16:50:00 +0530 Premas Biotech has appointed Saumen Chakraborty to the Premas Biotech Board of Directors.   Chakraborty is the Managing Director of Samarjita Management Consultancy. He retired as the President and Chief Financial Officer of Dr Reddy’s in 2020 and served as an advisor to them for the next year. He has over 37 years of experience in both strategic and operational aspects of management and has played a significant role in the evolution of Dr Reddy's as a global pharmaceutical company in India. He served at the CXO level in multiple areas ranging from global finance, legal & compliance, digital & process excellence, global HR, quality, and corporate & global generics operations at Dr Reddy's.   As the Chief Financial Officer, Saumen has been awarded the 'India's Best CFO' by IMA, 2016 & 'India's Best CFO with Exemplary All Round Performance' in the '5th Annual Business Today – YES Bank BEST CFO Awards' 2014. Other key portfolios and initiatives Chakraborty has handled in his current and previous roles at CMC, C-DOT, Eicher, Tecumseh and Dr Reddy’s include manufacturing, sourcing, customer service, quality, consulting, HR and IT.   Chakraborty is a postgraduate in management from IIM, Ahmedabad and an executive fellow in management from ISB, Hyderabad. His doctoral dissertation at ISB was ‘How to do dynamic resource allocation in the generic pharmaceutical industry?’.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21191/qure-ai-appoints-amit-kakar-charles-antoine-janssen-to-its-board-of-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21191/qure-ai-appoints-amit-kakar-charles-antoine-janssen-to-its-board-of-directors.html Mon, 09 May 2022 10:35:00 +0530 Qure.ai has announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors. Joining the team at the helm are Dr Amit Kakar MD, from Novo Holdings and Charles-Antoine Janssen, Chief Investment Officer, HealthQuad. The company has also appointed Navjeewan Khosla, Principal, Novo Holdings and Ajay Mahipal, Director, HealthQuad, as Board Observers.    Dr Amit Kakar is Senior Partner, Head of Novo Holdings Asia, and a healthcare professional with over 30 years of experience across key verticals including medical technology, R&D, manufacturing, pharma retail, drug discovery, clinical research, biotech, hospitals and diagnostic centres, primary and specialty care centres, among others. He is currently part of the Board of Directors of Singapore-based life science company, ESCO, and telemedicine portal – Doctor Anywhere.    Charles-Antoine Janssen is the Chief Investment Officer at HealthQuad and the Co-Founder & Managing Partner at KOIS, a global impact investing firm. Janssen has over 26 years of industry experience and is a well-versed impact investor focussed on healthcare access. Janssen serves on the board of Medikabazaar, THB, Lilac Insights, TC4AI, Regency Hospitals, GoJob, the Climate School and Potential Project, and on the Advisory Board of Lighthouse (India PE fund) and Quadria (Asia healthcare PE fund).    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21167/redcliffe-labs-appoints-sanjay-bhargava-as-director-ma-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21167/redcliffe-labs-appoints-sanjay-bhargava-as-director-ma-growth.html Tue, 03 May 2022 15:55:00 +0530 Redcliffe Labs, a unit of Redcliffe Lifetech in the US and India, has recently announced Sanjay Bhargava as its Director M&A & Growth. Bhargava comes with over 30 years of experience across different verticals of healthcare such as pharma, diagnostics and hospitals.  Bhargava is a Gold Medallist in Bachelors in Pharmacy from Nagpur University with a Certification in Finance from IIM Bangalore.   Bhargava will lead inorganic and organic growth opportunities across the gamut of diagnostic services, driving consolidation strategy to scale up the business operations, building professional management growth teams, and transforming business management practices.    He started his career as a Medical Representative with Crosslands and Cadila, before he moved into diagnostics and was instrumental in establishing and scaling up companies like Pathnet, Wellspring (Piramal Diagnostics), launching and Heading the M&A and HLM vertical for Dr Lal Path Labs, before opening his own entrepreneurial venture HealthSquare. After which he worked at Moolchand Healthcare, International Oncology, Mirable Diagnostics (Human Health) Bengaluru , NGIVD, and Gian Health Care as CEO.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21163/gurjit-singh-joins-stanplus-as-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21163/gurjit-singh-joins-stanplus-as-coo.html Tue, 03 May 2022 08:20:00 +0530 StanPlus has appointed Gurjit Singh as Chief Operating Officer and Founding Member at the company, to build organisation capability for scalability. Singh joins from Alvarez & Marsal, and has operational leadership experience in the healthcare delivery and consulting industry. Singh will strengthen StanPlus's mission to provide quality and timely response technologies during medical emergencies across the country. Singh previously has led multiple operational leadership roles during his 16-year career in the healthcare delivery and consulting industry across India, South Africa, the Middle  East and Southeast Asia. During his professional tenure, he has worked across varied roles leading organisations, businesses and, operations amongst others, in tertiary and secondary care hospital chains like Fortis, Nova, and Sakra. At StanPlus, Singh will be responsible for leading the growth, business, quality, and operations to build and position StanPlus as a tech-lead clinical services organisation playing an active role in saving lives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21161/practo-elevates-siddhartha-nihalani-as-co-founder-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21161/practo-elevates-siddhartha-nihalani-as-co-founder-.html Mon, 02 May 2022 15:45:00 +0530 Practo has announced the elevation of its long-term executive and growth head, Siddhartha Nihalani to the position of Co-founder. Siddhartha has been associated with Practo since its inception and has been a driving force behind the technology, growth and business strategy. With this elevation, Nihalani will accompany Shashank ND and Abhinav Lal, the other co-founders.   Nihalani will focus on building products for Practo’s digital-first surgery business. He is going to play an active role in new product development that will further Practo’s mission of providing quality and affordable healthcare to over a billion+ Indians. Along with this, he would also work with Practo’s core leadership on business strategy and expansion.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21133/doceree-appoints-anil-dobhal-as-global-cto.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21133/doceree-appoints-anil-dobhal-as-global-cto.html Wed, 27 Apr 2022 16:40:00 +0530 Doceree has appointed Anil Dobhal as Global Chief Technology Officer. Dobhal brings with him more than over 24 years of technical experience in building strong bid landscapes and data security infrastructures in the consumer marketing domain.      He will lead Doceree’s global technology and product teams spanning the US, Europe and emerging markets.     Dobhal said, "My key focus will be on automating the programmatic ecosystem with AI, ML and data science algorithms that optimise marketing initiatives of pharma and life sciences companies and ensures better RPMs (ad revenue per thousand impressions) for publishers.”    A start-up and ad-tech enthusiast, Dobhal has extensive knowledge of fraud systems. In his past roles, he built scalable data security systems that dealt with huge volume.    Before joining Doceree, he successfully defined, implemented, and commercialised solutions across different industries, including Expedia, One97 Communications and GlobalLogic, evolving solutions around Large Scale Databases, BI Stacks, and Big Data Platforms, among others.          ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21129/lupin-appoints-diana-amador-toro-as-senior-vp-global-compliance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21129/lupin-appoints-diana-amador-toro-as-senior-vp-global-compliance.html Wed, 27 Apr 2022 14:40:00 +0530 Lupin has appointed Diana Amador-Toro as Senior Vice President, Global Compliance. She will be responsible for leading Lupin’s Global Compliance function including training, internal audit, and investigations. She will be based in Lupin’s Somerset office in New Jersey, USA.   Diana is a senior leader with more than 38 years of field experience in the US FDA’s Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA). She previously served in two leadership positions in ORA as the New Jersey District Director and as the Office of Pharmaceutical Quality Operations Division I Director. In these roles, she provided executive leadership in directing and managing FDA pharmaceutical inspection and compliance activities. She has been recognised with numerous awards, including the US FDA Commissioner’s Special Citation and FDA’s highest award, the Award of Merit.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21114/omron-healthcare-india-appoints-kotaro-suzuki-as-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21114/omron-healthcare-india-appoints-kotaro-suzuki-as-md.html Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:35:00 +0530 OMRON Healthcare India has announced appointment of Kotaro Suzuki as its new Managing Director. Before this assignment, Suzuki has served in numerous senior leadership roles including domestic and overseas sales, corporate strategy planning, product planning, across varied geographies during his more than 25-years long association with the healthcare business division of OMRON. Kotaro said, “My focus is to make OMRON an essential part of the Indian society’s preventive healthcare regime. I am keenly looking forward to accelerating the progress of OMRON’s Healthcare business in the country while supporting the growth and development of my team members as well as business partners.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21100/gaurav-mathur-joins-healthplix-as-head-of-engineering.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21100/gaurav-mathur-joins-healthplix-as-head-of-engineering.html Fri, 22 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0530 HealthPlix Technologies announced the appointment of a technology leader Gaurav Mathur as the Head of Engineering. In his new role, Mathur will directly report to Sandeep Gudibanda, CEO, HealthPlix Technologies. He will be responsible for leading, scaling the current engineering team, and spearheading new engineering efforts to build next-generation clinical decision support systems and doctor first solutions.    In his most recent role, Mathur was leading the Global Customer Learning Experience charter at Byju's, where he managed multiple geographies including India, the US, Latin America, and Australia. He was instrumental in shaping the re-architecture of Flipkart's supply chain systems, which allowed the grocery and hyperlocal supply chains to scale, as well as the conceptualisation of an automation and robotics charter in the logistics space.            ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21097/govt-appoints-prof-ajay-kumar-sood-as-principal-scientific-advisor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21097/govt-appoints-prof-ajay-kumar-sood-as-principal-scientific-advisor.html Thu, 21 Apr 2022 17:00:00 +0530 Prof Ajay Kumar Sood has been appointed as the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the government. Sood is a member of Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, and will hold the post for three years. He will succeed renowned biologist Prof K Vijay Raghavan.   Sood did his MS in Physics from Punjab University and PhD from the Indian Institute of Bangalore. He received the Padma Shri in 2013. He is a Distinguished Honorary Professor of Physics at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.   Sood holds the following positions. He iss a Member, Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council to the PM of India (2018-present); Chairman, Governing Council, Raman Research Institute (2016-present); Member, Vision Group on Nanotechnology, Government of Karnataka; Chairman, Board of Governers, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research-Bhopal (2020-present); Chairman, Board of Governers, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research-Mohali (2021 onwards); Chairman, DST Committee of VAJRA (2020 onwards);   He has also served as Member, Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India (2009-2014); Member, Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Oversight Committee, GoI (2012-14, 2017-19); Member, Nanomission Council of Dept. of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India (GoI); Chairman, Nano Science Advisory Group, DST, GoI; Chair, International Advisory Board, Winton Program, Cambridge University, UK (2015-2019); Member, Physics Sectional Committee of the Royal Society, UK (2016-2018); Member, Board of Governors, Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali (2012-2018); Member, Board of Governors of the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR); Member, Governing Body and the Society of the CSIR (2013-2016); Member, Governing Council, Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Bangalore (2013-2018).                     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21071/sanofi-india-appoints-rodolfo-hrosz-as-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21071/sanofi-india-appoints-rodolfo-hrosz-as-md.html Mon, 18 Apr 2022 18:00:00 +0530 Sanofi India Limited (SIL)'s Board of Directors has appointed Rodolfo Hrosz as the company’s new Managing Director (MD) with effect from June 1, 2022, subject to regulatory approvals.   He will transition from being Sanofi’s General Manager, Consumer Healthcare business in Brazil to his new role in India as soon as the applicable regulatory approvals are in place.    Rodolpho joined Sanofi as General Manager of the Consumer Healthcare business in Brazil in 2017 and has successfully led the organisation through several transformative stages, right from the business unit’s inception to its becoming a top growth contributor and a digital-acceleration reference point within the Sanofi Group.   Rodolfo brings with him a wealth of rich experience from commercial, marketing, and general management roles across several multinational companies. Prior to joining Sanofi, he has worked with Pfizer, LVMH, Heineken and Procter & Gamble in USA and Brazil.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21032/redcliffe-labs-appoints-prof-ss-anand-as-medical-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/21032/redcliffe-labs-appoints-prof-ss-anand-as-medical-director.html Mon, 11 Apr 2022 13:35:00 +0530 Redcliffe Labs has appointed Prof SS Anand as the new Medical Director at Redcliffe Imaging – Radiology division of Redcliffe Labs. Anand will drive the nationwide expansion and growth plan for Redcliffe Imaging. Under his expert guidance, Redcliffe Imaging will aim at becoming a quality radiology service provider with an enhanced patient experience.      Before assuming the new role, Anand has completed 37 glorious years as a serviceman. He is an established professional in radiology.   He has been credited with many ground-breaking initiatives such as the first CT scan machine in the army command hospital, Pune. He has established the PET-CT scan and Medical Cyclotron in Army Hospital (R&R), New Delhi. An alumnus of KGMC- Lucknow, INMAS- New Delhi and PGI- Chandigarh. Anand was a mentor, guide and examiner in both Nuclear Medicine & Radiology. He has served as the Dean of Army College of Medical Sciences New Delhi and Hamdard Medical College, New Delhi. He has also written numerous publications on radio diagnosis.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20986/nathealth-elects-dr-shravan-subramanyam-md-wipro-ge-healthcare-as-new-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20986/nathealth-elects-dr-shravan-subramanyam-md-wipro-ge-healthcare-as-new-president.html Fri, 01 Apr 2022 16:05:00 +0530 Dr Shravan Subramanyam, MD, Wipro GE Healthcare has been announced as the President of NATHEALTH – an apex body representing the entire ecosystem of the Indian healthcare industry. He takes the charge from Dr Harsh Mahajan, erstwhile President of NATHEALTH and Founder & Chief Radiologist Mahajan Imaging.    The new elected NATHEALTH leadership team also includes other industry luminaries: Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi as Senior Vice President, NATHEALTH and Managing Director & CEO, Fortis Healthcare, Ameera Shah as Vice President, NATHEALTH and MD, Metropolis India, Vrinda Mathur as Secretary, NATHEALTH and Head - Services, Management Consulting, PI/RWI, IQVIA South Asia and Sunil Thakur as Treasurer NATHEALTH and Partner Quadria Capital.   Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Secretary-General, NATHEALTH will continue to lead and head NATHEALTH secretariat working towards the goal of making NATHEALTH, a robust platform for long term growth and sustainability of India’s healthcare sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20979/stanplus-appoints-dr-navneet-singh-as-group-medical-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20979/stanplus-appoints-dr-navneet-singh-as-group-medical-director.html Thu, 31 Mar 2022 15:05:00 +0530 StanPlus announced the appointment of Dr Navneet Singh as the Group Medical Director to ensure clinical excellence in all its verticals. With 17 years in the healthcare and healthcare facilities sector, Dr Singh will further strengthen StanPlus’ quest to deliver the ‘First Minute, Last Mile’ Healthcare promise in order to save millions of lives.   Dr Singh is an experienced and senior professional with a demonstrated history in the hospital and healthcare industry. Over the years he has worked with the country’s esteemed healthcare institutes like Fortis Healthcare, Emsos Aviation, and Radiant Healthcare amongst others, driving excellence in the field of Emergency Medicine, Critical Care Nursing, Healthcare Management and Training, and Accreditation. At StanPlus, Dr Singh will be responsible for medical supervision of all operations and will oversee the training, recruitment, upskilling and management of the entire clinical staff. He will also be redefining, standardising and creating products that will help StanPlus service its partners and patients better.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20973/medgenome-appoints-mahesh-pratapneni-as-group-ceo-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20973/medgenome-appoints-mahesh-pratapneni-as-group-ceo-.html Thu, 31 Mar 2022 08:50:00 +0530 MedGenome announced that Sam Santhosh, co‐founder and currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will transition from his executive leadership role and move to the company’s Board of Directors. Mahesh Pratapneni, who co‐founded MedGenome with Santhosh, and has been the Chief Strategy Officer, will take over as Group CEO.    Dr Felix Olale, Partner of LeapFrog Investments, who has served as a Board member after leading a $55 million investment into MedGenome in 2020, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors.    Santhosh said, "The covid pandemic has further highlighted the importance of genomics and population genetics. I am hoping to work closely with the government of my home state of Kerala to enhance the government’s initiatives in this area. I have recently taken on an Advisory role in K‐DISC (Kerala Development and Innovation Strategy Council) and joined the Governing body of the Kerala Startup Mission to support entrepreneurs.”     Incoming Group CEO Pratapneni has been with MedGenome since its inception. Continuing to work with him will be India and South Asia CEO, Dr Vedam Ramprasad, whose strong industry and scientific knowledge have been instrumental in scaling the business and building strategic partnerships; Dr Sekar Seshagiri, CSO, who brings more than two decades of genomics research experience; and CFO Surajit Chakrabartty, who has been responsible for managing the financial growth of the company.    Pratapneni said, “We now see incredible potential for genomic medicine to democratize access to these innovations and improve the prospects of drug discovery in low‐ and middle‐income countries across South Asia, Africa and the Middle East." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20932/royal-society-of-edinburgh-elects-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-as-fellow.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20932/royal-society-of-edinburgh-elects-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-as-fellow.html Thu, 24 Mar 2022 12:30:00 +0530 Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon and Biocon Biologics, has been elected as the Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scotland’s National Academy established in 1783, for the advancement of learning and useful knowledge.  Mazumdar-Shaw will be joining RSE’s current Fellowship of around 1,700 Fellows who are recognised as being some of the greatest thinkers, researchers and practitioners working in or with Scotland today. As Scotland’s National Academy, RSE uses the combined knowledge of its Fellows to provide independent expert advice to policymakers and inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers. This knowledge contributes to the social and economic wellbeing of Scotland, its people and the nation’s wider contribution to the global community.Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said: “It is inspiring to join this fellowship of luminaries from different walks of life who are striving for the economic and social well-being of the world. The Fellowship will provide me with an opportunity to work collectively and collaboratively with some of the greatest minds to solve the pressing issues of our times through innovative solutions for the greater good of mankind.” Mazumdar-Shaw is among the 80 luminaries to be appointed to the RSE’s Fellowship this year. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20908/dr-krishna-ella-unveils-book-by-eminent-virologist-dr-jacob-john.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20908/dr-krishna-ella-unveils-book-by-eminent-virologist-dr-jacob-john.html Sat, 19 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A book by Eminent virologist and Emeritus Professor of Virology, Christian Medical College, Vellore Dr T. Jacob John, & Dr Dhanya Dharmapalan was officially released by D. Krishna Ella, Scientist, Co-Founder, Chairman and Managing Director Bharat Biotech in New Delhi.Dr John was also felicitated by Dr Ella and Suchitra Ella for his outstanding contributions in Science and Technology, his relentless work in developing the Polio Vaccine and in eradication of Polio in India.  The book “POLIO – The Eradication Imbroglio” authored by Dr T Jacob John and Dr Dhanya Dharmapalan published reminds us of the pitfalls countries encountered in the past and present in the control and prevention of pandemics and even epidemics.The book highlights - Causative microorganisms of infectious diseases such as polio and others can only be eliminated and eradicated from our planet by uniform global decisions rapidly adapted by all the countries and their governments without reference to their gross domestic product or status of public health systems.   Dr Jacob who joined the Christian Medical College as teaching faculty in 1959 rose to become the Professor of Virology in the institution. Dr. John is acknowledged for having established the Department of Diagnostic Virology Laboratory at the Christian Medical College. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20833/dr-sheela-nampoothiri-joins-icmrs-rare-diseases-national-consortiums-expert-committee-as-co-chair.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20833/dr-sheela-nampoothiri-joins-icmrs-rare-diseases-national-consortiums-expert-committee-as-co-chair.html Tue, 08 Mar 2022 13:35:00 +0530 Sheela Nampoothiri, Head, Paediatric Genetics, Amrita Hospitals, Kochi has been selected as the co-chair and member of the Rare Diseases National Consortium, an expert committee under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for research related to the treatment of rare diseases.    Dr Ratna Puri from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi is the Chairperson of the expert committee. Dr Ashwin Dalal, Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in Hyderabad, Dr Mamta Muranjan of KEM Hospital, Dr KS Meenakshi Bhatt of Centre for Human Genetics, Bangalore, Dr Neerja Gupta of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi and Dr Sujatha Jagadeesh, of MediScan, Chennai are the other members of the panel. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20800/takeda-appoints-serina-fischer-as-gm-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20800/takeda-appoints-serina-fischer-as-gm-for-india.html Wed, 02 Mar 2022 11:45:00 +0530 Takeda Pharmaceutical Company announced the appointment of Serina Fischer as its General Manager for India operations. The appointment is effective as of March 1, 2022. In her new role, Serina will lead the company's business in India, ensuring patient access to the company's highly innovative medicines.   Serina has over 17 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and is an accomplished, dynamic leader with expertise in strategy, sales, marketing, and operations. She joined Takeda in 2017 and has held various leadership roles in its US affiliate.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20740/ujala-cygnus-group-of-hospitals-appoints-gaurav-anand-as-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20740/ujala-cygnus-group-of-hospitals-appoints-gaurav-anand-as-coo.html Thu, 24 Feb 2022 16:35:00 +0530 Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals has appointed Gaurav Anand, a hospital management professional with over 18 years of experience, as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). Anand will further strengthen the efforts of the company as it aims at providing the best healthcare facilities across the country. He will be responsible for steering the company’s management operations with the help of technology.   Anand has experience in leading strategic and operational initiatives in established multinational companies. He has been instrumental in handling branding, hospital launch plan, consultant acquisition, marketing plan, tie-ups and associations. He is skillful in monitoring hospital processes and optimising operational efficiency. Anand has worked in several capacities including senior management and leadership positions during which he has had an illustrious and eventful career.    Anand started his career as a Management Trainee in Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. He is an alumnus of the prestigious International Management Institute, New Delhi.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20726/lupin-appoints-dr-fabrice-egros-as-president-corporate-development-and-growth-markets.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20726/lupin-appoints-dr-fabrice-egros-as-president-corporate-development-and-growth-markets.html Wed, 23 Feb 2022 17:05:00 +0530 Dr Fabrice Egros has assumed responsibilities for Global Corporate Development as President, Corporate Development and Growth Markets for Lupin. Dr Egros takes over the Corporate Development role from Alan Butcher departing from the company on February 28, 2022. Dr Egros will lead the development and execution of the company’s inorganic growth strategy, including mergers and acquisitions, business development, in-licensing arrangements, and related matters. He will continue to lead the business in LATAM and Asia regions in this new role. For the past six years, Dr Egros has played an integral role in Lupin, leading businesses across both growth and developed markets. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20714/ravikrishna-chebolu-joins-west-pharma-as-gm-of-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20714/ravikrishna-chebolu-joins-west-pharma-as-gm-of-india.html Tue, 22 Feb 2022 15:30:00 +0530     West Pharmaceutical Services (West) has announced the appointment of Ravikrishna Chebolu as General Manager of its India operations. With more than 20 years of relevant commercial and general management experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, Chebolu will lead West’s cross-functional India leadership team to drive further growth for the business and deliver strategic plans for India.   Chebolu joins West from Laurus Labs, where he was working as Vice President & Global Head of Business Development and Project Management. Before this, he worked for various Indian pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies such as GVK Biosciences (now Aragen), Aizant Drug Solutions and multinational companies including Agilent Technologies.   Chebolu holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Hyderabad, India and carried out his Post-Doctoral Research at Rutgers University and the University of Connecticut in the US. He completed an Executive General Management Program (EGMP) at the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow and also earned his MBA in International Business from ICFAI in India.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20692/cloudnine-appoints-three-independent-directors-to-its-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20692/cloudnine-appoints-three-independent-directors-to-its-board.html Fri, 18 Feb 2022 16:05:00 +0530 Cloudnine has announced the appointment of three new independent directors to its board. Nupur Garg, a leading investor in private equity and venture capital space and founder of WinPE, Lizzie Chapman, an entrepreneur pioneering 'Buy Now, Pay Later' in India and CEO & Co-Founder of ZestMoney and Parthasarathy VS, Vice Chairman and Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director on the board of Allcargo logistics and Independent Director with LIC of India and mentor to several start-ups.    Following these appointments, the board will comprise nine directors, three of whom are independent, three are Executive Directors and three are Non-Executive Directors.    Besides the newly appointed independent directors, other members of the board are Dr R Kishore Kumar, Founder and Executive Director, Rohit MA, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Satish Chander, Non-executive Director, Nitin Agarwal, Non-Executive Director, Bharat Singh, Non-Executive Director, Raviganesh, CEO and Executive Director. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20690/nanavati-max-super-speciality-hospital-appoints-cardiac-surgeon-dr-vishal-khullar-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20690/nanavati-max-super-speciality-hospital-appoints-cardiac-surgeon-dr-vishal-khullar-.html Fri, 18 Feb 2022 08:30:00 +0530 Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai recently announced the appointment of Dr Vishal Khullar as Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart & Lung Transplants. After completion of his super-specialisation in cardiac surgery in India, Dr Khullar honed his skills at the medical institutions Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland and Mayo Clinic, Rochester in the US.Dr Khullar has performed and participated in over 7000 successful general cardiac procedures including bypass surgeries, valve replacement, complex surgeries of the aorta (including aortic root replacement, ascending aortic replacement and aortic arch reconstruction) and heart and lung transplants. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20677/mosaic-wellness-onboards-abhinav-mohan-as-cbo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20677/mosaic-wellness-onboards-abhinav-mohan-as-cbo.html Wed, 16 Feb 2022 18:50:00 +0530 Mosaic Wellness, a health & wellness start-up running digital health clinic platforms, Man Matters and Bodywise, has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Abhinav Mohan as Chief Business Officer who will head all categories and brand marketing and work closely with Revant Bhate, Co-Founder & CEO.   Mohan brings with him 10+ years of experience in building and scaling technology businesses. In his previous stint as VP and GM of Monetization at Glance (part of InMobi Group), Mohan was helping brands connect with their audience and have personalized conversations with them through AI-enabled digital platforms. In his previous roles at InMobi, he has also worked on consumer insights, performance marketing and innovative data solutions across both ad-tech and mar-tech. An alumnus of IIT Mumbai, Mohan has pursued B.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering followed by an MBA from ISB.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20665/igbas-establishes-ceo-advisory-committee.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20665/igbas-establishes-ceo-advisory-committee.html Tue, 15 Feb 2022 17:35:00 +0530 The International Generic and Biosimilar medicines Association (IGBA)  has established a CEO Advisory Committee composed of 13 leading multinational companies from Canada, Europe, India, Israel, Japan, and the US.   The committee members are: Chirag Patel, President and Co-CEO, Amneal Pharmaceuticals Jeff Watson, President and CEO, Apotex Pankaj Patel, Chairman - Cadila Healthcare Samina Hamied, Executive Vice-Chairperson - Cipla Satish Reddy, Chairman - Dr Reddy's Laboratories Lucas Sigman, CEO, Insud Pharma SL Vinita Gupta, CEO, Lupin Richard Saynor, CEO, Sandoz Peter Goldschmidt, CEO and Chairman Executive Board - STADA Arzneimittel Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director - Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Kåre Schultz, President and CEO, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries David Peix, CEO, Towa Pharma International Holdings  Michael Goettler, CEO, Viatris    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20588/redcliffe-labs-appoints-abhay-singavi-as-cbo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20588/redcliffe-labs-appoints-abhay-singavi-as-cbo.html Tue, 08 Feb 2022 09:30:00 +0530 Redcliffe Labs has appointed Abhay Singavi as Chief Business Officer (CBO). In his role, Abhay Singavi will be responsible to executing the company’s business strategy, driving the overall growth and performance of key business units as a strategy, operations and business transformation lead   Abhay brings with himself an extensive experience of around 15 years. He has worked with Narayana Health as CEO leading the preventive health division of the company. Thereafter, Abhay worked as P&L Head in Medanta and Policy Bazaar. Abhay’s most recent stint was as CBO at Healthians.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20587/pfizer-appoints-pradip-shah-as-the-chairman-of-the-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20587/pfizer-appoints-pradip-shah-as-the-chairman-of-the-board.html Tue, 08 Feb 2022 09:00:00 +0530 Pfizer's Board of Directors has appointed Pradip Shah as the Chairman of the Board of Pfizer. Shah has been on the Board of Pfizer since December 1999 and has been guiding the board and management on various financial and strategic decisions.  Shah is the ex-MD of CRISIL, a credit rating agency. Before founding CRISIL, Shah assisted in founding the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) in 1977. Shah has also served as a consultant to USAID, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. Shah is a Director on the Board of several reputed companies and is also a member of various prestigious committees/commissions. He is presently the Chairman of Indasia Fund Advisors. He holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School, is a Chartered Accountant and a Cost Accountant, and ranked first in India in the Chartered Accountancy Examination. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20583/rahul-guha-to-join-thyrocare-technologies-as-md-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20583/rahul-guha-to-join-thyrocare-technologies-as-md-ceo.html Mon, 07 Feb 2022 18:45:00 +0530 API Group-backed Thyrocare Technologies has announced the appointment of Rahul Guha as the company's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer w.e.f May 16, 2022.   A graduate of IIM-B, Rahul Guha joins API Group to head its Diagnostics Business. Guha has spent almost 17 years at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) where he has led the Health Care & Life Sciences practice.   Before joining BCG, Rahul has been the co-founder and CEO of Nautilus Software and the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at ValuePay.com where he was responsible for product development in the US Market. He has extensive project experience in MedTech and HealthTech and has worked closely with multiple startups on their digital incubation. He has been an active contributor to the pharma sector and has over 2 decades of experience.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20574/faba-presents-dr-b-s-bajaj-memorial-award-to-biological-es-mahima-datla.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20574/faba-presents-dr-b-s-bajaj-memorial-award-to-biological-es-mahima-datla.html Sat, 05 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Federation of Asian Biotech Associations [FABA] has announced the recipients of this year’s prestigious FABA Awards, which was named after Dr. B. S Bajaj last year, for their contributions to the advancement in Biotechnology. The Executive Council of FABA, which met on 11.1.2022 announced the FABA Awards for the year 2022. Dr. B. S. Bajaj Memorial FABA Special Award-2022 will be conferred upon Mahima Datla, Managing Director, Biological E. Ltd for introducing Corbevax vaccine in augmenting the global collective fight against COVID-19. The award will be conferred during the 19th edition of BioAsia, the largest annual global Biotechnology and Life Sciences summit of Asia, organised by the Government of Telangana and FABA. Biological E. Limited (BE), one of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturers, was recognized for the development of CORBEVAX-TM, India’s first indigenously developed protein sub-unit vaccine against COVID-19. CORBEVAX-TM is a recombinant vaccine, developed from the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein on the virus’s surface combined with Dynavax’s CpG 1018 adjuvant with alum, which helps the body build the immune response against the virus. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20561/bioasia-2022-confers-genome-valley-excellence-award-to-dr-drew-weissman-for-mrna-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20561/bioasia-2022-confers-genome-valley-excellence-award-to-dr-drew-weissman-for-mrna-vaccine.html Thu, 03 Feb 2022 19:10:00 +0530 The 19th edition of BioAsia organised by the Government of Telangana and the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations [FABA], has announced that the coveted Genome Valley Excellence Award for the year 2022 will be conferred upon Dr Drew Weissman. The award has been announced in recognition for his breakthrough pioneering research and development of effective mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, that has helped save billions of lives globally. Dr Weissman is a Professor at the Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He is also acknowledged for his contributions to the development of various vaccines including COVID-19, universal flu vaccine, herpes vaccine, etc. besides several other therapeutic developments. Dr. Weismann’s extensive efforts in collaboration with fellow scientists led to his discovery of the ability of modified nucleosides in RNA to suppress activation of innate immune sensors and increase the translation of mRNA containing certain modified nucleosides. The nucleoside-modified mRNA-lipid nanoparticle vaccine platform, Dr. Weissman’s lab created, is used in the first two approved COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20515/proteon-pharma-appoints-paolo-doncecchi-as-global-sales-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20515/proteon-pharma-appoints-paolo-doncecchi-as-global-sales-director.html Mon, 31 Jan 2022 18:45:00 +0530 Proteon Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Proteon Pharmaceuticals Poland, has appointed Paolo Doncecchi as its Global Sales Director as its expansion plans in India and other South-East Region. With over 30 years of experience in marketing and sales, Doncecchi has led several sales and marketing positions at global biotechnology companies such as Pfizer, Zoetis, Biomin and Adisseo in the field of animal health and nutrition.    Doncecchi, an Italian national, has completed his university degree in Veterinary Medicine. He recently became a member of Insight Partners, American venture capital and private equity firm based in New York City that invests in growth-stage technology, software and Internet businesses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20480/suki-appoints-eric-grosse-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20480/suki-appoints-eric-grosse-as-president.html Fri, 28 Jan 2022 14:20:00 +0530 Suki announced the appointment of Eric Grosse as its first president. Grosse has spent nearly three decades co-founding technology startups and leading worldwide organisations with thousands of employees and billions in revenues. He comes to Suki from Chairish, a leading online marketplace for premium home furnishings which he co-founded in 2012.   Before Chairish, Grosse was the CEO of TaskRabbit where he expanded the organisation’s team by 60 per cent while also tripling volume and revenue. He was also the co-founder of Hotwire, an online discount travel company he grew to a $1B-plus in bookings and was ultimately acquired by Expedia—a company where Grosse also served as president and reversed several years of market share declines in the US while also growing over 150 per cent in the Asia-Pacific region.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20461/-indias-vaccine-makers-to-receive-padma-bhushan-for-2022.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20461/-indias-vaccine-makers-to-receive-padma-bhushan-for-2022.html Tue, 25 Jan 2022 22:35:00 +0530 The Government of India has announced the Padma Awards 2022. This year vaccine makers Bharat Biotech's Dr Krishna Ella (Chairman & Managing Director) and Suchitra Ella (Joint Managing Director) and Serum Institute of India's Dr Cyrus Poonawala (Chairman) will receive the Padma Bhushan (in the trade and industry category). While the Serum Institute of India (SII) has been working continuously towards manufacturing COVID-19 vaccine- Covishield since 2020, Bharat Biotech has developed India's first 'indigenous coronavirus vaccine'- Covaxin. In addition, Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar and Dr Vijaykumar Vinayak Dongre, Dr Bhimsen Singhal from Maharashtra, Dr Prokar Dasgupta from the UK, Dr Lata Desai from Gujarat, Dr Sunkara Venkata Adinarayana Rao from Andhra Pradesh, Dr Veeraswamy Seshiah from Tamil Nadu and Dr Kamlakar Tripathi from Uttar Pradesh will receive the Padma Shri in medicine. Dr Narendra Prasad Misra from Madhya Pradesh and Dr Balaji Tambe from Maharashtra will receive the award posthumously, in the filed of medicine. These awards will be conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year. This year the President has approved conferment of 128 Padma Awards. Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20456/rajeev-kumria-joins-hel-india-as-gm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20456/rajeev-kumria-joins-hel-india-as-gm.html Tue, 25 Jan 2022 15:25:00 +0530 HEL Group (HEL), a global developer and manufacturer of innovative laboratory tools for process optimisation, safety, and scale-up, announced the appointment of Rajeev Kumria as General Manager of HEL India. This announcement follows the recent news that HEL is expanding operations in India by moving to a wholly-owned subsidiary in the country. Kumria will oversee the creation and commercial effectiveness of this new business. Kumria brings 25 years of experience in general management, M&A, business development, strategy, sales leadership, and product consultancy across medical device and diagnostics sectors. He has extensive experience in managing businesses in South Asia holding leadership roles in companies such as Getinge Medical India, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Transasia Biomedical, and Bharat Serums and Vaccines.   As well as setting up the new HEL entity, Kumria will work closely with HEL's existing commercial partners, Skytech Systems, to ensure a smooth handover of business, focusing on the continuity of customer support.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20409/astrazeneca-appoints-ram-mudaliar-as-india-lead-of-cdi-division.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20409/astrazeneca-appoints-ram-mudaliar-as-india-lead-of-cdi-division.html Thu, 20 Jan 2022 14:50:00 +0530 AstraZeneca India announced the appointment of Ram Mudaliar as the India lead of their Clinical Data & Insights (CDI) division. Mudaliar worked with AstraZeneca Canada, managing the delivery of the lung portfolio and leading oncology data management teams in the North American region and Europe. He has also worked as Interim Global Head of Oncology in Data Management for a brief period.   Mudaliar’s appointment follows the launch of the CDI India division in October 2021.   As CDI India Lead, Mudaliar will be responsible for establishing and expanding the CDI footprint in India, liaising with CDI global and local leaders to develop and implement strategic decisions for the India site. He is also responsible for ensuring the local planning and coordination relating to facilities and enabling support for the India team, connecting with Facilities Management, Human Resources, IT, Compliance, R&D Site Leadership and other functions as required.   Mudaliar holds a master’s degree in Biotechnology from Mumbai University in India. Ram’s passion has always been about data and insights and is particularly fascinated by the possibilities it brings in enabling patient-centric solutions. Before joining AstraZeneca, Mudaliar has worked with Cognizant Technology Solutions where he was responsible for Clinical Data Management, Statistical Programming, Analysis and Medical Writing. Ram has been with AstraZeneca for over five years and has served various roles across countries and continents under the clinical data management domain. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20407/granules-india-appoints-dr-kvs-ram-rao-as-joint-md-and-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20407/granules-india-appoints-dr-kvs-ram-rao-as-joint-md-and-ceo.html Thu, 20 Jan 2022 13:10:00 +0530 Granules India has announced the appointment of Dr KVS Ram Rao as Joint Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr Ram Rao has over two decades of experience in pharmaceutical and chemical industries.Dr Ram Rao holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Osmania University, Hyderabad and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He has over 29 years of experience in the field of manufacturing, R&D, business and customer service management. He worked as Executive Director & CEO for CSM Business of PI Industries Limited. He played a significant role in Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited while working in various capacities from 2000 to 2018. He also workedwith Jubilant Life Sciences and Gujarat Heavy Chemicals LtdCommenting on the appointment, Dr Krishna Prasad Chigurupati, CMD, Granules India said, “I am excited to welcome Dr KVS Ram Rao to Granules as Joint Managing Director and CEO. During the past few years, we have stressed the importance of building a company around the pillars of efficiencies and sustainability. Dr Ram Rao’s varied experience in the areas of Chemical and API businesses including R&D and Manufacturing through the adoption of innovative technology and best practices in sustainability will further strengthen Granules’ drive towards becoming a strong integrated manufacturer with unparalleled efficiencies.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20395/sauri-gudlavalleti-joins-sai-life-sciences-as-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20395/sauri-gudlavalleti-joins-sai-life-sciences-as-coo.html Wed, 19 Jan 2022 17:05:00 +0530 Sai Life Sciences, a leading global Contract Research, Development & Manufacturing Organization (CRO-CDMO), announced the appointment of Sauri Gudlavalleti as its Chief Operating Officer. Gudlavalleti will report to the CEO and MD, Krishna Kanumuri and drive the company's growth as a new generation, science-driven organisation.Gudlavalleti joins Sai Life Sciences from Dr Reddy's Laboratories where he was heading Global R&D and Portfolio Management for small molecule API & Formulations, encompassing portfolio & strategy, development, technology transfer, CRO/ CDMO partnerships, IP, regulatory affairs and clinical affairs. Over his seven-year tenure there, he spearheaded a multifold increase in the R&D pipeline, significantly globalised the R&D efforts with an impetus on fast-growing emerging markets and brought about a pioneering transformation in R&D through data and analytics. More recently, Gudlavalleti led the development, approval and launch of the company's covid portfolio, partnering with global large pharma innovators, in record time.Before Dr Reddy's, Gudlavalleti was at McKinsey & Co for six years where he successfully delivered on several client engagements with a focus on operational transformation spanning product development, service delivery and manufacturing operations. Previously, he spent nine years in the US, working on advanced technologies at MIT, GE and Qualcomm. He holds nine US patents and has published in multiple peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Sauri is a B.Tech from IIT Madras, an MS from MIT and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20384/maxivision-appoints-vs-sudheer-as-group-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20384/maxivision-appoints-vs-sudheer-as-group-ceo.html Tue, 18 Jan 2022 18:05:00 +0530 Hyderabad origin MaxiVision Eye Hospitals group announced key leadership appointment to its strategic position for its pan India business. VS Sudheer has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, for the whole MaxiVision Group. Sudheer has been working as Chief Operating Officer for the group for the last five years. The new appointment is his elevation of the position.   Sudheer who has been with MaxiVision for the past five years has significantly contributed to the company's annual revenues. He brings with him very strong expertise to team up and works with ophthalmologists of repute to deliver clinical excellence in all branches of the eye care segment.   MaxiVision will immediately expand to Tamilnadu, Karnataka, and Gujarat in Phase 1. Phase 2 will be expanding in Kerala, Maharashtra, and Orissa, making it a 60 hospital network in 15 months period. Sudheer will head this expansion ambition and vision of mine to make Maxivision the largest eye care chain of Indian Origin. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20383/myhealthcare-appoints-sanjay-bapna-as-chief-commercial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20383/myhealthcare-appoints-sanjay-bapna-as-chief-commercial-officer.html Tue, 18 Jan 2022 18:00:00 +0530 MyHealthcare announced the appointment of Sanjay Bapna as its Chief Commercial Officer. Bapna will be responsible for driving the business traction across all MyHealthcare platforms, including its AI offerings through institutional sales, strategic partnerships and other high growth revenue initiatives. With 30 years of experience across healthcare and technology, Bapna brings in-depth industry expertise and learnings in building robust, scalable business solutions.    A specialist in overall business strategy, he completed his engineering from NIT Kurukshetra. Previously, Bapna has held key positions in multinational organisations such as L&T, Hewlett Packard and Phillips where he has led large business units. He has worked with healthcare start-ups such as Doxper, leading their corporate and institutional sales and building a successful growth trajectory.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20368/sequent-scientific-appoints-rajaram-narayanan-as-md-and-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20368/sequent-scientific-appoints-rajaram-narayanan-as-md-and-ceo.html Mon, 17 Jan 2022 13:20:00 +0530 Mumbai-based SeQuent Scientific has appointed Rajaram Narayanan as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 11, 2022. Narayanan, who has served in senior leadership roles across the pharmaceutical, consumer goods and services industries, succeeds Manish Gupta who will be stepping down effective 10 April 2022 after serving as MD and CEO of SeQuent for the past eight years. Gupta will continue to serve as a strategic advisor to the company until July 2022.    Narayanan will oversee the company's next phase of growth and expansion. SeQuent is backed by global investment firm Carlyle. With over 25 years of experience, Narayanan has a strong track record of leading revenue and profitability growth across multiple industries including pharmaceuticals. He joins from Sanofi India, where he was the Managing Director and Country Chair for India. At Sanofi, he led the strategic reorientation of its India business operations, resulting in accelerated growth in key therapies and significant transformation of Sanofi’s market operations. Before this, he was Chief Marketing Officer at Airtel, India's leading telecommunications company. Narayanan started his career at Hindustan Unilever, where he held various leadership roles in India and other Asian markets for over 18 years, building and managing many iconic consumer brands.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20357/anurag-yadav-joins-ihh-healthcare-india-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20357/anurag-yadav-joins-ihh-healthcare-india-as-ceo.html Fri, 14 Jan 2022 11:25:00 +0530 Anurag Yadav has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of IHH Healthcare India. Anurag joined IHH Healthcare in April 2017 as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of its India Operations Division, where he oversaw the financial activities of IHH’s network of hospitals in India (excluding Fortis).   As the newly promoted CEO, he will provide leadership and strategic direction to IHH Healthcare India, ensuring that it continues to deepen trust with patients, employees, and other stakeholders, in line with IHH’s vision to be the world’s most trusted healthcare services network.   Yadav held senior leadership roles in Fortis Healthcare and Manipal Health Enterprises.    With over 25 years of experience in business leadership, financial management, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions and post-merger integration, Anurag is well-positioned to take IHH India to its next level of success. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20354/sanofi-indias-md-rajaram-narayanan-to-move-on.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20354/sanofi-indias-md-rajaram-narayanan-to-move-on.html Thu, 13 Jan 2022 18:35:00 +0530 Sanofi India Limited (SIL) announced that its Board of Directors have accepted the resignation of its Managing Director, Rajaram Narayanan, effective close of business hours on April 10, 2022. Narayanan has decided to pursue an opportunity outside of Sanofi. His successor will be appointed in due course.Narayanan joined the company in 2014 as General Manager and was later elevated as Country Lead & Managing Director. During Narayanan’s tenure as Managing Director of Sanofi India, the company has been recognised as a Top Employer for three consecutive years and has also received several recognitions for its initiatives in HR practices, Communications, CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and Public Health. Sanofi India hasbecome an important source of talent for the Sanofi Group, with several employees growing to take on various global roles.Said Aditya Narayan, Chairman of the Board, SIL India, “Under Rajaram’s leadership Sanofi India has successfully implemented a variety of transformational initiatives to deliver market-beating growth in key therapies and significantly improve its overall financials. On behalf of the Board, I thank him for his splendid contribution and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20272/cardiothoracic-specialist-dr-kumud-dhital-joins-sparsh-hospital-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20272/cardiothoracic-specialist-dr-kumud-dhital-joins-sparsh-hospital-.html Wed, 29 Dec 2021 11:20:00 +0530 Globally renowned cardiothoracic specialist and heart and lung transplant surgeon Dr Kumud Dhital has joined Sparsh Group of Hospitals to lead the heart and lung transplant unit at the soon-to-be-launched Sparsh Multi-organ Transplant Centre in RR Nagar, Bengaluru.    With over 24 years of experience as a cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Dhital has been associated with top hospitals across the UK, Europe, and Australia before joining Sparsh. Known for his expertise in complex heart and lung surgeries, Dr Dhital specialises in the management of the end-stage heart and lung failure including heart and lung transplantation as well as in the implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices. He is globally renowned for being the surgical pioneer of DCD (donation after circulatory death) Heart Transplantation, the first series of which he performed as the principal surgeon leading a dedicated team in 2014 at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Australia.    At the Sparsh Multi-organ Transplant Centre, Dr Dhital will build a comprehensive thoracic transplant programme and lead an expert team of specialists to establish Sparsh as a state-of-the-art centre for end-stage heart and lung failure, heart and lung transplantation and mechanical circulatory support.    Dr Kumud Dhital is also an advisor to regional and national transplant-related organisations and assists them in policy formulation. Additionally, he is actively involved in chairing conference sessions, teaching, and advising state, national and international committees on transplant-related activities.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20216/twin-health-appoints-prabh-singh-as-india-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20216/twin-health-appoints-prabh-singh-as-india-ceo.html Fri, 17 Dec 2021 13:55:00 +0530 Singh will head the India operations for strategy, marketing, regulatory, public policy, go-to-market, product, and technology divisions. He will be responsible for scaling Twin Health in India as the country has the second-highest number of lifestyle-related diseases in the world after China. Singh is currently serving as EVP and Head of Subscriptions at the Disney-owned video streaming service Hotstar and will take over his new position at Twin Health in January 2022. Prabh has two decades of consumer and technology experience across India and Asia. He has worked at Hindustan Unilever, Google and most recently with Hotstar, where he is credited for building Hotstar as the #1 subscription service in India and the largest contributor to Disney+ global subscribers. Prabh is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow and College of Business Studies, University of Delhi. Twin Health is backed by Sequoia Capital India, ICONIQ Growth, Perceptive Advisors, Corner Ventures, Tru Arrow Partners, LTS Investments, Helena and Sofina. The health tech firm had recently raised $155 million Series C funding to scale its presence in India and the US.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20160/veeva-systems-appoints-varadarajan-srinivasan-as-gm-for-vault-quality-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20160/veeva-systems-appoints-varadarajan-srinivasan-as-gm-for-vault-quality-in-india.html Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:40:00 +0530 Veeva Systems announced a new leadership hire to deliver leading services that accelerate innovation for the global life sciences industry. Varadarajan 'Raj' Srinivasan has been appointed as the General Manager, Vault Quality, India. Raj Srinivasan is a strategic business leader and partner in the life sciences industry. Srinivasan joins Veeva Systems from Navitas Life Sciences, where he served several large global and India-based pharmaceutical companies. He played a strategic role in helping organisations move from paper-based processes to digital systems for greater efficiency and compliance. Srinivasan said, "I am excited to support the Indian pharma industry to help accelerate quality transformation, leveraging Veeva’s Vault Quality Suite.” Going forward Srinivasan will be responsible for building a large cross-functional team focussed on driving customer success with Veeva’s Vault Quality solutions in India. He will be adding to Veeva’s existing local team of over 100+ employees currently serving both India-based and global pharma customers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20157/eli-lilly-appoints-vineet-gupta-as-gm-of-india-affiliate.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20157/eli-lilly-appoints-vineet-gupta-as-gm-of-india-affiliate.html Thu, 09 Dec 2021 11:15:00 +0530 Eli Lilly and Company (India) has appointed Vineet Gupta as the General Manager of its India subsidiary with effect from January 1, 2022.   Gupta will take over from Luca Visini who served as Managing Director of the company in India from February 2018 to December 2021.    Gupta joined Eli Lilly in 2010 as Marketing Director for India, followed by a role as Corporate Affairs & PRA (Pricing Reimbursement and Access) Director in 2012, and has since served in various strategic leadership roles across multiple countries including General Manager roles in Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia.   He is currently based out of the Lilly Corporate Headquarters in Indianapolis (US).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20149/dr-suresh-jadhav-ed-sii-passes-away.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20149/dr-suresh-jadhav-ed-sii-passes-away.html Wed, 08 Dec 2021 11:05:00 +0530 Dr Suresh Jadhav, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India (SII) recently passed away at the age of 72 in Pune.   Dr Jadhav was instrumental in the development of the CoviShield vaccine for COVID-19 from SII.    Dr Jadhav led the project of development and introduction of Meningococcal A Conjugate Vaccine in Sub-Saharan African belt, the development of Seasonal & Pandemic Influenza Vaccines and also played major role in acquisition of Bilthoven Biologicals, a Netherlands based Govt. Vaccine manufacturing company.   He was associated with Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers’ Network (DCVMN) since its inception in 2000 and was the President of DCVMN from 2003 till 2008. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20137/molbios-dr-chandrasekhar-nair-bags-infosys-prize-2021.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20137/molbios-dr-chandrasekhar-nair-bags-infosys-prize-2021.html Tue, 07 Dec 2021 08:50:00 +0530 Dr Chandrasekhar Nair, Director & CTO of Molbio Diagnostics, was awarded ‘The Infosys Prize 2021’ in the category of Engineering and Computer Science in recognition of the development and large-scale commercialisation of Truenat. The point-of-care testing platform for PCR-based medical diagnostics has been hailed internationally as a breakthrough platform that is a cost-effective, impactful solution in healthcare.Truenat has enabled testing for millions of COVID-19 cases across resource-limited settings in India and diagnosing multiple infectious diseases like tuberculosis, dengue, malaria and more globally. The point-of-care platform is endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for tuberculosis detection globally.Dr Nair has worked with India’s nascent medical device manufacturing ecosystem to eventually set up state-of-the-art facilities to manufacture high-precision plastic test consumables. He spent over a decade primarily translating laboratory technology to scale in fermentation, downstream processing, and natural product chemistry. His interest eventually shifted to in-vitro diagnostics and point-of-care systems.Dr Nair, said, “It is heartening to receive recognition for contribution; it motivates us to innovate further and provide every patient access to best healthcare through cutting edge technologies.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20110/medix-global-appoints-neeloy-roy-chowdhury-as-head-of-sales-and-partnerships-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20110/medix-global-appoints-neeloy-roy-chowdhury-as-head-of-sales-and-partnerships-india.html Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:30:00 +0530 Roy Chowdhury joins the leadership team in India as the company expands its footprint and launches new services in the market. He will be working closely with Sigal Atzmon, Founder and CEO and Jonathan Sternberg, Chief Business Officer, Medix Global.    Roy Chowdhury will lead the gamut of sales and strategic partnerships with insurers, corporates, hospitals, government bodies and other stakeholders. He will be in charge of establishing Medix as a leader for digital-health solutions and management services.    Roy Chowdhury comes with a diverse experience of over 23 years having worked with Xerox India, ICICI Bank, Corbus, ClickSoftware and BlueDolphin.    Roy Chowdhury is an alumnus of Delhi College of Engineering and holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering. He also holds a PGDBM (Marketing & IT) from International Management Institute, Delhi.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20094/philippines-based-metro-pacific-hospital-holdings-appoints-dr-harish-pillai-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20094/philippines-based-metro-pacific-hospital-holdings-appoints-dr-harish-pillai-as-ceo.html Wed, 01 Dec 2021 13:20:00 +0530 Dr Harish Pillai has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc (MPHHI), which manages the largest private hospital network in the Philippines with 19 hospitals and 3750 beds, two allied healthcare colleges, a growing primary care network, oncology centres and a central laboratory.    Dr Pillai will work closely with the Board of Directors to direct and guide the MPHHI management team as it delivers on its clinical, service and business strategy while ensuring alignment and continual improvement in its patient experience, service development, physician and staff engagement and clinical quality.   Before joining MPHHI, Dr Pillai has helped in strategising and managing large-scale healthcare organisations that have helped deliver consistent results in clinical, service and business excellence in countries like India, Egypt and the UAE. He was previously the CEO of Aster India a unit of Aster DM Healthcare and was responsible for the network of 14 hospitals across five states, stand-alone laboratory chains, retail pharmacy and home care.   Dr Pillai is a member of the Joint Commission International (JCI) Standards Advisory Panel; Convenor International Advisory Cell of Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI); National Chair for Medical Value Travel Committee in Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI); visiting faculty at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Indian Institute of Management – Bangalore & Kozhikode, Indian School of Business, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI).  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20071/dr-v-mohan-bags-recognition-as-tamil-nadus-topmost-scientist.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20071/dr-v-mohan-bags-recognition-as-tamil-nadus-topmost-scientist.html Mon, 29 Nov 2021 13:35:00 +0530 Dr V Mohan, President, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) & Chairman, Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, has been recognised as Tamil Nadu’s topmost scientist-cum-researcher in a list compiled and published by Stanford University, Elsevier BV and SciTech Strategies.   A team from Stanford University along with Elsevier BV released an updated list of the Top 2 per cent of scientists worldwide, including the citations of the scientists in 2020. Over 100 scientists from Tamil Nadu were included in the list of Top 2 per cent of scientists. Heading the list of all these scientists, across all categories of science, is Dr Mohan from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation. Dr Mohan has over 1,430 publications to his credit, and which have received 159,000 citations; he also enjoys an h-index of 139.    Dr Mohan has been working in the field of diabetes for over 40 years. He completed his undergraduate (MBBS) and postgraduate medical education (MD, General Medicine) from Madras Medical College, Chennai. He then worked for a year as a Wellcome Trust Research Fellow at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School and Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK, and later for a year as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the University of Ulm, West Germany. He was awarded a Ph D and later a Doctor of Science (D Sc) for his diabetes research.    Dr Mohan has received over 190 awards, including the Dr BC Roy National Award by the Medical Council of India and the Dr BR Ambedkar Centenary Award (the highest award for Biomedical research in India) from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20049/vital-strategies-appoints-lm-singh-as-md-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20049/vital-strategies-appoints-lm-singh-as-md-india.html Wed, 24 Nov 2021 17:30:00 +0530 Vital Strategies has appointed LM Singh as Managing Director, India and Global Head, Partnerships and Innovative Finance. As Managing Director, ingh will work to bring together public and private sectors to collaborate and develop novel models of financing mechanisms to support solutions to address key public health challenges.    LM Singh, MD, Vital Strategies, India said, "I look forward to our continued collaboration with the government and other stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem to drive scalable and sustainable solutions to issues like urban health, tobacco use and non-communicable disease prevention.”   In his new role as Managing Director India and Global Head, Partnerships and Innovative Finance, Singh will oversee the financial, human, and operational functions of the India office, provide thought leadership, ensure financial viability and overall sustainability of the organisation, and co-create innovative solutions to India’s public health challenges. He will also focus on developing and sustaining partnerships with the government, the private sector, and the public sector to advance the mission of Vital Strategies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19998/dr-gangadhar-m-warke-founder-cmd-himedia-labs-bags-msi-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19998/dr-gangadhar-m-warke-founder-cmd-himedia-labs-bags-msi-award.html Thu, 18 Nov 2021 11:40:00 +0530 The Microbiologists Society of India (MSI) has awarded Dr Gangadhar M Warke, Founder & CMD, HiMedia Laboratories with the ‘First Fellow of MSI’. The fellowship was awarded in appreciation for his extensive contribution towards the Indian microbiology industry, and allied sciences, his outstanding direction, leadership and dedicated services as the founder of the media making giant. The fellowship was presented by Prof KRS Sambasivarao, Vice-Chancellor, Mizoram University, in presence of Prof Arvind Deshmukh, President, Microbiologists Society, India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19984/wolters-kluwer-appoints-greg-samios-and-dr-peter-bonis-in-team.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19984/wolters-kluwer-appoints-greg-samios-and-dr-peter-bonis-in-team.html Tue, 16 Nov 2021 14:45:00 +0530   Wolters Kluwer Health has appointed Gregory Samios as President & CEO, Clinical Effectiveness and Dr Peter Bonis as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the division, effective December 1, 2021.  Samios succeeds Dr Denise Basow, who moved out after 25 years of service. Samios brings decades of experience as a customer-focused executive in the healthcare and legal information sectors. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of Health Learning, Research & Practice (HLRP). Previously, he held executive leadership roles at Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, Reed Elsevier, Excerpta Medica, and Elsevier Health Sciences. Samios earned an MBA at Duke University and graduated from the University of Rochester with a BS and MS in Engineering. Dr Bonis, who has served as Chief Medical Officer of Clinical Effectiveness since 2015, will now expand his scope to oversee division-wide industry partnerships, research and development initiatives, and deep collaborations with customers and partners. He was instrumental in the development of UpToDate into the leading clinical decision support tool used by doctors globally. Dr Bonis is a graduate of Harvard University and New York University School of Medicine. He was an assistant professor at Yale University School of Medicine and is currently an adjunct professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19982/ram-yeleswarapu-joins-indegene-clinical-as-svp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19982/ram-yeleswarapu-joins-indegene-clinical-as-svp.html Tue, 16 Nov 2021 12:25:00 +0530 Ram Yeleswarapu, a leading executive with over 25 years of experience in the life sciences industry joined Indegene Clinical as SVP. Before joining Indegene, Yeleswarapu was the President of Navitas Life Sciences, a full-service global CRO. Yeleswarapu said, “I am excited to join Indegene at a time when many healthcare organisations are recognising immediate value from digital transformation. I realised the tremendous potential to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of clinical development while working with many startups focusing on developing technologies suited for decentralised clinical trials, clinical decision support and process orchestration across clinical research."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19925/google-doodle-honours-cell-biologist-dr-kamal-ranadive.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19925/google-doodle-honours-cell-biologist-dr-kamal-ranadive.html Tue, 09 Nov 2021 09:50:00 +0530 Google Doodle honoured Dr Kamal Ranadive for her groundbreaking cancer research. Marking her 104th birth anniversary, the doodle was illustrated by India-based artist Ibrahim Rayintakath and shows Dr Ranadive looking at a microscope.Kamal Samarath also better known as Kamal Ranadive was born in 1917 in Pune. In 1949, she received a doctorate in cytology, the study of cells, while working as a researcher in the Indian Cancer Research Center (ICRC). After a fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, she returned to Mumbai (then Bombay) and the ICRC, where she established the country’s first tissue culture laboratory.Ranadive proposed a link between breast cancer and heredity and to identify the links among cancers and certain viruses. In 1973, Dr Ranadive and 11 colleagues founded the Indian Women Scientists’ Association (IWSA) to support women in scientific fields. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19903/omega-healthcare-appoints-anurag-mehta-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19903/omega-healthcare-appoints-anurag-mehta-as-ceo.html Wed, 03 Nov 2021 08:15:00 +0530 Omega Healthcare Management Services, a provider of technology-enabled business process services across the healthcare ecosystem, has appointed Co-Founder and President Anurag Mehta as the CEO. The current CEO, Gopi Natarajan has decided to retire after 18 years of leading the firm.    With more than 20 years of experience within the healthcare industry, Mehta will be instrumental in driving the company’s next phase of expansion. As a co-founder of Omega, Mehta has a deep understanding of the business and is well poised to spearhead the organisation into its next phase of growth with his strong leadership and extensive healthcare industry relationships.   Omega also announced that a current member of the Board of Directors, Sumithra Gomatam, has been appointed as the Executive Chair of the Omega board. Sumithra brings over 30 years of experience in the information technology and business process services industry. She most recently held several senior roles at Cognizant, a publicly-listed global professional services company, where she spent over 24 years. At Cognizant, she was President of Digital Operations, which she scaled to nearly $2 Billion in revenues and transformed to be technology-driven with Intelligent Process Automation and Platforms and a significant focus on Healthcare and Big Tech clients.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19880/hester-biosciences-appoints-priya-gandhi-as-executive-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19880/hester-biosciences-appoints-priya-gandhi-as-executive-director.html Fri, 29 Oct 2021 16:55:00 +0530 Hester Biosciences has appointed Priya Gandhi as Executive Director in the company. Priya Gandhi joined Hester Biosciences in the year 2016 and has worked since then from being an officer to a Deputy Director, before being inducted into the board. Gandhi is currently part of the team which is involved in designing Hester’s strategic direction besides being involved in day-to-day business operations. In addition, she also directs the company’s communication and brand management. She has played an active role in setting up the manufacturing plant and the business activities in Hester Africa. Gandhi has done her Under-Graduation from Srishti School of Art, Design and Post-Graduation in Management for Family Business from Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19867/dr-rajesh-gokhale-to-replace-dr-renu-swarup-as-dbt-secretary.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19867/dr-rajesh-gokhale-to-replace-dr-renu-swarup-as-dbt-secretary.html Thu, 28 Oct 2021 14:35:00 +0530 Dr Rajesh Gokhale has been appointed as the Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India. He succeeds Dr Renu Swarup who retires on October 31, 2021.Dr Gokhale is currently a professor at the Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune and is known for his studies on the metabolic diversity of pathogens. He is credited with the discovery of a family of long-chain fatty acyl-AMP Ligases.Dr Gokhale is a fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, the Indian National Science Academy and the National Academy of Sciences. He has been awarded Swarnajayanti Fellowship, Dr Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, the National bio Science award for career development and the Infosys prize in Life Sciences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19851/citiustech-names-bhaskar-sambasivan-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19851/citiustech-names-bhaskar-sambasivan-as-ceo.html Wed, 27 Oct 2021 14:15:00 +0530   CitiusTech announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Bhaskar Sambasivan as Chief Executive Officer effective November 1, 2021. Sambasivan joined CitiusTech as President in May 2021 and has been working with Rizwan Koita, CEO, as part of a structured leadership transition process. Before joining CitiusTech, Sambasivan was the President of Patient Services and Chief Strategy Officer of EVERSANA, a leading life sciences platform company. He spent close to 15 years at Cognizant as the Global Head of Life Sciences. Before Cognizant, he spent many years with Siebel/Oracle and PricewaterhouseCoopers in key leadership roles. Sambasivan was recognised as a PharmaVOICE Top 100 leader in both 2017 and 2018 for his industry contributions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19844/sudarshan-jain-secretary-general-ipa-joins-iihmr-university-as-chairperson.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19844/sudarshan-jain-secretary-general-ipa-joins-iihmr-university-as-chairperson.html Tue, 26 Oct 2021 17:00:00 +0530 Sudarshan Jain took over as the Chairperson of IIHMR University, Jaipur, a post-graduate research University. Dr PR Sodani, President, IIHMR University welcomed the new chairperson Sudarshan Jain in a formal function organised in the university.    Dr Sodani said that the IIHMR University will be able to achieve new heights in the higher education space under the dynamic leadership of Jain. He has been instrumental in shaping healthcare policies and improving access to healthcare with government and global partners.    Sudarshan Jain is the Secretary-General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, Senior Advisor - Apax Partners and Board member of multiple organisations. Jain is also the Chair of the International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (IGBA) for 2021. He has served in several leadership positions for over 40 years in the healthcare industry and was formerly the Managing Director at Abbott Healthcare Solutions.   Jain, said, “I feel very privileged to take on this role at such an exciting time for our country, where the needs of healthcare are increasing rapidly, and we will be working towards developing IIHMR University into the healthcare hub of India."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19831/healthminds-consulting-appoints-dr-lt-bg-ravindranath-kunjithai-as-vp-of-strategy-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19831/healthminds-consulting-appoints-dr-lt-bg-ravindranath-kunjithai-as-vp-of-strategy-growth.html Mon, 25 Oct 2021 15:15:00 +0530 Healthminds Consulting has announced the appointment of Dr Lt Col B G Ravindranath Kunjithai as the Vice President of Strategy & Growth. Dr Kunjithai will be responsible for driving business strategy and identifying new growth avenues.   Dr Kunjithai is an ophthalmologist and was from the Indian Armed Forces Medical Services. After his premature retirement from the army, he has remained associated with the pharma industry for the past 15 years. He has valuable work experience in the medical communication domain. He has also worked with leading Indian and global pharma companies like Indegene, Biocon, Novartis and Sayre Therapeutics and made meaningful contributions. He has a rich understanding of clinical science and its appropriate application in the pharma and medical devices Industry.   Speaking on the appointment, Dr Chinmaya Chigateri, CEO, Healthminds Consulting said,” We are excited about the appointment of Dr Kunjithai and look forward to working with him. He joins us at a time when the company is ready to shift gears and move to an accelerated phase of growth. We hope to draw on his medical acumen and rich experience and expect the appointment to make a material difference to our business outcomes.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19823/csafe-global-appoints-ravindra-rao-director-of-life-science-sales-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19823/csafe-global-appoints-ravindra-rao-director-of-life-science-sales-india.html Sat, 23 Oct 2021 11:30:00 +0530 CSafe Global, the innovation leader in temperature-controlled container solutions for the transport of life-enhancing pharmaceuticals, has appointed Ravindra Rao as Director of Life Science Sales – India.     “Rao brings more than 25 years experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry in India and has a deep understanding of customer environments, workflows and business processes,” said Scott Garchar, CSafe Global senior director of life sciences – Asia Pacific. “He will be a tremendous resource and asset to CSafe customers across the country and we are thrilled to have him on board.”    Rao comes to CSafe from Cytiva (formerly GE-Life Sciences) where he served as the commercial general manager for South Asia managing business from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal Bhutan and Maldives. Before his 12 years with Cytiva, he held varying sales roles at companies such as Toshvin Shimadzu Corporation and Bio-Rad Laboratories India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19792/excelra-appoints-sudip-nandy-to-its-board-of-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19792/excelra-appoints-sudip-nandy-to-its-board-of-directors.html Wed, 20 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0530 Data and analytics provider for life science organisations Excelra announced the appointment of Sudip Nandy to the company's board of directors. Nandy holds a Bachelors' Degree in Physics with Honors from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, and another one in Electrical Technology and Electronics from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. He also has an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.      Nandy is an acclaimed business leader with over 30 years of experience in global strategy, enterprise building, and investments. He is currently a senior advisor and has previously served as managing director and operating partner at private equity firm ChrysCapital, a leading investment firm with approximately $4 billion of assets under management. During his tenure as Operating partner, he was Executive Chairman of California headquartered Infogain Corporation and Board Member at Liquid Hub, a part of Capgemini. In addition, Nandy is a Director on the Board of GeBBS Healthcare that provides revenue cycle management services for healthcare providers in the United States of America.   Earlier, Nandy was the CEO and Chairman (India) for Aricent, a KKR owned company. As the former Chief Strategy Officer and Head of M&A at Wipro, he led several mergers and acquisitions that enabled the company to become one of the leading IT services firms globally. During his tenure at Wipro, he was also the President of Technology, Media & Telecom SBU and led the high-growth global business unit focused on Engineering Services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19775/paras-healthcare-appoints-vineet-aggarwal-as-cio-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19775/paras-healthcare-appoints-vineet-aggarwal-as-cio-.html Sat, 16 Oct 2021 14:45:00 +0530 Paras Healthcare has announced the appointment of Vineet Aggarwal as the Chief Information Officer (CIO). Aggarwal will review and supervise the technical roadmap, key functions and technical indicators of the company's business divisions.   Aggarwal brings with him an extensive experience of 18 years in managing the overall functioning of the IT department across – strategy, tech innovation and development, service operations and information security. In his previous role at SRL Diagnostics, he was working as the Head of Information Technology. Before that, he worked as Head Enterprise Applications, Head IT Governance and CISO with Indus Towers.    Vineet Aggarwal is BE in Computer Science from MD University. He has also pursued Management Development Programme in Enterprise Solutions from IIM Ahmedabad. Apart from that, he is a certified lead auditor for ISO 27001 standards. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19756/aster-aadhar-hospital-kolhapur-appoints-dr-bharat-shah-as-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19756/aster-aadhar-hospital-kolhapur-appoints-dr-bharat-shah-as-coo.html Tue, 12 Oct 2021 15:50:00 +0530 Aster Aadhar Hospital, Kolhapur has announced the appointment of Dr Bharat Shah as Chief Operating Officer. In his role, Dr Shah would be driving daily operations and overseeing the development and implementation of long-term business strategy, growth, plans, and objectives for Aster Aadhar Hospital.  With more than 20 years of work experience in the hospital industry, Dr Shah has spent 16 years in hospital management and four years in clinical practice. He has provided both operational and strategic leadership in various roles at healthcare organisations in the country. Prior to his appointment as COO, Dr Shah served as Deputy General Manager at a Mumbai hospital. Dr Shah was awarded a Masters in Hospital Administration from ASCI- Hinduja Institute of Healthcare Management, Hyderabad and a Degree in Homoeopathic Medicine from the Ministry of Health, Government of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19751/dr-randeep-guleria-bags-lal-bahadur-shastri-national-award-for-excellence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19751/dr-randeep-guleria-bags-lal-bahadur-shastri-national-award-for-excellence.html Mon, 11 Oct 2021 18:20:00 +0530 The Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu presented the 22nd Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence to the eminent pulmonologist and Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Dr Randeep Guleria at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas.   Congratulating Dr Guleria on being conferred the award Naidu said, “I cannot think of a worthier recipient for this distinguished award instituted in the name of one of the greatest sons of India."   Anil Shastri, Chairman, Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, Praveen Gupta, Director, Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management and others were present on the occasion.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19728/mumbai-based-urologist-dr-pankaj-maheshwari-bags-urology-gold-medal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19728/mumbai-based-urologist-dr-pankaj-maheshwari-bags-urology-gold-medal.html Fri, 08 Oct 2021 17:05:00 +0530 Dr Pankaj Nandkishore Maheshwari, Consultant Urologist, Fortis Hospital Mulund and honorary assistant professor of Urology at Grant Medical College has won the Urology Gold Medal award for the year 2020 for his exemplary services in the field of urology was held in Goa recently, during the conference of the West Zone chapter of the Urological Society of India. Dr Maheshwari has contributed to society through multiple medical camps, awareness programmes, NGOs like Lions Club and educational articles in newsletters.   Dr Maheshwari has to his credit more than 60 publications in national and international journals and has a wide experience of management of urinary calculus disease patients. He is a pioneer in the use of Holmium Laser in urology in India. He started performing Holmium Laser enucleation of the prostate for management of benign enlargement of the prostate in late 1998. He popularised Holmium Laser enucleation of the Prostate across India and has been one of the initial persons to start therapeutic flexible Ureteroscopy in India. He has demonstrated HoLEP in most major centres in India, Bangladesh and Kunming in China and has delivered nearly a hundred guest lectures in national and regional conferences.   He was invited as a faculty member to various international Urology society meetings like Society Internationale Urology, European Urology, World Endo-urology Congress, Society Internationale Urology, Singapore Urology Association, Indian section of American Urology Association, Golden Bridge Urology Association at Kunming & Vietnam Urology & Nephrology association.    His written work is said to be quite compelling and informative. His eight publications are quoted in the Campbell textbook of Urology. Being a member of the editorial board of the Indian Journal of Urology, he has reviewed more than 20 national and international Urology and medical journals.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19717/germanys-benjamin-list-and-david-wc-macmillan-from-us-receive-nobel-prize-in-chemistry-2021.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19717/germanys-benjamin-list-and-david-wc-macmillan-from-us-receive-nobel-prize-in-chemistry-2021.html Wed, 06 Oct 2021 18:45:00 +0530 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences will award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021 to Benjamin List, Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany and  David WC MacMillan, Princeton University, USA for the development of asymmetric organocatalysis.   Benjamin List and David MacMillan are awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021 because in 2000 they, independent of each other, developed a third type of catalysis. It is called asymmetric organocatalysis and builds upon small organic molecules.   “This concept for catalysis is as simple as it is ingenious, and the fact is that many people have wondered why we didn’t think of it earlier,” says Johan Åqvist, who is chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.   Benjamin List, born in 1968 in Frankfurt, Germany. Did his Ph.D. in 1997 from Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. Director of the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.   David WC MacMillan, born in 1968 in Bellshill, UK. Did his Ph.D. 1996 from University of California, Irvine, USA. Professor at Princeton University, USA.   10 million Swedish kronor will be shared equally between the laureates. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19702/samina-hamied-executive-vice-chairman-cipla-takes-charge-as-vp-at-ipa.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19702/samina-hamied-executive-vice-chairman-cipla-takes-charge-as-vp-at-ipa.html Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:50:00 +0530 Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) has appointed Samina Hamied, Executive Vice Chairman, Cipla as the new Vice President. Hamied is the Executive Vice-Chairperson of Cipla and represents the third generation of the founding family of Cipla. Hamied earned an MSc in International Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She worked in the UK and the US with the leading global firm Goldman Sachs before joining the Cipla leadership team in 2011 as a member of the management team. In 2013, she was designated as 'Head Strategic Projects – Cipla New Ventures.' She was appointed as an Executive Director of the Company w.e.f. July 10, 2015 and subsequently she was elevated as the Executive Vice-Chairperson of the Company, w.e.f. September 1, 2016. She has been instrumental in driving the company’s current transformation agenda. Hamied has played a key role in successfully incubating and shaping Cipla Health Limited, and spearheading Cipla’s ambitious foray into the US market with strategic acquisitions. She has built a top-class leadership pipeline for the company as it continues to spread its wings globally. As Executive Vice-Chairperson, she focuses on Board and governance issues, in addition to furthering Cipla’s strategic priorities through key global partnerships, corporate culture, hiring right talent, and public advocacy. Hamied said, “Pleased to receive this opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the healthcare ecosystem and unlocking significant growth opportunities. I am looking forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders of the industry to ensure sustainable, resilient and agile operations and create a positive difference in the lives of patients.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19700/ipa-appoints-samir-mehta-chairman-torrent-group-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19700/ipa-appoints-samir-mehta-chairman-torrent-group-as-president.html Tue, 05 Oct 2021 11:20:00 +0530 Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) has appointed Samir Mehta, Chairman of Torrent Group as President of the IPA for 2021-2023. Under his leadership, Torrent Pharma took several strategic initiatives, including forays into new therapies and geographies, large investments in product development infrastructure and capabilities, building state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and acquisitions. His emphasis on professional organisational design, precise execution and operational efficiencies has built a strong and globally competitive generic business platform in Torrent Pharma. A fine blend of business acumen and cautious entrepreneurial optimism, Mehta has positively influenced aspects of the Group culture with his contemporary outlook and innovative ideas.  Mehta said, “COVID 19 has been a challenging time for the Indian pharmaceutical industry. However, the industry has risen to the challenges and ensured a continuous supply of medicines to patients. The pandemic has further highlighted the significance of collaboration, access to affordable medicines and innovation to respond to the country’s healthcare needs. IPA will be collaborating with stakeholders to strengthen the accessibility of medicines and help in creating an innovation ecosystem that will be beneficial to the patients.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19686/dr-prashant-garg-joins-lv-prasad-eye-institute-as-executive-chair-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19686/dr-prashant-garg-joins-lv-prasad-eye-institute-as-executive-chair-.html Fri, 01 Oct 2021 17:30:00 +0530 LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) announced that Dr Prashant Garg will be the Executive Chair of LV Prasad Eye Institute, succeeding Dr Gullapalli N Rao.    Dr Prashant Garg is an internationally renowned leader in corneal infections, anti-microbial resistance and eye banking. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards, both national and international, he is on the boards of several international organisations, societies and scientific journals. His association with LVPEI dates back to 1996 when he joined the Institute as a Cornea Fellow.    In these 25 years, he has held several leadership positions in the organization including Director, Kallam Anji Reddy campus - the Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad; Director, Kode Venkatadri Chowdary campus in Vijayawada; Network Head of Eye Banking; and Head of Education. He also holds the Dr Paul Dubord Chair of Cornea.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19680/nativ-segev-joins-hempstreet-advisory-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19680/nativ-segev-joins-hempstreet-advisory-board.html Thu, 30 Sep 2021 17:55:00 +0530 Nativ Segev, Founder, MGC Pharmaceuticals, has joined the advisory board of HempStreet. Segev is an internationally acclaimed name in the global medicinal cannabis space. He also played a role in medical cannabis regulation in Israel and the Czech Republic, alongside developing new medical treatments and spearheading the discovery of new strains. He founded MGC Pharmaceuticals to expand into the huge worldwide market for cannabinoids in the pharmaceutical industry.   HempStreet is India’s first and largest research to retail venture in the Medicinal Cannabis sector.   Abhishek Mohan, Founder, HempStreet said, "His deep understanding of the pulse of the global market and visionary approach will be invaluable to us as we explore new opportunities and step into our next phase of growth."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19614/healthium-medtech-appoints-ajay-gupta-and-namrata-kaul-on-board-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19614/healthium-medtech-appoints-ajay-gupta-and-namrata-kaul-on-board-.html Thu, 23 Sep 2021 11:40:00 +0530 Healthium Medtech has announced the elevation of board member Ajay Gupta to the Chairman of the Board and has also appointed Namrata Kaul as an Independent Board member. Gupta and Kaul along with the other board of directors will continue to guide Healthium Medtech to achieve profitable growth and provide surgeons and patients globally with cost-effective, high-quality medical devices. The appointments will also strengthen governance, leverage a wealth of industry knowledge, provide critical outside-in perspectives and creative ideas, to help the company achieve its vision and strategic goals. Gupta holds a bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Leland Stanford Junior University. He brings more than 28 years of global management consulting experience. Previously, Gupta was a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company. Kaul holds a post-graduate diploma in management from The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. She has also been awarded the Chevening Gurukul scholarship in a leadership and excellence programme by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to study at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Previously, Kaul was working with ANZ Grindlays Bank and the Deutsche Bank.Anish Bafna, CEO and MD, Healthium Medtech, said, “I am confident that their broad-based expertise and strategic insights will continue to add great value to our Board and operations.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19529/atul-soneja-joins-citiustech-as-president-operations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19529/atul-soneja-joins-citiustech-as-president-operations.html Thu, 09 Sep 2021 12:45:00 +0530 CitiusTech announced the appointment of Atul Soneja as President - Operations. Soneja will focus on strengthening CitiusTech’s delivery organization, including its proficiency teams and corporate functions, to drive operational quality, scalability, and service delivery excellence.   “Soneja brings to CitiusTech an impressive set of leadership capabilities and experience across technology delivery and product development,” said Rizwan Koita, Co-founder and CEO, CitiusTech.    Soneja has over 26 years of experience in building and scaling technology products and services organizations across the globe. Before joining CitiusTech, Soneja was the Global Head of EdgeVerve, a subsidiary of Infosys that focused on AI and automation products and platforms. Before EdgeVerve, he handled multi-billion-Dollar IT services businesses at Infosys, across multiple industry verticals like financial services, manufacturing and retail.   “As a healthcare technology leader, CitiusTech combines digital technology, healthcare domain expertise and global delivery capabilities to accelerate innovation at scale," said Soneja.   Jagdish Moorjani, Co-founder and COO, CitiusTech, "His deep understanding of global technology services and products along with his strong expertise in digital transformation will enable us to scale our organisation, drive innovation in digital health, and continue to serve our clients with exceptional collaboration.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19519/jubilant-biosys-appoints-giuliano-perfetti-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19519/jubilant-biosys-appoints-giuliano-perfetti-as-ceo.html Tue, 07 Sep 2021 15:20:00 +0530 Jubilant Biosys announced the appointment of Giuliano Perfetti as its Chief Executive Officer. Perfetti has more than 20 years of experience across diverse businesses and global markets with expertise in strategy, sales, marketing and business development. He has led business transformation and expansion programmes working in reputed names including Accenture and Astrazeneca among others.    Before joining Jubilant Biosys, Perfetti was associated with Fabbrica Italiana Sintetici (F.I.S) as Chief Commercial Officer and was responsible for strategising and executing the company's growth plan and ramping up the global scale-up and commercial service business.     Shyam S Bhartia, Chairman and Hari S Bhartia Co-Chairman and MD, Jubilant Pharmova, said, "Jubilant Biosys is delighted to have Giuliano come on board as we make rapid progress in expanding our drug discovery services and CDMO business through investments in infrastructure and new capacity."   "I am thrilled to be joining the Jubilant Bhartia Group at such a pivotal time of growth and investment bringing a fully integrated offering from drug discovery to development and commercial production," said Perfetti on his appointment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19483/dr-renu-swarup-takes-additional-charge-as-dst-secretary.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19483/dr-renu-swarup-takes-additional-charge-as-dst-secretary.html Wed, 01 Sep 2021 08:00:00 +0530 The government has approved assignment of additional charge of the post of Secretary, Department of Science & Technology (DST) to Dr Renu Swarup, currently serving as the Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) with immediate effect and till appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier. She recently received an extension in her tenure of DBT Secretary for a period of six months beyond 30.04.2021 i.e. upto 31.10. 2021, until further orders. She has served in the Department of Biotechnology for nearly 29 years and was holding the position of Senior Advisor/Scientist ‘H’ till she was appointed a Secretary to Government of India on 10th April, 2018.  A PhD in Genetics and Plant Breeding, Dr Renu Swarup has also been closely involved in programmes and activities related to Women and Science. She was responsible for getting implemented the DBT Scheme on Biotechnology Career Advancement for Women Scientists – Bio CARE. She was also a member of the Task Force on Women in Science constituted by the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19434/dr-bk-misra-bags-aans-international-lifetime-achievement-award-in-neurosurgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19434/dr-bk-misra-bags-aans-international-lifetime-achievement-award-in-neurosurgery.html Wed, 25 Aug 2021 15:30:00 +0530 Dr BK Misra, Head of the Department of Surgery, Head, Division of Neurosurgery & Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, PD Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, received the International Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) at its Annual Scientific Meeting 2021, Orlando. He is the first Indian ever to be bestowed with this award.    Dr Misra is Honorary President of Asian Australasian Society of Neurological Surgeons (AASNS), is the first Vice President of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS), and President of the World Federation of Skull Base Societies, all leading international neurosurgical societies.   Dr Misra was the first to execute Image-Guided Aneurysm Microsurgery globally and the first in South Asia to perform Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. Acoustic Neuroma Surgery, Vascular Neurosurgery (Aneurysm, AVM), Skull Base Surgery, Pituitary Surgery, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, Awake Craniotomy, Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, and Surgery of Complex Brain and Spine Disorder are among Dr BK Misra's areas of expertise in neurosurgical patient care. He was the first neurosurgeon to do Awake Craniotomy for brain tumours in India. He's also the recipient of the Dr BC Roy National Award as Eminent Medical Person of the Year, 2018 (the Highest Medical Award in India).  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19418/portea-medical-appoints-meena-ganesh-as-chairperson-and-vaibhav-tewari-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19418/portea-medical-appoints-meena-ganesh-as-chairperson-and-vaibhav-tewari-as-ceo.html Mon, 23 Aug 2021 11:35:00 +0530 Portea Medical announced the appointment of the founder Meena Ganesh as the Chairperson and of Vaibhav Tewari as the company’s CEO. In her new capacity, Ganesh will be building strategy, M&A, driving advocacy and relationships with stakeholders such as institutional partners, government bodies, investors and external communication. Tewari will be working on company growth, strategy roll-out, building business and deploying technologies.    The new appointments have been made to further synergies and streamline Portea’s operations in the new normal, and efficiently activate the 2023 growth strategy of the organisation. As the leading brand in its domain, Portea is now all set to move forward with a three-pronged approach: Transform Current Business with Digital Adoption, Rapid Geographical Expansion and Digital Led Business.    Ganesh, Chairperson, Portea Medical, said, “Tewari and I have worked in tandem since the outset, and now it is a great opportunity for us to take Portea forward with him as the CEO.”   Tewari, CEO, Portea Medical, said, “We have created our strategic vision for 2023 to take our digital-first healthcare services to more people and territories across India. At the same time, we will use automation and other technologies to enhance the experience of people availing our services as well as our on-ground caregivers. Portea has achieved the leadership position courtesy of its service excellence and we plan to continue with this momentum.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19363/wilson-kello-joins-hempstreets-advisory-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19363/wilson-kello-joins-hempstreets-advisory-board.html Fri, 13 Aug 2021 10:55:00 +0530 HempStreet, India's first and largest research to retail venture in the medicinal cannabis space, announced that Wilson Kello, an internationally acclaimed creative polymath, has joined their advisory board.    With a career of over two decades, Kello has launched a range of durable goods and CPGs. In his past role at Collective Growth Corporation, which was a SPAC founded by legal cannabis pioneers Bruce Linton and Geoff Whaling, he was responsible for marketing, business development and content creation. Previously, he advised the top management at Canopy Growth Corporation on brand direction.   A graduate in English literature and Art History from Swarthmore College, Kello believes in creating powerful narratives through learned experiences and other story-telling techniques that resonate with consumers and businesses. He believes in creating and sustaining unique brand identities built on effective messaging to the relevant audiences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19358/kamlesh-kumar-pant-takes-charge-as-nppa-chairman.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19358/kamlesh-kumar-pant-takes-charge-as-nppa-chairman.html Thu, 12 Aug 2021 15:05:00 +0530 1993-batch IAS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre Kamlesh Kumar Pant has been appointed as the chairperson of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) by the Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet. NPPA is the agency in charge of monitoring pharmaceutical pricing. The pharmaceutical pricing agency was being headed by IAS officer Shubhra Singh, who was appointed as the chairperson in 2018.Pant, formerly the Principal Secretary (Revenue) in the government of Himachal Pradesh and also the Financial Commissioner (Appeals) at Himachal Pradesh and the head of the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board, has taken charge of NPPA with immediate effect. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19339/doceree-appoints-gareth-shaw-as-president-uk-and-europe.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19339/doceree-appoints-gareth-shaw-as-president-uk-and-europe.html Tue, 10 Aug 2021 19:00:00 +0530 Doceree has announced a global expansion with the establishment of European headquarters in the UK. Doceree has appointed Gareth Shaw as President, UK and Europe, to lead its entry into its third market.    After spending nearly a decade at PulsePoint, with his most recent responsibility as General Manager, Global Programmatic, Shaw joins Doceree to become the head of the organisation’s operations in the UK and Europe to grow the online healthcare professional (HCP) messaging sector across the region. As a digital marketing veteran in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, Shaw has vast experience in sales categories across digital media and advertising technology sectors.     “The global presence of Doceree has continued our rapid growth as we span to our third continent within 15 months of our origination,” said Harshit Jain MD, Founder and Global CEO, Doceree. “The sophistication of our platform capabilities has led marketers and publishers to flourish in the US and India. With Gareth’s industry acumen, he’s a tremendous addition to our team to lead our European ventures as we transform the way pharmaceutical and healthcare brands communicate with HCPs worldwide on point-of-care and endemic platforms.”      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19325/stelis-biopharma-appoints-mark-w-womack-as-ceo-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19325/stelis-biopharma-appoints-mark-w-womack-as-ceo-.html Mon, 09 Aug 2021 14:35:00 +0530 Stelis Biopharma, a vertically integrated biopharma and vaccines company and the biotech arm of Strides Pharma Science, announced the appointment of Mark W Womack (Mark) as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).    Mark is the MD designate and shall be inducted to the Board later subject to necessary statutory clearances and processes. As the company's CEO and MD, Mark will provide strong leadership to drive an aggressive growth and profitability strategy for Stelis in its business streams that include global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) services and the development of the company's biosimilars pipeline, and integrated vaccines play. He will be responsible for the Company's overall strategy and provide the necessary direction and dynamic leadership to R&D, manufacturing, business development, and commercial operations.   Commenting on the development, Arun Kumar, Founder, Strides Group, said, "We are delighted to onboard Mark as the new CEO of Stelis. Stelis stands on the cusp of a transition to become a globally recognised biopharmaceutical company while targeting significant growth in the coming years. Mark's strong background in commercial leadership, rich management consulting experience, and network within the biotech CDMO space make him exceptionally well suited to drive this transition for Stelis. We are confident that together Mark and his leadership team will take Stelis through the next level of growth, profitability and industry-leading reputation."   Mark is an organisation builder with a track record of delivering unprecedented performance and growth in his previous roles. Before joining Stelis, Mark was the Chief Business Officer (CBO) for AGC Biologics (AGC), one of the world's leading global biopharmaceutical CDMOs. In his role at AGC, Mark led the organisation to nearly a 3x increase in new sales in just two years and drove the acquisition of most of the world's top large pharma companies into their portfolio. Before that, leveraging his management consulting background, Mark led the global integration of three former CDMOs that were merged to create AGC Biologics.   Mark has served over 25 years as a management consulting industry leader and C-level client advisor, leading large-scale business transformations and guiding many of the world's renowned companies to achieve record highs in revenue and profit. During this time, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for two international management consulting companies.   Before joining the management consulting industry, Mark led a succession of US Navy units to unprecedented results, including serving as a combat centre leader on a destroyer class ship. Mark is a US citizen, and he will be based at the company's corporate headquarter in Bengaluru. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19238/emcure-pharma-adds-independent-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19238/emcure-pharma-adds-independent-directors.html Tue, 27 Jul 2021 17:00:00 +0530 Emcure Pharmaceuticals has recently added four independent directors with a wealth of knowledge and experience in various fields. The new additions include Dr Shailesh Ayyangar, Vijay Gokhale, Hitesh Jain and Dr Vidya Yeravdekar. Earlier this year, Berjis Desai had taken over the chairman of Emcure Board. The company has had a long-standing tradition of appointing a Chairman from amongst its independent directors since 1997.   The additions to the leadership team for Emcure Pharmaceuticals, reflect its commitment towards enriching its expertise and strengthening its operations for future growth. The new members’ collective strength across legal, pharma spectrum, policy developments and academics will provide additional thrust to Emcure’s growth trajectory.     Commenting on the appointments, Satish Mehta, MD and CEO, Emcure Pharmaceuticals said, “We are delighted to have highly accomplished industry stalwarts as part of our board. New members’ combined experience and wider perspective from their respective fields, will play an instrumental role in strengthening our strategic operations to grow in domestic and international markets. It is an exciting time for the organisation, and we look forward to achieving newer heights with our new members on board.”   Emcure’s Chairman and Independent Director, Desai has been associated with Emcure Pharmaceuticals for over three decades. Dr Ayyangar appointed as Additional Director comes with an extensive experience of 34 years in healthcare and pharmaceutical. Gokhale appointed as Independent Director was in the Indian Foreign Service since 1981. Jain, appointed as Independent Director, is an alumnus of London School of Economics in 1996 and Dr Vidya Yeravdekar appointed as Independent Director is the Principal Director of Symbiosis Society, and the Pro-Chancellor of Symbiosis International University.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19139/emcure-pharma-appoints-naveen-soni-as-director-corp-comm-public-relations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19139/emcure-pharma-appoints-naveen-soni-as-director-corp-comm-public-relations.html Mon, 12 Jul 2021 15:25:00 +0530 Emcure Pharmaceuticals has appointed Naveen Soni as Director – Corporate Communications & Public Relations. His responsibilities include overseeing communications for Emcure Pharmaceuticals. Soni comes with over two decades of multi-sector experience in corporate communications, strategic business advocacy, marketing and business journalism. Formerly, Soni has also held communication portfolios in leadership positions with leading Indian MNCs such as UPL, Welspun Group, Wadia Group, Hubtown, and PUG India wherein he was responsible for driving strategic communications and crafting internal and external stakeholder engagement programmes. Before foraying into the corporate side, he has been an award-winning anchor-Journalist with India’s leading business channels including CNBC TV18 and Zee Business. During his media stint, he was responsible for planning, conceptualising and hosting popular shows on stock markets and personal finance.Commenting on the appointment, Satish Mehta, MD and CEO, Emcure Pharmaceuticals said, “I am delighted to welcome Soni to the team and look forward to working with him as he heads our communication strategy. We are pleased to have a veteran like Naveen on board with us.”Sharing his comments on the appointment, Soni said, “It’s a great opportunity to be working with Emcure Pharmaceuticals and I am truly excited to take on this role. I look forward to working with the passionate and foresighted leadership.”Soni will be working closely with the management at Emcure Pharmaceuticals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19113/cabinet-inducts-dr-bharati-pravin-pawar-as-mos-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19113/cabinet-inducts-dr-bharati-pravin-pawar-as-mos-health.html Wed, 07 Jul 2021 22:00:00 +0530 In the reshuffle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet that underwent a reboot today, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar has been given the charge of Ministry of State (MoS) of Health and Family Welfare. Dr Bharati has been awarded as Best Women Parliamentarian in December 2019. She quit the Nationalist Congress Party and joined the BJP in 2019 and she is the daughter in law of former minister Arjun Tulshiram Pawar. A total of 43 political leaders have been sworn-in as union ministers, and some are promoted. In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "I congratulate all the colleagues who have taken oath today and wish them the very best for their ministerial tenure. We will continue working to fulfil aspirations of the people and build a strong and prosperous India." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19109/mansukh-mandaviya-steps-in-as-new-health-minister-of-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19109/mansukh-mandaviya-steps-in-as-new-health-minister-of-india.html Wed, 07 Jul 2021 21:00:00 +0530 In the reshuffle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet that underwent a reboot today, Mansukh Mandaviya has got the charge of Health Ministry. He will also be holding charge of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry was earlier being held by Dr Harsh Vardhan who was reportedly asked to resign ahead of the cabinet reshuffle. He was widely criticized for mishandling the COVID-19 situation and the second wave, in particular. A total of 43 political leaders have been sworn-in as union ministers, and some are promoted. In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "I congratulate all the colleagues who have taken oath today and wish them the very best for their ministerial tenure. We will continue working to fulfil aspirations of the people and build a strong and prosperous India." A mixed response towards this cabinet reshuffling is doing the rounds in the media. On one hand, optimism is setting-in with this development, while on the other, questions are being raised whether Dr Harsh Vardhan has been made a scape-goat of the PM's failures. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19102/fujifilm-appoints-koji-wada-as-new-managing-director-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19102/fujifilm-appoints-koji-wada-as-new-managing-director-for-india.html Wed, 07 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Fujifilm India Private Limited, a pioneer in diagnostic imaging technologies, has announced the appointment of Koji Wada as the new Managing Director (MD) for Fujifilm India, effective from June 29, 2021. Taking over the baton from Haruto Iwata as he moves to his new role as Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific region in Singapore, Wada will spearhead Fujifilm’s operations and business strategy in India. In his new role, Wada will be responsible for organizational growth and profitability with an integrated approach towards sales, marketing, and business policies. Wada has been associated with Fujifilm since 2001 and contributing to the businesses across corporate offices in Japan, Myanmar, Thailand and India. He brings a vast experience of over 20 years and before taking over his role as Managing Director, he was responsible for leading the medical business of the company in India as a General Manager. This is Koji Wada’s second stint in India. Wada was Marketing Manager of PI, EI, RM for Fujifilm India in 2007. Post that Wada was appointed as the Secretary to Global CEO Komori.  Later from there, Wada was made the General Manager for Fujifilm Thailand in 2014 and then Managing Director for Fujifilm Myanmar in 2017. In 2019, he was appointed as the Senior Manager of ME and Director of FFIN. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19007/cytecare-hospital-appoints-dr-raghavendra-babu-as-consultant-gastrointestinal-hpb-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19007/cytecare-hospital-appoints-dr-raghavendra-babu-as-consultant-gastrointestinal-hpb-surgery.html Wed, 23 Jun 2021 16:40:00 +0530 Cytecare Hospitals announced the appointment of Dr Raghavendra Babu as Consultant - Gastrointestinal & HPB Surgery. Before working with Cytecare, Dr Raghavendra worked as the Senior Consultant and Head of Hepatobiliary, Pancreas and Liver Transplant at HCG Hospital in Bangalore. He has led the highest volume of liver and pancreas surgery units in Karnataka.    Suresh Ramu, Co-founder & CEO, Cytecare Hospitals, said, “He has been widely acknowledged for his versatile and patient-centric approach. The ultimate goal at Cytecare is to provide state-of-the-art advanced care and treatment, and I am confident Dr Raghavendra will help us abide by this vision.”   Dr Raghavendra holds various lifetime memberships with paramount associations such as the Indian Medical Association, Association of Surgeons of India, and International Hepato-Pancreato Biliary Association (IHPBA). He has written various articles and contributed to publications in international peer-reviewed journals. Dr Raghavendra has been credited with the Best poster award in IHPBA 2014 for “Usefulness of Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy in detecting bile leaks in living donor liver transplant recipients.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18973/dr-pradeep-mahajan-of-stemrx-conferred-with-european-global-health-pharma-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18973/dr-pradeep-mahajan-of-stemrx-conferred-with-european-global-health-pharma-award.html Mon, 21 Jun 2021 12:00:00 +0530 Dr Pradeep Mahajan of StemRx, who is a regenerative researcher and stem cell medicine expert, has received European Global Health & Pharma Award from a UK-based firm. The UK-based firm Global Health and Pharma lauded those individuals and companies going above and beyond, to come up with breakthrough innovations and giving their valuable contribution to the science community.    Dr Mahajan, Regenerative Medicine Researcher, StemRx Bioscience Solutions, Navi Mumbai, “The past year was challenging for the people of medical and scientific fields due to covid pandemic. Since the entire world is suffering from a global health crisis, it was requisite to develop MSC and LPRP protocols for patients. Still, new therapies and treatments were invented for the sake of people to help them overcome their health issues. I thank Global Health and Pharma for recognising StemRx, and our efforts by honouring us with the award. We are elated and look forward to serving the nation during these unprecedented times, and keep contributing for the welfare of the society.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18965/indian-american-chemist-sumita-mitra-wins-european-inventor-award-2021.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18965/indian-american-chemist-sumita-mitra-wins-european-inventor-award-2021.html Sat, 19 Jun 2021 15:40:00 +0530 The European Patent Office (EPO) has honoured Indian-American chemist Sumita Mitra with the European Inventor Award 2021 in the 'Non-EPO countries' category. Mitra was the first to successfully integrate nanotechnology into dental materials to produce stronger and more aesthetically pleasing fillings, which are now used by dentists around the world.   “Mitra took an entirely new path in her field and demonstrated how technological innovation, protected by patents, can transform a sector, and in this case bring benefits to millions of dental patients,” says EPO President António Campinos. “Her invention remains commercially successful nearly 20 years after its launch – another reason why she is an inspiration to the next generation of scientists.”    While working in the oral care division of US multinational 3M in the late 1990s, Mitra became aware of the limitations of existing materials used in dental fillings, which were either too weak to be used on biting surfaces, or quickly lost their polish. At the same time, nanotechnology was emerging as a field of research and Mitra decided to explore how these new developments could be applied to dentistry. She began working on nanotechnology-based solutions for new dental material, driven by a desire to use her expertise in polymer chemistry and materials science to develop inventions that solve real-life problems.   Mitra and her team developed a technique for creating linked clusters of nanoparticles, which they called ‘nanoclusters’. These clusters combine single nanoparticles of varying diameters, resulting in strong, durable and shiny material. By adding tiny amounts of pigment, and altering the chemical composition of the nanoparticles, the team was also able to create a range of different shades that can be matched to individual teeth and layered to create a more natural finish.    "The use of nanotechnology allowed me to make a new material," says Mitra. "It restores peoples smiles and improves the quality of their lives".   Mitra worked closely with 3M’s patent attorneys to draft the patents to protect her ground-breaking research. Although several new generations of the material have been developed since its launch in 2002 as FiltekTM Supreme Universal Restorative, the current line of products is still based on Mitra’s European patents.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18958/hitesh-mehta-joins-honeywell-advanced-materials-india-as-country-gm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18958/hitesh-mehta-joins-honeywell-advanced-materials-india-as-country-gm.html Fri, 18 Jun 2021 13:00:00 +0530 Honeywell has appointed Hitesh Mehta as the country general manager of Honeywell Advanced Materials India. Honeywell Advanced Materials is a strategic business unit of Honeywell’s Performance Materials and Technologies division.Mehta brings with him experience in the speciality chemicals and coatings industry. Before Honeywell, Mehta held leadership roles at Atotech India, Akzo Nobel, and 3M India. He has more than 20 years of experience in leading businesses in B2B markets and setting up greenfield projects. An enterprising and customer-focused leader, Mehta has a proven record of shaping growth across businesses based on his deep understanding of current and emerging market trends. Mehta is currently based in Bengaluru and will be relocating to Pune. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19006/sahil-deswal-joins-augnito-as-chief-marketing-officer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/19006/sahil-deswal-joins-augnito-as-chief-marketing-officer-.html Wed, 16 Jun 2021 15:20:00 +0530 Healthcare tech innovator Augnito has roped in Sahil Deswal as the chief marketing officer for the brand. Deswal will be responsible for leading marketing strategy including digital media strategy and advertising as well as brand growth with a strong focus on global brand building. Augnito has been trailblazing the healthcare technology space with its one of its kind voice AI offering.   Deswal comes with over a decade of experience and has played an instrumental role in driving marketing and growth efforts for brands across e-commerce, media and entertainment, content, digital agencies and online services. Before joining Augnito, Deswal was VP - Marketing, Growth & Monetisation at Trell. In his previous stints, he has also worked with Unilodgers as VP - Global Growth & Marketing and as Head - Growth & Marketing at Times Internet for News & Gaming Business.   Deswal said, "I look forward to leveraging my expertise for the brand, we’re just getting started and I am excited for the journey ahead." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18937/dr-suresh-nayar-elected-as-president-of-british-society-of-prosthodontics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18937/dr-suresh-nayar-elected-as-president-of-british-society-of-prosthodontics.html Wed, 16 Jun 2021 12:40:00 +0530 Adjunct Professor of Prosthodontics and Implantology at the School of Dentistry, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Dr Suresh Nayar, has become the first-ever non- British to be elected as the President of the British Society of Prosthodontics (BSSPD) to help it achieve even greater heights in promoting excellence, training and research in prosthodontics.   Dr Nayar said, “It is such an honour to have become the first non- British to be elected as the President of BSSPD. I look up to this new challenge and am excited to drive and deploy innovative ways to scale the highest standards of growth for the organisation. I look forward to working with the amazing team at BSSPD on the journey to reimagining prosthodontics, the smart way.”    Born in Thiruvananthapuram, Dr Nayar graduated from Government Dental College in Calicut in Kerala, India in 1993, he completed his post-graduate degree (MDS) in Prosthodontics from Manipal University. His current research interest includes improving quality of life in head and neck cancer patients; use of digital technologies and additive manufacturing in advanced jaw reconstruction and maxillofacial prosthodontics; development of a virtual reality planning and educational software; use of AI in the diagnosis of adverse tissue reaction around osseointegrated implants, among others. He is the director of the advanced jaw reconstruction workshop at iRSM and chairs the ‘Oral and Dental Care clinical guideline review team’ for the Provincial Head and Neck Tumour Team of Alberta, Canada.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18860/citiustech-appoints-bhaskar-sambasivan-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18860/citiustech-appoints-bhaskar-sambasivan-as-president.html Tue, 08 Jun 2021 11:50:00 +0530 Healthcare technology services provider CitiusTech has appointed Bhaskar Sambasivan as President. Sambasivan will focus on strengthening CitiusTech’s client relationships, building deeper healthcare capabilities and solutions, developing strategic offerings and driving business growth.   Sambasivan comes with over 30 years of experience in healthcare, life sciences and digital technology services. He was, most recently, President of Patient Services and Chief Strategy Officer of EVERSANA, a leading life sciences platform company. Prior to EVERSANA, he spent close to 15 years at Cognizant and was the Global Head of Life Sciences. Under his leadership, Cognizant’s Life Sciences business grew over thirty-fold in 15 years. Before Cognizant, he spent many years with Siebel/Oracle and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Bhaskar was recognized as a PharmaVOICE Top 100 leader in both 2017 and 2018 for his industry contributions.   “Sambasivan is a growth-focused leader with proven success in scaling healthcare technology businesses. His vast experience and his focus on operational excellence will be critical for us, as we embark on our next phase of growth,” said William Winkenwerder, Chairman, CitiusTech.    “I cannot be more excited to be part of this great company that is exclusively focused on healthcare, to help lead the next phase of growth and make a significant difference to our healthcare clients and patients we serve,” said Sambasivan.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18856/syngene-international-appoints-sanjeev-sukumaran-as-chro.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18856/syngene-international-appoints-sanjeev-sukumaran-as-chro.html Mon, 07 Jun 2021 17:25:00 +0530 Syngene International has appointed Sanjeev Sukumaran as Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) with effect from June 1, 2021. Sukumaran succeeds Vinita Shrivastava.    As the CHRO, Sukumaran will be responsible for building on Syngene’s people-centric organisational development priorities including HR strategy development, driving organisational matrices, talent management and sustaining an inclusive work culture. His focus will be on attracting and nurturing diverse scientific talent and promote innovation, excellence and a passion for making a difference in the lives of millions by putting science to work.    Commenting on the appointment of Sukumaran, Jonathan Hunt, MD and CEO, Syngene International said, “As we continue on our journey to create a world-class innovation-focussed organisation, I am confident that Sanjeev, with his diverse experience, will be able to implement the right systems, processes and initiatives to create an environment that attracts, retains and develops the best talent.”   Sukumaran said, “I am excited to take on this role and drive the people-initiatives at Syngene. Over the last few years, Syngene has evolved to be a global scale scientific solutions provider to multiple industries. Attracting the best talent and giving them the right environment to drive innovation is critical to the organisation’s vision.”   Sukumaran joined Syngene in October 2017 as the Chief of Staff and was responsible for driving key strategic initiatives across the organisation. A Mechanical Engineer with a management degree from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode and an Executive Leadership Program from INSEAD, Singapore, Sukumaran has nearly 25 years of experience in the areas of strategic management, business advisory, and people management.    Prior to joining Syngene, he has worked in a range of sectors including healthcare, life sciences, financial services, software and IT, FMCG, big data, supply chain management, e-commerce and shipping. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18829/ccmb-appoints-dr-vinay-nandicoori-as-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18829/ccmb-appoints-dr-vinay-nandicoori-as-director.html Thu, 03 Jun 2021 12:05:00 +0530 Dr Vinay K Nandicoori is the new Director of the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad. He is a molecular biologist and has been a scientist at the DBT-National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi. Dr Nandicoori’s research interest extensively spans molecular signalling networks in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the micro-organism that causes TB. His research has found national and international relevance and recognition. His education and research training have been in the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Texas A&M University and the University of Virginia, USA.  He holds the JC Bose fellowship. He is an elected fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy and National Academy of Sciences, India.  Dr Nandicoori will succeed Dr Rakesh K Mishra as CCMB’s Director. Dr Mishra, now Director at the Tata Institute of Genetics and Society, will remain as CCMB’s Advisor to help CCMB in its efforts against the ongoing pandemic. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18823/dr-sanjeev-galande-joins-as-dean-of-school-of-natural-sciences-at-snu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18823/dr-sanjeev-galande-joins-as-dean-of-school-of-natural-sciences-at-snu.html Wed, 02 Jun 2021 16:10:00 +0530 Shiv Nadar University Delhi-NCR has appointed cell biologist and epigeneticist Dr Sanjeev Galande as Dean of the School of Natural Sciences. Dr Galande joins the university from the Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER)-Pune, where he served as Professor of Biology, and Dean of Research & Development. Dr Galande brings with him over two decades of experience as a scientist and academic. Dr Galande is credited for having established a multidisciplinary programme engaged at the interface of biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics, cell biology, proteomics, and genomics. Dr Galande was the recipient of the International Senior Research Fellowship, Wellcome Trust, UK, 2005-10, DBT National Bioscience Award 2006, DST Swarnajayanti Fellowship 2007, the coveted CSIR Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize 2010, GD Birla Award for Scientific Excellence 2015, and the SERB JC Bose Fellowship 2019. He has been a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences since 2010, of the Indian National Science Academy since 2012, and of the National Academy of Sciences since 2017. He was an honorary associate faculty at the University of Sydney, Australia, and a visiting faculty at the University of Turku, Finland. Dr Rupamanjari Ghosh, Vice-Chancellor of Shiv Nadar University Delhi-NCR, said, “Dr Galande is a great fit to lead and build upon its success, as we continue to elevate the University’s position to the world stage as an ‘Institution of Eminence.'" Dr Galande said, “I am delighted to be part of a university that aspires to be among the leading research-based, multidisciplinary universities of global stature and impact. I am looking forward to working with an accomplished group of deans and young faculty who share our vision and are striving to push the frontiers of knowledge through innovative research in a multidisciplinary environment." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18807/roche-diabetes-care-appoints-omar-sherief-mohammadashead-india-middle-east-africa.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18807/roche-diabetes-care-appoints-omar-sherief-mohammadashead-india-middle-east-africa.html Tue, 01 Jun 2021 14:15:00 +0530 Roche has appointed Omar Sherief Mohammad as Head India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA) within the Roche Diabetes Care (RDC) Global Commercial Organisation, based in Mumbai. Before this appointment, Omar has been General Manager RDC India since September 2019. Mohammad will play a key role in the shaping and executing of the overall commercial Go-To-Market Strategy, responsible for setting the strategic direction for IMEA, in alignment with the Global Commercial Organisation as well as the overall RDC strategy. In this newly created role, he will have direct oversight of IMEA and the RDC General Managers/Country Heads of these markets will directly report to him. Omar will also be General Manager in India. Mohammad said, “I strongly feel that there is a need for improving access to care to support the underprivileged section of the community by creating a holistic ecosystem for screening, awareness and education programs. I look forward to leading my teams across the IMEA region towards dedicating efforts to bend the curve of diabetes in terms of prevalence and adding value by bringing true relief for people with diabetes.” As head of IMEA, Mohammad will steer the countries under his charge to amplify this patient-centric approach and collaborate with various stakeholders to address the burden of diabetes in the region. Mohammad has two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical sector, primarily in diabetes care, in India, global marketing in Denmark and emerging Asian markets. Before joining Roche, Omar was the VP and GM of Novo Nordisk, Vietnam and other Southeast Asia emerging markets. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18798/shivdutt-das-joins-dy-patil-group-as-md-ceo-for-healthcare-biz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18798/shivdutt-das-joins-dy-patil-group-as-md-ceo-for-healthcare-biz.html Mon, 31 May 2021 17:35:00 +0530 Shivdutt Das has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO for DY Patil Group's healthcare business w.e.f June 1, 2021. Das shall be spearheading the special purpose vehicle Zodiac Healotronics created for the acquisition of Grand Port hospital, Mumbai and its further expansion into a medical college and other ancillary healthcare services. The group intends to make this one of the flagship projects and build this as a centre of excellence with a one thousand bed super speciality hospital, medical college, other paramedical and nursing education and associated plans of other business lines in the space of healthcare. Located in Wadala, Mumbai this setup has the ambition to become a landmark institution for Mumbai. Das in his professional career of last 22 years has been in leadership roles with marquee organisations like United Spirits, ICICI Prudential, Bharti AXA Life Insurance, TATA AIA Life Insurance, Reliance Life Insurance and done advisory services with many other companies of high repute in the last five years. He had been associated with the group for the last few months as an independent consultant and we are happy to make this relationship stronger with this decision. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18789/aurobindo-pharma-appoints-arvind-bothra-as-senior-vp-head-of-investor-relations-and-corp-comm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18789/aurobindo-pharma-appoints-arvind-bothra-as-senior-vp-head-of-investor-relations-and-corp-comm.html Mon, 31 May 2021 10:40:00 +0530 Arvind Bothra has joined Aurobindo Pharma as Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications and will be closely working with the leadership team. Says Bothra, "I look forward to work with my amazing new colleagues at Aurobindo and make a difference." Bothra is a finance professional with a proven record of establishing cross-functional partnerships to deliver results. He is an experienced head of investor relations/Corporate M&A with a strong focus on the healthcare industry (over 13 years). He is skilled in valuation, stakeholder management, equities, capital markets, management, and mergers and acquisitions.  Bothra graduated from the Indian Institute of Management and a qualified Chartered Accountant. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18750/aster-appoints-brandon-rowberry-as-ceo-of-digital-health-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18750/aster-appoints-brandon-rowberry-as-ceo-of-digital-health-business.html Wed, 26 May 2021 17:35:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare has announced the appointment of Brandon Rowberry, a global leader in corporate innovation and strategy, as Chief Executive Officer of its Digital Health business. Working closely with Alisha Moopen, Deputy Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare, Rowberry would be driving the digital roadmap for the group and play a crucial role in developing digital capabilities across the organisation’s existing presence in seven countries and soon in Cayman Islands. Moopen said, “Digital health, under Brandon’s leadership will be set up as an independent business and merge both the physical door and digital door to access healthcare as a seamless experience from simple virtual consults to e-ICUS at home. The future is health and the customer’s need is anytime, anywhere & always on!” “Healthcare is rapidly changing for the better and Aster is at the forefront of leading that change while serving the needs of tens of millions of patients. Harnessing the power of our people, technologies and partners I have no doubt that we will make a significant impact on our patients lives. I am thrilled to join the organisation at this exciting stage and look forward to leading its global digital transformation journey,” said Rowberry on the new role. Rowberry brings two decades of experience in innovation, strategy and development having worked at leading Fortune 500 companies. Prior to joining Aster, Rowberry was a Advisor- Strategy and Planning at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA). Former Vice Chair- Global Business Solutions for Mayo Clinic, Rochester and also former Vice President Innovation Development for UnitedHealth Group, Rowberry has a solid grasp of a broad array of tactical and strategic skills. He is a highly skilled consumer-oriented innovator and an accomplished and respected leader. In these roles, he was influential in planning strategy, designing innovation framework, and leading enterprise wide initiatives. He holds a master’s degree from Brigham Young University, Utah and has completed Senior Executive Education in Design thinking, AI, Big Data and Organisational Leadership from Harvard Business School.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18746/aster-dm-healthcare-appoints-brandon-rowberry-as-ceo-digital-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18746/aster-dm-healthcare-appoints-brandon-rowberry-as-ceo-digital-health.html Wed, 26 May 2021 15:40:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare has announced the appointment of Brandon Rowberry, a global leader in corporate innovation and strategy, as Chief Executive Officer of its Digital Health business. Working closely with Alisha Moopen, Deputy Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare, Rowberry would be driving the digital roadmap for the group and play a crucial role in developing digital capabilities across the organisation’s existing presence in seven countries and soon in Cayman Islands. Alisha Moopen, Deputy MD, Aster DM Healthcare said, “Digital health, under Rowberry’s leadership will be set up as an independent business and merge both the physical door and digital door to access healthcare as a seamless experience from simple virtual consults to e-ICUS at home.  “Healthcare is rapidly changing for the better and Aster is at the forefront of leading that change while serving the needs of tens of millions of patients. Harnessing the power of our people, technologies and partners I do not doubt that we will make a significant impact on our patient's lives. I am thrilled to join the organisation at this exciting stage and look forward to leading its global digital transformation journey,” said Brandon Rowberry. Rowberry brings two decades of experience in innovation, strategy and development having worked at leading Fortune 500 companies. Before joining Aster, Rowberry was an advisor-strategy and planning at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA). Former Vice-Chair- Global Business Solutions for Mayo Clinic, Rochester and also former Vice President Innovation Development for UnitedHealth Group, Rowberry has a grasp of a broad array of tactical and strategic skills.  He holds a master’s degree from Brigham Young University, Utah and has completed Senior Executive Education in Design thinking, AI, Big Data and Organizational Leadership from Harvard Business School.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18733/dr-d-nageshwar-reddy-receives-rudolf-v-schindler-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18733/dr-d-nageshwar-reddy-receives-rudolf-v-schindler-award.html Tue, 25 May 2021 17:35:00 +0530 Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals has been bestowed with the renowned Rudolf V Schindler Award from The American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), one of the apex bodies in the world of GI Endoscopy. The award was presented to Dr Reddy in ASGE’s annual Crystal Awards at a virtual ceremony. Rudolf V Schindler Award is the highest category in the prestigious Crystal Awards named after Dr Schindler who is considered as 'the father of gastroscopy.'  Dr Reddy became the first-ever Indian medical practitioner to get this recognition from ASGE for his exemplary work in the field of endoscopy. Dr Klaus Mergener, President, ASGE while presenting the award to Dr Reddy said, “ASGE’s highest honour is given to a member who has accomplishments in endoscopic research, teaching, and/or service to the field of GI Endoscopy exemplifies the standards and traditions of Dr Schindler.” Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals said, “It is humbling for me as an International Member of the ASGE to receive ASGE’s Rudolf V Schindler Award. This is also a testament to all the endoscopists worldwide even from the developing nations that hard work and dedication are recognised by Society irrespective of where they work. With this honour, I rededicate myself to the education and promotion of quality endoscopy. My contributions to the field of endoscopy and my success would not have been possible without the support of my wife Carol and my family. I owe deep gratitude to my colleagues and staff at AIG hospitals, India for sharing and supporting my vision of providing quality affordable care, promote education and research in endoscopy.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18719/core-recognises-myhealthcares-co-founder-aneesh-nair-as-influential-cio.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18719/core-recognises-myhealthcares-co-founder-aneesh-nair-as-influential-cio.html Mon, 24 May 2021 15:40:00 +0530 Aneesh Nair, Co-founder and Chief Information Officer, MyHealthcare, a speciality health tech startup, has been recognised by Centre of Recognition and Excellence (CORE) as the most influential CIOs across India. Nair has been recognised for his contribution towards building an integrated, digital patient care ecosystem that enhances clinical decision making and supports and manages long-term care using artificial intelligence (AI). This system uses complex algorithms designed to mimic human cognition and perform certain tasks in an automated fashion at a fraction of the time and cost. Under his leadership, MyHealthcare has developed solutions to help support the fight against the second wave of COVID-19. MyHealthcare started offering MyHealthcare@Home, which allows COVID patients with mild symptoms to receive the required care at home digitally, through its platform, which has built-in trackers for alerts if a patient's vitals are outside the permissible range.  Speaking on this recognition, Nair said, “It is a great honour to be part of this prestigious list. The use of technology and AI has helped in these trying times to a large extent and we need to keep this pace going. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work in this direction at MyHealthcare and elated to have been recognised for my contribution to this space. We will aim to provide speciality healthcare to everyone in India.” Shyatto Raha, Founder and CEO, MyHealthcare said, “Nair has been instrumental in the growth of MyHealthcare since its inception and more recently in rolling out our COVID related initiatives to support hospitals and clinics in these trying times.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18617/nanavati-max-hospital-appoints-mangla-dembi-as-head-senior-vp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18617/nanavati-max-hospital-appoints-mangla-dembi-as-head-senior-vp.html Tue, 11 May 2021 22:50:00 +0530 Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital has appointed Mangla Dembi as Head and Senior Vice President. Dembi joined Max Healthcare as Vice President, Patient Experience in 2020. Prior to her notable tenure at Max, she had an enriching professional journey of over a decade at Fortis Healthcare where she led multitude of projects around patient centricity, operational excellence and business development. In her last assignment at Fortis, Dembi was Facility Director at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj handling the P&L and operational responsibilities Dembi will spearhead P&L and operational responsibilities of the hospital. Her rich experience in business development, patient care and hospital operations spans over two decades. She graduated in science from Delhi University and post-graduated in marketing from from MNIT, Jaipur.  “The erstwhile Dr Balabhai Nanavati Hospital has had a rich legacy of patient care and clinical excellence. As the institute is now managed by India’s healthcare giant—Max Healthcare, it is known as Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital. We plan to harness the synergy between the two and envisage it to be a state-of-the-art quaternary care medical facility. We aim to enhance patient’s clinical experience, focusing both on clinical outcomes and patient care,” said Dembi.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18605/dr-trust-appoints-rohitsaini-as-vice-president-sales-marketing-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18605/dr-trust-appoints-rohitsaini-as-vice-president-sales-marketing-.html Mon, 10 May 2021 20:25:00 +0530 Nureca Limited, owner of the leading healthcare and wellness brand Dr Trust, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rohit Saini as its new Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Saini brings to the position a wealth of knowledge and an array of experiences in the consumer healthcare industry.  Prior to his current role, Saini was the General Manager Sales and Marketing (India and Sri Lanka) at Omron Healthcare India Pvt Ltd. During his tenure, Saini successfully lead a team of Sales and Marketing professionals across the Indian market. He was responsible for India Subcontinent P&L growth strategy with distribution of the KPIs, he also devised ‘Above the Line’ and ‘Below the Line’ marketing strategies along with a 360 degree integrated marketing approach for Omron Healthcare. He brings over 19 years of experience. He has also served Coca Cola, Barry Callebaut, a Swiss Multinational and Ferrero India.  Aryan Goyal, CEO and Co-founder, Nureca, says he and Saurabh Goyal, Managing Director, are delighted to have Rohit join Dr Trust. “Rohit’s background in sales, customer management, merchandising, business development and research coupled with his outstanding interpersonal and communications skills will ensure that Dr Trust enjoys continued success, leads the health and wellness sector and is well positioned to take on new opportunities.”  Additionally, Saini's extensive sales background and business development skills should help Dr Trust strengthen channel partnerships, develop strategic alliances, expand our global and national sales presence and team building.”  “I am very excited to be a part of the Nureca leadership team,” said Saini. “I look forward to building upon the company’s current successes and focusing on growing revenue rapidly.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18586/dr-rajeev-boudhankar-re-appointed-as-ceo-of-mumbai-based-bhatia-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18586/dr-rajeev-boudhankar-re-appointed-as-ceo-of-mumbai-based-bhatia-hospital.html Fri, 07 May 2021 12:10:00 +0530 Dr Rajeev Boudhankar has been re-appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Mumbai-based multi-specialty hospital, Bhatia Hospital for a second innings. He was already holding the position of CEO of the hospital earlier. Dr Boudhankar will continue to be responsible for spearheading and overseeing the development and execution of the hospital’s strategy, patient relationship management, quality distinction and leadership development. Until now, as CEO, Dr Boudhankar has played a significant role in the brand repositioning of the 89-year-old iconic Bhatia Hospital. He has led the team to deliver seminal operations clinically and strategically, demonstrating great resilience. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare, Dr Boudhankar is an acknowledged business leader and a seasoned professional and has held various senior roles in hospital and health systems management. He has worked with government as well as international health bodies to set up public health programme and has a strong track record of building great teams while delivering excellent results. Dr Boudhankar holds a PhD in Hospital & Health Systems Management from BITS, Pilani, a MPhil in Hospital & Health Systems Management, from BITS, Pilani & Tulane University, USA and a MD (Internal Medicine) from Grant Medical College, Bombay University along with several other academic accomplishments. Dr Boudhankar was elected to the Maharashtra State Council of CII in 2011-2012. A visionary healthcare specialist, Dr Boudhankar also believes in sharing his knowledge and experience with young, budding minds. He has been a part of several academic institutions as a guide, faculty, paper setter, examiner, supervisor for internship, and guest faculty. Dr Boudhankar is also a guide and examiner for PhD and MPhil scholars of healthcare management of various universities. He has also contributed to an internationally published book on Hospital Planning by way writing the chapter on ‘Green Hospitals’.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18585/prashant-nagre-appointed-new-md-of-fermenta-biotech-limited.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18585/prashant-nagre-appointed-new-md-of-fermenta-biotech-limited.html Fri, 07 May 2021 12:00:00 +0530 Krishna Datla, Promoter and Managing Director, Fermenta Biotech Limited (FBL) has announced the appointment of Chief Executive Officer, Prashant Nagre, as the new Managing Director with effect from May 9, 2021. Datla will continue as a Board member and the Executive Vice Chairman.  Prashant Nagre joined FBL in 2010 as the Chief Operating Officer and in two years, was elevated to the position of Chief Executive Officer. Since then, he has led corporate strategy, business operations and demand-driven innovation for FBL’s three business verticals viz, Vitamin D and other APIs, Integrated Biotechnology and Environmental Solutions. Under the leadership of Datla, during Nagre’s tenure, FBL has expanded from a solely domestic-focused business to a global vitamin player, with more than 70 per cent of revenues now arising from exports. Nagre will also be responsible for steering the company’s efforts to foray into the nutrition segment by developing a future-ready organisation with a value-added portfolio. Datla commented, “Prashant has led various transformational milestones for accelerating the organisation’s progress, and we have immense faith in his leadership. As the company is evolving into a global entity, we think, Prashant is aptly suited to achieve our strategic vision. Prashant’s track record at FBL coupled with his vast professional experience will be instrumental in driving the next phase of growth. We welcome Prashant on the Board and look forward to taking our success to newer heights.” Commenting on his new role, Nagre said, “It has been a privilege to serve the organisation for more than a decade. It is with great humility that I accept my new role, and I am honoured to lead the team at such an exciting time for the company. Moving ahead, I am confident that FBL will enter a new chapter in its growth story and will continue to strive towards creating a better future for all our stakeholders.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18474/afc-india-board-ropes-in-ravindra-boratkar-as-additional-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18474/afc-india-board-ropes-in-ravindra-boratkar-as-additional-director.html Tue, 20 Apr 2021 20:00:00 +0530 Ravindra Boratkar, Managing Director of MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications Pvt Ltd; Publisher, MMA publications; and Chairperson, Agrovision Foundation, has been appointed as Additional Director on the Board of Directors of Agriculture Finance Corporation (AFC) India Ltd., formerly known as Agriculture Finance Corporation Ltd, A deemed government organization fully owned by Nabard, other commercial banks & Exim Bank of India. AFC is a premier national developmental Consultancy organization and an institution dedicated to rural prosperity The Board of Directors of the AFC India Ltd, in a meeting held on April 15, 2021, appointed Boratkar as Additional Director. The board’s decision of his appointment was communicated to him through a letter by B. Ganeshan, MD, AFC India Ltd.  “We are sure, with your enormous cross-functional experience and rich expertise in the related areas, the Board of AFC would be further enriched. We look forward to your association and guidance for the growth of the company,” said Ganeshan, MD, AFC India Ltd. in his letter. Boratkar expressed satisfaction over the appointment and thanked Ganeshan, C D Mayee, Chairman and other board members. He said, “I sincerely thank Chairman, Dr C D Mayee, B Ganeshan, Managing Director and all board members for giving me this opportunity. I shall be glad to associate with & contribute to the best of my abilities for the progress of AFC India Ltd.” Boratkar is the Publisher of AgroSpectrum, NuFFooDS Spectrum and BioSpectrum (India & Singapore), B2B monthly magazines and web portals devoted to Agriculture, Nutraceuticals and Food Processing and Biopharma, Life Sciences and Medtech. He is also President of an important economic think tank Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC). His other positions include Director, Cian Agriculture and Infrastructure Ltd; Chairperson, PURTI Cooperative; Trustee, Bhavsar foundation; and Founder Member, Indian Federation of Green Energy. He is also the main organiser of Agrovision, Central India’s biggest Agriculture event consisting of Expo, Workshops for farmers and Conference in Nagpur for the last 12 years, under the guidance of Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Medium Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME) and Chief Patron, Agrovision.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18452/dr-soosan-jacob-featured-among-top-100-most-influential-women-ophthalmologists-worldwide.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18452/dr-soosan-jacob-featured-among-top-100-most-influential-women-ophthalmologists-worldwide.html Fri, 16 Apr 2021 16:35:00 +0530 Dr Soosan Jacob, Director and Chief, Refractive and Cornea Foundation, and Senior Consultant, Cataract and Glaucoma Services, Dr Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospitals, India, has been featured in the international Power List - 2021, a list of Top 100 most influential women ophthalmologists in the world. The Power List is compiled every year by ‘The Ophthalmologist’, a premier international publication dedicated to the field of ophthalmology and selection is on the basis of national and international recognition among peer ophthalmologists. Dr Jacob has over 21 years of experience, specialising in cornea, refractive surgery and cataract surgery. Her other fields of interest in ophthalmology include cutting edge cataract, complex and complicated cases, anterior segment reconstruction procedures, glaucoma and orbit and oculoplasty.  Commenting about the entry of his colleague in the Power List 2021, Prof Amar Agarwal, Chairman, Dr Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospital, said, “Dr Jacob has been making exemplary contributions, especially to the cornea and refractive surgical field with many of her innovative surgical techniques - notable and recent among them being a novel technique called Corneal Allogeneic Intrastromal Ring Segment (CAIRS) to treat keratoconus, a more and more commonly seen condition in which the clear tissue on the front of the eye bulges outward.” In her comments, Dr Jacob, said, “I am honoured to be on this prestigious Power List of the Top 100 most influential women ophthalmologists in the world, a list that's awaited eagerly every year. For women, it is important to break glass ceilings to achieve their full potential. I must say that I have been fortunate both at home and at work to be in environments where it is considered crucial to empower women.” Dr Jacob has been the recipient of several prestigious international awards including International Society of Refractive Surgery’s Kritzinger Memorial Award; Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians’ Innovator’s Award, The Waring Medal, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery’s John Henahan Award for Young Ophthalmologist, American Academy of Ophthalmology’s International Ophthalmologist Education Award and many international oration awards.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18433/divochealth-appoints-prof-rajesh-chandwani-as-board-member.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18433/divochealth-appoints-prof-rajesh-chandwani-as-board-member.html Wed, 14 Apr 2021 16:15:00 +0530 DIVOC Health, a healthcare start-up dedicated to bringing innovation in Indian healthcare sector, announced the appointment of Prof Rajesh Chandwani as their Board Member. With rich knowledge of the industry, Prof Chandwani comes with an incredible expertise in the areas of healthcare management, human resource management and information technology. Prof Chandwani is a faculty at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He is trained as a Medical Practitioner (Paediatrician) and Researcher at Baroda Medical College and IIM Bangalore. He completed his PhD in May 2013 from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. He accomplished his MD in Paediatrics from Baroda Medical College in 1999. He has also worked as a Paediatrician in Public Sector hospitals in Gujarat, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Commenting on the development, Dr Kanav Kahol, Founder, DIVOC Health, said, “All these years, we have dedicatedly invested in distinctive capabilities in acquisitions. Today I am delighted to welcome an industry stalwart Prof Rajesh Chandwani to be a part of DIVOC Health's Board, that will further help us strengthen our capabilities. His industry knowledge coupled with deep understanding of healthcare and technology will help us drive the next phase of sustainable growth while remaining true to our core mission.” Sharing his thoughts Prof Chandwani, said, “I am happy to be a part of the enthusiastic team at DIVOC Health. It is a great opportunity to work at the intersection of HRM and technology for designing innovative solutions for healthcare issues in India.” Prof Chandwani has been awarded with multiple accolades including the Best Innovation award in 2014, best paper award from the Indian Society of Training and Development (ISTD) Paper in 2013 to name a few. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18417/siemens-healthcare-appoints-vivek-kanade-as-managing-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18417/siemens-healthcare-appoints-vivek-kanade-as-managing-director.html Mon, 12 Apr 2021 14:00:00 +0530 Vivek Kanade has been named as the Managing Director of Siemens Healthcare Private Limited (SHPL), India, effective April 1, 2021. SHPL is the wholly owned subsidiary company of the global MedTech company, Siemens Healthineers AG. Vivek will continue to lead the business for Siemens Healthineers India including, manufacturing, sales and distribution, strategy for ‘Zone India’, comprising of neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives. During his association with Siemens for over 27 years, he has held various positions across diverse functions in sales, service management, regional management and modality management. Vivek’s priorities have been ensuring Siemens Healthineers strategic growth, defining and executing roadmap to maintain momentum in Indian market whilst strengthening its presence in the zone. He has been leading the team in Zone India towards the common goal of shaping the future of healthcare, so that medicine becomes more precise and affordable, value is at the heart of care delivery, patients are treated as consumers, and healthcare becomes digital. Before moving into Siemens Healthineers in India, his last assignment was as Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing for the Refurbished Business, based out of Forchheim, Germany. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18399/apacmed-india-onboards-new-executive-committee-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18399/apacmed-india-onboards-new-executive-committee-.html Fri, 09 Apr 2021 12:15:00 +0530 The Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed) welcomes its new Executive Committee (ExCo) in India, in a timely move amid the pandemic when players in the medical technology (MedTech) industry need to work even closer together to grow a more robust, resilient and adaptive healthcare ecosystem. The ExCo is committed to continuously engage with regulatory bodies, policymakers, healthcare professionals, industry members and other stakeholders to facilitate patient access to innovative and life-saving medical technologies; thereby improving patient care outcomes. The India ExCo appointments are: Pavan Mocherla, MD, Becton Dickinson India, South Asia, as the Chairperson. Mocherla also serves as the Chairman for Advanced Medical Technology Association (Advamed) in India. Meenakshi Nevatia, MD, Stryker India as Vice-Chairperson. Nevatia is on the Board of the Medical Technology Association of India (MTAI) and is the Chair of the Med Tech Committee at AMCHAM (American Chamber of Commerce). Narendra Varde, MD, Roche India & Neighbouring Markets as Vice-Chairperson. Varde is an active spokesperson for a number of industry associations and professional organisations such as FICCI and others. He is also on the governing council of NATHEALTH. The ExCo will build on the association’s mission to promote innovation and impact policy that advances healthcare access for patients in India.   Commenting on the new appointments of the India ExCo, Harjit Gill, CEO, APACMed, said, “We are in a period of transformational change within the healthcare ecosystem, and are delighted to have MedTech industry leaders step forward to contribute and steer India’s healthcare infrastructure and delivery of care through innovative collaborations and engagements with key stakeholders in the system.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18357/havas-health-you-strengthens-global-partnerships-with-new-appointments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18357/havas-health-you-strengthens-global-partnerships-with-new-appointments.html Thu, 01 Apr 2021 16:45:00 +0530 Mumbai based Havas Health & You, the health and wellness division of Havas Group India, with the intention to propel this growth and strengthen meaningful global partnerships, has announced the elevation of Susan Josi as Managing Director of Havas Health & You- SEA & Middle-East, and Sangeeta Barde as Managing Director of Havas Life Sorento, with immediate effect. Susan and Sangeeta have been at the helm of Havas Health & You's APAC-based agency since the network's acquisition of Sorento. Susan is best known throughout the network for her proven success in driving the Havas Village model in India and for her development of the agency's global client roster in the SEA and Middle-East regions, where Havas Health & You presence continues to grow and strengthen on a daily basis. Commenting on her new role, Josi says, "The landscapes are changing dynamically and there is an intensified importance being placed on health and wellness. Our capabilities in these areas have grown to a point where it makes sense to have consistent regional leadership as health brands prioritise their presence in these markets." Sangeeta is most known for her achievements including the coordination of a platform that deeply integrates creative, media, digital, and data systems in domestic and global markets. Barde will drive the success model for offshoring and achieving strategic and impactful globalisation initiatives. On stepping into her new role, Barde says, "I am looking forward to leaning into the vast digitisation opportunities in our data and media centres and working to perfect new and simplified content creation models. Deep collaboration with groups and partners domestically and internationally is a necessary and exciting endeavour.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18356/iscr-appoints-dr-sanish-davisas-president-for-2021-23-term.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18356/iscr-appoints-dr-sanish-davisas-president-for-2021-23-term.html Thu, 01 Apr 2021 15:15:00 +0530 The Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR), an association of clinical research professionals, has announced the appointment of Dr Sanish Davis as its President for the term 2021-23. Dr Davis takes over from Dr Chirag Trivedi, who was President for two terms from 2017-2021. Commenting on his focus at a time when clinical research has been a lot in the focus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Davis said, “I am delighted to lead ISCR at a very critical juncture for clinical trials in India. The lessons from clinical trials during the pandemic will act as a catalyst to transform how we do clinical trials in the future and I am excited about the possibilities. While patient centricity and ethical, safe clinical trials will continue to be our focus, we will increase our focus on digital adoption in clinical trials and greater collaboration among all stakeholders. We will continue to build on our collaboration with patients, ethics committees, investigators and the regulatory agency in order to bring medicines for unmet medical needs faster. The general public is now far more aware of the relevance of clinical trials and we need to build on this to ensure greater appreciation of and recognition for clinical research in India. I thank Dr Trivedi and our outgoing Executive Committee and Council/Chapter Heads for their contribution to leading ISCR the last four years.” Dr Davis holds a degree in Clinical Pharmacology from Seth GS Medical College, has around 15 years of experience in the clinical research industry with leading Indian and multinational organisations.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18364/able-appoints-g-s-krishnan-as-new-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18364/able-appoints-g-s-krishnan-as-new-president.html Thu, 01 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0530 G S Krishnan, former regional president & MD, Novozymes South Asia, has taken charge as the new President of the Association of Biotechnology-Led Enterprises (ABLE).  He has a vast leadership experience, from developing the market for businesses across industries, to identifying new opportunities and strategic partnership, managing the organization across functions, from a 30+ employees to 550+ employees, representing the organisation as a thought leader in the segment with external stake holders and industry bodies. Krishnan will head a 9-member executive council that was elected for a three-year term starting on April 1, 2021. “India’s BioPharmaceutical segment has played a commendable role in the discovery and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic and we need to build on this great momentum and lead the world in playing a critical role, identifying our capabilities,” said Krishnan.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18353/dr-venkatesh-a-n-takes-charge-as-national-president-of-society-for-emergency-medicine-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18353/dr-venkatesh-a-n-takes-charge-as-national-president-of-society-for-emergency-medicine-india.html Wed, 31 Mar 2021 17:40:00 +0530 Dr Venkatesh A N, Sr Consultant & Head of Emergency Medicine, Apollo Hospitals Karnataka Region has been elected as the new National President of the 'Society for Emergency Medicine India' (SEMI). He will hold charge during the period 2021- 2023. Dr Venkatesh’s experience of over 21 years in emergency medicine and expertise in all areas of emergency procedures and emergency care medicine will help him to ensure that SEMI continues to play an important role in ensuring proficiency and skill in emergency care practitioners in the country. On February 19, 2021, the Society for Emergency Medicine India (SEMI) became the first emergency medicine society in the world to have its name reach the surface of the planet Mars, when the MARS 2020 Perseverance Rover successfully landed at Jezero crater with its name on board. Dr Venkatesh AN heads the Emergency Department, Pre-hospital care services, Air ambulance services, Hospital Disaster Management plan at Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru. He is the regional director for many emergency medicine courses FEM (Fellowship in Emergency Medicine), MRCEM (Membership of Royal College of Emergency Medicine) at Apollo Hospitals Bengaluru in collaboration with Royal liver Academy UK since 2008. He is a Regional Coordinator for MRCEM (Membership of Royal College of Emergency Medicine – UK). He is also Coordinator for FICM (Fellowship in Intensive care medicine) conducted by Medvarsity). He is now actively involved in the training of basic life support (BLS), paediatric advanced life support (PALS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), trauma management and disaster management. He is the chief faculty and coordinator in First Aid training for students, corporate staff and public. He regularly conducts awareness programmes on emergency services, ambulance services and importance of golden hour to the public. He is also actively involved in quality circle initiatives in healthcare. He is part of the JCI team, which regularly trains the hospital staff in quality. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18346/dr-harsh-mahajan-steps-in-as-new-nathealth-president-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18346/dr-harsh-mahajan-steps-in-as-new-nathealth-president-.html Tue, 30 Mar 2021 16:30:00 +0530 Dr Harsh Mahajan, Founder and Chief Radiologist, Mahajan Imaging, has taken over as the new President of NATHEALTH. He succeeds erstwhile President, Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals. Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Secretary General, NATHEALTH will continue to head NATHEALTH secretariat while lending support to the leadership team, working towards the goal of making NATHEALTH, a platform which will provide opportunities for the sector to engage, collaborate and devise solutions for the long-standing challenges. Dr Mahajan said, “The next 5 years are crucial for the Indian healthcare industry for improving the quality of healthcare to ensure we are future ready to deal with any medical emergency. Efforts made by the sector in harnessing local manufacturing capabilities and vaccines has placed India on the global map. NATHEALTH will continue to advocate for innovative partnership models to build a modern 21st century universal healthcare delivery model in India. Dr Shravan Subramanyam, Senior Vice President, NATHEALTH commented, "Our larger goal is to ensure that, no one in India is deprived of healthcare services, even in the farthest corner of the country.” Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Vice President, NATHEALTH said, “Our common and ultimate aim is to provide world-class healthcare to the masses at affordable prices thereby achieving UHC in India. Ameera Shah, Secretary, NATHEALTH said, “NATHEALTH will continue to provide a collaborative platform to facilitate dialogues to establish a value-based proposition to ensure last mile healthcare delivery.” Sunil Thakur, Treasurer, NATHEALTH said, “NATHEALTH will work on a priority basis to suggest commercially viable healthcare financing models that aligns national and state priorities of offering outcome based quality and affordable healthcare to every Indian citizen.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18332/healthcube-ropes-in-runam-mehta-as-chief-growth-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18332/healthcube-ropes-in-runam-mehta-as-chief-growth-officer.html Thu, 25 Mar 2021 17:35:00 +0530 HealthCube announced the appointment of Runam Mehta as its Chief Growth Officer. Mehta will chart the course for a market leading and beneficial technology driven product and explore scalable business solutions across segments. Speaking about this, Dr Ramanan Laxminarayan, Founder, HealthCube, said, “Runam is a proven leader in the Indian healthcare space with an in-depth understanding of the delivery ecosystem and consumer needs.  She comes to HealthCube with strengths in business strategy and has been at the forefront of several pioneering initiatives in her career.” Adding her views, Mehta, said, “I am very happy to join the HealthCube team as the Chief Growth Officer. My journey in the realm of healthcare, specifically access to it, has been interesting. My focus will be on growing HealthCube’s business as much as envisioning how India’s overall healthcare delivery model can benefit from what we do. HealthCube is doing well in terms of providing access to point-of-care diagnostics in areas where it is not accessible. I will be looking at how to scale up our offerings in the market in the times to come.” Runam is an out-of-the-box thinker and strategy expert with over 14 years of experience in building businesses, and creating new avenues of healthcare delivery in India. She has achieved success in diverse areas across the healthcare spectrum. She pioneered the first and most comprehensive home isolation programme for COVID-19 patients as part of Portea Medical. Her first entrepreneurial venture, ‘Work Ergonomics’, spread awareness about postural problems and injuries among corporate workforce. Mehta is a trained physiotherapist with an MDT Certificate from the Sancheti Institute. She has also completed an Executive General Management Programme, Business Administration and Management, from the prestigious IIM, Bangalore. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18274/dr-harsh-vardhan-takes-charge-as-chairman-of-stop-tb-partnership-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18274/dr-harsh-vardhan-takes-charge-as-chairman-of-stop-tb-partnership-board.html Thu, 18 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the movement to eradicate Tuberculosis (TB) from India by 2025, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has been appointed Chairman of the Stop TB Partnership Board. The Stop TB Partnership is a unique international body with the power to align actors all over the world in the fight against TB. The participation of a wide range of constituencies gives this global body the credibility and the broad range of medical, social and financial expertise needed to defeat TB. The Partnership’s vision is a TB-free world.  The appointment of Dr Harsh Vardhan as the Chair of this prestigious global body is a proud recognition of India’s political commitment to eradication of TB. The Union Health Minister will hence serve a three year term, commencing July 2021, as the Chair of the Board of Stop TB Partnership. Established in the year 2000, the ‘Stop TB Partnership’ is mandated to eliminate Tuberculosis as a public health problem. Dr. Harsh Vardhan has been a vocal proponent of repurposing the COVID19 containment infrastructure and use the lessons learned from COVID19 in elimination of TB in a big way: Several dedicated Infectious Disease Hospitals have come up as a part of the pandemic response measures which would contribute in a major way towards TB care and management. The molecular diagnostic capacity of the country has increased multi-fold. These multi-platform devices based on cartridge and chip-based technology can decentralize TB diagnosis. Behavioural changes acquired during the pandemic, such as cough hygiene, use of masks, physical distancing which helped reduce the transmission ofother respiratory diseases, be used in generating awareness against Tuberculosis as well. The increased uptake of telemedicine and teleconsultation during the pandemic will also provide channels of consultation for tuberculosis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18252/nephroplus-appoints-dr-om-prakash-manchanda-as-independent-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18252/nephroplus-appoints-dr-om-prakash-manchanda-as-independent-director.html Fri, 12 Mar 2021 18:35:00 +0530 NephroPlus has added another feather to the cap with the addition of Dr Om Prakash Manchanda into the Board of Directors as an Independent Director. This induction will further help NephroPlus in its scale-up journey as it expands in domestic and international markets. Dr Manchanda is the Managing Director of Dr Lal PathLabs. With their strategic vision and operational abilities, Dr Manchanda has helped transform Dr Lal PathLabs into its current network of over 200 labs, more than 2,500 patient service centres, and close to 6,500 sample pick-up-points. Before joining Dr Lal PathLabs in 2005, Dr Manchanda led the International & Innovation group of the Consumer Healthcare Division at Ranbaxy. He  has also worked for Monsanto as the head of Sales and Marketing, where his team successfully launched the company's first ever biotech product Bt-Cotton. Earlier, during his tenure with Hindustan Unilever for about 10 years, he received in-depth exposure in consumer product sales, distribution and marketing. An MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Dr Manchanda is also a Doctor in Veterinary Sciences from HAU, Hisar. He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School and recipient of several awards including Healthcare Personality of the Year Award in 2020 by FICCI, and EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2019 under Healthcare category. Speaking on this occasion, Vikram Vuppala, Founder and CEO, NephroPlus said, “We are delighted to welcome Dr Om Prakash Manchanda to the Board of Directors at NephroPlus. We are sure he will add a strong independent voice in our Board discussions related to our future expansion plans in India and the overseas markets. I am personally looking forward to working with him as we embark on our next phase of growth.” Speaking on the new role Dr Manchanda said, “I have been tracking NephroPlus for several years now and have watched the company grow in India and recently in the overseas markets as well. What excites me the most about NephroPlus is its patient centricity, which is very crucial in healthcare systems. The current dominant leadership position in India and the thoughtful approach with which the company is pursuing international markets are quite compelling success factors. I look forward to supporting NephroPlus in the next phase of its scale-up journey in India and beyond.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18230/shriram-vijayakumar-assumes-charge-as-ceo-of-ihh-healthcare-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18230/shriram-vijayakumar-assumes-charge-as-ceo-of-ihh-healthcare-india.html Tue, 09 Mar 2021 12:15:00 +0530 Shriram Vijayakumar has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of IHH Healthcare India, with effect from March 1, 2021.  Vijayakumar joined IHH Healthcare as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of its India Operations Division in December 2019. Until February 28, 2021, he oversaw the operations of five Gleneagles Global hospitals and Continental Hospital in India.  As the newly promoted CEO of IHH Healthcare India, he will work with the Board of Directors to guide and advise the management team as it delivers on its business strategy while ensuring alignment and continual improvement in its service development, physician engagement, and clinical quality. Before joining us, Vijayakumar had a successful career as the Founder and Managing Director of Nephrolife before he sold the business to DaVita Kidney Care and became DaVita’s Deputy COO International.  Vijayakumar holds a double major degree in Bachelor of Science, Economics and Information Systems from the Carnegie Mellon University, United States. With his strong credentials and close to 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Shriram is well placed to take IHH IN to the next level of success. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18223/dma-honours-dr-harsh-vardhan-for-exemplary-work-during-pandemic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18223/dma-honours-dr-harsh-vardhan-for-exemplary-work-during-pandemic.html Mon, 08 Mar 2021 12:35:00 +0530 Delhi Medical Association (DMA) honoured Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences for his contribution to the medical fraternity and outstanding service and exemplary work during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the occasion of DMA's 62nd Annual Delhi State Medical Conference (MEDICON 2021) in collaboration with Dharamshila Narayana Hospital on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at Hotel The Lalit, New Delhi, Dr Vardhan was hailed as a beacon of hope for over a billion people during the world's biggest health crisis in recent memory. At the event, Dr Harsh Vardhan said, "It is a proud privilege and honour for me to be present here at MEDICON 2021 and receiving this award. I have several cherished memories of my time in the prestigious Delhi Medical Association (DMA), which has a rich history of some of the most esteemed medical professionals, not only in India but anywhere in the world.” Dr BB Wadhwa, President, Delhi Medical Association (DMA), said, “Dr Harsh Vardhan is the pride of medical fraternity. He has been the president of DMA in the past. We acknowledge and appreciate his exemplary missionary zeal in getting India Polio-free. When he was the President of DMA in 1993-1994, he was also the Health Minister of Delhi and he started the novel Pulse Polio Programme which was later taken up by the whole country, and eventually by the SAARC countries.” Dr Ajay Gambhir, Hony State Secretary said that “We have worked under the leadership of Dr Harsh Vardhan in the past during the Pulse Polio Programme and DMA is now fully engaged in helping to develop the health care infrastructure across the country as well as in the vaccination programme.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18198/doceree-appoints-preetha-vasanji-as-sr-vp-to-helm-doceree-engage-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18198/doceree-appoints-preetha-vasanji-as-sr-vp-to-helm-doceree-engage-.html Fri, 05 Mar 2021 19:00:00 +0530 Doceree has announced its foray into enterprise level network solution with Doceree Engage, appointing Preetha Vasanji as Senior Vice President to lead the vertical in India. Based in Mumbai, Vasanji brings over 20 years of experience from healthcare and pharmaceutical sector. Before Doceree, she worked with McCann Health in the capacity of Senior VP and General Manager, Mumbai. With Doceree Engage, the physician marketing platform has taken a leap from offering physician marketing solutions to a business segment of a conglomerate to an enterprise level. The focus of the programme will be on enterprise level multi-channel engagement and performance marketing. “With Doceree Engage, we would work in close partnership with Business Heads/CXO and help bring about the desired cultural change within the organisation. From reach and RoI to creative standards and outcomes, Doceree Engage impacts every aspect of doctor engagement in the digital world,” said Dr Harshit Jain, Founder & CEO, Doceree. The Doceree Engage model will leverage the technology core of Doceree, while also creating a strategic consulting role for the company. Commenting on her new role, Vasanji said, “I am absolutely delighted to be a part of Doceree and the role it can play in fundamentally transforming the way physician marketing is done in the digital world. It is a fascinating play of technology and an astute sense of strategy to optimise outcomes. This medium is here to stay and will be an imperative part of every marketers plan co-existing with the offline world.” “With Preetha’s enormous experience of healthcare and pharma advertising, we are expanding our capabilities in the market,” added Dr Jain. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18218/glenmark-ropes-in-rohit-sharma-as-brand-ambassador-for-candid-dusting-powder.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18218/glenmark-ropes-in-rohit-sharma-as-brand-ambassador-for-candid-dusting-powder.html Fri, 05 Mar 2021 17:20:00 +0530 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, a research-led, global integrated pharmaceutical company, has announced a new brand ambassador for its global consumer care business. Rohit Sharma, also known as the ‘Hitman of Indian Cricket’ has officially signed on to represent Glenmark’s Candid Dusting Powder, a legacy brand of the company’s consumer care division. Candid Powder brand is a market-leader in its category, with a market share of 64 per cent in the medicated powder category.  Commenting on the association, Dhawal Katkar, Vice President and Head – Glenmark Consumer Care,  Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, said, “We are excited to be associated with Rohit Sharma. He brings refined expertise and skill to the game of cricket in much the same way that Candid Powder has proven to be an expert in the solution of four skin problems. Just like Rohit Sharma has all-round expertise in all formats of the game, Candid Powder too, is a proven solution for identified skin related problems.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18194/biocon-appoints-susheel-umesh-as-cco-emerging-markets.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18194/biocon-appoints-susheel-umesh-as-cco-emerging-markets.html Tue, 02 Mar 2021 15:00:00 +0530 Biocon Ltd announced that Susheel Umesh has joined Biocon Biologics as the Chief Commercial Officer - Emerging Markets (CCO-EMs) wef March 1, 2021. He will drive the company’s business in the Emerging Markets (EMs) and will also be responsible for the Branded Formulations business. Umesh has over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceuticals industry, having worked in India, France and Sub-Saharan Africa for leading global pharma companies. He has managed global brands as well as led different functions in India and overseas in sales & marketing, business development and operations excellence. Most recently, he led the domestic formulations of an Indian biotech company as its Chief Executive Officer. With this appointment, Biocon Biologics will move its commercial operations from Singapore to its headquarters in Bengaluru. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Biologics, said: “We are very happy to welcome Susheel Umesh to Biocon Biologics. As Chief Commercial Officer, Susheel will be responsible for driving the company’s growth strategy in Emerging Markets on a platform of affordable access.” Dr Arun Chandavarkar, Managing Director, Biocon Biologics said, “We are extremely delighted to have Susheel Umesh lead our Commercial Operations for the Emerging Markets. Susheel has deep expertise in diverse therapy areas, including diabetes, oncology, cardiology and transplantation, and has a proven track record of delivering robust business growth.” Umesh said, “I am extremely proud to join Biocon Biologics, at this juncture where it has established a strong biosimilars business in global markets in collaboration with its partners. I believe the company is well-positioned to impact millions of patients globally, capitalising on its strengths in science and global scale manufacturing expertise.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18189/shreehas-tambe-takes-charge-as-deputy-ceo-of-biocon-biologics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18189/shreehas-tambe-takes-charge-as-deputy-ceo-of-biocon-biologics.html Tue, 02 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Shreehas Tambe, takes on the role of Deputy CEO of Biocon Biologics, wef March 1, 2021. Tambe has been with Biocon since 1997 and has played  a critical role in shaping the biosimilars business, till most recently he was the Chief Operating Officer of Biocon Biologics.  He has over 20 years of leadership experience in operational and strategic roles and has led large, diverse teams at R&D, manufacturing and projects & engineering during his tenure. Previously, as the Senior Vice President & Global Head of Biocon’s insulins business unit he was responsible for the P&L and expanding the insulins portfolio across several geographies. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Biologics, said: “I am delighted to welcome Shreehas Tambe in his new role as the Deputy CEO of Biocon Biologics. Shreehas has also worked closely with Dr Arun Chandavarkar, Managing Director of Biocon Biologics, on formulating business strategies and achieving operational excellence.” Dr Arun Chandavarkar, Managing Director, Biocon Biologics said: “I would like to congratulate Shreehas Tambe for his new role as the Deputy CEO of Biocon Biologics. Shreehas has played a critical role in shaping our biosimilars business over the years in different roles and more recently as the COO of Biocon Biologics.” Tambe said, “I am deeply honoured to take on this role to drive Biocon Biologics towards becoming a global leader in affordable healthcare. Along with the leadership team, I am looking forward to realising the several opportunities that lie ahead of us and work collaboratively to address challenges.” Tambe holds a Masters’ degree in Bioprocess Technology from ICT (UDCT), University of Mumbai and has also studied Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology at University of Pune. He was conferred the coveted Distinguished Alumnus Award (Professional) by his alma mater, the prestigious ICT, Mumbai, in 2020. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18158/moms-belief-onboards-dr-mohan-chellappa-as-member-of-advisory-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18158/moms-belief-onboards-dr-mohan-chellappa-as-member-of-advisory-board.html Tue, 23 Feb 2021 18:45:00 +0530 Mom’s Belief, India’s premier mental healthcare platform for a child with special needs, has onboarded Dr Mohan Chellappa as a member of the advisory board. Dr Chellappa is a founding member of John Hopkins Medicine International since 1997 and is serving as Executive Vice President. He will focus to accelerate the company’s efforts to bring mental health issues to the mainstream.  Dr Chellappa has been instrumental in the development of international clinical consultancy activities, in the area of clinical care programme development, utilisation of information technology in healthcare. He has a broad surgical experience, having worked in countries such as India, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.  Commenting on this, Nitin Bindlish, CEO, Mom’s Belief said. “Mohan brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the healthcare space. He has had an inspiring journey and his diverse knowledge and insights will play a pivotal role in shaping the Mom Belief’s journey as we aim to become the world’s largest and affordable mental healthcare platform.”  Dr Mohan Chellappa, President, Global Ventures, Johns Hopkins Medicine International and Executive Vice President said, “I am glad to be associated with the company that is working hard and fast towards catering to mental health and making it accessible to everyone. With intuitive programmes the company have been able to develop over the years, I am looking forward to working with them and take it a notch above. I am very confident that Mom’s Belief is well placed for the transformation we want to bring within the society, and I look forward to work towards strengthening this further.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18149/wolters-kluwer-appointsharishramachandranascountry-headindia-and-saarc-forclinical-effectivenessdivision.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18149/wolters-kluwer-appointsharishramachandranascountry-headindia-and-saarc-forclinical-effectivenessdivision.html Mon, 22 Feb 2021 17:55:00 +0530 Wolters Kluwer, a leading global provider of trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions, has appointed Harish Ramachandran as Country Head – India and SAARC, for the Clinical Effectiveness division. Prior to his appointment at Wolters Kluwer, Harish was heading Connected Care at Philips, Africa, in the capacity of Business, Marketing and Sales Lead. He has extensively worked in the medical equipment space and has held various senior leadership roles at Philips India and also has an experience of working with GE Healthcare in the past. Ramachandran’s appointment will be instrumental in understanding the inter-disciplinary dynamics and strategies going forward for Wolters Kluwer. In his current role, Ramachandran will be responsible for building upon the businesses that cater to the critical aspects of quality care through clinical effectiveness. He will also be navigating through the healthcare delivery centres across India and its neighbouring countries to sensitise and support business for evidence-based medicine, with the application of the best and latest knowledge pool for clinicians across public and private hospitals. Speaking on his appointment, Ramachandran said, “I am thrilled to be a part of a team that is working relentlessly to bring a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery through advanced technologies and services. Wolters Kluwer is committed to providing evidence-based learning process which acts as a crucial tool in decision-making for clinicians to empower medical services for better patient outcomes. I look forward to continuing to drive that vision with a holistic approach to help align decision making across care teams and patients, enabling more consistent and cost-effective care.” Harish holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration programme from Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning and has pursued his graduation in Microbiology from Bangalore University. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18123/msme-start-up-forum-bharat-appoints-sanjeev-singhai-as-national-vp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18123/msme-start-up-forum-bharat-appoints-sanjeev-singhai-as-national-vp.html Wed, 17 Feb 2021 17:40:00 +0530 MSME & Start-up forum- Bharat has appointed Sanjeev Singhai as a National Vice President who is also the founder of Wellnessta.com – India’s first wellnessTech platform; a popular wellness solution provider that provides instant online access to clients for beauty salon, spa, and naturopathy services and so on. The MSME Start-up forum – Bharat is a platform that brings together MSME, start-ups, entrepreneurs and businesses under one pavilion to develop, promote and support upcoming and evolving sectors across the country.  Singhai said “I am honoured to be a part of this esteemed forum; my plan is to implement a firm governance structure, build awareness and provide support to various sectors through web interaction and portals; most importantly, to help and reach Indian MSME & start-up goals.” Manoj Kumar Shah, Founder & National President, MSME & Start-ups Forum - Bharat, added, “The expertise of Mr Singhai as a communication specialist, his ability to build systems and processes will add value to the objectives of the forum" Singhai has diplomas from Harvard Business School and IIM-Bangalore, he is passionately creative and gushing it freely into work is his forte. Singhai also Co-owns Buchanan India, a TV ad & video content business. He is the founding member of www.HomeTesterClub.com, the world’s largest community of grocery buyers. He also owns Sanjeev Digital LLP which is a business consulting firm. They have their presence pan India and are globally present in Hong Kong and Kenya with an aim to be available across the globe and act as a link that binds this sector together. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18116/bioasia-bestows-dr-balram-bhargava-with-dr-bs-bajaj-memorial-faba-award-for-2021.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18116/bioasia-bestows-dr-balram-bhargava-with-dr-bs-bajaj-memorial-faba-award-for-2021.html Wed, 17 Feb 2021 14:40:00 +0530 BioAsia, Asia’s largest annual global Biotechnology and Life Sciences forum organised by the Government of Telangana, has announced that the the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA), which is a partner organisation of BioAsia has announced that the FABA Special Award will be bestowed upon Dr Balram Bhargava for his exemplary contributions to medicine and healthcare.  Dr Bhargava has been serving as the Secretary to Government of India, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare & Director-General, Indian Council of Medical Research since 2018. He has not only spearheaded the fight against COVID-19 in India but has also commenced several extraordinary marquee projects such as India- Stanford Biodesign programme, c-GMP Centre for Excellence for Stem Cell Studies, Studies, Society for Less Investigative Medicine (SLIM) and many more. He has pioneered the development of indigenous low-cost coronary stents that have benefited several thousand patients. FABA, which represents 20 Asian countries with a common interest in promoting human health through advances in Biotechnology, instituted the ‘FABA Special Award’ in BioAsia 2010. Further, the Federation has announced that the award has been renamed as ‘Dr BS Bajaj Memorial FABA award’ in memory of the late Dr BS Bajaj, who was a founding member of the Federation. The principal industry hosts for BioAsia 2021 are Novartis and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories. Further, the industry co-host for the event are Aurobindo, Hetero Biopharma and Laurus Labs.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18114/bioasia-bestows-bharat-biotech-withgenome-valley-excellence-awardfor-2021.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18114/bioasia-bestows-bharat-biotech-withgenome-valley-excellence-awardfor-2021.html Wed, 17 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0530 BioAsia has announced that the prestigious Genome Valley Excellence Award for the year 2021 will be bestowed upon Bharat Biotech International Limited for its breakthrough, pioneering research, development and commercialisation of vaccines including COVAXIN™ (COVID-19 Vaccine), Rabies vaccine, Rotavirus vaccine, Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, Polio vaccine and Typhoid Conjugate vaccines, among others that have helped save billions of lives globally. Dr Krishna M Ella, Chairman & Managing Director, and Suchitra Ella, Joint Managing Director, Bharat Biotech International will receive the award on February 22, 2021, during the inaugural event of BioAsia 2021. Bharat Biotech was selected by the International Advisory Board of BioAsia. Speaking on the announcement of the 2021 Genome Valley Excellence Award, KT Rama Rao, Minister for Industries & Commerce, Government of Telangana said, “The years of persistent work by Bharat Biotech under the able leadership of Dr Krishna Ella and Dr Suchitra Ella has indeed helped Telangana and India to show its prowess to the world in the life sciences industry.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18101/oppi-elects-s-sridhar-as-new-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18101/oppi-elects-s-sridhar-as-new-president.html Mon, 15 Feb 2021 12:15:00 +0530 The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) has elected S Sridhar as its next President. The term is for a period of two years and is effective from February 15, 2021. He takes over from Sharad Tyagi, Former Managing Director, Boehringer Ingelheim India Pvt Ltd. Sridhar is the Managing Director of Pfizer Limited and is heading Pfizer Inc’s commercial business in India. Sridhar has been a member of the Executive Committee of OPPI for the past six years and has also chaired its Finance and Taxation Work Group. Sridhar is a strong voice of healthcare transformation in the country and was the chair of FICCI’s Pharma Committee till recently.  Speaking on the new role, Sridhar said, “I am honoured to take over the responsibility of leading this prestigious organisation at this important juncture for healthcare in India. I look forward to making a difference to patients, the industry and the country as OPPI works with the government on policies that are pro-patient, encourage innovation and provide for a positive environment for the industry to grow. I thank members of the OPPI Executive Committee for selecting me for this role.” Welcoming Sridhar as President, Tyagi said, “It is a pleasure to welcome Sridhar as the new President. I am confident that under his stellar leadership, OPPI will charter a new path in the emerging healthcare order of the country where research and innovation are taking deep roots as foundations of the economy. Sridhar is a Chartered Accountant and has led various finance roles before joining Pfizer Ltd. At Pfizer Ltd, he expanded from his role as Chief Financial Officer to Business Unit head, took over the responsibility as the Managing Director of India Commercial Business, a position he has been holding for the past five years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18090/dr-mahavir-prashad-joins-sai-life-sciences-as-vp-early-phase-process-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18090/dr-mahavir-prashad-joins-sai-life-sciences-as-vp-early-phase-process-development.html Thu, 11 Feb 2021 19:00:00 +0530 Sai Life Sciences announced the addition of Dr Mahavir Prashad, an acknowledged scientific leader and industry veteran, to its scientific leadership team as Vice President of Early Phase Process Development. With over three decades of experience in advanced research, and roles of increasing responsibility in one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, Dr Prashad will provide impetus to Sai Life Sciences' growing capabilities and help accelerate the drug development programmes of its customers. Making the announcement, Krishna Kanumuri, CEO & Managing Director, Sai Life Sciences, said, "We see Early Phase Process Development as a key pivot in compressing the time to market of our clients' drug development programmes. This priority has now received significant momentum with the joining of Dr Mahavir Prashad.” Dr Prashad is a recognised leader in chemical process R&D and leveraging green chemistry principles and modern technologies in API synthesis. He possesses an excellent scientific track record through 94 publications, 4 review articles, 1 book chapter, 71 patent/applications, and 10 invited lectures at scientific conferences. He was awarded Novartis Leading Scientist award in 2002 and also the 2010 Diversity & Inclusion award of the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Dr Prashad has a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the Central Drug Research Institute in Lucknow, India and was awarded a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at Duke University in North Carolina, US. Commenting on his appointment, Dr Prashad said, "I am very excited to be joining Sai Life Sciences and its passionate leadership team with a clear Early Phase Development acceleration strategy. I am looking forward to working with talented and dedicated scientists at Sai who are enabling their partners in delivering novel medicines to patients in a speedy and socially responsible manner through science and innovation.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18050/aster-dm-appoints-david-boucher-as-group-head-of-service-excellence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18050/aster-dm-appoints-david-boucher-as-group-head-of-service-excellence.html Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:20:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare announced the appointment of David Boucher, a global leader in healthcare service excellence and medical value tourism, in an effort to strengthen its patient and customer service offering and enable wider access to its quality healthcare services to patients across the world. Working closely with the strategic leadership team of the organisation, he would be responsible for fostering and driving a culture of patient/ customer centricity, while improving patient experience across markets. Commenting on the appointment Alisha Moopen, Deputy Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare said, “Mr David brings his unique perspectives of leading healthcare systems that saw 150 nationalities being served as patients, personalising and creating a haven for care and recovery for people who travel for access to quality care. As the group head of Service Excellence, we hope to build on our combined strengths further to become one amongst the most distinguished brands in healthcare built on the cornerstone of trust.” “With a core-focus on the voice of the customer or patient and enabling solutions that would support them in the best possible way, the organisation has tremendous potential to emerge as a global leader,” said Boucher. With more than four decades of experience in the area of patient excellence and business transformation, Boucher has provided both operational and strategic leadership at various roles with healthcare organisations across the world. He last served as Chief Business Transformation Officer at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Prior to that he served as President and COO of UCI Medical Affiliates, Columbia, US and held several leadership roles with various healthcare organisations like BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Columbia, Companion Global Healthcare among others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18041/lupin-appoints-mark-d-mcdade-as-independent-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18041/lupin-appoints-mark-d-mcdade-as-independent-director.html Wed, 03 Feb 2021 18:15:00 +0530 Lupin Limited,a global pharmaceutical company, announced the appointment of Mark D McDade as an Independent Director effective January 28, 2021. McDade is the Co-Founder and Partner at Qiming Venture Partners, USA where he led several high-value investments in biotherapeutics, including cell and gene therapy and digital health. With a career spanning over 37 years, he has led and transformed global companies as well as founded and advanced Biotech companies. Commenting on the appointment, Manju D Gupta, Chairman, Lupin said, “We are delighted to welcome Mark D McDade on Lupin’s board. We are confident that his diverse experience across large, mid and development-stage companies across Specialty & Biologics, will help advance our growth journey.” McDade holds a BA in History from Dartmouth College and MBA from Harvard Business School.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18031/healthcare-global-enterprises-appoints-raj-gore-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18031/healthcare-global-enterprises-appoints-raj-gore-as-ceo.html Tue, 02 Feb 2021 18:00:00 +0530 HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited has announced the joining of Raj Gore as CEO from February 01, 2021. Gore has a 17-year track record in healthcare business management spanning North America, Asia, and Africa. He has led business transformation and financial turnaround mandates, including post-acquisition integration for acquired healthcare companies in India, Mauritius, and Vietnam. Gore joins HCG from Apollo Hospitals, where he was CEO for the Southern Region, responsible for Apollo’s largest region with 15 facilities across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Prior to Apollo Hospitals, Gore was Chief Growth Officer (India) & Chief Operating Officer – NCR at Fortis Healthcare. Dr BS Ajaikumar, Former Chairman and CEO, HCG and newly appointed as Executive Chairman, said, “I am delighted to welcome Raj as CEO of HCG. His excellent track record in healthcare and, in particular, his strategic and operational expertise make him the ideal choice to lead our dedicated team and specialised business.”  Gore said, “With oncology cases continuing to rise, a comprehensive and focused approach is key to delivering high quality of care and superior outcomes. I look forward to building on HCG’s legacy as the most trusted brand in oncology, sustained by a relentless focus on patient outcomes and research-driven treatment and care.”  Amit Soni, Managing Director, CVC and Board member of HCG, added, “We are excited about Raj joining as CEO. Now with the completion of our capex cycle, a strong balance sheet, and with a seasoned professional such as Raj on board, we look forward to an exciting phase of clinical, operational and financial efficiencies across the organisation.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18019/ficci-appoints-dr-gsk-velu-as-chairperson-for-tn-state-council.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18019/ficci-appoints-dr-gsk-velu-as-chairperson-for-tn-state-council.html Mon, 01 Feb 2021 11:20:00 +0530 Dr GSK Velu has been appointed as the Chairperson of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Tamil Nadu State Council. Prior to this, he co-chaired the FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council. Driven by the vision to make medical technology, expertise and quality healthcare available to all, Dr Velu has been promoting high-value health technology and diagnostics offerings through his business initiatives. Currently, he is the Chairman & Managing Director at Neuberg Diagnostics; Chairman & Managing Director at Trivitron Healthcare; Mentor & Shareholder at Kauvery Group of Hospitals; Chairman at Maxivision Eye Hospitals; Founder & Director at Apollo White Dental & Apollo Dialysis; and Anchor Investor at Stakeboat Capital, a private equity fund. He is also the Honorary Consul to The Republic of Estonia in India, wherein the Honorary Consul jurisdiction states include Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Expressing gratitude and talking about his role, Dr Velu said, "I am thankful for FICCI’s vote of confidence in appointing me as the Chairperson of FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council. This position gives me an opportunity to work within the FICCI framework in meeting its objectives of industry growth at one level, and the nation’s growth at another. I look forward to engaging with industry leaders to foster an ecosystem of innovation and growth, and towards building consensus between the industry and the policymakers.” With more than 33 years of experience in the healthcare and diagnostics industry, Dr. Velu’s contributions and prominence in the healthcare sector have been recognised and received globally. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18008/medibuddy-appoints-manoj-balaji-as-senior-vp-business-head-for-its-corporate-business-unit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18008/medibuddy-appoints-manoj-balaji-as-senior-vp-business-head-for-its-corporate-business-unit.html Thu, 28 Jan 2021 18:25:00 +0530 India’s largest digital healthcare platform, MediBuddy has onboarded Manoj Balaji as Senior Vice President & Business Head for its Corporate Business Unit. This is Balaji’s second stint with MediBuddy, In his previous tenure at MediBuddy, as COO and Business Head, Balaji’s was instrumental in kick- starting the wellness and out-patient health benefits administration business and had scaled it to an exit run rate of 200 crore by FY19. In his new role, Balaji will be leading the Corporate Business Unit and will be working directly with the Corporate Category (P&L) owners. Prior to joining MediBuddy, Balaji was the Head of Growth for Nestaway Technologies – a tech-enabled managed home rental business where his key focus was on channel expansion, digital marketing and establishing Nestaway’s O2O (Online to Offline) play) and launching new cities to propel geographical expansion. Commenting on the leadership role appointment, Satish Kannan, Co-Founder & CEO, MediBuddy-DocsApp says, “We are extremely glad to have Manoj join us back at MediBuddy. Having worked with us before, he understands the pulse of our platform and in this new role, I am sure he will only further strengthen our presence and take MediBuddy to newer heights. On joining MediBuddy, Balaji says, “I am super excited to be back at MediBuddy when they’re already doing pioneering work in the field of healthcare and are building India’s health infrastructure to the best of their abilities. I am looking forward to work with this dynamic team and support the corporate mission to make MediBuddy synonymous with healthcare in India.” Manoj is a master’s in business administration (MBA) graduate from SP Jain Center of Management, a premiere B-school. Manoj is a sports fanatic with tennis being his favourite sport and has also done some theatre work. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18007/medibuddy-onboards-siva-venkataraman-as-head-of-finance-legal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/18007/medibuddy-onboards-siva-venkataraman-as-head-of-finance-legal.html Thu, 28 Jan 2021 18:20:00 +0530 India’s largest digital healthcare platform, MediBuddy has onboarded Siva Venkataraman as Head of Finance & Legal. Venkataraman joins the platform with over 15 years of experience in leading and being part of finance teams at start-ups from seed stage to series D. Venkataraman joins the healthcare platform from RentoMojo where he led the finance team and oversaw accounting and controllership, equity and debt fundraising and investor relations, business, finance and legal. He has also previously been part of Arbor Ventures and Flipkart. He also co-founded and managed a financial services firm based out of the Middle East for 4 years. Commenting on the leadership role appointment, Satish Kannan, Co-Founder & CEO, MediBuddy-DocsApp says, “It is also a great privilege to have Siva join us with his commendable background in start-ups and the finance sector. As a growing platform, his inputs will be extremely valuable to us.” Venkataraman says, “I am looking forward to doing some great work with MediBuddy in the healthcare sector. MediBuddy has grown from strength to strength since its inception and joining them at a time when telemedicine as an industry is booming, feels great.” Venkataraman is an alumnus of Indian School of Business (ISB) & CFA institute USA. Outside of work, his interests lie in reading and writing Haikus, active trading in the stock market and home automation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17974/biocon-biologics-inducts-professor-peter-piot-as-independent-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17974/biocon-biologics-inducts-professor-peter-piot-as-independent-director.html Thu, 21 Jan 2021 16:35:00 +0530 Biocon Biologics announced that it has inducted Professor Peter Piot to its Board as an Independent Director. Professor Piot is the Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Handa Professor of Global Health. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon, said, “I welcome Professor Peter Piot to the Biocon Biologics board. His thought leadership and invaluable experience in global healthcare will greatly guide our actions in building Biocon Biologics into an innovative global leader in biosimilars committed to delivering affordable access to life saving Biologics.” On his decision to join the Biocon Biologics board, Professor Peter Piot said: “I am delighted to join dynamic Biocon Biologics and its vital mission of bringing the products of innovation to those who can benefit from them. With several exciting biosimilar molecules in its pipeline, I believe Biocon Biologics has the potential to be truly disruptive in addressing a global need for high quality, affordable biosimilar therapies to treat chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer and save many lives.” Professor Piot has been appointed to the board of Biocon Biologics Limited for a period of three years starting January 21, 2021. Professor Peter Piot was initially trained in infectious diseases and medical microbiology, with original contributions in epidemiology, bacteriology, virology, and public health policy interventions mostly in low- and middle-income countries. Professor Piot was part of the team that isolated the Ebola virus in Zaire in 1976. He also led pioneering research on HIV/AIDS, women’s health and infectious diseases, mostly in Africa. He was the founding Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1995 until 2008. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17943/usibc-announces-vice-chairs-for-its-2021-global-board-of-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17943/usibc-announces-vice-chairs-for-its-2021-global-board-of-directors.html Fri, 15 Jan 2021 13:40:00 +0530 The US Chamber of Commerce’s US-India Business Council (USIBC) announced Vice Chairs for its 2021 Global Board of Directors, strengthening its leadership team as the Council engages a new US administration and advocates for stronger US-India commercial ties in an increasingly complex world. "I'm pleased to see the US-India Business Council elevate as Vice Chairs these captains of industry and forward-thinking business leaders,” said Vijay Advani, USIBC Board of Directors Chairman and Executive Chairman, Nuveen. Effective immediately, Milind Pant, CEO, Amway; Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon; and Edward Knight, Vice Chair, Nasdaq will join the Board’s leadership team as Vice Chairs. “I am honoured to step into this new role as a Vice Chair for the US-India Business Council’s Board of Directors,” said Milind Pant, CEO, Amway. As Vice Chairs, Pant, Mazumdar-Shaw and Knight will work with USIBC President Nisha Biswal and the Council’s policy directors to elevate priorities in critical sectors and lead meetings between industry and government. They will work to amplify the voice of industry on international trade and investment issues and emphasise the critical role that businesses can play in strengthening democratic institutions and combatting the global pandemic. “The US-India Business Council is a vital link between the two business communities and a proven facilitator of a productive dialog between the US and Indian Governments,” said Knight.  Mazumdar-Shaw stated, “USIBC has been committed to enhancing US-India bilateral trade and in my new role, I look forward to forging collaborative initiatives in pharma & healthcare in the area of research, innovation and skill development between our two nations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17932/roche-diagnostics-appoints-narendra-varde-as-md-for-india-neighbouring-markets.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17932/roche-diagnostics-appoints-narendra-varde-as-md-for-india-neighbouring-markets.html Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:15:00 +0530 Roche Diagnostics India, part of the Roche Group, has announced the appointment of Narendra Varde as Managing Director for India and Neighbouring Markets. Varde joins Roche Diagnostics from Abbott Diagnostics India where he was General Manager & Country Head. He has a total of 15 years working experience in the IVD, Medical Devices & Pharmaceutical industries, most recently at Abbott Diagnostics India. In the past, he also served as Regional Country Manager for Abbott Point of Care Diagnostics business in the UK, France and Ireland. "We are very pleased to have a highly experienced leader joining with Narendra Varde. He is strongly qualified to take on this role given his strong focus on leading with innovation, drive to deliver value to customers and focus to improve quality of lives for patients that we believe will resonate with our culture," said Guido Sander, Head of High Growth Markets - Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific.” “I have heard brilliant things about the Roche culture and looking forward to experiencing it,” says Varde. “Roche, with its broad offering of innovative solutions in diagnostics, is well positioned to support unmet needs of the stakeholders and I am excited to drive this with the team at a time when our customers and patients in India need it the most.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17925/sudarshan-jain-takes-charge-as-igba-chairperson-for-2021.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17925/sudarshan-jain-takes-charge-as-igba-chairperson-for-2021.html Tue, 12 Jan 2021 12:40:00 +0530 IGBA, the International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association, representing global manufacturers of generic and biosimilar medicines, has announced that Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), is taking over the position of IGBA Chair for 2021 from Hanan Sboul, Secretary General of the Jordanian Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers. The incoming IGBA Chair Sudarshan Jain is a well-known veteran in the pharmaceutical industry and brings with him decades of strong leadership and drug policy experience. “I am very pleased and proud to take over the Chairmanship of IGBA and look forward to ensuring that IGBA continues to expand its outreach relevant to its mission, priorities and operations,” commented Jain. “More than ever, we need to transform the lessons learned from the current pandemic and public health crises into resilience of the supply-chain of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Finished Products (FPs) and ensure that the needs of patients and their access to affordable, safe, and effective generic and biosimilar medicines are taken into account in trade agreements,” concluded Jain.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17922/boehringer-ingelheim-appoints-vani-manja-as-country-managing-director-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17922/boehringer-ingelheim-appoints-vani-manja-as-country-managing-director-for-india.html Mon, 11 Jan 2021 18:05:00 +0530 Boehringer Ingelheim has announced that Vani Manja is appointed Country Managing Director for India, effective January 1, 2021. In this role, she will assume responsibility for the Company’s businesses in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Manja will also join the Board of the Company. Announcing Manja’s appointment, Thorsten Poehl, Head, Emerging Markets, Boehringer Ingelheim said, “Vani is a proven and respected leader who lives our Company values and has a strong track record of leading complex transformations and delivering results. With her unwavering commitment to patients, customers and employees, I am confident that Vani will lead the India business to build patient-friendly access and benefit models in the years to come. Manja was formerly the Global Head of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Go-To-Market and Business Steering organisation, based in the Company’s headquarters in Germany. She joined Boehringer Ingelheim in the US in 2011, working across Strategy & Operations, Marketing and Sales leadership roles before moving to Ingelheim in 2016 as Regional Business Manager for Japan. Her global experience in healthcare spans nearly two decades across McKinsey & Company, Becton Dickinson and Boehringer Ingelheim, and is characterised by strong global mobility and cross-functional leadership assignments across healthcare and management consulting. Manja holds an MBA and MA in International Studies from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in Chemistry from Delhi University. Manja said, “I look forward to working with our customers, partners and leaders in healthcare to improve the lives of patients through innovative therapies, after all the years of remotely following the huge strides India has taken towards developing healthcare.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17919/medibuddy-appoints-amol-maheshwari-as-country-head-for-sales-account-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17919/medibuddy-appoints-amol-maheshwari-as-country-head-for-sales-account-management.html Mon, 11 Jan 2021 17:15:00 +0530 MediBuddy has onboarded Amol Maheshwari as their Country Head for Sales and Account Management. Maheshwari is a seasoned senior sales leader with over 15 years of experience in the BFSI space in India. In his last role with Bajaj Allianz Life, he was instrumental in creating institutional distribution partnerships across banks, NBFCs, Fintechs, Insurtechs, e-commerce companies. He also handled Bajaj Allianz Life’s Corporate Distribution under Employee Benefit Schemes with Assets Under Management of over Rs 10,000 crore across top Indian companies. Commenting on the appointment, Satish Kannan, Co-Founder & CEO, MediBuddy - DocsApp says, “With the wealth of experience Amol brings in, his acumen and contribution would be of great value to MediBuddy and steer the company to achieve significant milestones.” In the past, he has worked with top brands like Bajaj Allianz Life, Bloomberg, HSBC, HDFC Life across sales & distribution functions like Bancassurance, Corporate Distribution, Wealth Management, Strategic Alliances, etc. On joining MediBuddy, Maheshwari says “With India having one of the least doctor penetration & MediBuddy having a partner network of 90,000 doctors, 7000 hospitals, 3000 diagnostic centres, 2500 pharmacies, it would be our mission to bring quality preventive healthcare to the last mile in India and promote healthy citizens. We are also committed to serving Indian Corporates across PSU, Private, MNC, SME companies in structuring best in class healthcare solutions for the well-being of their employees.” Amol holds an MBA from Symbiosis Center for Management & HRD in Marketing and has coaching certifications from International Coach Federation & Marshall Goldsmith. He has done various certifications in Leadership from Indian School of Business and Harvard University. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17916/dr-kumud-kumar-dhital-to-head-yashoda-hospitals-institute-of-heart-lung-transplantation-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17916/dr-kumud-kumar-dhital-to-head-yashoda-hospitals-institute-of-heart-lung-transplantation-.html Mon, 11 Jan 2021 16:30:00 +0530 Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad in Telangana has announced the joining of Dr Kumud Kumar Dhital, who will now lead the Institute of Heart and Lung Transplantation for the group. As a Programme and Surgical Director of Yashoda Institute of Heart & Lung Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS), Dr Dhital will be dedicating himself fully to the Yashoda Heart & Lung Transplant programme with additional practice in pulmonary endarterectomy for patients with chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension. Dr Dhital is globally renowned for being the surgical pioneer of the world’s first Donation After Circulatory Death (DCD) or Dead Heart Transplantation, from distantly procured donor organ. In 2014, at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney in Australia, he was the Principal Surgeon leading the teams for both the initial organ retrieval and the DCD Heart transplant procedures. When asked as to why he moved to India, he feels the talent amongst his multi-disciplinary colleagues, the enormous technical advances in the country and the necessary corporate support are the right mix to foresee an exponential increase in heart and lung transplantation in India. He adds, “I wanted to give back to the region where I hail from and feel enormously privileged to serve my patients through their darkest time.” He is of Nepalese origin, and born in Italy and educated in the UK, Dr Dhital brings 24 years of experience in cardiothoracic surgery. 18 years of experience in his career include heart & lung transplantation and MCS therapy in the UK, Italy and Australia. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17912/dr-clare-grace-joins-parexel-as-chief-patient-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17912/dr-clare-grace-joins-parexel-as-chief-patient-officer.html Fri, 08 Jan 2021 18:30:00 +0530 Parexel, a leading provider of solutions to accelerate the development and delivery of innovative therapies to improve world health, from clinical through commercialisation, announced the appointment of Dr Clare Grace as the company’s first Chief Patient Officer. The appointment of a Chief Patient Officer is a first for a top-tier CRO. “Patients are at the heart of everything we do,” said Sy Pretorius, MD, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, Parexel. “Clare’s proven track record of delivering innovative patient and site engagement programmes make her the perfect candidate to lead our patient-focused mission. We are pleased to welcome her to Parexel as we further evolve our support for patients and investigative sites worldwide.” Dr Grace said, “I look forward to working closely with our sites and technology partners to improve the patient experience and to further infuse the patient perspective across all studies and further enhance our ability to deliver innovative clinical trial solutions that meet our customers’ needs.” As Chief Patient Officer for Parexel, Dr Grace will lead global patient advocacy and site efforts, including patient engagement strategies and efforts to enhance clinical trial diversity as well as new, innovative approaches to help teams and customers work more effectively with investigative sites. Dr Grace earned a doctorate in Molecular Oncology from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology and a bachelor's degree in applied biochemistry from Liverpool John Moores University, both in England. Dr Grace is active in several global and national-level advisory groups, including the Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) and the SCRS Leadership Council. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17908/aditya-puri-joins-strides-group-as-advisor-director-of-associate-company-stelis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17908/aditya-puri-joins-strides-group-as-advisor-director-of-associate-company-stelis.html Fri, 08 Jan 2021 17:05:00 +0530 Strides Pharma Science Limited is pleased to announce that eminent corporate doyen Aditya Puri joins the Strides Group as an Advisor and also will be a Director of its associate Company, Stelis Biopharma. Recognised as a stalwart of the Indian banking and financial services industry, Puri was the iconic founder-Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HDFC Bank from its inception in 1994 until his retirement from the position in October 2020. Prior to setting up HDFC Bank, he was Chief Executive Officer of Citibank Malaysia with nearly two decades of overall banking experience across markets with Citibank. Puri has been conferred with several prestigious awards, accolades and titles for his exceptional contribution to Indian industry. Puri’s appointment to the Stelis Board comes at an exciting juncture for the company as it transitions from its incubation phase to a consolidation and growth phase to establish itself as a partner of choice globally with the aim of bringing world-class treatments at affordable costs to patients in both emerging and developed markets. Commenting on the development, Puri said: “The Group’s established parentage, global success and headstart in terms of basic infrastructure, gives me the opportunity to be involved in and guide Stelis and other Group endeavours in their exciting growth story.” Commenting on the development, Arun Kumar, Founder & Chairman of the Board, Strides, said: “With Stelis poised for its next leg of growth, this is the right time to expand the Board, and ensure robust guidance and governance by the best possible industry minds. I look forward to working with Aditya and leveraging his expertise to take Stelis to new heights.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17865/dr-harsh-vardhan-to-represent-india-as-member-of-gavi-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17865/dr-harsh-vardhan-to-represent-india-as-member-of-gavi-board.html Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:10:00 +0530 Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister, Health and Family Welfare has been nominated by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) as a member of the GAVI Board. Vardhan will be representing the South-East Area Regional Office (SEARO)/ Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) constituency on the GAVI Board. He will be representing India from January 1, 2021 until December 31, 2023. The seat is currently held by MyintHtwe of Myanmar. The Board normally meets twice a year in June and November/ December and holds an annual retreat, normally in March or April. All these meetings are normally attended in person. The GAVI Board is responsible for the strategic direction and policy-making. It oversees the operations of the Vaccine Alliance and monitors programme implementation. With membership drawn from a range of partner organisations, as well as experts from the private sector, the Board provides a forum for balanced strategic decision making, innovation and partner collaboration. GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance as part of its mission to save lives, reduce poverty and protect the world against the threat of epidemics, has helped vaccinate more than 822 million children in the world’s poorest countries, preventing more than 14 million future deaths. Dr NgoziOkonjo-lweala presently serves as Chair of the GAVI Alliance Board.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17806/paras-healthcare-appoints-dr-shashank-teotia-as-group-head-of-hr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17806/paras-healthcare-appoints-dr-shashank-teotia-as-group-head-of-hr.html Fri, 18 Dec 2020 14:35:00 +0530 Paras Healthcare has announced the appointment of Dr Shashank Teotia as the Group of Head of Human Resources. With his vast experience of 17 years primarily in human resources, Dr Shashank will aim to maximise the value of the organisation’s human resource department and bring in new ideas and innovations to ensure efficient business operation. Prior to this role, Dr Shashank Teotia worked with prestigious organisations like LEAD School, Max Life Insurance, IBIBO & Mother Dairy to name a few. He has been instrumental in leading talent and organisation strategy across various organisations helping them to deliver their vision. He completed his Doctorate in Philosophy from FMS, Delhi and MBA (PGDM) from Symbiosis University. He also pursued Masters in Labour Law & Labour Welfare & Development from Symbiosis Law College. His expertise lies in organisational transformation & restructuring, culture building, organisational development, automation & HRIS. He has created strong synergies between performance management processes and employee development platforms, ensuring that the organisation has a competent, readily available internal talent pool to meet business challenges. A strong advocate of ‘Learn While You Earn’, he has been instrumental in a number of interventions which has added huge value for a person to move up the value chain while continuing to pursue one's career. Throughout his career, he has gained vast experience in the HR subject matter of talent acquisition & management, employee competency gap analysis, HR financial and costing, organisational development & culture, employee engagement, human resource practices & process improvement and people development. Over the span of his career, he has focused on his path of relentlessly partnering with leadership, transforming practises and cultures from the boardroom straight to the heart of organisations by delivering goal alignment. Speaking about the appointment of Dr Teotia as the Group Head of Human Resources, Dr Shankar Narang, Group COO, Paras Healthcare said “We are happy to welcome Dr Shashank Teotia to our family. Nowadays, outside managing transactional operations, HR needs to understand what their business needs are and become familiar with their employees down to the finest detail, so they can provide their organisations with high-value solutions. With Dr Teotia's extensive experience and achievements, we plan to introduce process efficiencies and embrace a culture where innovation and ideation takes the centre stage.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17775/pink-tech-design-appoints-dr-s-pandurangan-as-head-of-ai-data-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17775/pink-tech-design-appoints-dr-s-pandurangan-as-head-of-ai-data-sciences.html Mon, 14 Dec 2020 18:20:00 +0530 Pink Tech Design, based in New Delhi, has announced the appointment of Dr Sundaramurthy Pandurangan as head of Artificial Intelligence and Data Sciences. He will join the board that has industry experts like Dr Kanav Kahol, Former Professor, Arizona State University and Mayo Clinic US, Dr Priyamvada Tripathi, CEO, Pink Tech Design, making it a powerful, diverse and truly global combination. Pink Tech Design Pvt Ltd is working towards bringing AI and Data Sciences into medical practice in India. They are not only committed to using existing tools but innovating and inventing for India. As the head of AI and Data Sciences, Dr Sundaramurthy Pandurangan comes with hands-on experience of more than 13 years, working with some of the most renowned organisations in India and the world. He will play an integral role in developing and strengthening our AI application development team. Commenting on the development, Dr Kahol, said, “All these years, we have dedicatedly invested in distinctive capabilities in acquisitions. Today I am delighted to welcome an industry stalwart in Dr Sundaramurthy Pandurangan to lead AI & Data Sciences, that will further help us strengthen our capabilities. His industry knowledge coupled with AI expertise will help us drive the next phase of sustainable growth for while remaining true to our core mission.  Sharing his thoughts, Dr Pandurangan, said, “It's my pleasure to join with an innovation focused company, fostering development and usage of advanced technologies like AI for the betterment of humanity.” Dr Sundaramurthy Pandurangan is a mathematician by training earned his PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee). Prior to his current position, he has served as a professor at the Alliance University, made a unique contribution to teaching data science (machine learning algorithms), management science (operations research) and biological science (human anatomy and physiology for engineers) in the same semester. He had his first round of corporate experience with PointCross.com Pvt Ltd, a software product development company. Served as a molecular biomarker data specialist, contributed to the design and development of a software product Xbiom Insights, which was first (2018) of its kind for the clinical research industry.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17754/cytecare-cancer-hospitals-brings-dr-swati-bhat-on-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17754/cytecare-cancer-hospitals-brings-dr-swati-bhat-on-board.html Thu, 10 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +0530 India’s leading cancer hospital, Cytecare Cancer Hospitals has announced the appointment of Dr Swati Bhat as Consultant – Pain and Palliative Care, Interventional Spine Specialist. Dr Swati Bhat is trained MD in anaesthesiology, and super specialises in Chronic Pain management. She specialises in minimally invasive advanced spine interventions like - Vertebroplasty, Biacuplasty, and Intrathecal drug delivery systems and Radiofrequency neuroplasty procedures. She will also lead the Palliative Care Fellowship programme that was launched this year under the aegis of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) at Cytecare. Dr Swati is well experienced at treating facial pains, head, neck, back pain, Chronic joint pains like shoulder and knee pain, cancer pain, burning pains, wide spread body pains like fibromyalgia etc. In over 15 years of her rich experience, she has donned many feathers to her cap and achieved several milestones. She is trained and certified by the Government of India for telemedicine and conducts pain fellowship programmes for specialist doctors, and palliative care training for nurses and junior doctors. Dr Swati has organised several National and International Conferences in the field of Pain like ICRA PAIN and Advanced Interventions in Management of Pain (AIM-P 2020). She is a visiting consultant, instructor and faculty at IPSC India, New Delhi. Dr Swati also holds various lifetime memberships with paramount associations such as; Indian Society for Study of Pain (ISSP), Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC), member of the ISSP Insurance working core committee, ESRA (European Society for regional anaesthesia). She has several publications to her credit and has been an active speaker at both national and international conferences.  Commenting on her appointment, Suresh Ramu, CEO & Co-Founder, Cytecare Hospitals, said, “We’re extremely delighted to have Dr Swati Bhat, who is not only specialised in Pain and Palliation but also very compassionate when it comes to treating her patients. It makes our goal of comforting and improving a patient's quality of life easily achievable and smooth. A strong, focused doctor like her will add more strength to our commitment in fighting Cancer the right way.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17737/dr-ts-kler-steps-in-as-chairman-of-fortis-heart-and-vascular-institute-in-gurugram.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17737/dr-ts-kler-steps-in-as-chairman-of-fortis-heart-and-vascular-institute-in-gurugram.html Wed, 09 Dec 2020 13:05:00 +0530 Fortis Healthcare has roped in eminent interventional cardiologist and electrophysiologist with global repute to lead its Heart & Vascular Institute. Honoured with Padma Bhushan, Dr Kler brings with him 30 years of rich experience including many clinical landmarks and firsts in his field. He will lead the Fortis Heart & Vascular Institute from two of its hospitals in Delhi NCR; ie Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) at Gurugram and Fortis Flt Lt Rajan Dhall Hospital at Vasant Kunj. Dr Kler & his team will strengthen the cardiology and vascular programme; with special focus on electrophysiology and heart failure, to strengthen Fortis’s cardiology patient care in Gurugram and Vasant Kunj. Dr Kler was the first doctor in India to implant an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator, Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT) and Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy Defibrillator (CRT-D) (Heart Failure Device). He performed the first His Bundle Pacing (Conduction System Pacing) in India in 2015. He was instrumental in starting Radio Frequency Ablation and cardiac device  implantation programme in many cardiac centres in South Asia. Dr Kler was the founding president of IHRS (Indian Heart Rhythm Society). Dr Kler started India’s first dedicated electrophysiology department at the Fortis Escorts in Okhla. He also initiated the Radio Frequency Ablations programme at Escorts in 1993. Prior to joining his current role, Dr Kler was Chairman of the PSRI Heart Institute, New Delhi. Commenting on his appointment, Dr TS Kler, Chairman, Fortis Heart & Vascular Institute said, “We are on a mission to cure as many hearts as possible. With a focused approach to treat cardiac patients in the best possible standard of patient care, this mission is much easier. A dedicated team of experts in the field of cardiology, their nuanced marksmanship with in-depth experience in treating cardiac issues, along with best in the class infrastructure in both the hospitals, I am confident that the Fortis Heart & Vascular Institute will not only treat the cardiac patients but will also focus on prevention of heart diseases in our society. ” On this occasion, Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD & CEO, Fortis Healthcare, said, “Along with his team of talented doctors, we are confident that Dr Kler will boost our cardiac programme even further especially at our hospitals in Gurugram and Vasant Kunj.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17729/neuberg-diagnostics-appoints-a-ganesan-as-group-vice-chairman.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17729/neuberg-diagnostics-appoints-a-ganesan-as-group-vice-chairman.html Tue, 08 Dec 2020 14:55:00 +0530 Neuberg Diagnostics has announced the appointment of A Ganesan as the Group Vice Chairman of Neuberg Diagnostics. In his new role, Ganesan will continue to play a key role and be actively involved in the business expansions. Ganesan is a Chartered Accountant with over 33 years experience in Assurance and Advisory practice and also a veteran in healthcare field having handled in the past M&A deals for Metropolis Group, Trivitron Group and  Maxivision Eye Hospitals. At Neuberg, in his previous role as Director of Finance, his broad vision and pro-active efforts have enabled the company to win several accolades and making it one of the top 4 diagnostics companies in the country. Dr GSK Velu, Chairman and MD, Neuberg Diagnostics said, “Ganesan brings strong domain knowledge with breadth of business experience which currently is very critical for Neuberg. It has been 20 years since we have been working closely. Given his exceptional ability to drive businesses, we are sure that in this new role, he will enable the Group to step through our next phase of growth and market leadership.” Ganesan said, “I am honoured to lead our company which currently is in its expansion phase. I will endeavour to ensure we continue our journey on stated growth path. I look forward to working closely with distinguished leadership.”   Ganesan is a Chemistry graduate from Madras University and a fellow member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). He is presently on the Board of Trivitron Healthcare Private Ltd, Kauvery Hospital and Maxivision Eye Hospitals Private Ltd. He was also a Director on the Board of Metropolis Healthcare Ltd, which he had relinquished in 2015. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17722/agilent-honours-biopharma-scientist-at-iit-d.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17722/agilent-honours-biopharma-scientist-at-iit-d.html Mon, 07 Dec 2020 16:55:00 +0530 Agilent Technologies has honoured Prof Anurag Rathore, a scientist at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, with an Agilent Thought Leader Award, for his contributions to the field of biopharmaceutical research and his work with advanced methods for molecular characterisation of biosimilars. The 2020 award includes a grant to support research personnel and Agilent instrumentation including a 6545XT AdvanceBio LC/Q-TOF, a Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform, and a 1290 Infinity II 2D-LC System. Prof Rathore—who serves as professor at IIT Delhi’s Chemical Engineering department—is the first researcher in India to receive this award. Award funding will be used to promote academic-based research on critical areas impacting the biopharmaceutical industry. “I feel humbled to be chosen for an Agilent Thought Leader Award,” said Prof Rathore. “As one of the many researchers at IIT Delhi working in the new COVID-19 normal, this is an encouraging and welcome event. The award will propel me to work harder as we strive to bring the technologies and products we have been working on to market.” The work at Prof. Rathore’s lab will focus on the best practices towards molecular characterisation of monoclonal antibody-based biosimilars. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) include an important and growing group of biopharmaceutical drugs used to treat several diseases and conditions. Their activity, stability, and other physicochemical and toxicological characteristics are heavily influenced by the level and position of their amino acid modifications. As such, Agilent is invested in developing workflows to streamline the analysis of critical charge and glycosylation heterogeneity of these molecules. “Prof Rathore is a leading scientist among an extremely motivated and talented research group at IIT Delhi. We are privileged to have him as the first recipient of an Agilent Thought Leader Award in India,” said Bharat Bhardwaj, Country General Manager, Agilent India. Bhardwaj continued, “Over the next three years, this relationship will further help Prof Rathore’s development of biosimilar drugs, and improving human health.” The Agilent Thought Leader Award programme promotes fundamental scientific advances by contributing financial support, products, and expertise to the research of influential thought leaders in the life sciences, diagnostics, and chemical analysis space. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17719/waters-corporation-announces-cfo-transition.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17719/waters-corporation-announces-cfo-transition.html Mon, 07 Dec 2020 13:40:00 +0530 Waters Corporation has announced that Sherry Buck will step down as Chief Financial Officer, effective December 31, 2020, in order to pursue another opportunity at a privately held company. Upon her departure, Michael F Silveira, Vice President and Corporate Controller of Waters, will assume the role of interim Chief Financial Officer. Buck will work alongside Silveira in order to facilitate a smooth transition. Waters has been actively working with a leading search firm to identify a permanent CFO, and the process is advancing well with several strong internal and external candidates. “On behalf of the Board and management, I want to thank Sherry for her contributions to Waters over the last four years. I am also personally grateful for her help during my transition into Waters. Our dedicated and talented finance team is extremely well positioned to continue transforming the business and delivering on our objectives. We wish Sherry all the best in her next role,” commented Dr Udit Batra, President and Chief Executive Officer, Waters Corporation. “We are pleased to have a leader of Mike’s caliber to serve as interim CFO. Throughout his 16 years at Waters, Mike has developed a deep understanding of our business, strategy and financial goals. The Board and I have the utmost confidence in Mike’s ability to focus on continued execution.” Silveira joined Waters in 2004 as Assistant Corporate Controller. He was appointed Vice President & Corporate Controller in 2013, and, in 2018, gained increased responsibilities including oversight of treasury, tax and corporate financial planning and analysis. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has held several senior financial management positions with Astro-Med, Inc (nka AstroNova), Textron, Inc and KPMG. Silveira received a BS in Accounting from Providence College. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17688/medanta-appoints-leading-robotic-thoracic-surgeon-dr-arvind-kumar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17688/medanta-appoints-leading-robotic-thoracic-surgeon-dr-arvind-kumar.html Tue, 01 Dec 2020 13:40:00 +0530 Furthering its vision of delivering world-class, holistic healthcare, Gurugram based Medanta has recently appointed renowned Robotic Thoracic Surgeon, Dr Arvind Kumar as Chairman, Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco-Surgery and Lung Transplantation. He will also co-chair Medanta’s Robotic Institute. Dr Arvind Kumar along with his team of four consultant chest surgeons will help strengthen Medanta’s cohort driven approach of providing end-to-end diagnosis and treatment for thoracic diseases such as lung cancer, thymomas, pulmonary tuberculosis, empyema, chest wall deformity, and chest trauma among others. Dr Arvind Kumar pioneered Robotic Chest Surgery in India in 2008, when he was a Professor of Surgery and Head of Thoracic and Robotic Surgery Unit at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). A keen academician and researcher, Dr Arvind completed his MBBS and Masters in Surgery (MS) from AIIMS, New Delhi and served there as a faculty member for 24 years. An expert in key-hole thoracic and robotic chest surgeries, the leading surgeon, driven by the motto, “If you have a Chest Problem, we have a Solution”, has successfully conducted over 10,000 thoracic surgeries. Prior to joining Medanta, Dr Arvind was the Chairman of the Centre for Chest Surgery and Lung Transplantation and Director of the Institute of Robotic Surgery at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi for eight years.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17663/ujala-cygnus-appoints-shashank-saini-as-head-of-digital-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17663/ujala-cygnus-appoints-shashank-saini-as-head-of-digital-health.html Thu, 26 Nov 2020 17:30:00 +0530 Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, based in Delhi, has appointed Shashank Saini, a technology specialist with a cross-industry experience of over a decade, as its Head of Digital Health. The new appointee will further firm up the technological foundations of the company as it aims at expanding its reach across the country over the next few years. Saini brings with him deep and cutting-edge knowledge of technology, engineering and analytics across IT, print & electronic media including digital marketing services. Cutting his teeth spanning a number of functional roles ranging from chief sales officer, head of sales, zonal sales manager, and vice president to general manager, he has had an illustrious and eventful career. Saini led the sales vertical at DocOnline, OYO, DocTalk Solutions Inc, Practo and Airtel. He has a wide interest in healthcare and in his last stint, he headed the sales division at DocOnline. He is also an active member of Project StepOne, a pan India health initiative of many doctors and technologists. At Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, Saini will be responsible for steering the company into the next-generation technology era at a time when Covid-19, which has fuelled unprecedented growth in the digital healthcare sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17607/fortis-re-appoints-dr-panigrahi-as-group-head-medical-strategy-and-operations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17607/fortis-re-appoints-dr-panigrahi-as-group-head-medical-strategy-and-operations.html Tue, 17 Nov 2020 12:55:00 +0530 Fortis Healthcare has announced that Dr Bishnu Panigrahi has re-joined the company as Group Head, Medical Strategy and Operations in order to make a more substantial contribution to the patient care and clinical excellence parameters. In his earlier stint, Dr Panigrahi spearheaded medical operations at Fortis Healthcare from January 2012 to August, 2018. Dr Panigrahi is a seasoned healthcare professional who has a distinctive experience of 39 years out of which 12 years was as an educator and 27 years was in the corporate world where he worked with Indraprastha Apollo, Fortis and Max Healthcare. Before rejoining Fortis, he was associated with Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bhubaneswar as Chief Executive Officer. In his last stint with Fortis, Dr Panigrahi contributed significantly to the strategic growth of the company through the channel of Medical Strategy, Quality, Training & Education. His visionary outlook in establishing Fortis’s Clinical Leadership in the areas of clinical outcomes, patient safety, infection control and research is well respected across the industry. He put Fortis on the international forefront of clinical outcomes by becoming a member of the ICHOM Steering Committee for the Coronary Artery Disease. He put together Medical Process Assurance system for rigorous audit of the key medical processes. As part of the working group at International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM), Dr Panigrahi and the team were responsible for conceptualising the standard sets for Coronary Artery Disease outcome measurement. These standard sets were rolled out in November 2013 at Harvard Business School, Boston by Prof Michael E Porter. Dr Panigrahi has also fostered the Anti-Microbial Stewardship programme since its inception and helped institutionalise a comprehensive Medical Audit system. Dr Panigrahi aspired to become a Foreign Service officer. However, a series of events and life-changing experiences inspired him to take up medicine as a profession. After graduating from SCB Medical College, Cuttack, Dr Panigrahi pursued post-graduation in Anaesthesia from the reputed Delhi University. Subsequently, he went on to receive further training in Cardiac and Neuro Anaesthesia from Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17579/aetna-india-appoints-anurag-khosla-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17579/aetna-india-appoints-anurag-khosla-as-ceo.html Wed, 11 Nov 2020 12:30:00 +0530 Aetna India (www.vHealth.io) has announced the appointment of Anurag Khosla as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to accelerate its business in India. Khosla brings in two decades of experience in healthcare IT solutions and services, working in high growth technology led businesses. His appointment is a strategic move for Aetna India to build on the success of the last few years and continue to develop the company. Khosla will oversee all aspects of India business which caters to over four million members. Before joining Aetna India, Khosla managed Optum Global Solutions (OGS), the global technology and IT services business of the United Health Group. Khosla was with the business since inception and successfully scaled the business to become a leading global healthcare technology and IT services business. Although based in India, Khosla led the expansion of global infrastructure, solutions and services in North & South America, Europe and APAC enabling the business to provide comprehensive and integrated solutions to its customers. He also held leadership positions at Wipro BPO and was responsible for launching and eventually growing three different accounts in the Healthcare and Technology Industry. Khosla is a post-graduate from the Indian School of Business and Kellogg’s School of Management, Chicago and holds a Corporate Development & Competitive Marketing Strategies Certification from Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. Dr Sneh Khemka, President, Population Health, Aetna International said, “Anurag is a highly competent senior executive and a strong strategic thinker. I look forward to his strategic contribution and build strong alliances with our partners.” Khosla commented, “It is an honour to lead the fast growing Aetna India business and further their vision of providing access to quality and affordable healthcare in every corner of India. I firmly believe that vHealth’s world class digital healthcare offerings, cutting edge technology and a robust partner network can transform the primary healthcare landscape in India. I look forward to working with my vHealth colleagues and most importantly, our partners in serving our members, as we embark on the next phase of development and success.” vHealth by Aetna is one of the pioneers in preventive and primary care service providers in India. Its membership empowers members to access end-to-end healthcare under one roof. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17569/cadila-appoints-dr-sanjeev-dixit-as-global-president-human-capital-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17569/cadila-appoints-dr-sanjeev-dixit-as-global-president-human-capital-management.html Mon, 09 Nov 2020 18:00:00 +0530 Cadila Pharmaceuticals have strengthened its Human Resources function with the addition of Dr Sanjeev Dixit as the Global President – Human Capital Management. Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd is one of the largest privately-held pharmaceutical companies in India. It has recently concluded and cleared USFDA inspection successfully in February 2020. This is a second strategic hire in the HR function in the last two months. A Thiru, a seasoned industry HR professional joined Cadila Pharma as Global President, Human Resources, in September. With addition of Dr Dixit, Cadila aims to strengthen its people processes and practices by keeping employees at the core of its decision-making. Dr Dixit is a global HR leader, culture coach, and a published author of ‘Plan C’, a highly acclaimed culture transformation book. He completed his PhD in Human Resource Management from the Academy of HRD, Ahmedabad. He comes with a rich diversified and global experience of strategic corporate HR & CHRO experience from varied industries and geographies. He has also achieved Chartered Fellow status from Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD), UK and Fellow Certified Practitioner in Human Resources from Australian Human Resources Institute. Before joining Cadila Pharma, Dr Dixit worked with The Himalaya Drug Company, managing their International Business HR, covering 70+ locations. Prior to The Himalaya Drug Company, he was the Chief People Officer at Allied Blenders & Distilleries. In a career spanning 24 years, Dr Dixit has worked with companies such as Hindalco, Philips, PT Indorama - Jakarta, PepsiCo and Alstom. A globally accredited trainer & consultant in Directive Communication Psychology and accredited member of Global Trainers Federation, his accolades and awards include Global Top 100 HR Minds Award by World HRD Congress in 2018, World’s Greatest CHRO Asia & GCC by URS International & Asia One in 2017 and 100 Most Influential Global HR Professionals Award in World HRD Congress 2017. “Cadila’s Care philosophy resonates with me completely. I look forward to working closely with the Cadila Business Leaders and introducing new ideas and global best practices. My focus would be driving the growth objectives through customised HR solutions and collaboratively build Cadila as one of the most admired pharmaceuticals company through Values, Innovation and Performance-driven culture,” Dr Dixit said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17485/dr-reddys-appoints-parag-agarwal-as-cfo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17485/dr-reddys-appoints-parag-agarwal-as-cfo.html Wed, 28 Oct 2020 16:05:00 +0530 Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has announced that Parag Agarwal will be joining the Company as Chief Financial Officer (Designate) on November 2, 2020. The Board of Directors at their meeting held today, has approved his appointment as a Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective December 1, 2020. In a career spanning over 33 years, Agarwal has held several leadership positions, contributing significantly to the financial performance of his organisations. With over 10 years of working experience in several countries outside India, he brings deep global experience in leading business & financial strategy, transforming finance function, as well as in M&A-strategy & execution. He has expertise in driving performance management of investments, financial result delivery and driving operating margin improvement through revenue & cost optimisation across the value chain. Agarwal is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary. He joins Dr Reddy’s from Reckitt Benckiser PLC, where he was CFO-Health, based in London. Prior to his nine years stint at Reckitt, Parag was associated with organisations such as Unilever, GSK Consumer Healthcare & Genpact. Saumen Chakraborty, President & CFO, will retire effective December 1, 2020. In his 19+ years career at Dr Reddy’s, Chakraborty has contributed significantly, leading functions such as HR, Global Generics Operations, Quality, Finance, Legal and Digital & Process Excellence. Chakraborty will continue to be associated with the Company as an Advisor. He will also help Parag to transition effectively. Commenting on his appointment, Agarwal said, “Dr Reddy’s is driven by its purpose, high governance standards, a robust strategy and strong leadership. I am truly excited to join the organisation in its transformation journey to create even more value for its customers and patients.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17443/cadila-pharma-appoints-vk-singh-as-coo-of-api-biz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17443/cadila-pharma-appoints-vk-singh-as-coo-of-api-biz.html Thu, 22 Oct 2020 18:20:00 +0530 Pharma industry veteran VK Singh has joined Ahmedabad based Cadila Pharmaceuticals as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of its Chemical Strategic Business Unit, which mainly focuses on Active Pharma Ingredients (APIs) manufactured in India. Singh will be based out of Ahmedabad. VK as he is fondly known as in the industry, is a Chemical Engineer from IIT Kanpur, and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi. He has experience of over 20 years in the pharma industry, and the last ten years in leading and transforming organisations. He was last associated as Chief Business Officer with Strides Pharma Science. Prior to that, he was associated with leading pharma companies such as Emcure Pharmaceuticals, RPG Life Sciences, Ethypharm India, and Ranbaxy in various roles. Singh performed a general management function leading mid-sized pharma companies over the last decade, and has a wide experience, spanning across formulations, drug delivery, APIs, business development, corporate strategy and mergers and acquisitions. His strength is leading international business with a focus on regulated markets. “Cadila Pharmaceuticals is one of the fastest-growing pharma companies in the country and is at an inflection point in its growth trajectory. I am excited about being part of this journey. I look forward to working closely with the team at Cadila Pharmaceuticals to chart out new growth opportunities,” Singh said on his association with Cadila Pharmaceuticals. Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd (www.cadilapharma.com) is one of the largest privately-held pharmaceutical companies in India. It has recently concluded and cleared US FDA inspection successfully in February 2020. Over the past six decades, Cadila Pharmaceuticals has been engaged in the development and manufacturing of affordable medicines and in making them available for patients across the world. Its innovation-driven drug discovery processes ensure the health and well-being of people around the world.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17388/uicc-geneva-elects-dr-anil-k-dcruz-as-new-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17388/uicc-geneva-elects-dr-anil-k-dcruz-as-new-president.html Wed, 14 Oct 2020 16:20:00 +0530 Dr Anil D’Cruz, Director, Oncology Services, Apollo Cancer Centres, Mumbai, is the first Indian Oncologist directly elected as, President at the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC, Geneva). Dr D’Cruz has been on the board of directors of the UICC 2012 -2018 and was elected as President-Elect in October 2018. The UICC is the largest and most influential cancer organization globally that works closely with WHO and other global cancer and economic bodies and has a membership of 1200 organizations from over 172 countries. As a well-recognized global leader, clinician, researcher and teacher in Head and Neck Oncology, Dr. Anil K. D’Cruz brings with him over 30 years of experience in the field of cancer care. He succeeds HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan to the post and is the first Indian Oncologist to lead this global body.   Dr Dcruz has held leadership positions and is on the board of numerous professional organizations, universities, research organisations and cancer institutions across the country and abroad. His landmark contribution on the management was neck nodes in oral cancer was awarded the prestigious plenary at the American Society of Clinical Oncology in 2015. The findings of this study form the basis of current global guidelines on this topic. Furthermore, Dr. D’Cruz is on the Editorial Board of many reputed national and international journals. He had also instrumental in the initiation of the first Mch. super specialty course in head neck oncology in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17379/sanofi-india-appoints-vaibhav-karandikar-as-new-cfo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17379/sanofi-india-appoints-vaibhav-karandikar-as-new-cfo.html Tue, 13 Oct 2020 17:30:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Sanofi India Limited (SIL), a biopharmaceutical company focused on human health, has recently announced the appointment of Vaibhav Karandikar as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective 6th October 2020. Vaibhav joined Sanofi 13 years ago. Vaibhav is a Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant & Company Secretary. He has held growing responsibilities in business controlling, accounting and in various M&A and transformation projects, for both commercial operations and manufacturing facilities. Vaibhav Karandikar, Chief Financial Officer, Sanofi India Limited said, “This is a new and exciting journey for me, and I am looking forward to contributing to the continued success of Sanofi in India.” Prior to joining Sanofi, Vaibhav has worked with Sandoz India, Tata Power & Hindustan Ciba Geigy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17313/dr-shravan-subramanyam-joins-wipro-ge-healthcare-as-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17313/dr-shravan-subramanyam-joins-wipro-ge-healthcare-as-md.html Thu, 01 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Wipro GE Healthcare has announced the appointment of Dr Shravan Subramanyam as President & CEO, GE Healthcare India & South Asia and Managing Director, Wipro GE Healthcare, effective 1 October, 2020. Shravan joins Wipro from Roche Diagnostics where he was their Managing Director, India and Neighbouring Markets, responsible for commercial operations, market access, customer experience and digital transformation efforts. He succeeds Nalinikanth (Nal) Gollagunta who will be taking up a new role as the Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the GE Healthcare Digital organization post transition. “Wipro and GE Healthcare enjoy one of the most successful and enduring partnership lasting over 30 years and has made a positive impact on India’s healthcare ecosystem. I am confident Shravan will further strengthen this relationship and give an added impetus to our mission of building a healthy India and a healthier world,” said Azim Premji, Chairman, Wipro GE Healthcare. Shravan will be responsible for building on Wipro GE’s expansion plans, delivering on commercial outcomes, strategic growth objectives, and driving partnerships in the region. He will continue to advance the company’s agenda of innovating disruptive technology and business solutions to enhance access to high-quality, affordable healthcare solutions. "I am delighted to join Wipro GE Healthcare at an exciting time when attention to healthcare globally is probably at its highest ever. I look forward to leveraging my experience and our pioneering efforts in manufacturing, innovation and business solutions to help transform the healthcare space in India. The potential that lies ahead for Wipro GE Healthcare in India is enormous, and the opportunity to contribute to this next chapter is deeply humbling and incredibly exhilarating," said Shravan. Shravan has over 15 years of senior management and leadership experience in global and regional leadership roles at Roche, Novartis, Dade Behring and Ehrlich Laboratories. An active voice in various Industry forums, Shravan holds a MBBS degree from Madras Medical College and a Masters in Health Administration from Cornell University, US. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17289/is-chahal-receives-covid-crusader-award-2020-from-iacc.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17289/is-chahal-receives-covid-crusader-award-2020-from-iacc.html Tue, 29 Sep 2020 13:10:00 +0530 Iqbal Singh Chahal, IAS, Municipal Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, has become the first Indian bureaucrat to receive recognition and achieve global recognition of its contribution to the control of the new coronavirus infection in the financial capital of India, as well as working to 'flatten the curve' in congested areas of the city, including the largest suburb in Asia, located in Dharavi. The head of the 1989 batch structure from Maharashtra - who has 3 decades of outstanding and diverse experience with the Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra - has received the outstanding award 'COVID Crusader Award-2020' from the Indo American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) within the Indian Bureaucrats Category. The IACC, created in 1968, is the bilateral apex of the chamber that provides synergy between the economic dedication of India and the United States. The award was instructed through the IACC and the US Consulate in Bombay. The award was presented by the Honorable Maharashtra Governor, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, during a virtual ceremony. The Panchshil Foundation carries out initiatives in the areas of an initiative to support Covid-19, training, health, art and culture, sports, infrastructure and social. Panchshil Realty's main vertical businesses are commercial office space, hospitality real estate and residential. A significant portion of Panchshil Realty's office portfolio is embedded in the Blackstone Real Estate Private Equity Fund, sponsored and managed by Blackstone Group LP.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17270/dr-manjiri-bakre-receives-health-tech-innovator-of-the-year-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17270/dr-manjiri-bakre-receives-health-tech-innovator-of-the-year-award.html Fri, 25 Sep 2020 12:55:00 +0530 Dr Manjiri Bakre, Founder & CEO OncoStem Diagnostics, has been recently awarded ‘Health Tech Innovator of the Year’ by ET Healthworld - Intelligent Health & Tech awards 2020. ET Healthworld.com’s Intelligent Health & Tech Awards 2020 (IHTA) honors hard work, innovation and excellence of healthcare-focused AI & Tech enterprises and individuals across 30+ categories in a number of functional areas like telemedicine services, m-health applications and medical device innovation. It provides a platform to the game changers, innovators and achievers of AI & Tech companies, who have shown exemplary performance and have aided the growth of the healthcare industry, to claim their fame and inspire others to outshine them.  Screening of applications was conducted by KPMG and some of the jury members were Dr Atul Mohan Kochhar, CEO, NABH; Dr Girdhar J Gyani, (Jury Chair), Director General, Association of Healthcare Providers India; Rakesh Mishra, Director, CSIR-CCMB Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and others. OncoStem’s CanAssist Breast is a prognostic test for early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients. It makes customized treatment possible by analyzing the patient's tumor in-depth and providing a patient specific report. CanAssist Breast categorizes patients based on the risk of cancer recurrence clearly as either ‘low or high’ with no grey area in between. This clear distinction of patients based on risk of cancer recurrence allows doctors to devise treatment plans that are in tune with the prognosis, maintaining a balance between the benefits and side effects.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17255/biocon-appoints-anupam-jindal-as-new-cfo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17255/biocon-appoints-anupam-jindal-as-new-cfo.html Wed, 23 Sep 2020 14:40:00 +0530 Bengaluru based Biocon Limited has recently announced that Anupam Jindal has been appointed as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Jindal will head the finance function at Biocon and be part of the Executive Leadership Team. He will report into the company’s Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Siddharth Mittal. Prior to joining Biocon, Jindal worked with the Vedanta Group of companies for 22 years, where he held the position of Group Chief Financial Officer at Sterlite Technologies Limited since 2006. Jindal played a key role in growing the company’s revenue exponentially through organic capacity expansion and acquisitions, in India and abroad. He was also instrumental in driving several strategic initiatives, such as the inception and growth of new business verticals. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B Com) degree from ML Sukhadia University, Udaipur. He is also a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and a Company Secretary from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. Biocon’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Siddharth Mittal said, “We are pleased to have Anupam join us at this crucial phase of our growth, as we expand our portfolio and enter new geographies, to address patient needs for affordable, high-quality medicines. With his proven track record of steering high-growth companies, Anupam will play a key role in helping deliver on our business goals.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17193/schott-ag-appoints-new-md-for-indian-pharma-glass-biz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17193/schott-ag-appoints-new-md-for-indian-pharma-glass-biz.html Fri, 11 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 SCHOTT AG, a leading international specialty glass and technology group, has announced Pawan Kumar Shukla as the new Managing Director for SCHOTT Glass India. Shukla brings over 25 years in the glass, lighting, pipes and electronics industry and comes with a strong background in techno-commercials. Prior to this role, he was the President Operations at Surya Roshni Ltd, an Indian multinational manufacturer for specialty glass tubing and lighting. An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, in ceramic engineering as well as material science and metallurgy, Shukla has also worked with Corning JV in the CRT Division as a manufacturing head for twelve years. Commenting on his new role, he said, “India is a frontrunner of the global pharma industry and primary pharma packaging is one of the most vital components in the entire production chain. I am proud to be associated with SCHOTT, being one of the oldest and most trusted manufacturers of tubular glass worldwide. While the domestic market is our key focus, our India plant also caters to the Asian market, thereby contributing to the pharmaceutical industry and the Indian government’s vision of becoming a global pharmaceutical hub.” Presently, SCHOTT is delivering its highly specialised Fiolax® glass tubes to leading pharma packaging players in India and abroad for preparing primary packaging products such as vials, syringes, etc. Supporting the world’s fight against COVID-19 with vials capable of holding up to 2 billion vaccination doses, the German leader has reached agreements and started supplying to leading pharmaceutical companies including key players in India. Given the exponential rise in demand for quality glass for pharma packaging, SCHOTT had inaugurated a new tank facility in its Jambusar plant, following an investment of €21 million in 2018. Even before the Coronavirus pandemic, the company had forecasted a rapid growth trend, and had thus committed additional investments of €26 million for yet another tank facility last year. With a combined investment of €47 million and two new plants, SCHOTT’s India plant is well on track to double its production capacity, enabling supply of its FIOLAX® glass tubing for both domestic and export demands. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17101/dinesh-chauhan-steps-up-as-new-ceo-of-core-diagnostics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17101/dinesh-chauhan-steps-up-as-new-ceo-of-core-diagnostics.html Wed, 26 Aug 2020 14:55:00 +0530 Gurugram based CORE Diagnostics has announced that Dinesh Chauhan, the current Chief Operating Officer of the company, will be stepping up as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) starting September 1st, 2020. He will also join the board of directors of the company. Dinesh is a founding member of the company and joined CORE in 2013. He has over 30+ years of experience in the diagnostics industry.   Dinesh expressed his thoughts at the announcement. “I am humbled at the confidence that the board has put in me. I have seen the organization grow from a small start-up to a 400+ strong team. Taking over from a Founder-CEO is never easy but I am looking forward to all the opportunities and challenges this next phase will bring. The role we will play in the next few years in healthcare will be key to determining where healthcare will go in the future. Diagnostics and the underlying data that we generate and analyze has a tremendous impact on healthcare outcomes.”   Zoya Brar, the current CEO and the founder of the company will also resign from the board and will continue to support the company as an advisor to the board and the CEO. She said, “While many companies have shrunk and become more vulnerable in the last two quarters, CORE has grown by 100% in that time. We have now served over 500,000 patients.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17034/insa-honours-dr-v-mohan-with-prestigious-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17034/insa-honours-dr-v-mohan-with-prestigious-award.html Thu, 13 Aug 2020 17:55:00 +0530 Dr V Mohan, Chairman, and Chief Diabetologist of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and President and Director of Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai has been awarded the prestigious Professor KP Bhargava Memorial Medal by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) for the year 2020 for his pioneering work in the field of International Diabetes Research and Medical Sciences. The award was announced during the general body meeting of INSA held on 7th August 2020. Professor KP Bhargava Memorial Medal is awarded once in every 3 years to a Fellow of INSA who has made outstanding research contributions in Medical Sciences. Dr Mohan has published a record number of 1296 of scientific papers which includes 846 original articles, 289 review articles and guest editorials along with 161 chapters to text-books on Diabetes. His research has attracted over 124,000 citations and an impressive ‘h index’ of 129. Dr Mohan and his esteemed colleagues pioneered innovated and developed a ‘Made in India’ product called ‘Dr Mohan’s high fiber white rice’ which has a lower glycemic index than any other white rice in the market. His studies on fibrocalculus pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) and Genomics of Diabetes are well quoted nationally and internationally.  A Padma Shri recipient by the Government of India, Dr Mohan has recently been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE) and is one of the few medical doctors in India to have been awarded the FRSE for his extensive contributions in the field of diabetes research.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17029/k-b-s-anand-dr-punita-kumar-sinha-join-lupins-board-as-independent-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17029/k-b-s-anand-dr-punita-kumar-sinha-join-lupins-board-as-independent-directors.html Thu, 13 Aug 2020 13:35:00 +0530 With a career spanning over four decades at Asian Paints, K B S Anand recently served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at the Asian Paints. He was nominated as the ‘Best CEO - Private Sector’ at the Forbes Leadership Awards in 2016. He was also awarded Qimpro Gold Standard in Business for Quality in 2017. He currently serves as an independent director on the Board of Marico, Tata Chemicals and Borosil. Dr Punita Kumar-Sinha brings significant governance and investment experience across India and North America. In her three-decade career, she pioneered some of the first foreign investments into the Indian equity markets in the early 1990s. She founded Pacific Paradigm Advisors, an independent investment advisory and management firm, and was formerly a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone.  She serves as an independent director for several companies including Infosys, JSW Steel, Blackstone Embassy REIT and Rallis. Furthermore, Dr Kumar-Sinha holds a PhD and a Master’s in Finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. She received her B. Tech in Chemical Engineering with Distinction from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi. She is a CFA charter holder, a TiE Charter Member, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17007/biocon-coo-receives-uaa-ict-distinguished-alumnus-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/17007/biocon-coo-receives-uaa-ict-distinguished-alumnus-award.html Mon, 10 Aug 2020 12:25:00 +0530 Bangalore based Biocon Biologics India Limited, a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd., has recently announced that Shreehas Tambe, its Chief Operating Officer, has been conferred the UAA-ICT Distinguished Alumnus Award (Professional) 2020 for his contribution to the field of biopharmaceuticals.  Founded in 1933, Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai is recognized among the top schools in the world and counts several greats from academia and industry amongst its alumni. The Distinguished Alumnus Awards were instituted in 1990 to recognize the outstanding contribution of its alumni in their respective fields and professions. Some of the past recipients of this coveted award have been ‘Padma’ awardees like Prof. MM Sharma, Prof. JB Joshi, Dr. RA Mashelkar and Industry Icons such as Mr. Mukesh Ambani (Reliance), Dr. Anji Reddy (DRL), Mr. Kishore Mariwala (Marico) to list a few. Mr. Shreehas Tambe an alumnus of ICT, Mumbai, graduated from the prestigious institute in 1997.  Mr. Shreehas Tambe began his professional journey at Biocon Ltd as a management trainee in 1997 starting out in the R&D department, where he led the design and development of a novel bioreactor that later became Biocon’s first U.S. patent to be granted and won the National Award for Best Technology of the Year in 2001. He also set up the immunosuppressants franchise bringing innovative automation approaches to address challenging fermentation and complex chemistry problems. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16996/ashoka-university-brings-dr-shahid-jameel-on-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16996/ashoka-university-brings-dr-shahid-jameel-on-board.html Thu, 06 Aug 2020 17:45:00 +0530 New Delhi based Ashoka University, the leading Liberal Arts and Sciences University in India, has announced the appointment of Dr. Shahid Jameel as the Director of the Trivedi School of Biosciences. The School was launched earlier in the year with a generous endowment of over Rs. 100 crores by Ashok Trivedi, Founder and Trustee, Ashoka University, and Managing Partner of SWAT Capital. Dr. Jameel's appointment further reinforces Ashoka's commitment to research in emerging areas in Biology and Data Science to address the problems of infectious and other chronic diseases. He will join the University on October 1, 2020. Dr. Jameel came to Ashoka University after spending over seven years as Chief Executive Officer of the DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance. Not only this, Dr. Jameel received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in Medical Sciences, India's highest mid-career research award. He is also a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, the Indian Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences, India. Ashoka University has started its global search for new faculty, it envisions its Biosciences initiative to be the cornerstone of its natural sciences program. The Advisory Board of Trivedi School of Biosciences includes Nobel Laureates Venki Ramakrishnan and Jack Szostack. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16975/waters-corp-names-dr-udit-batra-as-president-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16975/waters-corp-names-dr-udit-batra-as-president-ceo.html Wed, 05 Aug 2020 06:10:00 +0530 Waters Corporation has announced that Udit Batra, Ph.D. has been named the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2020. He will also join Waters’ Board of Directors at that time. Dr. Batra succeeds Christopher O’Connell who will remain in his current roles as President and Chief Executive Officer, and as a member of the Board until September 1, 2020. As previously announced, Mr. O’Connell will also remain with Waters as an advisor until the end of this year to support the transition. Dr. Batra brings to Waters more than two decades of leadership and operational expertise in the healthcare and life sciences industry, including a proven track record of driving results at the top of the industry and successfully managing a global organization. Most recently, Dr. Batra served as Chief Executive Officer of the $7.7 billion Life Science business of publicly traded Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as Millipore Sigma in the United States and Canada. In this role, he led the business’ successful integration of Sigma-Aldrich, which was acquired in 2015, resulting in the creation of Millipore Sigma. Since that time, Dr. Batra oversaw a strategic transformation of the business and drove above-market organic sales growth and margins, which remain the highest among MilliporeSigma’s integrated peers. Prior to that, Dr. Batra served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the global Consumer Health business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, where he led a turnaround that almost doubled its profitability and achieved organic growth rates in the top tier of the consumer health industry. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16933/sanofi-india-appoints-two-directors-to-its-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16933/sanofi-india-appoints-two-directors-to-its-board.html Wed, 29 Jul 2020 13:00:00 +0530 Sanofi India Limited has announced the appointment of two new directors to its Board. The Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting, approved the appointment of Rahul Bhatnagar & Marc Antoine Lucchini respectively- Rahul Bhatnagar as Additional Director (Non-Executive & Independent) of the Company with effect from 29th July 2020 to hold office till the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting and subject to the approval of the members in the ensuing General Meeting, for appointment as an Independent Director for a term of five consecutive years from the effective date of this appointment. Marc-Antoine Lucchini as Additional Director (Non-Executive) with effect from 29th July 2020 to hold office up to the date of next Annual General Meeting of the Company. Rahul Bhatnagar is a Chartered Accountant and MBA from Wharton. He has had a long career in Finance and Strategy with reputed organizations like Nestle, Pepsi and Bharti Group. Bhatnagar last served as the Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer at Bharti Enterprises Limited until 2016. He is an Independent Director on the board of Whirlpool India Limited and Akzo Nobel India Limited. Marc Antoine Lucchini is presently the head of the International region at Sanofi, representing 68 countries with sales of € 4.3 billion. Marc-Antoine Lucchini is a French national who has over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. During his career, he has been successfully operating in many different environments in Pharma Operations in France first, and then in the United States in more strategic roles in the company’s headquarter. Through the different acquisitions or mergers of the company, he had the opportunity to work in Spain as the General Manager for Iberia, in Egypt and then in France since 2014 to lead the French affiliate, one of the biggest and most complex ones for a French Pharma group. In 2016 he moved to a Regional Role as Head of the European Region for the Primary Care Business Unit in which he has been driving an important transformation of the European organization and footprint. In 2020, he was appointed Head of the International Region, representing 68 countries with sales of Euro 4.3 billion with a direct reporting of 10 high potential countries of the region amongst which India is a key one.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16838/merck-announces-changes-in-executive-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16838/merck-announces-changes-in-executive-board.html Tue, 14 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The Board of Partners of E. Merck KG appointed Belén Garijo as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board and Deputy CEO of Merck KGaA effective today. She will maintain her current Executive Board responsibilities. “The appointment of Belén Garijo as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board and Deputy CEO recognizes her outstanding achievements for our Healthcare business and her strong leadership in the critical corporate functions Human Resources and Environment, Health, Safety, Security, Quality”, said Johannes Baillou, Chairman of the Board of Partners of E. Merck KG. Udit Batra has decided to pursue other opportunities outside Merck. Effective today, the contract of Mr. Batra as General Partner of E. Merck KG and Executive Board Member of Merck KGaA has been resolved. “We would like to thank Udit Batra for nine years of service to our company, his great accomplishments and strong commitment towards science and technology. Together with his team, he ensured a successful integration of Sigma-Aldrich and continuously developed our global life science business. We wish him every success and all the very best for the future”, said Johannes Baillou. The Board of Partners of E. Merck KG will decide about a successor in due course. On an interim basis, Christos Ross will take over the Life Science business lead, reporting to Stefan Oschmann, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO. Ross joined Merck in 2008 and currently serves as Executive Vice President Integrated Supply Chain Operations within the Life Science business sector. Belén Garijo joined Merck in 2011 as Chief Operating Officer of the Biopharma business and was appointed to the Executive Board in 2015. She is CEO of the Healthcare business and in charge of the corporate functions Human Resources and Environment, Health, Safety, Security, Quality. Udit Batra joined Merck in 2011, took over responsibility for the Life Science business sector in 2014 and was appointed to the Executive Board in 2016. In 2017, he also assumed responsibility for Information Technology. Marcus Kuhnert, Member of the Executive Board, Chief Financial Officer and in charge of Merck Business Services and Procurement, will in addition take over the Executive Board responsibility for Information Technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16804/prof-gagandeep-kang-quits-thsti.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16804/prof-gagandeep-kang-quits-thsti.html Tue, 07 Jul 2020 12:00:00 +0530 Prof Gagandeep Kang, Executive Director, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad has called it quits. Known for her inter-disciplinary research studying the transmission, development and prevention of enteric infections and their sequelae in children in India, she has unexpectedly resigned from her position at THSTI. According to the response shared with the media, Prof Kang has stated personal reasons behind taking this step. Hoping to make a smooth transition for her exit from THSTI, she will be returning to Vellore to be with her family. Meanwhile her resignation is also being linked with the way the government is expediting the development of indigenous COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin. This takes us back to the shutting down of the panel on COVID-19 drugs and vaccines that she was chairing. Her exit from THSTI has come as a surprise to several scientists and academicians since she still had one more year left in her tenure to get over at the institute. Last year, Prof Kang was in the news when she became the first Indian woman to be inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in London. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16800/trivitron-announces-rajesh-patel-as-ceo-of-ivd-biz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16800/trivitron-announces-rajesh-patel-as-ceo-of-ivd-biz.html Mon, 06 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Trivitron Healthcare Private Limited, a leading medical device company providing affordable healthcare solutions to the healthcare industry, has announced the appointment of Mr. Rajesh Patel as Chief Executive Officer of In-Vitro Diagnostics [IVD], India business. Mr. Patel is an experienced professional with around 29 years in the areas of sales, marketing & business development in the healthcare segment. He has held a leadership role in global and Indian healthcare companies and has a rich and diverse experience in pharmaceuticals, clinical research, and IVD/Medical Devices segment. Dr. GSK Velu, Chairman and Managing Director, Trivitron Healthcare said. “In his new role, Mr.Patel will be at the helm of the company’s IVD business growth and expansion plans. His enthusiastic approach, progressive effort will provide new leadership to the IVD team and will help the division to reach a new milestone. We look forward to an exciting journey along with him and wish him all the success.’’ Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Rajesh Patel, CEO, {IVD- India}, TrivitronHealthcare said, “I am excited by the opportunity to build on the great foundation and momentum achieved by the Trivitron Group and lead the company through the next stage of its strategic development. I am committed to ensure that we not only stay at the forefront in this space but we continue to innovate and lead the market.” Expressing her delight on the appointment, Ms. Chandra Ganjoo, Executive Director, Group CPO Head CorporateCommunications, added,“Mr.Rajesh’s strategic leadership, operational excellence expertise in healthcare and passion for innovation will be great assets to us as we grow in the coming years. Mr. Patel will be playing a significant role in reshaping the IVD business and the Trivitron group’s international footprint.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16779/kappa-bioscience-appoints-hidayat-ali-for-south-asia-biz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16779/kappa-bioscience-appoints-hidayat-ali-for-south-asia-biz.html Thu, 02 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Norway based Kappa Bioscience AS, maker of K2VITAL ® vitamin K2 MK-7 is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Hidayat Ali as Kappa Head of Business Development, South Asia. The position was created in response to rapid regional growth, particularly for Kappa’s microencapsulated K2VITAL® DELTA product.   Vitamin K2 is an essential vitamin which helps balance calcium in the body. It is a frequent prescription for osteoporosis in India because it activates the protein which incorporates calcium into bone. K2 is frequently included in bone health formulations that include calcium or other mineral salts. Market studies, however, demonstrate that unprotected K2-7 is not stable with mineral salts and degrades. Kappa’s DELTA product is the only microencapsulated K2-7 with drug approval and import license to India.  Hidayat Ali will be based in Mumbai India. Prior to joining Kappa, he held a position for SEKISUI Chemical Co. Ltd Japan where he oversaw growth of the synthetic amino acid for nearly a decade. His deep experience in the industry also includes positions with Indian companies such as Associated Capsules Pvt Ltd. and Rusan Pharma Ltd. Hidayat Ali will work alongside S.A. Pharmachem, Pvt Ltd., Kappa’s long-standing K2VITAL® distributor in India and other partners within the South Asian region..  “We were delighted to secure a relationship with Hidayat Ali as part of our campaign to expand the footprint of K2VITAL® in important South Asian markets,’’ commented Egil Greve, CEO of Kappa Bioscience. He continued, ‘’Kappa has invested significantly in the DELTA drug approval process to better serve the needs of India’s large and aging population. We’re confident the appointment will expand our growing presence and create new opportunity for Indian brands and marketers.’’  K2VITAL® promotes bone and heart health by activating two proteins which balance calcium in the body. K2 is an essential vitamin and is required in all stages of life. Vitamin K2 provides synergistic benefits to calcium, magnesium, and omega-3 in a formulation and is the 'Perfect Pair' complement to vitamin D3. Kappa’s microencapsulated K2VITAL® DELTA is the market leader in formulations that include minerals where K2 stability is an issue.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16722/-s-ilf-appoints-dr-vivek-lal-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16722/-s-ilf-appoints-dr-vivek-lal-as-ceo.html Tue, 23 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation (S-ILF), an organization working for the socio-economic development of persons affected by leprosy and their families announces the appointment of  Dr. Vivek Lal as their new CEO. During the momentous journey that has clocked more than a decade, S-ILF has relentlessly worked towards mainstreaming persons affected by leprosy and their families through socio-economic empowerment. We look forward towards charting new territories and forging new partnerships under his leadership. Upon his appointment, Mr. Tarun Das, Chairman S-ILF said, “We are proud to have Dr. Vivek Lal as the CEO of our Foundation. I am confident that with his enthusiasm and experience in the field of leprosy, he will drive the organization to new heights. During this global pandemic, Vivek’s experience in humanitarian services will be of great help in reaching out to the most vulnerable members of the society - the leprosy affected population residing in secluded leprosy colonies.” Dr. Lal is a medical practitioner with specialization in Community Medicine from AIIMS, Delhi. He has several years of experience working in the field of leprosy and humanitarian services and has earlier worked as Director Health at German Leprosy & TB Relief Association. "I am excited to be a part of S-ILF. A holistic approach incorporating both medical and social supports for persons affected by leprosy and their families along with an enabling environment brought in through awareness generation among the community are the biggest weapons in our fight against leprosy. I look forward to being a part of this journey: a constant pursuit to restore dignity in their lives”, said Dr. Vivek Lal. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16639/neuberg-appoints-vb-gopal-krishnan-as-group-cfo-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16639/neuberg-appoints-vb-gopal-krishnan-as-group-cfo-.html Wed, 10 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Neuberg Diagnostics Private Limited, a StartUp in the PathLab chain segment, today announced the appointment of Mr. VB Gopal Krishnan as the Group Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Gopal Krishnan, who has over two decades of experience in the areas of Treasury, Project Finance, System Implementation, Corporate Affairs and Accounting, Debt restructuring, Business Finance, Costing and Taxation will be heading Neuberg’s Financial, legal and IT functions. “We are delighted to have Gopal onboard at Neuberg. He is a seasoned professional with a proven track record in improving operations, effecting business growth and maximizing profits through innovative financial strategies. In his new role, he will be at the helm of Neuberg’s finances, organizational growth, and expansion plans. I am confident that he will bring in a lot of experience and value to Neuberg and our leadership team. We look forward to an exciting journey with him and wish him all the success at Neuberg,” says Dr. GSK Velu, Chairman & Managing Director, Neuberg Diagnostics Private Limited. Mr. Gopal Krishnan is a Commerce Graduate, an Associate Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and Diploma in International Financial Reporting set and Accredited by Association of Chartered Certified Accountants UK. Prior to joining Neuberg, he served as the CFO at Rajshree Sugars and Chemicals Limited. In his earlier assignments he held responsible positions at Uttam Sucrotech international Limited, EID Parry (India) Limited and Paharpur Cooling Towers Limited. Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Gopal Krishnan said, “Neuberg has tremendous potential in the diagnostics space today. I am honored and overwhelmed to be part of this dynamic organization promoted by none other than Dr. GSK Velu, a name that needs no introduction in the healthcare industry. I look forward to closely working with the entire team in realizing Neuberg Diagnostics’ vision and mission. My primary focus will be to grow Neuberg to a strong position in the country and to model the desired changes for further growth and expansion.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16606/v-simpson-emmanuel-appointed-as-general-manager-roche-products-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16606/v-simpson-emmanuel-appointed-as-general-manager-roche-products-india.html Thu, 04 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Roche today announced the appointment of Mr. V. Simpson Emmanuel as General Manager for Roche Products (India) Pvt. Ltd., after a leadership change in December 2019. Simpson has an extensive experience of over 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry, across functions such as marketing, strategic planning, sales management, new product planning and access. He has led various functions and teams at a national as well as global level since he joined Roche in September 2014. “I am pleased to announce Simpson as the new General Manager for Roche India.” said Adriano Treve, Area Head - Central Eastern Europe, Turkey, Russia & Indian Subcontinent (CEETRIS), Roche. “Simpson has a deep understanding of the healthcare sector and with his strong diverse experience, I am confident he will guide the company to deliver better outcomes for more patients in India. India is a priority for Roche and I believe he will find new ways to shape the healthcare ecosystem together with our customers and embrace next generation ideas and technologies that can transform the lives of patients.” “I feel honored to be stepping into this new role in these unique times. As we keep on working towards providing medical care to patients, I know that the current challenges in healthcare will only strengthen our intent to serve patients and drive excellence.” said V. Simpson Emmanuel, General Manager, Roche Products (India) Pvt. Ltd. “We will continue to work passionately to make an impact on patient’s lives, focusing on delivering innovative solutions and collaborating with each stakeholder in the Indian healthcare ecosystem.” Simpson holds a Master’s degree in Health Economics from the University of York, UK, a Post-graduate Diploma in Business Administration in Marketing & Systems and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16600/v-simpson-emmanuel-steps-in-as-gm-of-roche-products.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16600/v-simpson-emmanuel-steps-in-as-gm-of-roche-products.html Wed, 03 Jun 2020 17:55:00 +0530 Roche has announced the appointment of V. Simpson Emmanuel as General Manager for Roche Products (India) Pvt. Ltd., after a leadership change in December 2019. Simpson has an extensive experience of over 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry, across functions such as marketing, strategic planning, sales management, new product planning and access. He has led various functions and teams at a national as well as global level since he joined Roche in September 2014. Adriano Treve, Area Head - Central Eastern Europe, Turkey, Russia & Indian Subcontinent (CEETRIS), Roche said, “I am pleased to announce Simpson as the new General Manager for Roche India. Simpson has a deep understanding of the healthcare sector and with his strong diverse experience, I am confident he will guide the company to deliver better outcomes for more patients in India. India is a priority for Roche and I believe he will find new ways to shape the healthcare ecosystem together with our customers and embrace next generation ideas and technologies that can transform the lives of patients.” V. Simpson Emmanuel, General Manager, Roche Products (India) Pvt. Ltd said, “I feel honored to be stepping into this new role in these unique times. As we keep on working towards providing medical care to patients, I know that the current challenges in healthcare will only strengthen our intent to serve patients and drive excellence. We will continue to work passionately to make an impact on patient’s lives, focusing on delivering innovative solutions and collaborating with each stakeholder in the Indian healthcare ecosystem.” Simpson holds a Master’s degree in Health Economics from the University of York, UK, a Post-graduate Diploma in Business Administration in Marketing & Systems and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16597/preetha-reddy-takes-charge-as-new-president-of-nathealth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16597/preetha-reddy-takes-charge-as-new-president-of-nathealth.html Wed, 03 Jun 2020 11:00:00 +0530 Preetha Reddy Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals, has taken over as the new President of NATHEALTH – an apex body representing the entire ecosystem of the Indian healthcare industry. She succeeds erstwhile President, Dr. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, Manipal Hospitals. The new elected NATHEALTH leadership team also includes other industry luminaries: Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Founder and Chief Radiologist Mahajan Imaging takes over as Senior Vice President of NATHEALTH Badhri Iyenger, Cluster Managing Director - South Asia (SAARC) & South East Asia (ASEAN) at Smith & Nephew as Vice President NATHEALTH Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, CEO Fortis Healthcare as Secretary NATHEALTH  Dr. Shravan Subramayam, Managing Director, India and Neighbouring Markets at Roche Diagnostics India Pvt. Ltd as the Treasurer NATHEALTH Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Secretary General, NATHEALTH will continue to head NATHEALTH secretariat while lending support to the leadership team, working towards the goal of making NATHEALTH, a robust platform for long term growth and sustainability of India’s private healthcare sector. Integration, Collaboration and Re-imagination While taking charge of NATHEALTH, Preetha Reddy said “Today, we stand at the crossroads of a time which is ready for change. At one end, we have taken giant strides to establish ourselves as a highly skilled and efficient medical ecosystem with excellent clinical outcomes driving a powerful value proposition. But this is counterbalanced by a massive disease burden, large dichotomies in healthcare delivery and a paucity of health infrastructure.  The path to achieve a holistic goal of universal healthcare hinges on collaboration where all the key industry stakeholders can come together deliberate, cooperate and work in tandem to bridge the vital gaps in service delivery.  Equally important is to establish a collaborative platform to coordinate national resilience against COVID pandemic through value based public private partnerships." “Healthcare industry participants in India have come together to work along with policy makers to create an environment that will power the next wave. NATHEALTH is the genesis of this movement. It is the forum that will facilitate the shift in mind-set, delivery and decision making”, she added. Dr. Harsh Mahajan Senior Vice President NATHEALTH commented "As we scale many of the structural challenges- one thing is clear. NATHEALTH will need to connect to the best of the minds in the healthcare sector to have a unified voice that shapes the future dialogue and healthcare narrative. We will sharpen our focus on thought leadership, creating new market and tech access, robust communication, transparency in governance and forging partnerships with smaller organizations and nursing associations. The ultimate aim is to be able to provide world-class healthcare to the masses at affordable prices.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16536/corning-appoints-new-md-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16536/corning-appoints-new-md-for-india.html Tue, 26 May 2020 16:20:00 +0530 Corning Incorporated has announced that Sudhir Pillai has been appointed to the role of Managing Director for Corning India. Sudhir, who most recently served as Commercial Director, Corning Life Sciences will be based in Gurugram, Haryana and will spearhead the company’s growth and operations in India and neighboring countries. He will also oversee Corning’s optical fibre manufacturing operations in Pune, India. Thomas Appelt, President of Corning International said, “Sudhir has contributed significantly to the growth of the Corning Life Sciences business in India. Corning remains deeply committed to growing its customer base in India and helping to enhancing life in the communities in which we operate. Sudhir brings extensive experience in working in diverse locations and I am confident that he will drive Corning’s growth plans for India.” “Since I joined Corning, I have been excited to be a part of Corning’s journey in India focused on growth avenues well aligned with the organization. Today, with this new responsibility, I am committed to taking the company’s vision forward and utilize my learnings in the field to ensure growth for the company in India, said Sudhir. Sudhir brings with him close to twenty years of experience in increasing levels of leadership in organizations across diverse industry segments, including telecommunications. Since joining the company last year, he has been leading Corning’s Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical Technologies businesses in India and neighboring countries. In his last role before joining Corning, Sudhir was the General Manager and Director of Honeywell Electrical Devices & Systems. Sudhir graduated in electronics science and completed his M.B.A. in marketing from University of Pune. Sudhir replaces Amit Bansal, who has decided to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities after spending more than a decade with the company.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16496/dr-harsh-vardhan-steps-in-as-who-executive-board-chairman.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16496/dr-harsh-vardhan-steps-in-as-who-executive-board-chairman.html Wed, 20 May 2020 15:00:00 +0530 Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, India, has been elected the Chair of World Health Organization’s Executive Board.“I feel deeply honored to have the trust and faith of all of you. India, and my countrymen, too, feel privileged that this honor has been bestowed upon us. I will work to realize the collective vision of our organization, to build the collective capacity of all our Member nations and to build a heroic collective leadership,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said addressing the 147th WHO Executive Board session as its Chair. The session was held virtually.WHO is already providing leadership to the entire world in the sphere of public health, engaging with partners for joint actions, shaping the research agenda and stimulating the dissemination of valuable knowledge. The need is to catalyze further change, he said.Health is central to enhancing human capabilities. Protecting health of those without wealth should be the core philosophy of our close alliance at the WHO, Dr Harsh Vardhan said.“I have known few greater honors than this one ! With this personal honour, I also feel a deep sense of personal responsibility. I may not get there, but I can surely try. And, I promise to try my best,“ he said.Congratulating him, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said, “Dr Harsh Vardhan has assumed this post at a very challenging time. I wish him all the best in steering the Executive Board as it addresses this defining pandemic and other public health issues.”“Dr Harsh Vardhan has a rich experience in public health. He is the pioneer of India’s successful pulse polio program and has been in the forefront in the fight against tobacco and many other issues. The world can now gain from his expertise and experience,” the Regional Director said.WHO’s Executive Board comprises of 34 members elected for three-year terms. The Chair of the Executive Board is elected by its members on being nominated by the Regional Committees of the six WHO Regions, by rotation. At the 72nd Regional Committee Session of WHO South-East Asia in September 2019, Member States had nominated India to be member of the WHO Executive Board from the Region to replace Sri Lanka whose term expired in May 2020 and also to lead 147th and 148th Sessions of the Executive Board as Chairperson.The other countries from WHO South-East Asia Region in the Executive Board are Bangladesh (2019-2022) and Indonesia  (2018-2021).The main functions of the Board are to implement the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly and advise and facilitate its work.The annual Board meeting is held in January when the members agree upon the agenda for the World Health Assembly and the resolutions to be considered by the Health Assembly.  A second shorter meeting takes place in May, as a follow-up to the Health Assembly.Dr Harsh Vardhan, who took over from Dr Hiroki Nakatani of Japan, would chair the 148th session of the Executive Board in January 2021. At the Executive Board meeting in May 2021, he will hand over to the next Chair from another WHO Region. However, he will continue to be a member of the Executive Board till 2023.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16302/dr-vedam-ramprasad-appointed-as-new-ceo-of-medgenome-labs-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16302/dr-vedam-ramprasad-appointed-as-new-ceo-of-medgenome-labs-.html Thu, 23 Apr 2020 18:40:00 +0530 MedGenome, the leading South Asia Genetic Diagnostics, Research and data company has announced the appointment of Dr. Vedam Ramprasad (Dr. Ram) as its India Chief Executive Officer. A genetic scientist with several peer-reviewed publications to his credit, Dr Ram believes in harnessing the power of genomics for providing better outlook to patients. With MedGenome, Dr. Ram has contributed significantly in carving and developing an evidence-based market for genetics in India. He has been with MedGenome since inception and spearheads operations and strategy for the organisation. Sam Santhosh, Founder & Chairman, MedGenome said, “We are glad to appoint Dr. Ram as CEO of MedGenome. Since the inception of the company in 2013, Ram has been instrumental in scaling our business. His dedication to science and operational excellence has won the admiration of the Industry. I am confident that he will able to take MedGenome to higher levels of success as we continue to positively impact hundreds of lives every day.” In his leadership, MedGenome Labs laid the foundation of Genetics in India and over the years the organisation has forayed into multiple therapy areas. “A completely nascent science to make in-roads in India needed a holistic, efficacious and focused approach. Dr Ram has been instrumental in cultivating the interest of Indian medical experts in this arena”, added Sam. Currently, Genomics is widely used in areas such as Oncology, Infectious Diseases (especially Tuberculosis), Rare-diseases, Reproductive health and assisted pregnancies. “India with more than a billion people (diverse) offers tremendous potential for Human Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics. MedGenome from inception has created a big positive impact in genetic testing in India. I always enjoyed being a part of this journey. It has been fantastic to have enthusiastic and intelligent colleagues around. I am looking forward to leading the next phase of MedGenome’s growth in a market with a large potential despite current challenging business environment.”, said Dr. Ram on his appointment. He is amongst handful of scientists in the country to have significantly contributed in establishing the relevance of Genetics in India through his tireless research in oncology, consumer genetics, coronary heart diseases and infectious diseases.  Dr. Ram will also focus on expanding to other markets in Asia and Africa. He previously associated with Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Spinco Biotech, and SciGenom labs over his two decade long career.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16268/fortis-healthcare-appoints-anil-vinayak-as-gcoo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16268/fortis-healthcare-appoints-anil-vinayak-as-gcoo.html Tue, 21 Apr 2020 11:10:00 +0530 Fortis Healthcare Limited (Fortis) announced the appointment of Anil Vinayak as its new Group Chief Operating Officer (GCOO). He will lead operations for Fortis at a group level. He will be based out of the Corporate Office of Fortis in Gurugram, Haryana.  Mr. Vinayak is a seasoned professional with a career spanning 32 and has held senior roles in global as well as Indian organizations and is a well-respected leader in the industry. He has strong experience in operations management, team building, organizational transformation, product development, business development and partnerships, which will undoubtedly enable him to be effective in this role. Speaking on the appointment, Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD & CEO, Fortis, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Anil Vinayak, as our new GCOO. With a proven track record as a successful leader in operations, he has consistently delivered results over the years. Mr. Vinayak also has a deep understanding of marketing operations. I have tremendous confidence in Mr. Vinayak’s capability to align Fortis's world-class patient care with global best strategies to drive and extend the next phase of Fortis's market leadership.”  Anil Vinayak said, “This is a challenging period for the entire nation, and particularly for the healthcare industry. I am assuming responsibility at a time when we have a significant role to play in supporting the government and our communities in handling the pandemic. I am honored to have this opportunity and look forward to building on the strong foundation of a reputed brand such as Fortis, highly committed clinical and non-clinical talent, strong values and pan-India hospital network to achieve our objectives.” Mr. Anil Vinayak has previously worked with Asian Paints (India) Limited, American Express Bank Ltd, Mastercard International and Europe Assistance India. His last assignment was with Max Healthcare Institute Limited as Senior Director & Chief Operating Officer – Cluster 1.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16188/dr-ajai-chowdhry-donates-1-2-crores-to-help-fight-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16188/dr-ajai-chowdhry-donates-1-2-crores-to-help-fight-covid-19.html Fri, 10 Apr 2020 13:00:00 +0530 In wake of the ongoing nation-wide lockdown to mitigate the Covid-19 pandemic, and to support the National Capital Territory of Delhi in its response against the deadly virus, Dr. Ajai Chowdhry, a recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award, has contributed INR 1.2 crore. The funds have gone towards arranging 80,000 meals for the poor and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits for 7,000 doctors, nurses and other frontline health workers in Delhi. Commenting on the same, Dr. Ajai Chowdhry said, “It is time for us to collectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in our best capacity. Governments, private entities, and philanthropic organizations must come together to act swiftly to ensure food and medical aid is made available to those who need it the most. Delhi is my city and I’m proud to be of some help in this moment of crisis. I will continue to support the ongoing efforts to fight this epidemic in any way I can”. Dr. Chowdhry is one of the Founders of HCL and a Trustee of SaveLIFE Foundation, non-governmental organization focused on improving road safety and emergency medical care across India. Piyush Tewari, CEO and Founder, SaveLIFE Foundation said, “Dr. Chowdhry’s selfless contribution towards fighting the COVID-19 epidemic in Delhi is a great example for philanthropists across India to follow. There’s indeed much that all of us can do together to save lives and keep our communities safe.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16111/dr-renu-swarup-gets-one-year-extension-as-dbt-secretary.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16111/dr-renu-swarup-gets-one-year-extension-as-dbt-secretary.html Thu, 02 Apr 2020 17:10:00 +0530 Dr Renu Swarup has been given one-year extension as the Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, according to a Personnel Ministry order. The move assumes significance as the country is working upon containing the spread of coronavirus. The Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology is mandated to promote large-scale use of biotechnology among others. She took over as the secretary of the department on April 10, 2018, for a two-year term.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16089/takeda-appoints-new-country-head-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16089/takeda-appoints-new-country-head-for-india.html Wed, 01 Apr 2020 11:40:00 +0530 Takeda India has announced the appointment of Koki Sato as the Country Head for the Company’s India business. In his current capacity, he will lead the company’s operations with a focus on the expansion of patient access to Takeda’s highly innovative portfolio in the country. Koki joined Takeda in 2003 and, since then, grew within the company to hold various senior international roles across multiple functions, including Commercial Operations, Finance, and HR. Prior to this role, Koki was the General Manager of Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova (UBM) Cluster in Takeda’s ICMEA Area. Commenting on his new role, Koki Sato said, “India is of significant importance for Takeda and we endeavor to develop initiatives which will lead to enhanced patient access to our highly innovative medicines locally. We remain committed to serving India’s patients, and aim to bring newer therapies for rare diseases, gastroenterology, and oncology to them in the coming years, along with hopefully, our Dengue vaccine candidate.” Across its ICMEA Area, and more broadly across the countries that span its Growth & Emerging Markets Business Unit, Takeda collaborates with healthcare providers, governments and regulators, to ensure that its portfolio of innovative medicines is made available to patients as quickly and safely as possible. Koki will be officially assuming his position from April 1, 2020. He is a Japanese national and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from Waseda University, Japan.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16044/lupin-appoints-ramesh-swaminathan-as-cfo-head-corporate-affairs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/16044/lupin-appoints-ramesh-swaminathan-as-cfo-head-corporate-affairs.html Fri, 27 Mar 2020 14:00:00 +0530 Pharma Major Lupin Limited (Lupin) has announced the appointment of Ramesh Swaminathan as Chief Financial Officer and Head Corporate Affairs. Ramesh will also join the board as Executive Director. Ramesh will lead Lupin’s Finance, Investor Relations, Strategic Planning, Information Technology, Corporate Communications and Administration functions.  Commenting on the appointment, Vinita Gupta, Chief Executive Officer and Nilesh Gupta, Managing Director, Lupin said, “We are delighted to welcome Ramesh back to Lupin as Executive Director, Global CFO and Head Corporate Affairs. Ramesh played a very important role in Lupin for over a decade as part of our leadership team, to help grow our company multifold.  We are very pleased to welcome him back at this crucial time as we accelerate our plans to take Lupin to the next level.  In addition to his strong understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and our company, he brings us rich experience in digital strategy and innovation”.   Ramesh brings to Lupin rich experience of over 30 years. In addition to having worked with Lupin for more than a decade, he has also worked with reputed organizations in diverse industry sectors such as VST Industries Ltd, SPIC Group, Standard Chartered Bank, Henkel and L&T.   Ramesh is a qualified Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant and Company Secretary and recipient of the prestigious Chevening Scholarship (UK). He also has an MBA from INSEAD. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15957/bill-gates-to-focus-more-towards-global-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15957/bill-gates-to-focus-more-towards-global-health.html Mon, 16 Mar 2020 09:05:00 +0530 Microsoft Corp. has announced that Co-Founder and Technology Advisor Bill Gates stepped down from the company's Board of Directors to dedicate more time to his philanthropic priorities including global health, development, education, and his increasing engagement in tackling climate change. He will continue to serve as Technology Advisor to CEO Satya Nadella and other leaders in the company.   On June 27, 2008, Gates transitioned out of a day-to-day role in the company to spend more time on his work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He served as Microsoft's chairman of the board until February 4, 2014. Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO said, "It's been a tremendous honor and privilege to have worked with and learned from Bill over the years. Bill founded our company with a belief in the democratizing force of software and a passion to solve society's most pressing challenges. And Microsoft and the world are better for it. The board has benefited from Bill's leadership and vision. And Microsoft will continue to benefit from Bill's ongoing technical passion and advice to drive our products and services forward. I am grateful for Bill's friendship and look forward to continuing to work alongside him to realize our mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.” The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which is pretty much active in India as well, works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. Gates along with Wellcome and Mastercard recently launched $125 million fund to finance COVID-19 treatments.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15948/tlllf-appoints-ananth-narayanan-to-its-board-of-trustees.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15948/tlllf-appoints-ananth-narayanan-to-its-board-of-trustees.html Thu, 12 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF) has announced the appointment of Ananth Narayanan to its board of trustees. Narayanan is the Co-founder and CEO of Medlife, India’s largest e-health company. Previously, he was the CEO of Myntra – Jabong. He has also served as a Senior Partner at McKinsey.  “I have known Ananth over the last couple of years and I must admit that during this time, I hoped that one day we could have the privilege of having him on our Board. I am absolutely thrilled that after having followed the work of the foundation, he saw merit in what we do and has agreed to join us. His expertise and insights will be invaluable for us in the years to come,” said Deepika Padukone, Founder, The Live Love Laugh Foundation. Narayanan, said, “India is affected with the same level of mental health issues as anywhere else in the world which makes awareness and research important. This can have a massive impact in the way we look at mental health and help address the stigma surrounding it. While awareness is key, there is also a need to look at how to solve problems at scale. One way to do this is to make use of technology. I have followed the work of TLLLF for over two years now and I am happy to now have the opportunity to guide the foundation’s work with the other members of the team. It is a way for me to give back to society and learn more about mental health in the process.” Anna Chandy, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, TLLLF, said, “Ananth is well-known for his ability to actively problem-solve and achieve long term impact. I am glad he has agreed to offer his time and expertise to TLLLF. With his credentials, I am sure we will be able to channel TLLLF’s efforts towards building solutions that make mental health awareness and support easier to obtain. I look forward to working with him as we scale our activities in the years to come.” The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF) was set up in 2015 as a charitable trust to give hope to every person experiencing stress, anxiety and depression (SAD). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15914/sridhar-venkatesh-steps-in-as-md-of-gsk-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15914/sridhar-venkatesh-steps-in-as-md-of-gsk-india-.html Fri, 06 Mar 2020 09:05:00 +0530 Sridhar Venkatesh has been appointed as Managing Director & VP of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited effective 1 April 2020. He succeeds Annaswamy Vaidheesh who will retire from the Company effective 31 March 2020. Mr. Venkatesh is a senior business leader with more than 24 years of diverse experience in pharmaceuticals and healthcare and has a strong track record of success in multiple roles within GSK. He joined GSK in 2011 as Head of Commercial, Established Products, Branded Generics and moved as General Manager, Singapore before taking up the role of Commercial Head, India from 2014 to 2016. He was then promoted as VP of Central America & Caribbean before taking the current role as Vice President, Emerging Markets East with direct management of six markets (Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka). Commenting on the appointment Renu Karnad, Chairperson of the Company said, “I warmly welcome Sridhar to lead GSK in our next phase of growth to serve the patients of India. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Vaidheesh for his leadership during the last 5 years. Vaidheesh has represented the company with great skill and has helped the Company become a positive force for change on many important matters. I am grateful for the excellent counsel and support he has provided to the Board. I wish him success in all his future endeavours.” He is a Registered Pharmacist, with a Master’s in Pharmacy (Pharmaceutical Marketing).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15904/sharad-tyagi-steps-in-as-president-of-oppi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15904/sharad-tyagi-steps-in-as-president-of-oppi.html Thu, 05 Mar 2020 09:05:00 +0530 The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), which represents the research-based pharmaceutical companies, has appointed Sharad Tyagi as President for a period of three years, with effect from April 01, 2020.  Sharad Tyagi is Managing Director, Boehringer Ingelheim India Pvt Ltd and has also been a Vice President and Executive Committee of OPPI for the last ten years, heading important Work Groups & Committees for OPPI.  He takes over from A. Vaidheesh, Managing Director, India, Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd, who has been OPPI President for the past three years.    Welcoming Sharad Tyagi as President, A. Vaidheesh the outgoing President, said, “While I continue to be a part of the industry that positively impacts human lives, it is time to pass on the baton.  I welcome Sharad as the new President and under his leadership I am confident that OPPI will continue to advocate for patient-centred policies that are focused towards building a healthier India through access to Innovation.  Spending three decades of my life in this industry, I feel privileged to be associated with an industry that truly transforms human lives.  The pharmaceutical industry, with its share of challenges, also provides several opportunities for economic, social and healthcare reforms.  Over the past three years, we at OPPI have worked towards building a patient-driven healthcare ecosystem while advocating for innovative healthcare financing models; robust OTC guidelines; collaborative PPP models with States and several other initiatives that aim to improve access to medicines in the country.  I will continue to be part of this ecosystem and will be always available for guidance to my colleagues and friends at the OPPI.” Speaking on his appointment, Sharad Tyagi, President- OPPI said, “I would like to thank Vaidheesh and my colleagues on the Executive Committee and I am excited to be a part of this transformational healthcare journey.  Expanding healthcare access; fostering research and innovation and leveraging health data are the three emerging patient centred themes.  The research-based pharmaceutical industry continues to play our role in reimaging India’s healthcare landscape as we remain committed to our purpose which is to bring newer and better medicines to every citizen of the country.   I believe we at the OPPI have clear priorities and along with the OPPI Secretariat led by KG Ananthakrishnan, Director General, OPPI, we will together work towards serving our patients and strengthening our approach of Health meeting Hope.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15870/dr-mukesh-batra-felicitated-for-his-outstanding-service-in-the-field-of-homeopathy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15870/dr-mukesh-batra-felicitated-for-his-outstanding-service-in-the-field-of-homeopathy.html Fri, 28 Feb 2020 11:10:00 +0530 Dr. Mukesh Batra, Padma Shri recipient (Homeopathy) & Founder - Dr Batra's Group of Companies, was honoured for his outstanding service in the field of Homeopathy internationally and in the Middle East at the 1st Sheikh Zayed International Awards For TCAM 2020 ceremony, under the patronage of Ruler and Founder of UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The 1st edition of the prestigious awards ceremony recognized and rewarded excellence in Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) by honouring esteemed scientists and medical practitioners for their distinguished contributions to improve the quality of life for humanity, advance knowledge and benefit humanity in the field of TCAM. The evening featured the success stories from many healthcare providers that have set an example and provided inspiration to budding brands through their legacy of success. Dr. Batra was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the field of Homeopathy by Mr. Hamad Salem bin Kardous Al Ameri, Director-General of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and Mr. Tariq Al Haidan, Ex Foreign Minister UAE. A pioneer of modern homeopathy, Dr. Mukesh Batra has passionately advocated the healing power of Homeopathy across the world. A first generation entrepreneur and visionary, he has brought standardization and formalized a largely informal homeopathy market by bringing modern technology and protocols to the science. He started Dr Batra's Homeopathy, the world's first branded and computerized homeopathy clinic, in 1982. Since then, his 225 clinics in 130 cities in 6 countries including Harley Street, London and Dubai Health Care City, Dubai have changed the lives of over 10 lakh people. Dr Batra's Homeopathy provides safe and effective treatments without side effects for varied disorders including allergies, child health, hair loss, preventive health (male/female/child), skin disorders, stress management, weight management, women's health and sexual health. On receiving recognition for his contribution to the field of Homeopathy, Dr. Mukesh Batra, Padma Shri recipient & Founder, Dr Batra's Homeopathy, said, "It is an honour to be recognised at the 1st Sheikh Zayed International Awards For TCAM 2020 ceremony. It's recognition of the growing acceptance of homeopathy globally and the hard work put in by the team at Dr Batra's to popularise the science across the world. We have been serving people in the Middle East for over 13 years and hope to take homeopathy to more regions in MENA in the future." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15856/ficci-appoints-dr-gsk-velu-for-tamil-nadu-state-council.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15856/ficci-appoints-dr-gsk-velu-for-tamil-nadu-state-council.html Wed, 26 Feb 2020 15:55:00 +0530 FICCI (The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) has appointed a serial healthcare entrepreneur, Dr. GSK Velu as the new Co-Chairperson of FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council for the year 2020.  Dr. GSK Velu is Chairman & Managing Director at Trivitron Healthcare, a prominent medical technology company; Chairman & Managing Director at Neuberg Diagnostics, a global pathology brand operating in India, UAE and South Africa; Mentor & Shareholder at Kauvery Group of Hospitals, a chain of multi-specialty Hospitals; Chairman at Maxivision Eye Hospitals, a national chain of eye care super-specialty hospitals; Founder & Director at Apollo White Dental & Apollo Dialysis; and Anchor Investor at Stakeboat Capital, a private equity fund. He is also the Honorary Consul to The Republic of Estonia in India, wherein the Honorary Consul jurisdiction states include Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Expressing gratitude and talking about his role, Dr. GSK Velu said, "I am thankful for FICCI’s vote of confidence in appointing me as the Co-Chairperson of FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council. This position gives me an opportunity to work within the FICCI framework in meeting its objectives of industry growth at one level, and the nation’s growth at another. I look forward to engaging with industry leaders to foster an ecosystem of innovation and growth, and towards building consensus between the industry and the policymakers." Dr. Velu’s prominent works in the area of building and promoting International business collaborations have been well recognized and received. He has been bestowed with several awards and accolades which are a testimony to his hard work, dedication and his vision of making access to affordable quality healthcare a reality. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15823/jawed-zia-steps-out-of-abbott-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15823/jawed-zia-steps-out-of-abbott-india.html Fri, 21 Feb 2020 13:10:00 +0530 On June 1, 2018, Jawed Zia had joined Abbott as Vice President, Established Pharmaceuticals, India. In this role, Jawed was leading Abbott’s India pharmaceutical business, which offers quality, trusted medicines to help people get and stay healthy. But in less than two years, Jawed Zia has announced his exit from Abbott India.  Venu Ambati, who is currently serving as the Managing Director (MD) of Abbott India, will be stepping up into Zia's position, from March 1, 2020. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15796/oppi-appoints-new-dg.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15796/oppi-appoints-new-dg.html Mon, 17 Feb 2020 16:10:00 +0530 The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), which represents the research-based pharmaceutical companies, has appointed KG Ananthakrishnan (KG) as its new Director General (DG). KG takes over from Kanchana TK, who moves to an OPPI member company in a senior leadership role. He brings rich and diverse experience in the pharmaceutical industry in India. Former Vice President and Managing Director, South Asia Region, MSD India, KG continues to mentor healthcare startups and is on the Advisory Panel of several institutions along with being a Board Member of other organisations. A.Vaidheesh, President, OPPI said, “I thank Kanchana for her leadership over the last four years at OPPI.  Under her leadership, OPPI has led several critical patient-centred initiatives and has transformed into an agile, dynamic and responsive organisation that is committed to positively impact patients with improving access to innovative medicines. I welcome KG to OPPI and am confident that his leadership experience and collaborative approach will assist in strengthening OPPI’s patient-focused approach towards Health meeting Hope! ” Speaking on his appointment, KG said, “As Director General of OPPI, I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve our  patients and also contribute towards the growth of our industry.   I believe that  the new treatments and cures from OPPI members can make a positive impact in ensuring that millions of Indians lead a healthier and more productive life.  In my role, I will continue to drive collaborations and partnerships among diverse stakeholders in expanding access to healthcare, fostering ethics and business integrity and delivering a meaningful contribution towards a patient-centric healthcare ecosystem where Health meets Hope.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15780/doceree-takes-varun-hasija-on-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15780/doceree-takes-varun-hasija-on-board.html Thu, 13 Feb 2020 16:20:00 +0530 Doceree, a New Delhi based startup in healthcare which helps advertisers to bring personalisation, optimisation and measurability in their digital efforts have recently taken Varun Hasija on board as its Director - Product Development. An alumnus of erstwhile (DCE), now its Delhi Technological University (DTU), he has been graduated in Mathematics and computing. He combines his academic expertise in Mathematics with technology and streamline it towards entrepreneurship to bring innovative solutions. Excited on joining Doceree, he said, “I am fortunate for getting an opportunity to explore my creativity, combined with my insightful experiences and instincts to unravel the newer vistas in this challenging healthcare entrepreneurial venture. Addressing the problem of the rising cost of Healthcare by bringing in efficiency & effectiveness in Healthcare marketing by using data and creativity — indeed, it’s both exciting and challenging! I will be leaving no stone unturned to steer the organisation reach to the unprecedented heights and reducing the cost of Healthcare. Varun had didactic stints with various start-ups. He co-founded online vertical of Ed-tech start-up Coding Blocks with an aim to bridge the gap between the industry requirements and the present structure of computer education in colleges and universities. During his tenure, he helped build and lead products that generated more than $3.5 M in revenue; pioneered the field of online computer education and touched over 100,000 lives through a diverse array of products. Before Coding blocks, Varun was part of the engineering team at Practo. He enjoyed building engineering teams and defining culture and processes that enable teams to grow and succeed in a repeatable and predictable manner. Dr. Harshit Jain, CEO, Doceree said, “His experience with startups, zeal and enthusiasm to solve real world problems will be invaluable to Doceree’s growth. Varun is a trusted leader, and I look forward to working with him to align Doceree’s superior solutions with industry-leading best practices to position us as a global leader.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15771/sahyadri-hospitals-appoints-abrarali-dalal-as-chief-operating-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15771/sahyadri-hospitals-appoints-abrarali-dalal-as-chief-operating-officer.html Thu, 13 Feb 2020 10:15:00 +0530 Sahyadri Hospitals, Maharashtra's largest chain of multi-specialty hospitals, has named Abrarali Dalal as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). Dalal is a healthcare and telecom industry veteran with an established track record. He was pivotal in building North India's first private children's hospital in his previous role as Group COO, Rainbow Children's Hospitals. Earlier, he was Facility Director at Fortis Healthcare, New Delhi. Founded in 1994, the Pune-headquartered Sahyadri Hospitals currently operates five tertiary care and three secondary care hospitals with 750 beds across Pune (Deccan Gymkhana, Nagar Road, Kothrud, Bibwewadi, Kasba Peth and Hadapsar), Nashik and Karad. Sahyadri has more than 1,500 clinicians along with 2,500 support staff providing high quality tertiary care medical services.  "With his rich and diverse experience, Dalal will take the Sahyadri Group towards the next level of growth and help achieve our aim to increase the bed count and revenue significantly in five years," Dr. Charudutt Apte, Founder, Chairman and MD, Sahyadri Hospitals said. In October 2019, The Everstone Group, one of the largest India and South East Asia focused healthcare investors, had acquired a controlling stake in Sahyadri Hospitals Limited. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15770/bioasia-2020-announces-genome-valley-excellence-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15770/bioasia-2020-announces-genome-valley-excellence-award.html Thu, 13 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0530 BioAsia, Asia's largest annual global Biotechnology and Life Sciences forum organized by the Government of Telangana, has announced that the prestigious Genome Valley Excellence Award will be bestowed upon Dr. Carl H June, CAR-T Cell Therapy Pioneer, Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA for his pioneering work in the field of immunotherapy; breakthrough research in developing CAR-T therapy for treatment of Cancer and development and commercialization of world’s first FDA-approved gene therapy and Dr. Vas (Vasant) Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis for inspiring the world with the bold new vision to reimagine the pharmaceutical business including embracing digital technology and transforming healthcare; his extensive work on a range of public health issues particularly in developing countries and exemplary work in development of over 20 novel medicines, including advances cell and gene therapies as well as vaccines. The award will be presented to them during the 17th edition of BioAsia which will be held between February 17 to 19, 2020 at HICC, Hyderabad. Dr. Carl H June is an American immunologist and Oncologist. He is the pioneer in the field of immunotherapy and globally acknowledged for the development of T-Cell Therapy for Cancer. His findings have helped to develop and commercialize the first FDA approved gene therapy called Tisagenlecleucel. CAR-T Cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy that uses specially altered T-Cells (a part of the immune system) to fight cancer. A sample of patient’s T-Cells is collected from the blood and then modified to produce special structures called Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) on their surface. Dr. June is Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA. Dr. Vasant Narasimhan, popularly known as Vas Narasimhan, is the CEO of a global pharmaceutical company – Novartis. He is an Indian American Physician and has led a strategic and cultural transformation at Novartis to build a leading medicines company globally powered by advanced therapy platforms and data science. Dr. Narasimhan joined Novartis in 2005 and he served as the Global Head of Development before he assumed charge of CEO of the company in 2017. Dr. Narasimhan previously served as Global Head of Biopharmaceuticals and Oncology injectables at Sandoz International. He is a member of the US National Academy of Medicine. With his ancestral roots at Tamil Nadu, Dr. Narasimhan completed his graduation in biological sciences from University of Chicago and did his MD from Harvard Medical School. He also completed his master’s degree in Public Policy from John F Kennedy School of Government, US. Genome Valley Excellence Award was constituted in 2004 to recognize and honour eminent individuals and organizations for their exceptional contribution to the Life Sciences research and public health. The Government of Telangana presents this special award to eminent leaders every year after a careful examination and technical consideration by the reputed jury committee appointed by it.  Speaking on 2020 Genome Valley Excellence Award, Mr Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Dept of Industries & Commerce, Govt. of Telangana, said, "We are pleased to announce the prestigious Genome Valley Excellence Award 2020 to Dr. Carl H June and Dr. Vas Narasimhan for their remarkable contributions to the life sciences sector which would further revolutionize the whole public health across the globe. BioAsia, attracts lot of the best minds of the life sciences industry across the world and is an excellent platform for industry, academia, scientific community and startups to interact, network and build relationships towards the core objectives of their respective fields. The Government of Telangana has always been supportive of innovations in Life Sciences and is committed to helping the industry to grow by providing it the world-class infrastructure while ensuring time-bound approvals to improve the ease of doing business in the state". Elaborating the significance of Genome Valley Excellence Award, Mr. Shakthi Nagappan, CEO, BioAsia & Director (Life Sciences and Pharma), Government of Telangana, said, "Presenting the Genome Valley Excellence Award is one of the highlights of the BioAsia summit organized every year. We have been conferring the prominent scientists, industry leaders and organizations who are inspiring the leaders to join the mission of improving human life and made significant contributions to the Life Sciences sector across the globe. Over the years, the Genome Valley Excellence Award has been gaining tremendous esteem among the global lifesciences community as several Nobel laureates are also among the recipients of this prestigious award". BioAsia 2020 is set to host eminent global industry leaders from the life sciences sector including Dr. Vas Narasimhan, CEO, Novartis, Dr. Carl June, CAR-T Expert, University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Peter Piot, Director, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Co-Discoverer of Ebola, Mr. Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Group, Mr. Dilip Shanghvi, Chairman, Sun Pharma, Mrs. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon, Mr. K Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, among others.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15666/indian-academy-of-diabetes-honours-dr-v-mohan-and-dr-r-m-anjana.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15666/indian-academy-of-diabetes-honours-dr-v-mohan-and-dr-r-m-anjana.html Tue, 04 Feb 2020 10:15:00 +0530 Dr. V. Mohan, Chairman of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre and President of Madras Diabetes Research Foundation And Dr. R. M. Anjana, Managing Director of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre and Vice-President of Madras Diabetes Research Foundation was recently conferred with “Lifetime Achievement Award” and “Young Innovators Award” respectively by the Indian Academy of Diabetes at their Annual conference held at Mumbai. The award was presented by Proff Robert Eckel, President of the American diabetes Association to Dr. Mohan. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to recognize Dr. Mohan’s outstanding service to the cause of diabetes in India and his pioneering work in the field of Diabetology. Dr. Mohan has contributed over 1250 research papers in prestigious journals and text books of diabetes which is considered a world record by practicing doctor. The award was presented to Dr. Anjana for her outstanding work in the field of diabetes. Dr. Anjana has published over 200 research papers and has innovated a new dance form called “THANDAV” for increasing physical activity especially among adolescent girls in India.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15759/dr-sandra-desa-souza-receives-padma-shri.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15759/dr-sandra-desa-souza-receives-padma-shri.html Mon, 03 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0530 Almost one percent of the country’s population—a whopping 18 million people—has hearing disability. As an ENT Head, Neck and Cochlear implant surgeon, Dr Sandra Desa Souza has seen how severely this disability can affect lives, and that is why she has worked tirelessly for over 50 years to give back the gift of hearing to thousands of patients across the country. In honour of her life-changing achievements in the field, the 76-year-old surgeon was recently awarded India’s fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri. The award is the latest in the list of recognitions for this trailblazer, who is considered the pioneer of cochlear implant surgery in India and Asia. When she performed the first ever cochlear implant surgery at Jaslok Hospital in 1987, she became the first woman in the world to perform this surgery! The feat also won her a mention in the Limca Book Of Records. She was also the first surgeon in India to use implants in an abnormal cochlea, and the first surgeon to operate on the youngest hearing-impaired child and the oldest patient with the disability. Dr. Desa Souza has performed over 2,000 surgeries, at Jaslok, Breach Candy and Desa Hospital. Since 2002, she has been running a cochlear implant surgery programme for underprivileged children with the support of Dr Dillon Souza, cochlear implant surgeon at Jaslok hospital. The programme is funded by various charities and enables hearing-impaired children from Maharashtra and across India to undergo surgery, rehabilitation and long term follow-up. Over several decades of practice, she has attended various national and international conferences, lectures and workshops, and constantly updated her knowledge on sinuscopy, cochlea implants and lasers. This has enabled her to perform the complex surgery using newer, better, technologically advanced and more effective cochlear implants from countries such as Australia, Austria, France and the US. She also holds the distinction of being the first Indian Fellow of the American Otological Society. She is on the editorial board of the International Tinnitus Journal and has published over 40 research papers and articles, written two booklets, and is the co-author and publisher of a textbook titled ‘Modern Concept of Neurotology’. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15659/acg-appoints-alexander-robertson-as-new-cmo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15659/acg-appoints-alexander-robertson-as-new-cmo.html Tue, 28 Jan 2020 10:55:00 +0530 ACG Group, the world's only integrated offering end-to-end manufacturing solutions for the pharmaceutical industry has announced the appointment of Alexander Robertson as the new Chief Marketing Officer for the Group. In his role, Robertson will be responsible for continuing to drive ACG's marketing initiatives and current growth across the group's global focus markets. He will be based at the company's Mumbai head office. With more than two decades rich experience across the spectrum of B2B and B2C marketing, branding communication, design and advertising, Robertson is a true brand specialist. He has worked for global agencies including Ogilvy & Mather, Brand Union and most recently held the position of Executive Creative Director at Landor in Mumbai. He takes over from Peter Neve, who has decided to move back to his home country following three successful years at ACG. On Alex's appointment as ACG's new Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Karan Singh, MD, ACG, said, "We are very excited to have Alex on board. With his rich experience in narrating successful brand stories, we are confident that ACG will chart newer heights under his leadership. I also wish to thank Peter Neve, who helped ACG create a new identity and will be remembered for his work on OneACG."  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15653/hilleman-board-announces-leadership-changes-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15653/hilleman-board-announces-leadership-changes-.html Tue, 28 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +0530 The Board of Directors of Hilleman Laboratories has announced that Dr Davinder Gill will leave his current role as CEO of Hilleman Laboratories on 31 January 2020, after more than eight years at the company. Dr Gill is relocating to the United States where his family is based. He will be replaced by Dr Raman Rao, who will assume the role as CEO on 1 February. Dr Rao has more than 22 years’ experience in research and development, manufacturing and commercialisation of vaccines for infectious diseases, and is joining from Takeda Vaccines where he was Vice President of Global Product Operations. Dr Gill joined Hilleman in 2012 after two decades in the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector. Dr Gill said, “I am privileged to have led an outstanding team at Hilleman over the last eight years. Together, we built a strong organization with an innovative pipeline of vaccines and technologies. We forged critical collaborations and licensed our products for vaccine commercialization while strengthening the Hilleman brand globally.” Dr Rao said, “I am extremely pleased and excited to join Hilleman Laboratories and contribute to its mission of providing global health solutions. I look forward to working with its dynamic team in their endeavour to develop affordable vaccines.” Dr Gerd Zettlmeissl, Chair of the Hilleman Board of Directors said, “I would like to thank Davinder for his dedication and leadership of Hilleman over the past eight years. During his time as CEO, he has built Hilleman into a highly respected organisation in developing vaccines for global health. The Board is delighted to have hired a perfect successor in Raman and we are pleased to welcome him to lead Hilleman Laboratories through its exciting next phase.” Hilleman Laboratories is a research and development joint venture between Wellcome and MSD, with a not-for-profit mission to develop affordable vaccines for diseases that commonly affect low-income countries.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15651/mk-bhan-passes-away.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15651/mk-bhan-passes-away.html Mon, 27 Jan 2020 14:25:00 +0530 MK Bhan, the man behind India's successful rotavirus vaccine passed away on 26th January 2020 following his unsuccessful fight with Cancer. He was the practising doctor and medical researcher at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi when he discovered and isolated the vaccine strain (116E) from a diarrhoea episode in Delhi. The strain showed exceptional promise because infants infected with it manifested strong immunity against subsequent infections. Also it was capable of providing immunity from other diarrhoeal strains. As the Department of Biotechnology secretary, he guided the rotavirus vaccine project that lead to the development of Rotavac, an indigenous vaccine now widely used by the Union Health Ministry in universal immunisation programme. As the DBT secretary for more than eight years, Bhan established new institutes, biotechnology clusters and innovation support agencies like BIRAC to attempt a transformation of the Indian biotechnology sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15648/dr-maharaj-kishan-bhan-passes-away-at-72.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15648/dr-maharaj-kishan-bhan-passes-away-at-72.html Mon, 27 Jan 2020 12:15:00 +0530 Dr. Maharaj Kishan Bhan, former secretary of DBT, Indian pediatrician and clinical scientist, passes away on Sunday 26th January 2020, due to his unsuccessful battle with cancer for several months.  Dr. MK Bhan was a National Science Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Government of India, President of JIPMER and an Advisor to the World Health Organization. Moreover, he was a former Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology. As Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India for ten years, he played a key role in the establishment of many new Institutes, clusters and innovation support agencies in order to transform of the biotechnology sector in the country. Dr. MK Bhan has given a significant contribution to the biotechnology sector in the past few years. He is the man behind the development of India’s rotavirus vaccine in association with Bharat Biotech. He has provided guidelines for the use of Zinc as treatment of diarrhea, and delivered advocacy and leadership roles in several other research endeavors including low osmolarity ORS, identification of enteroaggregative E. Coli its association with persistent diarrhea in children and treatment approaches to this disorder. The Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) integrated program was developed under his Chairmanship has been introduced in the reproductive child health program of the Government of India. He was a recipient of numerous awards such as Padma Bhushan 2013,  “Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award", 1990, for medical sciences, the highest Scientific Award below 45 years of age in Indian Sciences, National Ranbaxy Award, 1990, for Medical Sciences, Achar Gold Medal of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, 1984, for the best original research, S.S. Mishra Award of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, 1986, for the best-unpublished research, Biotech Product and Process Development and Commercialization Award, 2003 and Pollins Foundation Research Award for US 100,000 (Year 2003). He is MBBS, MD Paediatrics, DSc. (Honorary), Fellow, Indian National Science Academy (FNA), Fellow, Academy of Sciences (FASc) and Fellow, Academy of Medical Sciences (FAMS) and Fellow, Third World Academy of Science (TWAS). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15618/dr-ambrish-mithal-joins-mhc-as-chairman-and-head-of-endocrinology-and-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15618/dr-ambrish-mithal-joins-mhc-as-chairman-and-head-of-endocrinology-and-diabetes.html Wed, 22 Jan 2020 17:40:00 +0530 Max Healthcare, one of India’s leading providers of comprehensive, seamless and integrated world class healthcare services, today announced the joining of Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Ambrish Mithal as Chairman and Head of Endocrinology and Diabetes - Pan Max. He will be operating out of Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket. With over three decades of experience, Dr. Mithal has made pioneering contribution to the development of endocrinology as a speciality in India in all its aspects- academic, clinical and social- and has played a key role in placing Indian endocrinology on the global map. In 2015, he was honoured by the Government of India with Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, for his outstanding contribution. Talking about his vision for Max Healthcare’s Endocrinology and Diabetes Department, Dr. Ambrish Mithal, said, “I am delighted to be associated with Max Healthcare. My endeavour is to develop a Comprehensive Diabetes Program along with an Advanced Endocrinology Program that can be replicated across all network hospitals so that it ensures end-to-end support for all our patients and provide seamless best-in-class healthcare services to them. We will work closely with the clinicians within and outside our hospitals to ensure that we design a robust public awareness campaign/program to empower each patient with correct knowledge and the attitude to deal with these diseases.” Dr. Mithal has won numerous awards from medical and social bodies throughout his career. Recently, he has been nominated to the Governing Council of the National Health Authority, the apex body involved in implementing the ambitious population health coverage plan of the government. He has also been appointed (honorary) President, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur. In 2016, he was also awarded the International Osteoporosis Foundation President's award. In March 2017, Dr. Mithal was awarded the B C Roy award by the President of India (for the year 2015) for his contribution to the development of endocrinology in India. Dr. Mithal has been the technical advisor for the World Diabetes Foundation/ Jagran Pehel initiative on diabetes and pregnancy. He is also the first Indian to serve on international bodies like the WHO Global Task force on Osteoporosis and Committee of Scientific Advisors, Asia Pacific Advisory Council and Board of Governance of the International Osteoporosis Foundation. In addition Dr Mithal has been President of the Endocrine Society of India, Indian Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ISBMR), and Bone and Joint Decade. He has also served two terms as Editor-in-Chief, Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. He was a member of the Governing Council of the Indian Council of Medical Research from 2014-2017, and is currently the President of the Endocrine and Diabetes Foundation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15610/vyaire-medical-appoints-gaurav-agarwal-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15610/vyaire-medical-appoints-gaurav-agarwal-as-ceo.html Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:25:00 +0530 Vyaire Medical has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Gaurav Agarwal as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Agarwal succeeds Dave Eckley, who is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer, but will remain on the company's Board of Directors. Vyaire Medical is the largest company in the global healthcare ecosystem fully dedicated to respiratory care. With a vision of enabling, improving and extending the lives of patients, the company is committed to innovating and delivering the best respiratory solutions to healthcare customers around the world.  Agarwal brings to Vyaire Medical extensive global leadership experience in medical devices and a proven track record in driving innovation, improving patient outcomes, and creating exceptional value for customers. Most recently, as President and Chief Operating Officer of KCI, an Acelity company, Agarwal transformed the company into an undisputed leader in advanced wound care, by finding ground-breaking healing solutions for current and new customer segments. Prior to that, he served as President, Orthopaedic Reconstruction at Smith & Nephew, where he was responsible for defining a cutting-edge global strategy that expedited product development and redefined the company's portfolio for joint reconstruction. Before that, he held Vice President and General Manager positions at GE Healthcare. In 2019, the company launched several new products. Most notably, the bellavista 1000e was introduced in the US, a uniquely versatile ventilator system that allows one device to work across a broad range of patients and situations – enhancing workflow, simplifying training, and improving patient outcomes. Two of the latest Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) technologies were also introduced in the US: VyntusTM BODY and VyntusTM ONE, both with SentrySuiteTM software. Internationally, SuperNO2VA, the exclusive nasal ventilation mask was brought to market. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15568/tcg-lifesciences-appoints-chris-h-senanayake-as-cso.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15568/tcg-lifesciences-appoints-chris-h-senanayake-as-cso.html Thu, 16 Jan 2020 15:15:00 +0530 TCG Lifesciences, a company promoted by New York based Purnendu Chatterjee Group, has announced the induction of Chris Senanayake, as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) responsible for delivering highest quality scientific solutions and innovations to its global client base. Chris is a globally recognized pharma industry innovator and opinion leader in the field of chemical research and development. In his last assignment, he was the Vice President in Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmacutical and led the Chemical Development wing in their USA office. He directed chemical process research and development on an international level and provided leadership to US Chemical Development, Global NCE development in a timely and economical manner. Swapan Bhattacharya, Managing Director, TCG Lifesciences commented, “Dr. Senanayake demonstrates the ability to define and optimize chemical research and development strategies and tactics. He is able to “connect the dots” between the purely scientific and commercial perspectives and set up creative and effective. We are delighted to welcome Chris into our leadership team and to leverage his expertise and experience to improve our scientific skills and deliver innovative solutions.” “TCG Lifesciences is science based company with strong expertise in medicinal chemistry, scale up and analytical sciences. I am looking forward to working with the highly talented and passionate team to improve their process development offerings by employing innovative process technologies and green chemistry applications”, said Chris Senanayake. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15557/aetna-india-announces-new-managing-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15557/aetna-india-announces-new-managing-director.html Wed, 15 Jan 2020 15:05:00 +0530 vHealth by Aetna, one of the leading preventative and primary care service providers in India, has announced that Mr Damian Delaney, an Australian national with 25+ years of international experience, has been appointed as the new Managing Director to lead its Indian operations. Damian will be based in Delhi and will oversee all aspects of the business which caters to 2.8 million members. Damian is an effective and engaging business leader with significant commercial experience gained across multiple product groups (insurance/healthcare/banking), customer segments, distribution channels and corporate functions covering both; mature and emerging markets. He is passionate about developing high calibre teams capable of delivering quality customer experiences that leverage data and digital innovation. Prior to taking up this post, Damian was Managing Director for Aetna Korea based in Seoul, where he oversaw their Population Health Solutions (PHS) consulting business working in collaboration with local government, academia and leading insurance groups. PHS involves the development and deployment of global best practices in healthcare data science, advanced analytics, risk/predictive modelling, Machine Learning/AI and associated behavioural change programs designed to optimize healthcare eco-systems, enhance portfolio sustainability and most importantly; improve health outcomes. Dr Sneh Khemka, President of Population Health, Aetna International, said, "Damian brings a powerfully diverse set of skills and a truly commercial mindset to our Indian vHealth business and we are excited to have him lead the team through its next phase of development and success." Damian previously worked with Now Health International, Prudential Corporation Asia, HSBC and Citibank, holding roles of increasing responsibility nationally, regionally and globally. Damian holds a BA Economics & Finance from the University of Western Sydney and an MBA from London Business School. In addition, vHealth by Aetna is pleased to announce the internal promotion of Mr Anuj Arora to VP, Sales & Distribution. Anuj is a strong sales leader with nearly two decades of business development experience, both in India and International markets. He joined vHealth in early 2019 to lead the corporate business and will now apply his expertise to lead the entire India sales function. Before joining vHealth, Anuj worked for over 13 years at Monster.com in various leadership roles in India, Philippines and Hong Kong. Anuj started his career with Standard Chartered Bank and has a B.Com from Delhi University and a MBA in International Business from Amity Business School. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15546/sensa-core-medical-instrumentation-announces-management-changes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15546/sensa-core-medical-instrumentation-announces-management-changes.html Tue, 14 Jan 2020 12:55:00 +0530 Sensa Core Medical Instrumentation which is a global In-vitro diagnostic (IVD) manufacturing companies has recently announced the new management team as a part of their 14 th Annual Day Celebration that happened on 9 th January 2020. As a part of the company’s new management, Srirama Kumar Kasi will be taking over the charge of Managing Director & Pavan Chandra Nagoor Naralasetty as Director & Business Head. Dr. Ravi Kumar Meruva will continue as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Nagaraju Meruva will continue as Executive Director. Srirama Kumar is Masters in Embedded Systems with rich experience in Research and Development in the field of Embedded Systems Electronics, Software and Mechanical component development. He has expertise in handling all aspects of product development from basic concept to final product. He has been integral part of research and development efforts of every single IVD devices at Sense Core since its inception. Talking about his new role, Mr. Sriram said, “It’s an immense pleasure to head Sensa Core and I am excited to get this opportunity. Ever since the day of inception we have been introducing diversified products which were never manufactured India. In the near future we would like to introduce many more innovative and affordable products to Indian market and provide our sincere contribution to MAKE IN INDIA”. Pavan Chandra Nagoor is Masters in Business Administration and has rich experience in the field of Strategic Planning as well as Business Administration. His experience as well as exposure in versatile business Profiles along with positive attitude and a passion has given him an opportunity to relish himself as a trailblazer in team Sensa Core ever since the start of product commercialisation. Talking about his new role, Mr. Pavan said, “It’s an immense honour to head the Business of Sensa Core and I am very happy to get this opportunity in my decade year at Sensa Core. Indian IVD industry hasbeen an import driven industry for quite long time. With our core value of SELL WHAT YOU MAKE we would like to contribute to indigenous IVD manufacturing Industry. We are proud to announce that our products have been successfully accepted in thirty Countries and in the years to come we intend to expand our export reach to over Sixty Countries”. Congratulating new Management Team, Dr. Ravi Kumar Meruva, CEO of Sensa Core said “Mr. Srirama Kumar and Mr. Pavan Chandra Nagoor have been associated with Sensa Core for over a decade invarious capacities. Their addition in the new management team will strengthen the leadership & begin the new decade of sense core with glory.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15536/dr-siddhesh-kamat-gets-merck-young-scientist-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15536/dr-siddhesh-kamat-gets-merck-young-scientist-award.html Mon, 13 Jan 2020 13:15:00 +0530 Merck recently announced winners of the first Merck Young Scientist award in India. The award recognises contributions of young Indian scientists in innovative research. It was instituted to encourage young scientists to pursue their research aspirations.  Dr. Siddhesh Kamat (Assistant Professor in Biology at IISER Pune) has received this year’s Merck Young Scientist Award. This award recognises excellence in research among scientists with less than 10 years of post-PhD experience and considers applications from all research/academic institutions across India. The accolade is comprised of a cash prize and a travel award. Dr. Kamat is among six researchers selected for the award this year.  Dr. Siddhesh Kamat’s lab studies lipid signaling and metabolism in nervous and immune system using chemical probes in conjunction with advanced mass spectrometry based metabolomics and proteomics techniques. The company received over 1,600 registrations and 575 applications were scrutinised by an eminent jury constituted by distinguished scientists and academicians of the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15535/dr-mark-bittinger-joins-sai-life-sciences-as-global-biology-head.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15535/dr-mark-bittinger-joins-sai-life-sciences-as-global-biology-head.html Mon, 13 Jan 2020 13:05:00 +0530 Sai Life Sciences, one of India's fastest growing Contract Development & Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs), announced the appointment of Dr. Mark Bittinger as Vice President and Global Head of Biology. Mark will be based out of the company's new Discovery Biology facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, which provides exploratory biology capabilities to the expanding array of start-up and biotech companies in the region. Mark Bittinger is an acknowledged leader in the area of oncology drug discovery / translational science and has over 25 years of experience across immune-oncology, epigenetics, and tumor cell metabolism. With over 20 research publications to his credit, Mark has had a stellar track record in research, innovation & cross-functional leadership in organizations such as Merck Research Labs, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Agios Pharmaceuticals, and Novartis Institute of BioMedical Research. Mark received his B.A. from The Johns Hopkins University and followed with a Ph.D. in Cellular & Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Located in the heart of the Cambridge/Boston biotech ecosystem, Sai's new 8,500 square feet lab in Kendall Square creates opportunities for biotechs to have face-to-face collaboration with Sai scientists, and to accelerate the pace of their externalized research by reducing cycle-times. The lab provides exploratory biology capabilities using state-of-the-art platforms and technologies such as high-content microscopy, CRISPR-mediated genome editing, flow cytometry/sorting, and high-throughput patch-clamp platforms to address unique client needs. These activities include new target and biomarker identification and/or validation and establishing in vitro and cell-based assays for established targets.  The Cambridge lab serves as a vital bridge, enabling seamless integration with rest of the company's service offerings across UK and India, spanning the drug discovery and development continuum including medicinal chemistry, DMPK and toxicology, process chemistry and analytical development, and commercial scale manufacturing. Sai Life Sciences is currently in the midst of an organization-wide initiative, Sai Nxt that is aimed at transforming the company into a new generation CDMO. With investments of over US$150 million between 2019 and 2023, the focus is on three key areas – people & culture, processes & automation, infrastructure & scientific capabilities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15528/lupin-appoints-j-alan-butcher-as-ccdo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15528/lupin-appoints-j-alan-butcher-as-ccdo.html Mon, 13 Jan 2020 09:45:00 +0530 Pharma Major Lupin Limited (Lupin) announced the appointment of J. Alan Butcher as Chief Corporate Development Officer (CCDO).  Alan will lead Lupin’s Global Corporate Development efforts and will be responsible for the Company’s Global M&A, Business Development and Licensing functions.  In this role, Alan will be responsible for leading the company’s overall business development efforts, with a focus on continuing to build Lupin’s Specialty and Novel products business.  Commenting on the appointment, Vinita Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Lupin said, “We are very pleased to welcome Alan to our leadership team.  Alan’s experience in leading portfolio strategy and business development in specialty and big pharma companies, will help us enhance our plans to evolve our Specialty and Novel products business and optimize our capital allocation efforts to drive long term growth and value”  Alan brings extensive strategic, business development, technical and scientific experience to Lupin from over 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry. He joins Lupin from AMAG Pharmaceuticals where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer. Prior to AMAG, he served as Senior Vice President, licensing and business development for Purdue Pharma. Prior to Purdue, he led a global business development team and was responsible for identifying, evaluating and negotiating expansion opportunities at Shire Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in his career, Alan conducted scientific research in areas of molecular genetics, virology and cardiovascular drug discovery. Alan holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Microbiology and a Master of Arts in Biology with a concentration in Molecular Biology and Genetics from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. He is also an MBA graduate from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management. Alan will be based at Naples, Florida and he will report to Vinita Gupta, CEO. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15527/flavia-agnes-wins-anjani-mashelkar-inspiration-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15527/flavia-agnes-wins-anjani-mashelkar-inspiration-award.html Fri, 10 Jan 2020 12:00:00 +0530 Most Women hesitate to approach courts or the police to enforce their rights. Flavia Agnes, through her organisation Majlis, has championed the cause of women's right and provided high quality, expert legal opinion to over 200,000 women and children who have suffered acute abuse. To honour her contributions and achievements in this space, she has been awarded the Anjani Mashelkar Inspiration Award 2019. Anjani Mashelkar Inspiration Award is an annual award honouring the inspiring life and work of an elderly Indian woman hero, given under the aegis of international Longevity Centre-India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15520/msd-in-india-appoints-rehan-a-khan-as-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15520/msd-in-india-appoints-rehan-a-khan-as-md.html Fri, 10 Jan 2020 11:10:00 +0530 MSD in India has announced that Rehan A. Khan has been appointed as Managing Director, India Region and will be assuming responsibility from January 13, 2020. Announcing the leadership appointment, Dorthe Mikkelsen, President Asia Pacific Region, MSD said, “I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Rehan A. Khan as Managing Director for MSD in India. Rehan is an accomplished international leader who has led large and complex multinational businesses, covering India, Greater China, Southeast Asia, and across Asia Pacific with leading multinational companies. His expertise, experience and industry know-how will be invaluable in driving MSD’s business in India and helping achieve our vision for patient access to critical therapies”. Rehan has over 20 years of in-depth industry experience, including as President of Asia Pacific with an NYSE-listed dialysis services provider with presence across 50 cities in Asia and prior to that as Managing Director of a leading pharmaceutical multinational company in India. More recently, Rehan was an entrepreneur and Founder of First Penguin Capital, an early stage fund focused on investing in health and consumer tech startups. He was also a board member and advisor to several impact led Private Equity funds and to healthcare companies in Africa, India, and South East Asia. Rehan is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. He holds a Master of Science degree in Health Sciences from the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences – a joint program between Harvard Medical School and MIT. The program included a 6-month rotation in Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Rehan also has a Master of Business Administration degree from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15507/strides-appoints-dr-r-ananthanarayanan-as-ceo-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15507/strides-appoints-dr-r-ananthanarayanan-as-ceo-md.html Thu, 09 Jan 2020 11:20:00 +0530 Strides Pharma Science Limited (Strides) has announced that the Board of Directors (Board) of the Company have appointed Dr. R Ananthanarayanan as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of Strides effective January 09, 2020. Dr. R Ananthanarayanan (Ananth) will succeed Arun Kumar, Founder, and the incumbent CEO & MD of the Company. Arun will transition his active responsibilities at Strides by the financial year ending March 31, 2020, and will step into a strategic role as Chairman of the Board with effect from April 01, 2020. Ananth brings with him over three decades of top pedigree global pharmaceutical experience across both the technical and commercial functions. Until recently, Ananth was the Global Chief Operating Officer at Cipla Limited, where he was responsible for the company’s generics business in regulated markets and branded generics in emerging markets. He was also driving their API business, biosimilars, complex drug-device combinations, including 505(b)(2) products. Prior to Cipla, Ananth was the President & CEO of Global APIs, Biologics, & Medis Generics B2B division at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd in the US, managing multi-billion P&L responsibility. He has also held leadership roles at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Piramal Healthcare (Formerly Nicholas Piramal), Galpharm International, UK (Acquired by Perrigo Group), and Zydus Cadila. Ananth is a Graduate in Pharmaceutical Sciences and earned his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Technology from the University of Mumbai, India. He has also been a member of the Board of Advisors at the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Fairleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey. Ananth’s appointment at Strides comes at the time when the company has concluded its reset strategy to drive profitable future growth on the back of a stronger balance sheet. The Board strongly believes that Ananth’s exceptional global techno-commercial experience and leadership stature in managing the P&Ls of large global pharmaceutical companies will multiply the company’s commitment to creating perpetual value for all its stakeholders. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15480/biocon-biologics-appoints-m-b-chinappa-as-cfo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15480/biocon-biologics-appoints-m-b-chinappa-as-cfo.html Mon, 06 Jan 2020 17:35:00 +0530 Biocon Ltd, an innovation-led global biopharmaceuticals company, announced that it has appointed Mr. M.B. Chinappa as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of its subsidiary Biocon Biologics India Ltd. (Biocon Biologics). Biocon Biologics is a fully-integrated ‘pure play’ global biosimilars company dedicated to developing high quality, affordable biosimilars for patients across the world. Mr. M.B. Chinappa joins Biocon Biologics from Biocon’s subsidiary company Syngene International Ltd, where he was President (Finance) and CFO since 2008. Mr. Chinappa will be part of the Executive Leadership Team of the company and will enable Biocon Biologics’ journey towards becoming a global leader in biologics. His immediate priorities will be todrive financial performance of the company, strengthen the finance function to support future growth, improve profitability and manage anticipated risks in the journey of achieving the USD 1 billion revenue target in FY22. Dr. Christiane Hamacher, Chief Executive Officer, Biocon Biologics, said: “I am delighted to have Mr. M.B. Chinappa join as the CFO of Biocon Biologics at a time when we have set out on our journey to impact 5 million patient lives and achieve a revenue target of USD 1 billion by FY22. Mr. Chinappa has proven leadership skills and has played a key role in the valuecreation story of Biocon and Syngene in the past 20 years. I am sure with his expertise we will build immense value for Biocon Biologics as we progress towards transforming millions of patient lives across the globe.” Expressing his delight with the new role, Mr. M.B. Chinappa, CFO, Biocon Biologics, said: “I am extremely excited with the opportunity to be a part of this incredible journey of Biocon Biologics aimed at transforming patient lives by providing affordable access to innovative & inclusive healthcare solutions and establishing Biocon Biologics as a leading global player inbiologics.” At Biocon, Mr. Chinappa was initially part of the finance team and also a member of its Core Committee. He was part of several strategic initiatives including raising private equity funds to finance Biocon’s foray into biopharmaceuticals, Biocon’s listing on the capital markets, obtaining Special Economic Zone status for Biocon Park and setting up the Joint Venture (JV) with CIMAB. Subsequently, he moved to Biocon’s research services subsidiary, Syngene, as the CFO in 2008 where he played a significant role in driving the growth of Syngene and making it an innovation-focused global discovery, development and manufacturing organization providing integrated scientific services to its clients worldwide. Besides finance, he also oversaw other supporting functions like Supply Chain Management, IT, E&M and Legal. As a member of Syngene’s Executive Committee, he played an important role in driving strategy, improving profitability, identifying new growth opportunities, improving cash generation and enabling organizational growth. He also led the highly successful Initial Public Offering(IPO) of Syngene in 2015. Mr. Chinappa is a Chartered Accountant by qualification with over 28 years of experience in Corporate Finance, Planning, Treasury, Taxation, Risk Management and Assurance. Prior to joining the Biocon Group in 1999, he worked at ITC Ltd for 7 years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15461/novo-nordisk-appoints-vikrant-shrotriya-as-new-md-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15461/novo-nordisk-appoints-vikrant-shrotriya-as-new-md-for-india.html Fri, 03 Jan 2020 06:00:00 +0530 Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company has appointed Vikrant Shrotriya as Managing Director & Corporate Vice President for the India business.  Vikrant returns to India after 13 years with an overall distinguished career spanning over 20 years in the healthcare industry, in India and internationally. Talking about his new role, Vikrant said, “It’s an immense honour to lead the India operations of Novo Nordisk and I am very happy to be back after a gap of 13 years. India is an important market for us, and our focus is on enhancing healthcare through awareness and education. We will continue to work on improving access to quality care by working closely with the relevant stakeholders.”  A graduate of Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB), Pune, Vikrant has worked in many national and international organisations in India, South East Asia and more recently in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries wherein he was Vice-President for Novo Nordisk’s GCC business and Corporate Vice President for Saudi Arabia. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15413/dr-pradeep-gadge-wins-diabetes-care-2019-award-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15413/dr-pradeep-gadge-wins-diabetes-care-2019-award-in-mumbai.html Tue, 24 Dec 2019 14:05:00 +0530 Dr Pradeep Gadge (Director, Dr Gadge’s Diabetes Care & Research Centre) was conferred the Most Promising Leader in Diabetes Care 2019 award by the esteemed jury of Pharma Leaders Power Brand’s Award, which is also popularly acclaimed to be the Oscars of the Indian Healthcare Industry. This award has previously been acclaimed by many inspiring leaders in the field of Diabetology / Endocrinology such as Dr V Mohan, Dr Shashank Joshi, and Dr Anoop Mishra The number of patients with diabetes is increasing at a rapid rate. Dr Pradeep Gadge, Director, Gadge Diabetes Care Centre, works relentlessly to help people manage diabetes effectively. Gadge Diabetes Centre remains at the forefront in creating awareness regarding diabetes, and its management by organizing camps, initiatives, and drives. Educating people about diabetes is their sole motto of. After being conferred with the award, Dr Pradeep Gadge is elated and promises to continue helping people nip diabetes in the bud. Dr Pradeep Gadge, Director, Gadge Diabetes Centre, said, “I am humbled and truly honoured to receive the esteemed award. I am honestly at a loss of words to have joined the wagon and win this prestigious award. I will forever be indebted to each and everyone for their constant support, faith, and incomparable empowerment. I pledge to continue taking initiatives that help people deal with diabetes, and swear to provide best health care services always.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15407/trivitron-healthcare-announces-the-appointment-of-new-cfo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15407/trivitron-healthcare-announces-the-appointment-of-new-cfo.html Mon, 23 Dec 2019 15:40:00 +0530 Trivitron Healthcare Private Limited has announced the appointment of Ravish Mittal as Group Chief Financial Officer effective 9th December 2019. Dr. GSK Velu, Chairman and MD, Trivitron Healthcare said, “We are delighted to have Ravish on-board Trivitron Group. In his new role, he will be at the helm of the company’s finances, organisational growth and expansion plans. He will be a tremendous asset to Trivitron and our leadership team. We look forward to an exciting journey along with him and wish him all the success.’’ Commenting on his appointment, Ravish Mittal, Group CFO said, “It’s truly an exciting opportunity to join a market-leader like Trivitron Healthcare, especially in the current scenario wherein sizeable investment is expected in Healthcare space. Trivitron Healthcare is recognized as one of the country’s leading medical technology company. I am looking forward to working with this fantastic company as we continue to set the pace for our industry.” Expressing her delight on the appointment Chandra Ganjoo, Executive Director, Group CPO & Head Corporate Communications, added, “We are very optimistic about this appointment. With his enthusiastic approach and a strong performance track record, Mr. Mittal will continue to drive the growth of Trivitron Group.” Mittal, a qualified CA and Fellow member of the Institute of Directors (India & London) brings with him more than 25 years of varied experience across Strategic Direction, Business Partnering & Controlling, Mergers & Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, Treasury & Forex Management, Fund Raising, Project & Compliance Management in Multinational Corporations and promoter-driven companies in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15406/trivitron-healthcare-appoints-ravish-mittal-as-group-cfo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15406/trivitron-healthcare-appoints-ravish-mittal-as-group-cfo.html Mon, 23 Dec 2019 15:35:00 +0530 Trivitron Healthcare Private Limited, a leading medical device company providing affordable healthcare solutions to the healthcare industry, has announced the appointment of Ravish Mittal as Group Chief Financial Officer effective 9th December 2019. Mittal, a qualified CA and Fellow member of the Institute of Directors (India & London) brings with him more than 25 years of varied experience across Strategic Direction, Business Partnering & Controlling, Mergers & Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, Treasury & Forex Management, Fund Raising, Project & Compliance Management in Multinational Corporations and promoter-driven companies in India. “We are delighted to have Ravish on-board Trivitron Group. In his new role, Mr. Mittal will be at the helm of the company’s finances, organizational growth, and expansion plans. He will be a tremendous asset to Trivitron and our leadership team. We look forward to an exciting journey along with him and wish him all the success.’’ said, Dr GSK Velu, Chairman and MD, Trivitron Healthcare. Commenting on his appointment, Ravish Mittal, Group CFO said, “It’s truly an exciting opportunity to join a market-leader like Trivitron Healthcare, especially in the current scenario wherein sizeable investment is expected in Healthcare space. Trivitron Healthcare is recognized as one of the country’s leading medical technology company. I am looking forward to working with this fantastic company as we continue to set the pace for our industry.” Expressing her delight on the appointment Chandra Ganjoo, Executive Director, Group CPO & Head Corporate Communications, added, “We are very optimistic about this appointment. With his enthusiastic approach and a strong performance track record, Mr. Mittal will continue to drive the growth of Trivitron Group.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15364/jay-stella-joins-sai-life-sciences-as-chief-business-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15364/jay-stella-joins-sai-life-sciences-as-chief-business-officer.html Wed, 18 Dec 2019 11:55:00 +0530 Sai Life Sciences, one of India's fastest growing Contract Development & Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs), has announced the appointment of Jay Stella as Chief Business Officer, to lead the overall business development and program management for the company. Jay will be based out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States and report to the CEO & Managing Director, Krishna Kanumuri. Jay Stella brings over 25 years of leadership in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries with extensive experience across R&D, manufacturing, business development, finance, and post-M&A integrations. He held positions of increasing responsibility at Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Takeda Pharmaceuticals for 15 years, across strategy & operations, business development, and integrations & divestitures, while also gaining significant experience in the Japanese cultural and business environment. Earlier, he worked for medium sized biotech companies, Biogen and Genetics Institute, where he held various financial and operational roles. Prior to the pharmaceutical industry, Jay worked in technical operations, manufacturing, planning, and strategic sourcing roles in the medical device industry. Jay received his MBA from Boston University and his Baccalaureate degree from the University of Vermont in Spanish with minors in Chemistry and Biology.  Making the announcement, Krishna Kanumuri said, "Inducting top-notch global leadership and scientific talent is a key priority as part of our transformative effort, Sai Nxt. We are delighted to have Jay on board in this exciting phase." Sai Nxt is an organization-wide initiative aimed at transforming the company into a new generation CDMO. With investments of over US $ 150 million between 2019 and 2023, the focus is on three key areas – People & culture, Processes & automation, Infrastructure & scientific capabilities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15338/orthopaedic-surgeon-dr-s-k-s-marya-re-joins-max-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15338/orthopaedic-surgeon-dr-s-k-s-marya-re-joins-max-healthcare.html Mon, 16 Dec 2019 17:10:00 +0530 Max Healthcare, a leading provider of comprehensive, seamless and integrated world class healthcare services in India, announced the appointment of Dr. S.K.S. Marya, Chairman & Chief Surgeon, Max Institute of Musculoskeletal sciences and Orthopaedics. He will be operating out of the units at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket and Max Hospital, Gurgaon.  Dr. Marya is a veteran in his field and has been bestowed with numerous awards and accolades for his work, including the prestigious Bharat Jyoti Award (Glory of India Award), DMA Distinguish Services Award, Haryana Vigyan Ratna and Praman Patra from Punjab Government to name a few. In over three decades of clinical practice, he has earned immense respect and admiration from his peers in India and abroad.  Dr. Marya's areas of specialisation include Joint Replacement Surgery for both upper and lower limbs (Primary and Revision) and Trauma Management based on AO Principles. He pioneered bilateral joint replacement of knee and hip joints i.e. replacing both joints in one sitting. He has initiated the Unicompartmental (Half Knee) replacement in year 2000 and has done exclusive work on fractures in joint replacement. He also introduced computer assisted joint replacement surgery in this part of the country. Over the duration of his career, Dr. Marya has conducted over 18,000 joint replacement surgeries including more than 4,000 simultaneous knee replacement surgeries (bilateral total knee replacements) and 3,000 hip replacement surgeries.  Dr Marya has served as, the President, Arthroplasty Society in Asia, Chairman Knee Arthroplasty SICOT (International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology), President India and SAARC : International Congress of Joint Reconstruction, Vice President of OASAC (Orthopaedic Association of SAARC Countries), and is permanent board member of many eminent societies across the globe, such as Asia Pacific Arthroplasty Society, Permanent international faculty  AO Switzerland (AORECON), Member American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons, and many more. He has published eight medical books, written over 100 scientific papers in international and national journals, and has submitted a thesis at University of Liverpool. Dr. Marya has delivered over 300 lectures and 11 workshops across the globe. He is visiting professor to four medical colleges and has delivered orations by invitations in twenty occasions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15320/dr-col-r-ranga-rao-vsm-joins-as-chairman-of-paras-cancer-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15320/dr-col-r-ranga-rao-vsm-joins-as-chairman-of-paras-cancer-centre.html Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:25:00 +0530 Dr. (Col) R. Ranga Rao, VSM has joined the Paras Hospitals, Gurugram as the Chairman, Paras Cancer Centre, with effect from Dec 9, 2019. Dr. Rao has an experience of more than 30 years is the field of Medical Oncology and has treated over 2 Lakh patients across the globe. Prior joining to Paras Hospitals, Gurugram, he was worked with many premier institutes; Max Super Specialty Hospital, BLK Super specialty hospital, Artemis Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, R& R Hospital to list a few. His areas of specialty are Lung Cancer, Pleura, Breast, Ovarian, Cervical, Esophagus, Stomach, Small Intestine, Colon, Rectum, Liver, Gall Bladder, Pancreas, Sarcomas, Melanomas, Lymphomas of all types, Brain Tumors, Kidney, Urinary Bladder, Prostrate, Head and Neck Cancer. His skill lies in Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, Hormonal therapy, Immunotherapy, Supportive and Palliative Care and Precision Cancer care. Also, he is an active member of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology (ISMPO) among others. Dr. Sameer Kulkarni, Facility Director, Paras Hospital said, “We extend our warm welcome to Dr (Col) Ranga Rao to the Paras family with an emphasis on specialized cancer clinics. He is a veteran in the field of oncology and has an enviable record. The wealth of knowledge and the range of expertise he brings will be beneficial to those who come here for treatment.” “I am enthused by the opportunity extended by Paras Hospitals and will offer the best of my efforts. We shall be organizing cancer awareness and check up to enable prevention and early diagnosis. It is essential to spread the spirit of prevention early so that we can save numerous lives and families from the burden of disease that has gripped India in its strong clutches,” said Dr. Rao. Dr. Rao completed his DM (Medical Oncology) from Dr .Muthulaxmi College of Oncological Sciences, Cancer Institute, Adayar, Chennai. He perused MD (Internal Medicine) from Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra and MBBS from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Ajmer.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15291/nanavati-super-speciality-hospital-ropes-in-manpreet-sohal-as-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15291/nanavati-super-speciality-hospital-ropes-in-manpreet-sohal-as-director.html Mon, 09 Dec 2019 15:55:00 +0530 Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital (NSSH) has announced the appointment of senior healthcare professional Manpreet Sohal as its Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Prior to Nanavati Hospital, Sohal was CEO of Gleneagles Global Hospitals and Zonal Director of Fortis Healthcare, Mumbai. He is credited with over 24 years of professional experience, including 10 years in Senior Health Care Management. During his tenures at Gleneagles Global Hospitals and Fortis Healthcare, he excelled in hospital operations and improved the quality of care, physician & medical staff relations, supply chain management and total project management including medical equipment procurement and manpower sourcing. Sohal completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Punjab University and Healthcare Delivery Management program from Harvard Business School. He assumed the office of Director & COO at NSSH from November 30, 2019. Abhay Soi, Chairman & Managing Director, Radiant Life Care Private Limited said, “We are pleased to welcome Mr Sohal as the COO and Director of Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital. His dynamic leadership qualities, operational focus and strong strategic perspective are well compatible with our great institution. Mr Sohal’s appointment will accelerate our mission to offer qualitative medical services with compassionate care.” During his career, Mr. Sohal has worked extensively with large healthcare chains such as Fortis Healthcare where he was the Zonal Director, Mumbai. In that role he functioned as CEO of Fortis SL Raheja Hospital. Medical Facilities such as Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Hiranandani Hospital, Navi Mumbai (A PPP project) and Jessaram Hospital, New Delhi have flourished under Mr. Sohal’s leadership.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15251/siddharth-mittal-takes-over-as-ceo-and-jmd-of-biocon-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15251/siddharth-mittal-takes-over-as-ceo-and-jmd-of-biocon-.html Tue, 03 Dec 2019 13:50:00 +0530 Biocon Ltd, an innovation-led global biopharmaceuticals company, announced that Siddharth Mittal has taken over as Chief Executive Officer & Joint Managing Director of the Company starting December 1, 2019. Mittal has been serving as Biocon’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since August 2014. Welcoming Mittal, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD, Biocon, said, “I am very pleased to welcome Siddharth as CEO & Joint MD of Biocon. Siddharth’s strong leadership qualities, comprehensive understanding of various aspects of the business, deep financial insights and robust operational experience make him an excellent fit for the role of CEO to lead Biocon through its next phase of growth. I am confident that in this new role he will build immense value for Biocon and its stakeholders.” Siddharth Mittal, CEO & Joint Managing Director, Biocon, said: “I am honoured to take over as the CEO & Joint MD of Biocon, which has a strong legacy as an innovation-led biopharmaceuticals company. It is at an inflection point where it is well positioned to create value for its shareholders by unlocking the potential of various business segments. Post thecreation of Biocon Biologics as a wholly owned subsidiary, I now look forward to generating value for our stakeholders by focusing on our Small Molecules business with an aim to further strengthen our portfolio of complex APIs and Generic Formulations in key global markets.” Mittal takes over from Dr. Arun Chandavarkar who retired as Chief Executive Officer & Joint Managing Director of Biocon on November 30, 2019, after 29 years of outstanding contribution to the evolution and success of Biocon. Mittal has been a core member of the leadership team at Biocon since May 2013 and has played an instrumental role in the biosimilars success story so far including restructuring of the biosimilars business into Biocon Biologics with an objective to unlock value for Biocon’s shareholders. He also played a pivotal role in managing global collaborations. As the CFO, he has successfully created a compelling Shareholder Value Proposition for Biocon over the last 6 years, including value unlocking of Syngene which was listed on the Indian capital markets in 2015. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15245/syngene-to-appoint-sibaji-biswas-as-cfo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15245/syngene-to-appoint-sibaji-biswas-as-cfo.html Mon, 02 Dec 2019 15:05:00 +0530 Syngene International Limited, global contract research organisation, announced the appointment of Sibaji Biswas as Chief Financial Officer and member of the Executive Committee with effect from December 18, 2019. He will succeed M.B. Chinappa, current CFO, who will stay within the Biocon Group of Companies and join Biocon Biologics India Ltd. in a new role. Sibaji Biswas brings more than twenty years of extensive experience in finance and related functions. His prior experience includes eleven years at Vodafone as well as roles in Fascel Telecommunications, Jhagadia Copper and the ABP Group. In his most recent role, he was CFO and Board Member for Vodafone Romania. Jonathan Hunt, CEO, Syngene International said, “We are delighted to welcome Sibaji to Syngene. He brings operational experience combined with a deep finance background which will be extremely valuable to the company as it enters the next phase of growth. We are indebted to Chinappa for the pivotal part he has played in successfully stewarding Syngene through its formative years and in establishing the sound foundations for our continued future growth. The Syngene International Board takes this opportunity to place on record their thanks to Chinappa for the major contribution he has made to the development of the company since 2008 and wishes him every success in his new role.” With a B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur, Sibaji is a Chartered Financial Analyst from ICFAI and holds an MBA (Finance) from the University of Calcutta. He has also completed Management Development Programs at the Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad) and London Business School.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15242/dr-balbir-singh-joins-max-healthcare-as-chairman-head.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15242/dr-balbir-singh-joins-max-healthcare-as-chairman-head.html Mon, 02 Dec 2019 13:40:00 +0530 Max Healthcare, one of India’s leading providers of comprehensive, seamless and integrated world class healthcare services, has announced the appointment of  Padma Shri Dr. Balbir Singh as the Chairman & Head of Cardiology – Pan Max. He will be operating out of Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket. Dr. Singh is an extremely well regarded and respected clinician and has won numerous awards and accolades for his contribution in the field of cardiac sciences over the past three decades. He is also serving as the President of the Cardiological Society of India (CSI) at present and has been the former president of Indian Heart Rhythm Society (IHRS).  Talking about his vision for Max Healthcare’s cardiology Department, Dr. Balbir Singh, Chairman & Head – Pan Max, Max Healthcare, said “Max Healthcare as an institution stands out for its values like patient centricity and clinical excellence and I am delighted to be a part of this institution. In my role as the Chairman of the Cardiology Department, I will strive to create a world class archetype for the cardiac community at Max healthcare. To begin with, we will focus on building three centers of excellence within the department. One will focus on Rhythm management, the second on structural heart diseases and the third on Coronary heart diseases. Additionally, we will focus on research and clinician upskilling and have already begun work on this front. We have initiated over five research projects and some of these are being undertaken in association with international institutions as well. With a clear vision and a focused approach, I am sure Max Healthcare will evolve to become the most well regarded center of excellence for cardiac care in the country”.  Along with being awarded the country's fourth highest civilian honor in the year 2007, Padma Shri Dr. Balbir Singh has won numerous other laurels including - Best Operator award at India Live, prestigious Golden Hand Award at AICT Singapore 2012, and Best Late Breaking Trail at APHRS. He is a graduate from Maulana Azad Medical College and did his DM (Cardiology) from Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, and fellowship from American College of Cardiology, USA. After working as a professor at AIIMS for about four years, he joined Batra Hospital as a Senior Consultant. Before joining Max Healthcare, Dr. Singh was the Chairman – Cardiology and Electrophysiology at Medanta – The Medicity. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15241/syngene-appoints-sibaji-biswas-as-cfo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15241/syngene-appoints-sibaji-biswas-as-cfo.html Mon, 02 Dec 2019 12:45:00 +0530 Syngene International Limited, a leading global contract research organisation, announced the appointment of Mr Sibaji Biswas as Chief Financial Officer and member of the Executive Committee with effect from December 18, 2019. He will succeed Mr M.B. Chinappa, current CFO, who will stay within the Biocon Group of Companies and join Biocon Biologics India Ltd. in a new role. Sibaji Biswas brings more than twenty years of extensive experience in finance and related functions. His prior experience includes eleven years at Vodafone as well as roles in Fascel Telecommunications, Jhagadia Copper and the ABP Group. In his most recent role, he was CFO and Board Member for Vodafone Romania. With a B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur, Sibaji is a Chartered Financial Analyst from ICFAI and holds an MBA (Finance) from the University of Calcutta. He has also completed Management Development Programs at the Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad) and London Business School. Jonathan Hunt, CEO, Syngene International said, “We are delighted to welcome Sibaji to Syngene. He brings operational experience combined with a deep finance background which will be extremely valuable to the company as it enters the next phase of growth. We are indebted to Chinappa for the pivotal part he has played in successfully stewarding Syngene through its formative years and in establishing the sound foundations for our continued future growth. The Syngene International Board takes this opportunity to place on record their thanks to Chinappa for the major contribution he has made to the development of the company since 2008 and wishes him every success in his new role.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15234/agatsa-founder-bags-women-entrepreneur-awards.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15234/agatsa-founder-bags-women-entrepreneur-awards.html Fri, 29 Nov 2019 17:30:00 +0530 The founder of Agatsa, innovator of world’s smallest and leadless ECG machine, Neha Rastogi has recently received three prestigious awards for women entrepreneurs. She won the ‘Women Entrepreneur of the Year’ award at the Spirit of Manufacturing Awards organized by Tie and Power2SME; the SheThePeople.TV ‘Digital Women’ Award in the Disruption category for SanketLife; and the BIRAC-TiE WInER Award for women in entrepreneurial research in the field of biotechnology. The Make in India and Startup India campaigns launched by the government have not only fueled the growth of start-ups but also encouraged women entrepreneurs. Women like Neha have taken the right steps in this direction and are using technology as an enabler to power solutions in difficult sectors such as healthcare. Industries such as manufacturing have been very male centric until recently. However, women like Neha are changing this and have ventured into this sector with élan, proving their worth. Agatsa is working towards developing cutting-edge technology oriented medical devices connected with mobile apps and cloud, which can be used by consumers in their day-to-day life. It was after understanding the misses in the early identification of cardiac issues and effective management, that Agatsa created its first range of products called SanketLife. It is a portable, wireless and simple-to-operate ECG device priced reasonably at INR 2500. Speaking about this, Neha Rastogi, Founder and COO, Agatsa, said, “I have always believed in the power of technology to create innovative solutions which can change the way we look at problems in day to day lives and Agatsa was also an outcome of this. I am extremely happy to have won three prestigious awards across various platforms. While these awards are a recognition of my hard work and efforts, they also bring with them the responsibility to do more and better.” While the Spirit of Manufacturing Awards seeks to applaud innovations in the manufacturing industry and encourage young innovators enabling them to hone their skills, the SheThePeople.TV award honors women entrepreneurs who have leveraged digital to forge ahead. The Birac-TiE WInER award is given to Women in Entrepreneurial research in the field of Biotechnology. Out of 800 entries, 3 women were awarded with INR 25 lakh each. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15214/kiran-mazumdar-shaw-gets-lifetime-achievement-award-by-icmr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15214/kiran-mazumdar-shaw-gets-lifetime-achievement-award-by-icmr.html Wed, 27 Nov 2019 13:00:00 +0530 Biocon Ltd, an innovation-led global biopharmaceuticals company, is pleased to announce that its Chairperson & Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has been conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement in Healthcare by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for her remarkable contribution to the field of healthcare and to the society at large. ICMR, the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, recognised Ms. Mazumdar-Shaw as a thought leader for building a globally -renowned biopharmaceuticals company that is committed to innovation and is providing high-quality, affordable medicines to patients across the world. She was also recognised for her philanthropic efforts and providing better healthcare to people in India and globally through innovative, cost-effective life-saving therapies and increasing access to healthcare at the grassroots. On receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said: “I am honoured to receive this award from ICMR, which is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world and has played a pivotal role in encouraging medical research to address the country’s healthcare challenges. My mission of using innovation to develop biopharmaceuticals that can benefit a billion patients and enable affordable access to medicines is quite aligned with ICMR’s purpose to create a strong ecosystem for medical research and innovation in India. I strongly believe it’s critical for us to invest in R&D to find innovative solutions to improve access and affordability of healthcare in the country to serve growing patient needs.” Bill Gates, co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, presented this award to Ms. Mazumdar-Shaw in New Delhi on Nov 17, 2019 at an event to mark the celebration of the 108th Foundation Day of ICMR. Dr Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Chairman and Managing Director, Serum Institute of India and Dr Prakash Baba Amte, Director, Lok Biradari Prakalp were also honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by ICMR. Ms. Mazumdar-Shaw has been pivotal in redefining the biotechnology landscape through Biocon’s initiatives and breaking new ground through her philosophy of ensuring affordable access to life-saving biopharmaceuticals globally. Her visionary journey has earned her several coveted titles and awards, both national and international, including India’s top civilian awards, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, as well as, the highest French distinction, Knight of the Legion of Honour. Ms Mazumdar-Shaw is a well-regarded global influencer and has been named among TIME magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People in the World’.  She was given the AWSM Award for Excellence in 2017 by the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and the Chemical Heritage Foundation conferred her with the Othmer Gold Medal in 2014. She has received the Global Economy Prize for Business in 2014 from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Germany, for her outstanding contribution and dedication to the biosciences and research field globally. She has featured in the Forbes’ list of ‘World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’; Scientific American’s ‘The Worldview 100 List’ of most influential visionaries; and Fortune’s ‘Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Asia-Pacific’. She was ranked No. 1 in the Business Captains category in the Medicine Maker Power List 2018, an index of the 100 most influential people across the globe in the field of medicine. She has been felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards 2019. She is also a Member of the Board of Trustees of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), U.S. and more recently she has been elected as a Member of the National Academy of Engineering, U.S. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15195/masanori-matsubara-assumes-charge-as-md-of-omron-healthcare-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15195/masanori-matsubara-assumes-charge-as-md-of-omron-healthcare-india.html Mon, 25 Nov 2019 13:10:00 +0530 Japan based Omron Healthcare, global leader in the field of clinically proven, innovative medical equipment for home health monitoring and therapy- has announced the elevation of Masanori Matsubara as the new Managing Director of its India operations. Matsubara succeeds Kazunori Tokura who headed the operations of the company for around two years (from March 2017 to Nov 2019) Matsubara has been associated with Omron Healthcare for more than 10 years and has led significant functions of the business across India and Japan. He has an astute understanding of key strategic aspects such as domestic sales management, new business development and corporate planning. Talking about the rejig, Frans Velkers, chief operating officer for OMRON Healthcare, Asia Pacific said, “India is one of the most dynamic markets for us in Asia Pacific, where rapid economic growth is going hand in hand with increasing social challenges. Omron is eager to fulfil its mission to improve lives and contribute to a better society in India, too. Through this change in leadership, I am confident that Omron will further strengthen its leading position in the digital blood pressure monitor domain and accelerate development of other healthcare categories, using innovation in healthcare to help fulfil social needs.” An expert in Health & Physical Education, Matsubara has played a substantial role in strengthening Omron’s expanse in India by taking care of corporate planning function since last two years. The stint has given him relevant insights into the Indian business environment. He has also made a notable contribution in leading the sales & operation teams towards realizing many important milestones in business development. These are some of major reasons for choosing him for a greater responsibility. Commenting on his appointment, Matsubara said, “The role is definitely bigger and challenging. I aim to deliver the objectives with the continued support of my team and channel partners and will do the best for customers, channel partners and employees. Omron strives to make difference in the wellbeing of the Indian people by helping them enjoy a healthy and comfortable life and we shall continue to work towards realizing this vision, together.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15067/take-solutions-ropes-in-swiss-based-pharma-veteran-on-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15067/take-solutions-ropes-in-swiss-based-pharma-veteran-on-board.html Thu, 07 Nov 2019 11:30:00 +0530 TAKE Solutions Ltd., a globally recognized domain intensive services provider in Life Sciences, has announced the appointment of Srini Srinivasan as an Independent Director in TAKE Solutions Board of Directors. Srini Srinivasan has over three decades of experience at Pfizer, Novartis, GSK and Astra in global leadership roles in General Management, Commercial, R&D and Manufacturing. He has led global cross-functional teams and launched brands in both Specialty and Primary Care across numerous therapeutic areas - Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Metabolism, Neuroscience, Infectious Diseases, Oncology and Immunology. He is an advisor to American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Cancer LinQ. Srinivasan H R, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, TAKE Solutions said, “We are delighted to welcome Srini Srinivasan as his extensive experience in the Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare industry will further strengthen the Board. His addition is part of our ongoing commitment to best practice Corporate governance and ensuring we have a diversified Board capable of supporting the Company’s long-term strategic goals.” He further added,” His substantial Global Pharma industry expertise will contribute to TAKE’s enabling appropriate strategy for Global markets.” He lived and worked in Europe, USA, Asia Pacific and India. He holds a degree from Madras Medical College, an MBA from London Business School and received executive training at Harvard Business School. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15010/admi-announces-new-leadership-team.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/15010/admi-announces-new-leadership-team.html Thu, 31 Oct 2019 10:45:00 +0530 Association of Diagnostics Manufacturers of India-ADMI has announced a new leadership team in its FY19 AGM held at Mumbai. Veena Kohli takes over as President; Nital Patel as Vice President; Abhinav Thakur as Secretary and Vinayak Bhat as Treasurer of ADMI. Dr. D. K. Joshi will continue as member of the Governing Council as Immediate Past President. The decision was taken in the Annual General Body meeting of the Association held in Mumbai.   Welcoming the leadership team in their new roles and responsibilities, Veena Kohli said, “ADMI has emerged as a powerful voice of the India In Vitro Diagnostics Industry and it has been playing a catalytic role in the transformation that is taking place in the industry. We will work closely with all stakeholders including the government on several issues and look forward to creating a new In Vitro Diagnostics manufacturing ecosystem.”   Veena Kohli is CEO & Founder of Vanguard Diagnostics, Nital Patel is the Managing Director of Reckon Diagnostics, Abhinav Thakur is the Managing Director of Accurex Biomedical and Vinayak Bhat is the Managing Director of Asritha Diatech India. Congratulating new Leadership Team, Dr. D. K. Joshi, former President of ADMI said, “We are fortunate to attract top leadership of Indian In Vitro Diagnostics Industry within ADMI which will help us achieve our vision. We will be ably guided by their expertise and experience to drive long term transformation in the In Vitro Diagnostics manufacturing sector by driving the growth of the industry. Nital Patel and Abhinav Thakur have been associated with ADMI for over a decade in various capacities. The new leadership team has decades of experience in the In Vitro Diagnostics manufacturing sector. The new leadership team was instrumental in several reforms in the sector through its expert support to the industry in the past.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14996/dr-azad-moopen-receives-fellowship-from-rcp-uk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14996/dr-azad-moopen-receives-fellowship-from-rcp-uk.html Fri, 25 Oct 2019 15:45:00 +0530 Founder Chairman & Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare, Dr. Azad Moopen, has been awarded with a Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), UK. The prestigious accolade is presented to a select number of physicians across the world who have displayed a significant contribution to the medical and healthcare profession. For Dr. Moopen, the accolade is in recognition of his valuable contribution and efforts to shape the healthcare service industry in GCC & India and over three decades of commitment towards making quality healthcare affordable and accessible for people across geographies. Founded in 1518 by a Royal Charter from King Henry VIII, the Royal College of Physicians of London is the oldest medical establishment in England. It continues to play a pivotal role in raising standards and shaping public health today. The RCP is an independent, patient centered and clinically led organization, that drives improvement in the diagnosis of disease, the care of individual patients and the health of the world's population. Dr. Moopen was elected as a Fellow by the RCP following a stringent review of his achievements, as well as endorsement from local and international colleagues, establishing him as an exceptional healthcare leader. Dr. Moopen who did his MBBS & MD from the Calicut Medical College with a gold medal in Medicine further studied at Delhi University for Diploma in Chest Diseases. He then taught for 5 years as a lecturer in Internal Medicine at Calicut Medical College. Apart from spearheading the establishment of Aster DM Healthcare which is spread over 9 countries with over 3000 doctors, Dr. Moopen has also established a Medical College in India with an intake of 150 MBBS students a year.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14978/merck-felicitates-kris-manjapra-for-his-contributions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14978/merck-felicitates-kris-manjapra-for-his-contributions.html Wed, 23 Oct 2019 12:20:00 +0530 Merck, a leading science and technology company, has announced that it has presented Kris Manjapra with the fourth Merck-Tagore Award for his contribution towards intercultural exchange between India and Germany. Manjapra is awarded for his book, “The Age of Entanglement: German and Indian Intellectuals across Empire” (Harvard Historical Studies), with which he explores patterns of connection linking German and Indian intellectuals from the nineteenth century to the years after the Second World War. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Executive Board and the Family Board of E. Merck KG, handed over the award to Kris Manjapra, at a glittering event organised as part of the anniversary celebrations of the Goethe Institute, Mumbai. Addressing the audience in Mumbai, Stangenberg-Haverkamp, said, "Merck is all about scientific exploration and pathbreaking technologies. However, scientific progress and technological innovation depend on curious minds, on inspiration, on an open exchange of thoughts and ideas across borders and cultural boundaries. Literature greatly helps to achieve exactly this. It can build bridges across cultures and support novel ideas to transcend across borders.” The jury consists of the Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan, the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Mumbai, Dr. Martin Kämpchen (winner of the first Merck Tagore Prize) and Merck India. The Merck-Tagore Award was created in 2012 to honour the life and work of Rabindranath Tagore. During his visits to Germany, the Indian Nobel Laureate represented India as an ambassador and appealed for better understanding of India and its culture. The Merck-Tagore Award was granted for the first time during the events marking the Tagore Year of the Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Kolkata in March 2012. It is granted every two years on or around Tagore’s birthday, to a person who has made a special contribution to cultural exchange between Germany and India. In 2012 the award was granted to Dr. Martin Kämpchen, the well-known writer on Indian culture, translator of Tagore and Ramakrishna from Bengali to German and journalist. The 2014 Award was granted to Prof. Dr. Pramod Talgeri, renowned former head of German at JNU Delhi, former head of EFLU Hyderabad, vicepresident of the Indian Goethe-Association, and acting president of the Indo German teachers association. Indian psychoanalyst and writer Sudhir Kakar was the recipient of the third award in 2016. Kris Manjapra is an associate professor of history at Tufts university. He received his doctorate from Harvard University in 2007 and joined Tufts history department in 2008. His work adopts postcolonial and critical perspectives on the study of race, colonialism, diaspora and capitalism. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14940/dr-anjana-receives-recognition-from-icmr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14940/dr-anjana-receives-recognition-from-icmr.html Fri, 18 Oct 2019 10:45:00 +0530 Dr. R M Anjana, Managing Director of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and Consultant Diabetologist & Vice-President of Madras Diabetes Research Foundation has received the Shakunthala Amir Chand Prize for Young Scientist by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). This is the highest award by ICMR to young scientists under the age of 40. She was conferred the Award by Dr. Harsh Vardhan,  Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Dr. Balram Bhargava, Director General (DG), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).  The Shakuntala Amir Chand Prize recognizing significant contributions to Biomedical Sciences by young scientists was instituted by (late) Major General Amir Chand in 1953. This award is presented for the best published research work in the field of Biomedical Science including clinical research. Dr. Anjana was awarded for her research work in ‘Epidemiology of Diabetes and its risk factors in India’. Commenting on the occasion Dr. R M Anjana said,“ I am very humbled to receive this prestigious award from ICMR and I thank my whole team from MDRF and DMDSC for all their support. Dr. Anjana has been a great champion and a pioneer in the subject of Lifestyle Diabetes along with having achieved laurels for her path breaking research in the field of Diabetology right from her college days. She has also contributed to several studies on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Her most important contribution has been overseeing the largest epidemiological study on Diabetes called as the ‘ICMR-India Diabetes INDIAB Study’ which had produced authentic data on the prevalence of Diabetes, Hypertension, Dyslipidemia and Obesity in the whole country.  With over 210 research papers being published having attracted over 23,000 citations with a H-index of 46, Dr. Anjana’s work has been recognized by several national and international bodies. She has also been conferred Fellowships by all the three Royal Colleges of UK namely FRCP London, Glasgow and Edinburgh and also the Fellowship of American College of Physicians.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14938/pee-safe-appoints-pragya-upadhyay-as-vc-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14938/pee-safe-appoints-pragya-upadhyay-as-vc-growth.html Fri, 18 Oct 2019 10:05:00 +0530 Pee Safe has announced that ex-VanityCube Co-Founder Pragya Upadhyay has joined the company as Vice President – Growth. In this capacity, Pragya will spearhead Pee Safe’s B2B Partnerships and Alliances and steer the business towards 200% growth over the next 3 years. Pee Safe is helping India fight health issues brought on by unhygienic conditions in washrooms and incomplete personal hygiene in general.  Pee Safe now has several solutions in the personal wellness and intimate hygiene category. These include eco-friendly sanitary pads, organic tampons, menstrual cups and panty liners, breast pads, natural intimate washes, wipes and sweat pads for both men and women, Palm Safe hand sanitizer, Moskito Safe mosquito repellent, and anti-pollution masks.   Speaking about this, Pragya Upadhya said, “I am extremely happy to join Pee Safe. It is not only a one-of-its-kind brand in India but also a disruptor in the hygiene products segment globally. I hope to leverage my experience in marketing, operations and product management to further develop Pee Safe as a leader in this segment and augment processes.” Adding his comments, Vikas Bagaria, Founder, Pee Safe, said, “We are very happy to have Pragya on board. She is an extremely diligent, hardworking and result-oriented professional. We look forward to a fruitful and mutually beneficial association with her.” Pragya is an entrepreneur with over 8 years of experience in digital marketing, operations, product management and process improvement. She co-founded VanityCube, India's 1st Travelling Salon for Men and Women with operations in Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune. The venture provides professional on-demand beauty and wellness services at customers’ homes and offices. Pragya co-founded VanityCube.in in 2014 and used her experience and knowledge to lead the product management and development in the venture. She also successfully raised INR 23 crore from angel and institutional investors.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14858/wade-wirta-joins-n-side-as-us-managing-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14858/wade-wirta-joins-n-side-as-us-managing-director.html Wed, 09 Oct 2019 11:45:00 +0530 N-SIDE, a global software consulting company specializing in advanced analytics technologies, is pleased to welcome Wade Wirta as US Managing Director. Wade has over 25 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry, with an extensive background in clinical trial supply and optimization. In his new role, Wade will be developing the US market for N-SIDE and accelerating the growth of their new N-SIDE Suite for Clinical Trials. N-SIDE provides the only end-to-end clinical trial supply chain management solution offering global, risk-based optimization. This cutting edge, cloud-based platform enables the pharmaceutical and biotech industry to future-proof clinical trial supply chain management whilst minimizing costs, drug waste and risk. The N-SIDE Suite provides an unprecedented level of transparency that enables proactive risk management, leading to significant increases in clinical trial efficiency.   Wade Wirta said, “N-SIDE has an industry first offering for the US clinical trial sector, providing a solution to the complex challenges faced by drug companies who are under rising pressure to improve efficiency while maintaining high levels of service for patients. N-SIDE is changing the paradigm on clinical trial supply chain management - from a historically reactive inefficient function to an integrated value add competitive differentiator for our sponsors and clients. I’m excited to be a part of this forward-thinking organization. I look forward to working with the industry to adopt this transformational approach to trial supply chain management that will benefit our sponsors and clients, but more importantly will benefit patients seeking life-changing therapies.” Jacques Parlongue, N-SIDE CEO, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Wade into our team. The continuation and extension of our development in the US represents a turning point for N-SIDE, thanks to an annual growth rate exceeding 100%.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14852/ipa-announces-dr-satish-reddy-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14852/ipa-announces-dr-satish-reddy-as-president.html Mon, 07 Oct 2019 19:25:00 +0530 Satish Reddy, Chairman of Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has been appointed as President of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) for 2019-2021. Dr Rajesh Jain, Managing Director of Panacea Biotec Limited will continue as the Vice President. Satish Reddy holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from Osmania University, India, and an M.S. in Medicinal Chemistry from Purdue University, USA, where he received the 2009 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. As an active member of major industry associations and governmental panels, Satish Reddy played a key role in shaping policies concerning the pharmaceutical sector as well as the economy, such as policy formulation on India's patent law, drug pricing and important amendments to the Drugs & Cosmetics Act. He was a past president of IPA (2013-2015), a member of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board of India, the Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and head of its National Committee on Pharmaceuticals. He currently Chairs the Life Sciences Skill Development Council under The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). In addition, he is Chairman of Dr Reddy’s Foundation. Dr Rajesh Jain is the Managing Director of Panacea Biotec. He is an active member of major industry associations and government panels. He is Chairman - Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), National Committee on Biotechnology for 2019-20. He is a member of Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14836/wish-appoints-rajesh-ranjan-singh-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14836/wish-appoints-rajesh-ranjan-singh-as-ceo.html Fri, 04 Oct 2019 15:50:00 +0530 Wadhwani Initiative for Sustainable Healthcare (WISH) has announced the appointment of Rajesh Ranjan Singh as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as it works to scale the impact of its innovative primary healthcare models in the country. With three decades of experience coupled with deep techno-managerial and analytical skills, Rajesh Ranjan shall lead the organization into its next phase of growth. Wadhwani Initiative of Sustainable Healthcare (WISH), the flagship program of Lords Education & Health Society in India, works to improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of primary healthcare for under-served populations at the last mile through innovative technology and digital solutions. Speaking on the appointment, Sunil Wadhwani, the visionary behind Wadhwani Initiative of sustainable healthcare, said, “I am delighted to welcome Mr. Rajesh Ranjan Singh as the CEO. He has been an integral part of the senior leadership team from the beginning when he had joined the organization as its COO nearly three years ago.  He has a deep understanding of the healthcare industry in India.  Under his leadership, the organization consistently evolved to its current state, and is offering technical and advisory services to various state and central government bodies, while meeting the strategic priorities set by the Board. I have tremendous confidence in Mr. Singh’s capability to lead and accelerate WISH’s and India’s goal of Healthy India @75”. Sunil Tewari, Board Chair, said, “With his deep techno-managerial and analytical skills and knowledge, I have no doubt that Mr. Singh will help us in expanding our reach and impact into the underserved communities.” He is a post-graduate in Sociology and an international development practitioner who has worked in several leadership positions, designing and managing high-impact programs in Asia and Africa. He is committed to critical self-reflection, loves to mentor young talent and is devoted to learning and collaboration. He is an ardent animal lover and whisperer. Expressing his excitement at the news, Rajesh Ranjan Singh said, “WISH has had phenomenal success in establishing itself as a pioneer in developing innovations and technology for primary healthcare to meet the needs of the underserved in India.  I am elated to be given the opportunity to shape WISH’s new strategy moving towards digital health for bringing about systemic changes, and leveraging innovations and Artificial Intelligence for public health.” He brings with him robust leadership experience as a social and community-healthcare professional. Prior to his association with WISH, he worked with several prestigious institutions, including Project Concern International (PCI), Concern Worldwide, MAMTA-Health Institute for Mother and Child, amongst others.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14826/lupin-appoints-johnny-mikell-as-global-head-of-quality.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14826/lupin-appoints-johnny-mikell-as-global-head-of-quality.html Thu, 03 Oct 2019 15:40:00 +0530 Lupin has announced the appointment of Johnny Mikell as President and Global Head of Quality. Johnny will be based out of Lupin’s US offices and will lead the Company’s Quality function globally; he will help steer the company towards enhanced standards of Quality and Compliance. Johnny is a very competent Quality leader and brings to Lupin over 35 years of rich pharmaceutical industry experience and expertise. He has significant experience in global quality operations and compliance in the generics, branded and API segments. In his most recent engagement, Johnny was the Global Head of Quality and Compliance at Apotex. Prior to that, he served as the Global Head of Quality and Compliance at Amneal. He has also held leadership positions at UCB, Novartis and Bausch & Lomb. Commenting on Johnny’s appointment, Nilesh Gupta, Managing Director, Lupin said, “Lupin is committed to raising the bar to become the global benchmark for Quality and Compliance. We are delighted to have Johnny join our leadership team. We have a strong Quality and Compliance team and having Johnny at the helm will help us achieve our near-term goal of ensuring that our sites are compliant and long-term goal of being the best when it comes to Quality and Compliance.” Johnny holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Master of Science in Microbiology. He has attained his academic qualifications from leading institutions like Duke University, London’s British Standards Institute and Harvard. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14825/shekhar-mehta-to-be-the-fourth-indian-to-lead-rotary-international-2021-22.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14825/shekhar-mehta-to-be-the-fourth-indian-to-lead-rotary-international-2021-22.html Thu, 03 Oct 2019 15:30:00 +0530 Shekhar Mehta, chair and founder of real estate development company, Skyline Group, was confirmed president-nominee of Rotary International - a global network of people committed to improving lives and bringing positive, lasting change in communities around the world. During his one-year term as Rotary’s 111th president beginning on 1 July 2021, Mehta will focus on increasing Rotary’s impact by expanding partnerships with organizations that specialize in Rotary’s areas of focus: promoting peace; fighting disease; providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene; saving mothers and children; supporting education and growing local economies. He said, “It is an honor to be entrusted with the leadership of such an esteemed organization. I hope to leave a legacy of service, commitment and positive global impact.”   Mehta, a member of Rotary for 35 years, belongs to the Rotary Club of Calcutta Mahanagar. As head of Rotary’s global network of 35,000 clubs, Mehta will oversee its top goal of polio eradication. Along with its Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners, Rotary has achieved a 99.9 % reduction in polio cases, and contributed US $2 billion to protect more than 2.5 billion children from this paralyzing disease. Once considered the most challenging country in the world to eliminate polio, India has been polio-free for more than five years. Rotary is continuing its efforts to maintain the country’s polio-free status. India’s 3,800 Rotary clubs and 152,000 members address humanitarian challenges and implement sustainable projects. Through Rotary, Mehta has pioneered the TEACH program that promotes literacy throughout India. Mehta aided in establishing 15 eye hospitals in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa   and West Bengal. He initiated a program that performed over 1,500 life-changing heart surgeries for children in South Asia.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14814/lupin-appoints-sreeji-gopinathan-as-chief-information-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14814/lupin-appoints-sreeji-gopinathan-as-chief-information-officer.html Thu, 03 Oct 2019 10:30:00 +0530 Pharma major Lupin Limited announced the appointment of Sreeji Gopinathan as Chief Information Officer (CIO). He will lead the IT function for Lupin globally, based in Mumbai. Sreeji brings to Lupin over 20 years of significant domain expertise and global experience. Most recently, Sreeji waswith Reckitt Benckiser. Prior to that, he was associated with Philips, Procter & Gamble, ISRO and Asea Brown Boveri.Sreeji holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Edinburgh, UK and B. Tech (Applied Electronics and Instrumentation) from the University of Kerala. Commenting on the appointment, Nilesh Gupta -Managing Director, Lupin said, “We have built a very solidInformation Technology foundation, whether it pertains to our manufacturing operations, our sales operations orour HR processes. With Sreeji’s joining, Lupin’s IT function will be further strengthened. With hissubstantialexperience and ability to closely work with businesses, he will expand and invigorate our initiatives in digitization,process automation, data management and analytics which will eventually help improve business results.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14783/stbi-ropes-in-dr-jayashankar-das-as-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14783/stbi-ropes-in-dr-jayashankar-das-as-director.html Mon, 30 Sep 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Savli Technology Business Incubator (STBI), Vadodara is an autonomous Society under Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat and is supported by BIRAC, NSTEDB, DST and state Government. Recently, Dr Jayashankar Das has been appointed as Director of STBI. He is a dynamic genomic scientist and technocrat served as Joint Director to Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, Joint Director to Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission, Scientist at DBT-IBSD. His idea is to accelerate the present ecosystem via attracting more impactful and low cost innovation which can help to solve the societal challenges. Also, he has mentioned that at present Incubators need to focus on the modalities to overcome challenges on not only nurturing emerging ventures but also commercialization of new technologies along with establishment of strong linkages with potential stakeholders in the sector of Biotechnology and Life Sciences in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14784/oppi-re-elects-a-vaidheesh-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14784/oppi-re-elects-a-vaidheesh-as-president.html Fri, 27 Sep 2019 16:50:00 +0530 The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), which represents the research-based pharmaceutical companies, announced the newly elected Board of Directors for 2019-20 at its statutory AGM held recently.  A. Vaidheesh, Vice President, South Asia & Managing Director, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has been re-elected as the President for OPPI, for the third year.  Speaking on his role, A. Vaidheesh, President- OPPI said, “ OPPI will continue to  focus on patients and sharpen its advocacy on improving health access through innovative financing models.  We will collaborate with policy makers to ensure that the ecosystem is conducive for innovative medicines to reach the Indian patients. WE believe that Government will see to the long term submission of mandating uniform ethical marketing practices in the best interest of patients.   OPPI and its members are committed to the Indian patients and we will continue to contribute to building a progressive healthcare system in India.” Kanchana TK, Director General-OPPI said, “Under Vaidheesh’ s leadership, OPPI has been able to foster partnerships and establish its reputation as an ethical, progressive and patient-focused policy advocacy group.  We would like to congratulate him on his re-election as President and look forward to his guidance as we advocate for policies that positively impact the lives of Indian patients.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14764/lupin-appoints-jon-stelzmiller-as-president-of-us-specialty-biz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14764/lupin-appoints-jon-stelzmiller-as-president-of-us-specialty-biz.html Thu, 26 Sep 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Pharma major Lupin Limited (Lupin) has announced the appointment of Jon Stelzmiller as the President of its U.S. Specialty business. Jon brings to Lupin over 30 years of experience in the specialty segment and will be replacing Nicholas Hart. Jon has a proven track record of building high performing teams and launching 18 major brands across 14 different therapeutic areas including Women’s Health, Oncology and Anti-Infectives. Most recently, Jon was SVP & General Manager — Women’s Healthcare at Bayer where he helped build and lead a billion-dollar women’s health business in the U.S. Prior to Bayer, Jon spent 12 years at Pfizer Inc. in roles of increasing commercial responsibilities in Specialty areas including Institutional sales and market access. Jon spent his early career at The Upjohn Company and Pharmacia Corporation in various sales and sales leadership positions. Jon holds a Bachelor of Science in Bacteriology from North Dakota State University. Commenting on the appointment, Vinita Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Lupin said, “Jon’s extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in women’s health segment in the U.S., will be a great asset for Lupin as we build our specialty business, including SOLOSEC®. We are delighted to welcome Jon on board.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14746/roche-diabetes-care-appoints-new-gm-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14746/roche-diabetes-care-appoints-new-gm-for-india.html Tue, 24 Sep 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Roche Diabetes Care India, a pioneer in the development of diabetes management systems and services, announced the appointment of Omar Sherief Mohammad as General Manager for its India business.  He assumes his new role with effect from 23rd September, 2019.  Omar will report to Pedro Goncalves, Head of Roche Diabetes Care (International) and will be a member of the Roche Diabetes Care Asia Pacific Leadership Team. Omar brings over 15 years of extensive general management experience and commercial expertise. He joins from Novo Nordisk where he held the role of General Manager, Southeast Asia Emerging Markets from 2015 and was previously the Country Manager in Vietnam, Global Product Manager in Denmark and Marketing Director in India. Omar Sherief Mohammad, GM, Roche Diabetes Care India, said, “I am excited to be heading the  India operations of Roche Diabetes Care and I look forward to driving the development of integrated diabetes management solutions. I believe at Roche, with the innovative products and services, we have the unique ability and momentum to change and improve control in diabetes and other health related conditions. With the strong values of integrity, courage and passion we are creating value for employees and most importantly patients.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14651/esperer-bioresearch-strengthens-senior-leadership-team.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14651/esperer-bioresearch-strengthens-senior-leadership-team.html Wed, 11 Sep 2019 11:25:00 +0530 Esperer Bioresearch Pvt. Ltd has appointed industry veteran Dhruv Ashish Arora as their Global Business Head. Having more than 17 years of experience in Healthcare, Banking and Market Research industry, Dhruv Arora has worked across geographies on a variety of transactions such business model restructuring, stake holder networking, relationship management and market analysis with good business foresight and regulatory understanding. In his role at Esperer Bioresearch, Dhruv Arora will be responsible for strategizing and overseeing all export related activities for the companies Pharmaceutical & first time in the World to be a Patented Cancer-Nutrition Product formulation Technology. Raktim Chattopadhyay, Founder & CEO Esperer Bioresearch said, "We are extremely pleased to welcome Dhruv as our Global Business Head. I am certain that his diverse, comprehensive experience will provide significant confidence and provide tremendous benefit to our business. Dhruv’s appointment is imperative to our approach in discovering new growth avenues and providing a new dimension of our presence in the industry.” Speaking on his appointment, Dhruv Arora said “It is a pleasure to be part of Esperer Bioresearch, offering me a compelling platform to build and nurture the business in this rapidly changing environment. I am looking forward to creating zestful working in organization, scaling the business to new heights.” Dhruv’s previous stint comprises of Vins Bio Products Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad, Bharat Serums & Vaccines Ltd, Mumbai and Goldshield PLC. His competencies include identifying new markets operations for its Business Development activities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14629/dr-k-k-aggarwal-sworn-in-as-the-president-of-cmaao.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14629/dr-k-k-aggarwal-sworn-in-as-the-president-of-cmaao.html Fri, 06 Sep 2019 16:15:00 +0530 President of the Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and cardiologist Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, has been unanimously elected as the new President of the Confederation of Medical Association of Asia and Oceania (CMAAO) for 2019/20. He took over in this capacity from the Past President Dr Ravindran Naidu at the 34th CMAAO General Assembly and 55th Council Meeting held in Goa on 5th September 2019. An advocate of preventive and universal healthcare, Dr Aggarwal has already pioneered leading health initiatives in India. He has been the past national president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the first vice president of CMAAO and advisor to the ethics committee, World Medical Association. Since its inception in 1956, the objective of CMAAO has been to promote academic exchange of information on health issues and cultivate ties of friendship between member medical associations. Speaking at the event, Dr K K Aggarwal, said, “It is my immense privilege and honor to assume the role of the President of CMAAO for the year 2019/20. Coming to this General Assembly feels like homecoming and a reunion of family as it resonates with my philosophy of life as a student of Vedic literature. In cognizance of the theme of the General Assembly this year – Path to Wellness – ‘One Health’ will be my priority this year. There are several public health challenges today such as vector-borne diseases; communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs); antimicrobial resistance (AMR); tobacco use; HIV/AIDS, etc. Violence against doctors and inequity in health are few other issues that are a concern. Attaining universal health coverage, which is affordable, accessible, available, appropriate and accountable, remains a distant goal for many of us. This can only be addressed and prioritized when we consider the concept of ‘One Health’. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal said, “Many of our member countries have successfully met some public health challenges. These achievements should not only inspire us to accomplish these goals, but also to help each other to attain them. For the success of CMAAO, let us give 80 seconds every day to the body and share one idea with me to make this year, one of the most vibrant years in the history of the organization.” Currently comprising 19 member National Medical Associations (NMAs), the CMAAO has been in existence for more than 50 years now. Dr Aggarwal’s appointment to the body in the current role assumes significance given his rich background and the fact that this will bring India to the center stage of discussions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14607/gvk-bio-announces-new-appointment-and-updates.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14607/gvk-bio-announces-new-appointment-and-updates.html Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:55:00 +0530 GVK BIO, a leading global Contract Research and Development Organisation (CRDO), is pleased to announce the promotion of Sudhir Kumar Singh, Ph.D., to the position of Chief Operating Officer and the appointment of Ramesh Subramanian, Ph.D., as its new Chief Commercial Officer.Sudhir joined GVK BIO in 2013 as a Senior Vice President and has been driving the Discovery Research business. He has been successful in integrating best practices in Chemistry, Biology and Chemical Development to be able to meet the key business goals.“Sudhir, over the years has bought in a transformational change in the Discovery Research vertical and has been instrumental in sustaining GVK BIO’s leadership in the Chemistry business in terms of delivery and profitability,” commented Manni Kantipudi, Director & CEO, GVK BIO. “In his new role, Sudhir will focus on leading and building a customer-centric culture, strengthen our rapidly growing development and manufacturing footprint, while ensuring safety and compliance in the work environment.”“Additionally, I am pleased to welcome Ramesh Subramanian to the GVK BIO management team. Ramesh brings with him deep industry knowledge in the various verticals of GVK BIO. I look forward to working with him towards our stated goal of making GVK BIO the ‘partner of choice’ for Life Science companies seeking to accelerate their R&D. In his role, Ramesh will be responsible for all Business Development, Sales, Marketing, and Corporate Development activities.”Ramesh Subramanian brings over 20 years of global experience in building businesses across Asia, Europe, and North America, raising venture capital, implementing transformational strategies, driving M&A, and managing cross-border alliances.Prior to joining GVK BIO, Ramesh served as the Senior Vice President and was a part of the management team at Piramal Pharma Solutions. Over his career, Ramesh has been part of management teams at Chemizon- a firm he led from start-up to a successful entry into the equity markets- Jubilant Life Sciences, and XL Advisors. Ramesh also has held key leadership roles at SK Capital Partners/Ascend Performance Materials and Johnson Matthey.Ramesh has a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from West Virginia University, a B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from IIT-Varanasi, and an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14564/pneumagen-appoints-scientific-advisory-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14564/pneumagen-appoints-scientific-advisory-board.html Thu, 29 Aug 2019 11:30:00 +0530 Pneumagen Ltd, focused on treating infectious disease and cancer by targeting the human glycome, has announced appointments to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), bringing international expertise in the areas of respiratory disease, immunology and oncology. These appointments join Professor Garry Taylor, Chairman of the SAB, and include:   Professor Paul Crocker FRSE is Professor of Glycoimmunology at the University of Dundee. His research investigates how immune cells utilize host glycans to regulate immune and inflammatory responses in human disease.  He is a co-founder of, and scientific advisor to Palleon Pharmaceuticals, which focuses on immuno-oncology.   Professor David Harrison FRCPath FRCPEd FRCSEd is the John Reid Chair of Pathology at the University of St Andrews and former Director of Laboratory Medicine for NHS Lothian. He holds visiting professorships at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. His research focuses on using cutting edge technology to understand processes in health and disease. Sir John Skehel FRS FMedSci, a world leader in influenza research for which he has received many awards. He headed the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza and was Director of the National Institute of Medical Research in London for almost 20 years. He is currently Vice President and Biological Secretary of The Royal Society and an Emeritus professor at The Francis Crick Institute, London.  Professor Moira Whyte OBE FRCP FMedSci FRSE is the Sir John Crofton Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. She is Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Science at the University of Edinburgh, and former Director of the Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research.  Douglas Thomson, Chief Executive Officer at Pneumagen, commented on the appointments, “We are very pleased to have attracted these high caliber appointments to our SAB. We are sure that the team will add valuable strategic insight as our pipeline progresses towards the clinic.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14552/dr-prahlad-singh-takes-charge-as-ceo-at-perkinelmer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14552/dr-prahlad-singh-takes-charge-as-ceo-at-perkinelmer.html Wed, 28 Aug 2019 10:40:00 +0530 PerkinElmer, Inc., a global leader committed to innovating for a healthier world, has announced that after a career of more than 20 years at the Company, including the last 12 years as chief executive officer, Robert F. Friel, has decided to retire as chairman and CEO and member of the board of directors as of the end of the Company’s fiscal year on December 29, 2019. After December 29, Mr. Friel will continue as an advisor to the Company until March 1, 2020. Prahlad Singh, president and chief operating officer, has been appointed CEO, effective December 30, 2019. Dr. Singh has also been elected as a director of the Company. In addition, Alexis Michas, currently serving as lead director, has been elected to serve as non-executive chairman of the board of the Company as of December 30, 2019. “It has been a great honor to serve as PerkinElmer’s CEO over the last 12 years, and I want to express my deep appreciation for the opportunity to work with and learn from so many talented and dedicated colleagues,” said Mr. Friel. “The board and I are confident that Prahlad is the right person to take PerkinElmer forward to its next level of success because of his proven ability to build and grow businesses and his deep market knowledge and extensive commercial and operational experience.” “I would like to thank Rob and the board for this incredible opportunity to lead PerkinElmer in its next phase of growth and value creation,” said Dr. Singh. “Since joining PerkinElmer in 2014, I have been privileged to be part of our successful effort to fundamentally change the trajectory of the Company’s future. Going forward, I am inspired by the opportunities the Company has to build upon Rob’s legacy by continuously innovating and exceptionally serving our customers. Through our commitment to excellence, I believe we will continue to make important and long-term impacts on science and healthcare.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14515/ficci-gives-out-healthcare-excellence-awards.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14515/ficci-gives-out-healthcare-excellence-awards.html Fri, 23 Aug 2019 11:35:00 +0530 Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Managing Director of biotech firm Biocon Ltd, received the Lifetime Achievement award and Dr Ranjan Pai, Chairman, Manipal Education and Medical Group bagged the Healthcare Personality of the Year award at FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards 2019. Victor Banerjee, veteran thespian, while distributing the awards at the glittering ceremony, organised by FICCI, said, "I look upon the medical world as a service industry. You are a chosen people picked to serve the community. No matter how hard you try to capitalise on your knowledge and talents, the bottom line is you serve the community and thus mankind." Harmala Gupta, founder of home-based palliative care programme CanSupport, received the Healthcare Humanitarian Award. The category was introduced last year to facilitate social activists having an outstanding contribution in improving the healthcare status of Indian society. A total of 18 awards were given to individuals and institutions in healthcare sector for their efforts and success towards capacity building, innovations, technologies, quality service and patient safety among others at the 11th edition of the annual awards. The jury members included renowned professionals from the sector and the Jury Chairman was Mr M Damodaran, former Chairman, SEBI. Sandip Somany, President, FICCI said, "With a legacy of a decade, the FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards have proven itself as one of the most keenly awaited awards in this sector. I congratulate all finalists and hope that their case studies will inspire others in the quest for a healthier India." Motherhood Hospitals and Ruby Hall Clinic received the Patient Safety award in recognition for projects and initiatives taken to prevent harm to patients and have measurable impact in improving the patient care. Patient Safety award for Nursing Led Projects went to Max Hospital, Saket. Innoflaps Remedy won the Medical Technology/ Devices award, Religare Health Insurancegot the Health Insurance Products award, Medi Assist Insurance TPA received the Health Insurance Service Innovation award and Medlife International was adjudged the winner of Healthcare Start-up award. The Environment Friendly Initiative award went to Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, the Skill Development award was won by Apollo Medskills and the Social Initiative awards were bagged by Sir HN Reliance Foundation in the corporates and healthcare service providers category and Rural Health Care Foundation in the NGOs and not-for-profit organisations category. There were four categories of Service Excellence awards. These went to Shree Krishna Hospital and Pramukhswami Medical College for nursing led projects, Indraprastha Apolloamong private hospitals, Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre among public hospitals and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing among other healthcare providers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14475/gsk-announces-leadership-changes-in-the-us.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14475/gsk-announces-leadership-changes-in-the-us.html Mon, 19 Aug 2019 16:05:00 +0530 GSK has announced that Jack Bailey, President US Pharmaceuticals has decided to step down from his role at the end of the year. Bailey will be succeeded by Maya Martinez-Davis, currently Regional President, Latin America Region at EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. GSK continues to evolve its business. This includes an expanded pipeline and preparing launches of oncology medicines. Martinez-Davis brings outstanding experience of successfully bringing new specialty care treatments to patients. She is currently Regional President, Latin America Region and was previously SVP, Global Oncology at EMD Serono (Merck KGaA). Prior to this, she spent thirteen years at Pfizer leading various business units around the world including Oncology and Vaccines. Luke Miels, President Global Pharmaceuticals, GSK, said, “Jack is an exceptional leader who has made a very significant contribution to the success of GSK during his decade of leadership in the US.” “As we continue to grow and reshape our business globally, we are pleased to have found a leader in Maya who will bring a valuable US experience and deep therapy area expertise to expanding our specialty care capabilities and market presence.” Commenting on his time at GSK, Jack Bailey said,“After more than a decade at GSK and nearly three decades in the life sciences industry, I look forward to the chance to explore my next professional chapter. I am enormously proud of every GSK US colleague who has worked so hard to both navigate an exceptionally dynamic operating environment while returning the US Affiliate to double digit revenue growth these past several years. I am confident the company will build upon the talent, culture and performance success of the US Affiliate as it now expands its portfolio into oncology.” Martinez-Davis will join GSK in mid-September and will assume responsibility of the US Pharmaceuticals business at GSK on January 1, 2020. Bailey will remain as strategic consultant to GSK on the US external environment through 2020. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14463/vg-somani-takes-charge-as-new-dcgi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14463/vg-somani-takes-charge-as-new-dcgi.html Mon, 19 Aug 2019 10:00:00 +0530 VG Somani has been appointed as the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). He was currently serving as the Joint Drugs Controller of India. DCGI heads the Indian drug regulatory body, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), whose functions include ensuring the quality of drugs and cosmetics sold in the country, approval of new drugs and regulating clinical trials. Dr S Eswara Reddy currently holds the position of DCGI on an ad-hoc basis. The appointment of Somani will end the wait of having full-time DCGI for the last two years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14433/dr-abhideep-chaudhary-joins-blk-super-specialty-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14433/dr-abhideep-chaudhary-joins-blk-super-specialty-hospital.html Tue, 13 Aug 2019 10:25:00 +0530 Dr Abhideep Chaudhary has joined BLK Super Specialty Hospital as Director & HOD, Liver Transplant & HPB Surgery. Dr. Chaudhary specializes in Liver Transplant, Pancreas and Biliary Diseases and Minimally Invasive Surgery (Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery) and has more than 18 years of excellent surgical experience. Dr. Sanjay Mehta, Head, Medical Services, BLK Super Specialty Hospital said, “We are happy to introduce Dr. Abhideep Chaudhary in our highly advanced and state of the art facility, BLK Institute for Digestive and Liver Diseases.  Dr. Chaudhary is bringing in a rich experience of 18 years in performing more than 1250 successful Liver transplant and HPB Surgeries with a success rate of more than 90%. With Dr. Chaudhary on board, our Institute for Digestive & Liver Diseases has added one more highly experienced specialist at the Institute and this strengthens our faculty.” Prior to BLK Super Specialty Hospital, Dr Chaudhary has worked as an integral part of core specialists teams at several prestigious medical institutions in Delhi and NCR. He also served as a Chief Clinical Fellow/Senior Administrative Fellow (Transplant Surgery) and Multiorgan Transplant Surgery Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, USA. “Dr.  Abhideep has given a new dimension to the ways Specialists perform hyper reduced liver graft for small babies, posterior sector liver graft, dual lobe transplant, LDLT in patients with extensive portal vein Thrombosis. He is also known for performing simultaneous liver and kidney transplant. His expertise and experience would add further value to the Institute in terms of high-end transplants and treatment.” added Dr. Mehta "I would like to thank BLK Hospital for providing me the opportunity to work with excellent team here. BLK Super Speciality Hospital is known for passion for healing and I have embraced its vision and mission to serve the patient with best-in class facilities and expertise”, added Dr. Chaudhary. He is also an active member of various prominent medical organisations which include the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, Indian Medical Association, Association of Surgeons of India, International Liver Transplant Society and Founder member of Liver Transplant Society of India. Comprised of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, Intensivists, Anesthetists, Technicians, Counsellors and Specialised Nurses, Institute of Digestive & Liver Diseases at BLK Super Specialty Hospital offers robust and comprehensive treatment programmes for a wide range of digestive and liver diseases.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14395/dr-ajit-singh-joins-ibex-medical-analytics-advisory-board-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14395/dr-ajit-singh-joins-ibex-medical-analytics-advisory-board-.html Wed, 07 Aug 2019 15:40:00 +0530 Ibex Medical Analytics, the pioneer in artificial intelligence (AI)-based cancer diagnostics, announces that Dr. Ajit Singh, managing director of Artiman Ventures, a Silicon Valley based VC firm, is joining its advisory board. Dr. Singh brings over 30 years of academic, medical and business experience to Ibex. Prior to Artiman, he has served as the global President and CEO of Siemens Oncology and Siemens Imaging Systems. Subsequently, he was the CEO of BioImagene, a digital-pathology based cancer diagnostics startup acquired by Roche. Dr. Singh also serves as adjunct professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine, and a member of the Board of Trustees at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Foundation. Additionally, he is a senior advisor to the Tata Trusts Cancer Care Initiative. Dr. Singh is a published author and holds a PhD. in Computer Science from Columbia University, specializing in Artificial Intelligence, as well as a master's in Computer Engineering from Syracuse University and a bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from Banaras Hindu University. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14381/paras-healthcare-appoints-puneet-srivastava-as-vice-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14381/paras-healthcare-appoints-puneet-srivastava-as-vice-president.html Tue, 06 Aug 2019 13:25:00 +0530 Paras Healthcare announced the appointment of Puneet Srivastava as its Vice President effective June 3, 2019. He will lead the Sales and Marketing function at a group level. He will be based out of the Corporate Office of Paras in Gurugram, Haryana. Mr Srivastava is a seasoned Sales & Marketing professional with an illustrious career spanning almost 25 years in P&L Management, Business Development, Key Account Management,  Branding and Event & Campaign Management besides his stint as Sales & Marketing expert. He has a successful and well-recognized sales & marketing profile spreading across industries like Shipping, FMCG, Banking & Insurance and Education & Training. Prior to joining Paras Healthcare, Mr Srivastava  was associated with the Max Healthcare, Max Life Insurance, Videocon and DHL Worldwide Express. He is a well-respected senior leader in the industry who has been conferred with many coveted industry awards. Speaking on the appointment, Dr Dharminder Nagar, MD, Paras Healthcare,  said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr Puneet Srivastava as our new VP. With a proven track record as a successful leader in Sales & Marketing, he has consistently delivered results over the years. Mr Srivastava has a deep understanding of the marketing and business administration. I have tremendous confidence in Mr Srivastava’s capability to align Paras's world-class patient care with global best Sales & Marketing strategies to drive and extend the next phase of Paras Healthcare's market leadership.”  Puneet Srivastava, VP, Paras Healthcare, said, “Paras Healthcare, as a thought leader of the healthcare sector of our country, is uniquely positioned to shape the dialogue and catalyse the evolution of a high quality health system across India that match up to the best in the world. In pursuit of providing the best health services, it is important that we all should work hard. I am excited to be a part of this positive change.” He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Lucknow.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14325/nathealth-announces-change-in-leadership-team.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14325/nathealth-announces-change-in-leadership-team.html Tue, 30 Jul 2019 14:05:00 +0530 Apex Healthcare industry body-NATHEALTH has announced changes in its leadership. Preetha Reddy has been elevated to the post of Senior Vice President and Dr. Harsh Mahajan takes over as Vice President for the year 2019-20. Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi has been inducted to the Leadership team as Treasurer NATHEALTH.  Dr. Sudarshan Ballal and Badri Iyengar continue their responsibilities as President and Secretary respectively. Rajit Mehta, Max Healthcare stepped down from the office of Senior Vice President and as a member of the Governing Council. The decision was taken in the Governing Council meeting of the Federation.   Welcoming leadership team in their new roles and responsibilities, Dr.  Sudarshan Ballal, President, NATHEALTH said, “NATHEALTH has emerged as a powerful voice of the healthcare sector and it has been playing a catalytic role in the transformation that is taking place to quality and affordable services and solutions. We will work closely with all stakeholders including the government on several issues and look forward to creating a new healthcare ecosystem.”   Senior Vice President of NATHEALTH Preetha Reddy is the Executive Vice Chairman of Apollo Hospitals and Dr. Harsh Mahajan is a renowned radiologist & Founder of Mahajan Imaging. Newly elected treasurer of the Federation Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi is the new CEO and MD of Fortis Healthcare. Congratulating new Leadership Team, Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Secretary-General, NATHEALTH said, “We are fortunate to attract top leadership of Indian Healthcare Industry within NATHEALTH which will help us achieve our vision. We will be ably guided by their expertise and experience to drive long term transformation in the healthcare sector by driving healthcare innovations across preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative spectrums” Preetha Reddy and Dr. Mahajan have been associated with NATHEALTH since its inception in various capacities. They have decades of experience in the Healthcare sector. The new leadership team was instrumental in several reforms in the sector through its expert support to the government.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14320/apollo-hospitals-appoints-dr-dattatreyudu-nori-as-international-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14320/apollo-hospitals-appoints-dr-dattatreyudu-nori-as-international-director.html Tue, 30 Jul 2019 11:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals have appointed world renowned Radiation Oncologist, Prof. Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori, as International Director – Apollo Cancer Centres, Apollo Hospitals Group. Beginning this month, Dr. Nori will be available for consultations 10 times at Apollo Hospitals in India for 4 months in a year. A Padma Shri Awardee, Dr. Nori has been honoured with many prestigious awards for immigrants for medicine and cancer care, including the highest civilian honour in the US in 2014, the "Ellis Island Medal of Honor" for his exemplary and outstanding qualities in both his personal and professional life. In 2017, the Indian Cancer Congress honoured him with its highest recognition - "Living Legend in Cancer Care." Dr. Nori, with over four decades of experience, is recognised as a global thought leader in cancer research with many path breaking and innovative developments related to cancer treatment attributed to him. Dr. Nori is also a consultant to the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency, advising on formulation of guidelines for cancer treatment in developing countries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14291/gsk-appoints-jonathan-symonds-as-non-executive-chairman-of-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14291/gsk-appoints-jonathan-symonds-as-non-executive-chairman-of-board.html Fri, 26 Jul 2019 12:30:00 +0530 GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) has announced that Jonathan Symonds will succeed Sir Philip Hampton as Non-Executive Chairman of the GSK Board with effect from 1st September 2019. Jonathan is currently deputy group chairman of HSBC Holdings plc and has been an independent non-executive director of HSBC since April 2014. He is a former chief financial officer of Novartis AG and AstraZeneca plc, and has been a non-executive director of Diageo plc and QinetiQ plc. He is currently non-executive chairman of Proteus Digital Health Inc, a non-executive director of Rubius Therapeutics Inc and chairman of Genomics England Limited. The appointment was approved by the board and follows a thorough succession process undertaken by the Nominations Committee, led by Vindi Banga, the company’s senior independent director (SID), in which all the non-executive directors participated.  Vindi Banga said: “Jon has exceptional experience in life sciences, and in the financial management and governance of major, global companies. Throughout his career he has demonstrated a passion for science, and is known for his integrity and professionalism. We are delighted that Jon will lead the board through this next phase for GSK, and we look forward to him joining in September.” Jonathan Symonds said: “I am delighted to be joining GSK, at what is a really important time for the company as it seeks to create value from its new R&D approach, and to create two, new world-leading companies, one focussed on pharmaceuticals and vaccines, the other on consumer healthcare.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14273/dr-ashok-seth-appointed-president-of-apsic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14273/dr-ashok-seth-appointed-president-of-apsic.html Wed, 24 Jul 2019 12:05:00 +0530 Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi and Head, Cardiology Council, Fortis Group of Hospitals, has been appointed President of Asia Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology (APSIC) for the next three years. The announcement was made at the AICT-ASIA PCR Conference in Singapore recently, a prestigious annual platform organized by and for the interventional cardiovascular community to share knowledge, new advancements and best practices in the sphere. Dr Seth’s appointment places India on the global map of interventional cardiology.  Dr Seth’s contributions in the field of cardiology, especially interventional cardiology, have been recognized extensively in India and across the world. During a career span of 30 years, he has pioneered numerous angioplasty techniques such as Asia Pacific’s first Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold (BVS); Asia Pacific’s first Impella Heart Support Device as well as Directional Atherectomy, Angioscopy, Thrombectomy devices. For his unique achievements & contributions, he has been honored with the prestigious Padma Shri in 2003, the Padma Bhushan in 2015 and B.C. Roy Award for the most Eminent Doctor in 2017. Dr. Seth has been the President of the Cardiological Society of India and Vice President of the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology. He has published numerous papers in international journals and has been invited to speak and demonstrate complex angioplasty techniques in more than 400 international training courses and meetings across the globe, including live transmissions of complex cases from India.  He has been honoured by Doctorates from 6 major national universities. He has trained more than 500 cardiologists in Asia Pacific region in angioplasty techniques. Dr Ashok Seth shared, “I feel truly honored to have been appointed as President of Asia Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology (APSIC). In the next three years my aim would be to consolidate the researches and advancements in interventional cardiology of Asia Pacific and showcase it to the rest of the world.  It has now got to be East teaching the West. We would also like to create a platform of teaching & exchange of knowledge and expertise to benefit our young gen interventional cardiologists across Asia Pacific, so that patient care and outcomes get even better.” Dr. Kousar Ali Shah, Zonal Director, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi said, “It is an honor to have Dr. Ashok Seth as a part of the Fortis fraternity. He brings to the table immense value in skill and knowledge. His various achievements have enabled the Fortis Escorts to excel in the field of interventional cardiology and placed us on the international medical map. We thank him for his commitment to the Fortis brand and for his rich contribution to the public health space in India.” Asia Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology (APSIC) was formed in 1993 and constitutes membership of interventional cardiology societies of all countries in Asia Pacific including China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. It aims to promote research, science, academics and expertise in interventional cardiology.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14264/dr-srinubabu-receives-recognition-for-healthcare-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14264/dr-srinubabu-receives-recognition-for-healthcare-services.html Tue, 23 Jul 2019 17:35:00 +0530 Hyderabad based scientist, entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr Srinubabu Gedela received “Pride of the Nation Award” 2019 from Rajnath Singh, Minister for Defence, in recognition to his untiring social services and healthcare services to the Nation. Union Minister for Defence presented the Pride of the Nation Award to doyens of different fields at an event organised by ‘Veterans India’ on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, in New Delhi on Sunday. After receiving the award Dr. Srinubabu said "For a scientist turned entrepreneur, this is the proudest moment. The Pride of the Nation award motivates me to further, endure my mission to deliver social and healthcare services for the nation I have undertaken, and I hope it gives a positive message to all.” Dr Srinubabu is a distinguished scientist, and an entrepreneur with post doctorate from Stanford University. He is the CEO of Pulsus, managing seven SEZ Units with 5,000+ employees from Hyderabad, Chennai, Gurugram and Vishakapatnam. His corporation is engaged in healthcare and health informatics meetings, and in a publishing business in over 50 countries creating thousands of jobs for young life sciences graduate. Dr. Srinubabu credited for bringing healthcare, agricultural information to the remotest corners of India in their preferred language with no cost to service. As a philanthropist Dr. Srinubabu has undertaken many initiatives including supporting over a Lakh (1, 00,000) families during TiTli Cyclone in Andhra Pradesh by providing basic needs like Rice bags blankets, Sari / Dhoti to each affected family. His ongoing project include a healthcare services venture in Uttara Andhra which will pave way for 10 lakh job creation. This Pride of the Nation award follows Dr. Gedela several international awards, including “Champions of Change" in 2018 given by Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India in last December. The award is given to people who ushered in refreshing changes in their districts through their commitment, dedication, creative interventions and innovation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14257/tattvan-e-clinics-appoints-ranga-sudhakar-as-cso.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14257/tattvan-e-clinics-appoints-ranga-sudhakar-as-cso.html Tue, 23 Jul 2019 15:00:00 +0530 Tattvan, the first-of-its-kind telemedicine healthcare E-clinics, announced the appointment of Ranga Sudhakar as the Chief Strategic Officer. With the aim of transforming healthcare in remote areas, Tattvan E-Clinics works to provide healthcare services in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns in India. As the company is working to achieve its objective, Mr. Sudhakar in his new role will guide innovative programming and framework to enhance Tattvan’s value propositions and expansion plans. With his proven record and experience, he will be spearheading the brand’s offering of holistic solutions and widening its horizons by integrating with various Government and state hospitals. His appointment is a strategic move of the company to strengthen its network alliances across business verticals in India and overseas. Welcoming Mr. Sudhakar to the organisation, Ayush Mishra, CEO & Co-Founder, Tattvan E-Clinics said, “We are delighted to have Mr. Sudhakar as a part of the Tattvan team especially at a time when we are at the helm of a healthcare transformation. We are expanding our presence in India and have extensive plans to foray into international markets. Our priority remains to deepen our engagement within the country by focusing on building state-of-the-art healthcare facilities in the rural areas. He brings along experience and knowledge of the sector that will help us gain deeper insights of the industry dynamics and add more meaning to our initiatives undertaken to achieve the company’s goals” Speaking about his role as Chief Strategic Officer, Mr. Ranga Sudhakar said, “Tattvan e-Clinics remains at the fore front to provide healthcare services in the rural areas and has pioneered in unlocking the value in the telemedicine sector. I appreciate the brand’s efforts, its vision and mission of transforming the healthcare segment in the country. I am excited to join the enthusiastic team of professionals who are determined in building an environment where healthcare services are available to one and all. I am committed to the company’s outlook and will utilize my skills to achieve the goals.” A management professional with an extensive work experience of more than 20 years in Business Development and Project Management, Mr. Sudhakar has been instrumental in designing and implementing new PPP Health Care projects through National Health Mission. He also spearheaded Apollo’s multi million dollars B2G and B2B orders. Apart from bagging various Awards in Health Care, he has worked extensively in Government, Corporate, Manufacturing, Insurance & TPAs, Banking, CSR, Infra, etc. and designed customized Health Care solutions across PAN India.  Over the next few months, Tattvan plans to set up 15 clinics in cities like Moradabad, Guwahati and few more. The brand is expanding its healthcare services across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand with 50 more E-Clinics in next 18-20 months. On the International level, Tattvan E-Clinics is looking forward to expanding in Bangladesh, Tajikistan and Uganda.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14219/apsic-appoints-dr-ashok-seth-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14219/apsic-appoints-dr-ashok-seth-as-president.html Wed, 17 Jul 2019 20:15:00 +0530 A true innovator in the field of cardiology, Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi and Head, Cardiology Council, Fortis Group of Hospitals, has been appointed President of Asia Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology (APSIC) for the next three years. The announcement was made at the AICT-ASIA PCR Conference in Singapore recently, a prestigious annual platform organized by and for the interventional cardiovascular community to share knowledge, new advancements and best practices in the sphere. Dr Seth’s appointment places India on the global map of interventional cardiology. Dr Seth’s contributions in the field of cardiology, especially interventional cardiology, have been recognized extensively in India and across the world. During a career span of 30 years, he has pioneered numerous angioplasty techniques such as Asia Pacific’s first Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold (BVS); Asia Pacific’s first Impella Heart Support Device as well as Directional Atherectomy, Angioscopy, Thrombectomy devices. For his unique achievements & contributions, he has been honored with the prestigious Padma Shri in 2003, the Padma Bhushan in 2015 and B.C. Roy Award for the most Eminent Doctor in 2017. Dr. Seth has been the President of the Cardiological Society of India and Vice President of the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology. He has published numerous papers in international journals and has been invited to speak and demonstrate complex angioplasty techniques in more than 400 international training courses and meetings across the globe, including live transmissions of complex cases from India.  He has been honoured by Doctorates from 6 major national universities.  He has trained more than 500 cardiologists in Asia Pacific region in angioplasty techniques. Dr Ashok Seth shared, “I feel truly honored to have been appointed as President of Asia Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology (APSIC). In the next three years my aim would be to consolidate the researches and advancements in interventional cardiology of Asia Pacific and showcase it to the rest of the world.  It has now got to be East teaching the West.  We would also like to create a platform of teaching & exchange of knowledge and expertise to benefit our young gen interventional cardiologists across Asia Pacific, so that patient care and outcomes get even better”. Dr. Kousar Ali Shah, Zonal Director, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi said, “It is an honor to have Dr. Ashok Seth as a part of the Fortis fraternity. He brings to the table immense value in skill and knowledge. His various achievements have enabled the Fortis Escorts to excel in the field of interventional cardiology and placed us on the international medical map. We thank him for his commitment to the Fortis brand and for his rich contribution to the public health space in India.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14191/medikabazaar-appoints-manoj-mani-as-head-of-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14191/medikabazaar-appoints-manoj-mani-as-head-of-technology.html Mon, 15 Jul 2019 15:55:00 +0530 Continuing with its goal to provide robust tech-driven solutions in the healthcare sector, Medikabazaar, India’s largest online B2B platform for medical supplies, has announced the appointment of Manoj Mani as its Head of Technology. The hiring is in line with the company’s plans for rapid expansion, with a major focus on strengthening its technological infrastructure. With over 23 years of experience across Technology segments such as Information Systems, Information Security, Strategic Planning and Technology Management, Manoj will spearhead Medikabazaar’s technological strategy and business model from end-to-end. Manoj is a multi-functional expert, having led senior technology management portfolios at a number of prominent organisations across the country. Prior to joining Medikabazaar, he has worked with Cox & Kings as their Global Head of Information Technology Infrastructure. Manoj also played a key role in developing the Tech. product and infrastructure for YouFirst Money Express (formerly Reliance Money Express).  Additionally, he has worked with Barclays as their Vice President and Technology Delivery Partner, ING Investment Management as CTO, and Accenture as Technology Lead. Notably, he set up and managed the technology infrastructure for the entire Accenture India Delivery Center offices, in-country for Barclays Bank India, and redesigned and set up that of ING Investment Management. With an aim to generate $100 million in revenue and achieve 5X growth by the end of the current financial year, Medikabazaar continues on its path for rapid expansion. To that effect, the company is focusing on utilising funds raised for infrastructural developments, team-building and developing technology for its proprietary AI and ML-based tools. In his role at the company, Manoj will oversee the implementation of industry-leading best practices. He will also be responsible for leveraging next-generation technology platforms together with automated processes, in order to bolster Medikabazaar’s strategic initiatives for the future. Speaking on Manoj’s appointment, Vivek Tiwari, Founder, and CEO, Medikabazaar said, “We are thrilled to have Manoj Mani join our team as the Head of Technology. Through the course of FY 19-20, our focus at Medikabazaar has been on building a strong team that will help us enhance and optimise our product and service offerings. Technology is at the crux of everything we do, from the user experience we provide, to the last-mile delivery, to the launch of our first proprietary AI and ML tool, the smart inventory - “VIZI”. We aim to go full-steam ahead in this direction and are certain that Manoj’s extensive domain knowledge and expertise will further strengthen the tech backbone of the company.” Commenting on the same, Manoj Mani, Head of Technology, Medikabazaar said, “In a short span of time, Medikabazaar has established itself as a driving force behind revolutionising the Indian healthcare landscape. It has effectively addressed the need for lower costs, inventory management and accessibility of medical supplies across the country. Given the impact of its unique and targeted offerings, the company has been able to gain the confidence of several people and, as a result, has grown at a steady pace. I see great potential in the company, and am looking forward to being part of a team that is using technology to make quality healthcare more accessible, especially to those who need it the most.” Since its inception in 2015, Medikabazaar has emerged as a segment leader in the healthcare space. By eliminating the need for intermediaries, it aims at providing hospitals and healthcare facilities pan-India with the right facilities and equipment at the best price. The company’s approach focuses on extensive research on the needs of the Indian market, based on which it tailors its product and service offerings. Currently, Medikabazaar is focusing its efforts on raising funds for recruitment, expanding product categories and focusing on increased automation through leveraging new-age technologies. The hiring of Manoj Mani is aimed at propelling the company’s technological capabilities and reimagining its business model for the future.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14170/gvk-bio-appoints-robert-r-ruffolo-to-its-board-of-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14170/gvk-bio-appoints-robert-r-ruffolo-to-its-board-of-directors.html Mon, 15 Jul 2019 12:00:00 +0530 GVK BIO has announced the appointment of Dr. Robert (Bob) R. Ruffolo, to its Board of Directors. “On behalf of GVK BIO and its Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Dr. Robert Ruffolo to the Board,” stated Davinder Singh Brar, Chairman GVK BIO. “With a career spanning over four decades in the Pharmaceutical industry, Bob is an accomplished leader with a rare blend of scientific expertise, strategic thought and commercial acumen.”“I am excited to join the GVK BIO Board,” added Dr. Bob Ruffolo. “With a talented pool of scientists, integrated capabilities, and a ‘customer first’ culture, GVK BIO is ideally positioned to benefit from the growing industry trend to establish preferred external partnerships to drive Research and Innovation. I look forward to working with the team and establishing the company as a ‘Partner of Choice’ in the Pharmaceutical sector.”Dr. Ruffolo served as the President of R&D and Senior Vice President of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (now, Pfizer) from 2002 to 2008. Prior to Wyeth, Bob was Senior Vice President in R&D at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals (now GSK) for 17 years. Bob played a significant role in the discovery and/or development of a number of marketed products, including carvedilol, ropinerole, dobutamine, and eprosartan, among others. He has been recognised with several prestigious awards, including the Discoverer's Award in 2008, for his pioneering work on the discovery of carvedilol for the treatment of congestive heart failure. Bob currently serves as a Director at Sigilon Therapeutics, Elucida Oncology, Sapience Therapeutics and Aridis Pharmaceuticals. He is also the President of Ruffolo Consulting LLC, a position he has held since 2008.Dr. Ruffolo holds a B.S. degree in Pharmacy, and a Ph.D. degree in Pharmacology, both from The Ohio State University. GVK BIO, a Contract Research & Development Organization that services the global Pharmaceutical industry is headquartered in Hyderabad, India and has five sites across the globe. Established in 2001, GVK BIO serves large and small pharma clients across the R&D value chain with a focus on speed and quality, ensuring safety and compliance. GVK BIO’s team of over 2200 scientists, are supported by a no-conflict business model, modern facilities, strong customer-centric culture, and focus on bringing their customers products to market rapidly and cost effectively. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14178/dr-l-tomar-conferred-with-the-doctor-of-india-award-by-economic-times.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14178/dr-l-tomar-conferred-with-the-doctor-of-india-award-by-economic-times.html Mon, 15 Jul 2019 10:50:00 +0530 Marking the birth anniversary of Dr. B. C Roy, The Economic Times Doctors Day Conclave, 2019 mobilised some of the best minds of healthcare and medicine sector under one roof for an interactive conference and probed about the issues affecting healthcare and increasing healthcare demands in India, especially the challenges faced by doctors, recent essential initiatives taken by the government and what the extensive future holds in the terms of technological­­ advancements. Being an extinguished orthopaedic surgeon, Dr L Tomar, who is the best knee, hip and joint replacement surgeon in Delhi NCR, was conferred with the most inspiring doctor of India by Economics Times. As an expert in Computer Navigated minimally invasive surgery (MIS), he is a major name in orthopaedics. Counting his latest and latent advancement in Joint Replacement Surgery, making hip replacement & knee replacement highly safe, reliable, precise & sustainable for patients. His 24+ years of experience bagged him with a number of awards and accreditations along with this opportunity to lead the future staging and scheming of doctoral profession across the native boundaries and global scales. Dr L Tomar is currently leading as Director and Unit Head of Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement at Max Superspeciality Hospital and Director, Tomar Orthopaedics in Delhi. Dr Tomar is a prominent intellectual in the sphere of invasive and non-invasive Orthopaedic procedures. One can scale the level of his attributed expertise that lies in offering complete patient care while carrying out the medical/surgical process including non-surgical procedures with definitive precision and making patients more comfortable during the actual medical operations. He holds the vivid range of experience in the field and had performed a number of complex surgeries with great accuracy and prolonging and effective outcomes. He has been facilitated with Global Healthcare Excellence Award in 2013 for the best joint replacement surgeon in Delhi & NCR by Prime Time Research Media Private Limited, Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution in the field of Orthopaedics on Doctors Day in 2009 by IMA (Indian Medical Association) New Delhi and Indian Hall of Fame (Medicare) Award in 2005 by All India Achievers Conference, New Delhi in recognition of outstanding services to society and excellence in Orthopaedic Profession and many more! Also, he holds memberships of many global communities and international varsities. He is a prominent figure in the field of Medical Sciences who is referred with countless cases of complex orthopaedics surgeries till the present span of his professional life. Dr L Tomar believes in the idea of serving and operating the patients with care and proficient resources and making them more comfortable and following cautions while recommending even a single dose. This narrative idea made him bag, globally pronounced as one of the most inspiring doctors of India. His recognizable expertise is reaching beyond native boundaries and is increasing the tally of his achievements and awards. Dr Tomar visions that even the recent cases that made the profession of healthcare and medicine more prone to public rage could not stop doctors like him to serve at their best. He holds the tally of performing 20000+ successful surgeries during the timeline of 24+ years of his professional life including 2000+ spine surgeries and over 1500+ joint replacement (hip and knee surgeries). Dr L Tomar is the degree holder in MCh from University of Dundee, Scotland, UK. Also, he completed his MS Degree in Ortho from Meerut University, Meerut. He is the credible fellow at International College of Surgeons (USA) and holds the fellowship from Association of Osteosynthesis Davos (Switzerland). In case if you need any suggestion or medical care in Orthopaedics, Dr L Tomar, is the right option in Delhi NCR. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14070/dr-mahesh-bhalgat-joins-syngene-as-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14070/dr-mahesh-bhalgat-joins-syngene-as-coo.html Wed, 03 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Syngene International Limited, a leading global Contract Research Organisation, has announced the appointment of Dr. Mahesh Bhalgat as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Dr. Bhalgat will take charge as COO with effect from 1st July, 2019. He comes to Syngene from Shantha Biotechnics, a Sanofi company, where he was responsible for all manufacturing operations, supply chain, engineering projects, HSE, manufacturing excellence and administrative services. Commenting on the new appointment, Jonathan Hunt, Chief Executive Officer, Syngene International said, “We are delighted to have Dr. Bhalgat join the Syngene executive leadership team. Syngene has evolved to be a global scale scientific services provider and Dr. Bhalgat’s significant expertise in R&D, analytical development, technology transfer, regulatory sciences and quality will further enhance Syngene’s position as a global CRO.”  In a career spanning over 25 years in the field of biotechnology and biologics, Dr. Bhalgat is recognised for his contribution to the commercialization of diagnostic kits, biopharmaceuticals and WHO pre-qualification of vaccines. He has rich experience in diverse areas of biotechnology such as biotherapeutics, vaccines, ag-biotech, and research reagents and has been associated with companies such as Amgen, Monsanto, Celera Genomics, Thermo Fisher, Biological E. A Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Utah, he is the Co-Chair of CII’s National Committee of Biotechnology as well as a member of the Biomeriux Scientific Advisory Board, France, United States Pharmacopeia, GCBA committee and the Indian Pharmacopeial Commission. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14075/iml-names-sunder-rajan-as-chief-executive-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14075/iml-names-sunder-rajan-as-chief-executive-officer.html Tue, 02 Jul 2019 11:55:00 +0530 Institute of Medicine and Law has announced that its board of directors has appointed Sunder Rajan as its Chief Executive Officer. Speaking on behalf of IML, Mahendra Bajpai, Director IML said, “We are very happy that a professional of a high caliber is joining us to lead the organisation. IML is at a critical juncture of expansion and Mr. Sunder Rajan has been selected after careful evaluation of several candidates. We are a premier MedLegal company and intend to expand quickly, both in our offerings and extending our foot-print globally.” Sunder Rajan said, “I am excited to take on the challenge. Medical Negligence is a hot subject and IML is already a leader in providing information and services to healthcare professionals. There is a critical need to step up and provide clarity, assurance, and direction to both healthcare providers and patients on the correct interpretation and application of the law. I intend to launch more products and services for hospitals as well. Shortly, we will also extend our portfolio to the international market.” Ravindra Mangal, Managing Director said, “Mr. Sunder Rajan in the past has led a Wolters Kluwer company, in open access publishing, in medical research to become one of the largest in the world. He is a highly successful professional and we believe that his strategic approach, leadership, and global exposure will enhance operational and financial performance.” Institute of Medicine & Law (IML) provides education, information, and services related to medical laws. IML organizes the 'National Convention on Medicine & Law' every year, a platform to identify the legal issues relating to medicine, discuss them threadbare, and suggest remedial measures. Doctors, medical associations, hospitals, lawyers, judges, regulators, and policy makers are part of this initiative. IML has been conducting an annual exercise of drafting and adopting a ‘SOP on Patients Consent together with major national medical associations like IMA, ASI, FOGSI, API, IOA, IRIA, AIOS, ISA, ISCCM, and CSI among others. This SOP is today accepted as a standard, comprehensive, and legally compliant document on patients consent in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14072/iml-names-sunder-rajan-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14072/iml-names-sunder-rajan-as-ceo.html Tue, 02 Jul 2019 11:40:00 +0530 Institute of Medicine and Law (IML - a business division of Corporate Law Academy Private Limited) has announced that its board of directors has appointed Mr. Sunder Rajan as its Chief Executive Officer. Speaking on behalf of IML, Mr. Mahendra Bajpai, Hon. Director IML said, “We are very happy that a professional of a high caliber is joining us to lead the organisation. IML is at a critical juncture of expansion and Mr. Sunder Rajan has been selected after careful evaluation of several candidates. We are a premier MedLegal company and intend to expand quickly, both in our offerings and extending our foot-print globally.” Mr. Sunder Rajan said, “I am excited to take on the challenge. Medical Negligence is a hot subject and IML is already a leader in providing information and services to healthcare professionals. There is a critical need to step up and provide clarity, assurance, and direction to both healthcare providers and patients on the correct interpretation and application of the law. I intend to launch more products and services for hospitals as well. Shortly, we will also extend our portfolio to the international market.” Mr. Ravindra Mangal, Managing Director said, “Mr. Sunder Rajan in the past has led a Wolters Kluwer company, in open access publishing, in medical research to become one of the largest in the world. He is a highly successful professional and we believe that his strategic approach, leadership, and global exposure will enhance operational and financial performance.” Institute of Medicine & Law (IML) provides education, information, and services related to medical laws. IML’s information and analysis is real-time, accurate, actionable and is delivered to doctors, hospitals, and lawyers on multiple platforms using the latest in technology. IML’s knowledge bank is comprehensive and continuously updated with the latest developments in medical laws. Today, in India, IML possesses the best resources in terms of professionals, information, and knowledge on medical laws and these are optimally utilised in providing legal solutions. IML organizes the 'National Convention on Medicine & Law', every year, a platform to identify the legal issues relating to medicine, discuss them threadbare, and suggest remedial measures. Doctors, medical associations, hospitals, lawyers, judges, regulators, and policy makers are part of this initiative. IML has been conducting an annual exercise of drafting and adopting a ‘SOP on Patients Consent’ together with major national medical associations like IMA, ASI, FOGSI, API, IOA, IRIA, AIOS, ISA, ISCCM, and CSI among others. This SOP is today accepted as a standard, comprehensive, and legally compliant document on patients consent in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14053/a-new-who-goodwill-ambassador-for-universal-health-coverage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14053/a-new-who-goodwill-ambassador-for-universal-health-coverage.html Mon, 01 Jul 2019 09:05:00 +0530 WHO has announced the appointment of Professor Keizo Takemi as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Universal Health Coverage. Professor Takemi is an internationally renowned advocate on global health and development. He was the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan in 1998-1999 and the Senior Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan in 2006-2007. As the son of prominent physician and scientist Dr Taro Takemi, he has a strong interest in health and welfare, and played an important role negotiating reform of the Japanese health system and the introduction of the elderly care insurance scheme in 2000.  “I look forward to working with Professor Takemi to spread the message about universal health coverage,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.  “As a strong advocate for public health, Professor Takemi will help us to raise awareness of the importance of universal health coverage and mobilize the international community to join us in working for health for all.” Professor Takemi taught international politics at Tokai University, Japan, since 1995 and was Harvard School of Public Health Research Fellow from 2007-2009. Since 2007, as a senior fellow of Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE), he has led a high-level working group advocating for Japan’s collective action on global health.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14043/scott-gottlieb-elected-to-pfizers-board-of-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/14043/scott-gottlieb-elected-to-pfizers-board-of-directors.html Fri, 28 Jun 2019 15:55:00 +0530 Pfizer has announced the election of Dr. Scott Gottlieb to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Dr. Gottlieb, age 47, was also appointed to the Regulatory and Compliance Committee and the Science and Technology Committee of Pfizer’s Board. Dr. Gottlieb, a physician and medical policy expert, is currently a Special Partner of New Enterprise Associations, Inc.’s healthcare investment team and a Resident Fellow of the American Enterprise Institute. He served as the 23rd Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 2017 to 2019. Prior to serving as Commissioner, Dr. Gottlieb held several roles in the public and private sectors, including serving as the FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Medical and Scientific Affairs and as a Senior Adviser to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, where he helped implement the Medicare drug benefit, advance policies to improve healthcare quality and promote the effective use of new medical technologies. Dr. Gottlieb is also an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. Gottlieb received a B.A. in Economics from Wesleyan University and an M.D. from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. “We are fortunate to have Dr. Gottlieb join Pfizer’s Board of Directors,” stated Ian Read, Pfizer Executive Chairman. “Scott’s expertise in health care, public policy and the industry will be an asset to our company and enable our shareholders to continue to benefit from a Board representing a balance of experience, competencies and perspectives.” “We welcome Dr. Gottlieb to Pfizer’s Board of Directors,” said Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chief Executive Officer. “Through his work as a physician and his time at the FDA, Scott has continually demonstrated an understanding of both patients’ needs and the rapidly changing dynamics of biopharmaceutical research and development.” Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13964/fortis-healthcare-appoints-sanjay-sinha-as-chro.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13964/fortis-healthcare-appoints-sanjay-sinha-as-chro.html Fri, 21 Jun 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Fortis Healthcare Limited (Fortis) announced the appointment of Sanjay Sinha as its new Chief of Human Resources Officer (CHRO) effective June 17, 2019. He will lead the Human Resource (HR) function at a group level based out of the Corporate Office of Fortis in Gurugram, Haryana.   Sinha is a seasoned HR professional with an illustrious career spanning over 29 years. He has a successful and well-recognized HR leadership profile spreading across industries like Telecom, IT, Services and infrastructure. While he has a strong HR generalist profile where role calls for solid strategic support to businesses, he has done some world-class work in Learning & Development, Organizational Development and Organizational change, Merger & Acquisition, Integration, and Talent Management including large scale restructuring and change management in a complex, multi-cultural, multi-location and highly matrix environment.  He has been a SME in various HR domains at various stages of his career. Prior to joining Fortis, Sinha was associated with the Hinduja group companies HGS and HTL, Nortel Networks, Polaris, Siemens and NTPC. He has an extensive global experience with reputed MNCs in Asia Pacific & Greater China, US, Canada, Latin America, Middle East, and Europe. He has held Global roles and is a well-respected senior leader in the industry who has been conferred with many coveted industry awards. Speaking on the appointment, Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD & CEO, Fortis, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr Sanjay Sinha, as our new CHRO. With a proven track record as a successful leader in HR, he has consistently delivered results over the years. Mr Sinha has a deep understanding of the talent management & engagement. I have tremendous confidence in Mr Sinha’s capability to align Fortis's world-class patient care with global best HR strategies to drive and extend the next phase of Fortis's market leadership.”  Sanjay Sinha, CHRO, Fortis, said, “This is a tremendous opportunity for employee engagement as well as nurturing industry talent to strengthen our talent pool. The values and culture at Fortis’s are already well in line with those of global leaders, and with some innovation and planning, I am certain that we can reach — and exceed — our goals.” He holds a post-graduate degree in Management (MBA) from Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi. He is also certified Executive Coach and holds certification on psychometric instruments related to Personality profiling by Thomas International and Association of Psychological Types (APT) on DISC and MBTI. He has many research reports to his credit.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13943/dr-anil-dcruz-associates-with-apollo-hospitals-as-director-oncology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13943/dr-anil-dcruz-associates-with-apollo-hospitals-as-director-oncology.html Wed, 19 Jun 2019 15:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals has announced that renowned senior Oncologist, Dr. Anil K. D’Cruz has joined the group as Director, Oncology – Apollo Hospitals, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. A well-recognized global leader, clinician, researcher and teacher in Head and Neck Oncology, Dr. Anil K. D’Cruz brings with him over 33 years of experience in the field of cancer. Dr. D’Cruz will drive Apollo Hospitals’ efforts in the fight against cancer, focussing on providing and overseeing care and treatment for patients suffering from cancer of the head and neck, oral and laryngeal cancer as well as cancer affecting the thyroid, parathyroid and salivary glands. Dr. D’Cruz has undergone special training for head and neck surgery at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, Laser Surgery at Vanderbilt University, USA and speech rehabilitation at Indianapolis, USA. Dr. Anil D’Cruz said, “I am extremely happy to come on board Apollo Hospitals and lead their oncology program. Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront in bringing the latest cutting-edge medical technology to the country for the benefit of cancer patients and I am pleased to join hands with Apollo in their mission against cancer. While I will be primarily based out of Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, I shall be working across Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi to take forward our Chairman Dr Prathap C. Reddy’s healing mission.” Awarded the Honorary FRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons, London, Dr. D’Cruz is the first Indian to hold the prestigious post of President Elect (2018-2020) and President (2020-2022) of the Union International for Cancer Control, Geneva, Switzerland which is the largest cancer organisation globally committed to the cause of cancer control. Prior to joining Apollo Hospitals, Dr. D’Cruz was Director of at Tata Memorial Hospital and Chief of Head Neck Services. He has held leadership positions and is on the board of numerous professional organisations, universities, research organisations and cancer institutions across the country and abroad. His landmark contribution on the management was neck nodes in oral cancer was awarded the prestigious plenary at the American Society of Clinical Oncology in 2015. With more than 250 peer reviewed publications and chapters to his name, Dr. D’Cruz is on the Editorial Board of many reputed national and international journals. Santosh Marathe, COO, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai said, “Our goal at Apollo Hospitals is to offer world-class health care that is accessible and affordable. Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai offers comprehensive precision technology for treatment of cancer by offering experienced multi-disciplinary consultants with organ specific protocols. The prevailing JCI accreditation ensures that best clinical practices & medical outcomes are sustained. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Anil D’Cruz to our team of experienced clinicians and are sure that cancer patients at Apollo Hospitals, will benefit from his experience and expertise and receive the best cancer care services.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13942/nightingales-home-health-services-appoints-piyush-bhargav-as-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13942/nightingales-home-health-services-appoints-piyush-bhargav-as-coo.html Wed, 19 Jun 2019 14:50:00 +0530 Nightingales Home Health Services, an enterprise of Medwell Ventures and a pioneer in specialty home healthcare in India, named Piyush Bhargav as their Chief Operating Officer. He will be assisting in bringing in new technologies which, in turn will help the company provide better services to consumers and enter into newer geographies. Announcing the appointment, Ferzaan Engineer, Co-Founder & Jt Chairman said, “We are excited to see what Piyush has in store for us with his new role. He will have a significant role to play in achieving our goal of evolving into a digitally perceptive and agile home health service provider. We wish him the best for his new role.” With over two decades of experience in Marketing and Product Management, Piyush is an e-commerce veteran. He joined eBay’s core team back in 2003, where his primary focuses involved Brand Management, Internet Marketing, Ad sales and Cross Border Trade among others. He was the first Indian employee in eBay to get awarded a diploma from Global Marketing College in San Jose, US and also was the employee of the year. Prior to his current stint, he was the Vice President at Reliance Retail where he was responsible for the newly launched Reliance B2B fashion business and also handled the role of Vice President - Digital at Ajio.com, which is one of the largest Indian fashion e-tailers. His earlier stints also include founding homeshop18.com and handling the Marketing and Product Management portfolio at Quikr.com.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13909/manipal-hospitals-whitefield-appoints-dr-prabhakar-b-as-consultant-general-and-laparoscopic-surgeon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13909/manipal-hospitals-whitefield-appoints-dr-prabhakar-b-as-consultant-general-and-laparoscopic-surgeon.html Fri, 14 Jun 2019 16:30:00 +0530 Manipal Hospitals Whitefield announced the appointment of Dr Prabhakar. B as Consultant General and Laparoscopic surgeon. A seasoned professional with 17 years of experience, Dr. Prabhakar in his role, will be responsible for the role of consultant general and laparoscopic surgery. A proficient patient counselor and a subordinate trainer, Dr. Prabhakar is known for his expertise in entire range of Basic and Advanced Laparoscopic surgeries,like appendicectomy, cholecystectomy, hernia surgeries, Intestinal Surgeries like inestinal obstruction, adhesiolysis, intestinal cancer surgeries, Basic and Advanced open Abdominal surgeries, proctological surgeries like fissurectomy, hemorroidectomy, fistula surgery,Thyroid and Breast surgeries, Open and Emergency Gynaecological surgeries and  Surgical emergencies. In addition, he has a special interest in SILS and Hepato Biliary and Pancreatic surgeries. “I am very excited to welcome Dr. Prabhakar to Manipal Hospitals Whitefield. He provides a great blend of top notch clinical education and knowledge with a strong passion for providing patient care. His illustrious track record with a combination of strong communication skills, analytical ability and capability to perform under stress and strenuous conditions makes him an ideal person for his role. We look forward to working with him and wish him good luck”, said Mr. Arnab Mondal, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospitals Whitefield In the past, Dr. Prabhakar was associated with some of the leading hospitals like Queen Hospitals, Birmingham - UK, Narayana Multispecialty Hospital, Whitefield, Yashomati Hospital and Apollo Clinic, Bangalore, He has been responsible for managing surgical work independently and teaching and training junior doctors and nurses. In addition he was also involved actively in hospital committees. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13876/dr-vatsal-shah-to-lead-siro-clinpharms-us-operations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13876/dr-vatsal-shah-to-lead-siro-clinpharms-us-operations.html Wed, 12 Jun 2019 21:15:00 +0530 Siro Clinpharm has named Dr Vatsal Shah as the head of its US operations. Siro, one of India’s leading contract clinical research organisations (CROs), has its US headquarters in New Jersey, where Dr Shah will be based, and has been focusing on that market as part of its aggressive expansion. The appointment follows the recent refresh of Siro Clinpharm’s core brand elements to reflect its growth and to sync with the next phase of its evolution – establishing a strong operational presence in the US. Dr Shah is currently the COO of Siro Clinpharm and will transition to the Global Chief Operating Officer’s role to lead this expansion. Dr Shah is a physician and has more than 20 years of varied experience encompassing all phases of clinical research and all document types for medical writing – from academia as well as all industry perspectives (pharma, CRO, business process outsourcing). He has served Siro for more than 12 years since 2001 and has been with the company for more than eight years during his current stint. Dr Gautam Daftary, Chairman of Siro Clinpharm, said: “We are looking forward to having Dr Shah in the US office. His expertise in the local and global clinical research sector will help us expand in the geography and enhance relationships with current clients as well as build and expand into newer accounts.” Dr Shah added: “Siro is uniquely poised to grow quickly based on the high trust and respect it enjoys amongst global clients. The US market is strategically important for us. We will continue to invest there and expand quickly.” Incorporated in 1996, Siro Clinpharm Private Limited is a clinical research organisation supporting trials from Phase II to Phase IV and beyond post-launch of products. Siro offers a range of services, from clinical operations to data services, data analytics and medical writing in compliance with international standards. Siro has been an industry pioneer over two decades, sharing an incontestable record of excellence in the pharmaceutical, biologics, FMCG and medical device industries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13875/dr-vatsal-shah-to-lead-siro-clinpharms-us-operations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13875/dr-vatsal-shah-to-lead-siro-clinpharms-us-operations.html Wed, 12 Jun 2019 16:55:00 +0530 Siro Clinpharm has named Dr Vatsal Shah as the head of its US operations. Siro, one of India’s leading contract clinical research organisations (CROs), has its US headquarters in New Jersey, where Dr Shah will be based, and has been focusing on that market as part of its aggressive expansion. The appointment follows the recent refresh of Siro Clinpharm’s core brand elements to reflect its growth and to sync with the next phase of its evolution – establishing a strong operational presence in the US. Dr Shah is currently the COO of Siro Clinpharm and will transition to the Global Chief Operating Officer’s role to lead this expansion. Dr Shah is a physician and has more than 20 years of varied experience encompassing all phases of clinical research and all document types for medical writing – from academia as well as all industry perspectives (pharma, CRO, business process outsourcing). He has served Siro for more than 12 years since 2001 and has been with the company for more than eight years during his current stint. Dr Gautam Daftary, Chairman of Siro Clinpharm, said: “We are looking forward to having Dr Shah in the US office. His expertise in the local and global clinical research sector will help us expand in the geography and enhance relationships with current clients as well as build and expand into newer accounts.” Dr Shah added: “Siro is uniquely poised to grow quickly based on the high trust and respect it enjoys amongst global clients. The US market is strategically important for us. We will continue to invest there and expand quickly.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13862/changes-in-roches-board-of-directors-and-corporate-executive-committee.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13862/changes-in-roches-board-of-directors-and-corporate-executive-committee.html Tue, 11 Jun 2019 12:00:00 +0530 Roche has announced that Peter Voser (61), a member of the Board of Directors of Roche Holding Ltd since 2011, has decided to step down as a member of the Board of Directors of Roche at the end of June 2019 due to his additional role as interim CEO of ABB. Roche Chairman Christoph Franz: "Peter Voser has made important contributions to Roche's success as a member of the Board and the Compensation Committee. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Roche, I would like to thank him most sincerely for his contribution.” At the same time Roche announced the following changes to the Corporate Executive Committee: Michael Heuer (65), CEO Roche Diagnostics and member of the Corporate Executive Committee, will retire as planned at the end of July. The Board of Directors has appointed Thomas Schinecker (44), currently Head of Centralised and Point of Care Solutions, as CEO Roche Diagnostics and a member of the Corporate Executive Committee with effect from 1 August 2019. Stephan Feldhaus (57), Head of Group Communications and member of Roche’s enlarged Corporate Executive Committee, has decided to continue his career outside the company as of the end of September 2019. He will be succeeded on 1 October 2019 by Barbara Schädler (57), currently Head of Communications and Public Affairs at E.ON SE. Barbara Schädler will report to CEO Severin Schwan as a member of the enlarged Corporate Executive Committee. Severin Schwan: "Michael Heuer joined Roche following the acquisition of Boehringer Mannheim in 1998 and, after a long and distinguished career, has played a key role in making our company the world's leading provider of diagnostic solutions. We are extremely grateful to him for his personal contribution". Schwan added: "I am delighted that we have been able to appoint Thomas Schinecker, an internal successor with a strong track record, as the new CEO for our Diagnostics Division. Thomas Schinecker has broad and international experience in our business". Severin Schwan continued: "Stephan Feldhaus has shaped our communications over the past ten years and made a significant contribution to the positive reputation of our company. I thank him very much for his valuable contribution and wish him all the best. I am pleased that we have Barbara Schädler joining Roche as his successor. She has worked successfully for many years as a communications executive in global private companies and in the public sector". Michael Heuer joined Boehringer Mannheim in 1983 and was appointed to his current position in 2018. Following the acquisition of Boehringer Mannheim by Roche in 1998, he held various management positions in sales, marketing and product development in Germany, Austria and the United States before being appointed Head of Roche's Near Patient Testing business unit. Prior to his current role, he was Head of Diagnostics Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America region. Michael Heuer holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Kiel. Thomas Schinecker began his career in 2003 as a trainee for Roche Diagnostics under the Roche Perspectives programme. He has held various management positions in marketing & sales and product development in Singapore, Austria, Sweden and the United States. Before assuming his current position as Head of the Global Business Area Centralised and Point of Care Solutions based in Rotkreuz, Switzerland, he was General Manager for Roche Diagnostics Germany. Thomas Schinecker holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from New York University, USA. Stephan Feldhaus joined Roche in 2010 as Head of Group Communications and is a member of the enlarged Corporate Executive Committee, where he has since been responsible for the Group's internal and external communications. He previously held various management positions in communications at Siemens and worked as a social ethicist and theologian. He received his doctorate in theology from the University of Munich. Barbara Schädler's previous career as communications manager included positions at E.ON SE, Lufthansa, SAP and the German Federal Ministry of Finance. She holds a Master's degree in Economics from the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13857/anno-borkowsky-appointed-to-the-lanxess-board-of-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13857/anno-borkowsky-appointed-to-the-lanxess-board-of-management.html Mon, 10 Jun 2019 16:50:00 +0530 The Supervisory Board of LANXESS AG has appointed Anno Borkowsky (60) to the Board of Management of the specialty chemicals company, effective June 1, 2019. In his new role, Borkowsky, who holds a doctorate in chemistry, will take responsibility for the Specialty Additives segment. Currently, he is heading the Additives business unit at LANXESS. LANXESS Chairman of the Supervisory Board Matthias L. Wolfgruber said “With Anno Borkowsky, a highly experienced LANXESS manager will join the company's Board of Management. In numerous projects, he has proven his distinct sense for business and products.” LANXESS Chairman of the Board of Management Matthias Zachert said “The additives business has become increasingly important for LANXESS in recent years – not least due to the acquisition of Chemtura. This is now reflected in the creation of a new area of responsibility within the Board of Management. As a leading additives supplier, we still have many more plans, and Anno Borkowsky is the right man to further expand our position here.” Anno Borkowsky, born in Cologne in 1959, studied chemistry at the University of Cologne, where he received his doctorate in 1989. He joined Bayer AG in 1990 and became Managing Director of Rhein Chemie Rheinau GmbH in Mannheim after having worked in the United States of America for several years. In 2004, he became head of business unit Rhein Chemie as part of the establishment of the LANXESS AG. In 2017, he took over as head of the newly formed business unit Additives. Borkowsky is married and has 3 children. With the appointment of Borkowsky, the Board of Management of LANXESS AG will be expanded to five members. Previously, the Chairman of the Board of Management, Matthias Zachert, held responsibility for the Specialty Additives segment. In future, three instead of two business units for additives At the same time, the structure of the Specialty Additives segment will change as of June 1, 2019: it will then comprise three business units instead of two. The current Additives business unit will be split into two separate business units: Polymer Additives and Lubricant Additives Business. Polymer Additives offers high-quality additives and performance chemicals for the polymer sector, including phosphorus- and bromine-based flame retardants. The portfolio of Lubricant Additives Business ranges from synthetic lubricant base materials to individual additives and additive packages. Karsten Job (Polymer Additives) and Martin Saewe (Lubricant Additives Business) will head the new business units. The Rhein Chemie business unit, which is also part of the segment, remains unchanged and will continue to be headed by Philipp Junge. Rhein Chemie’s portfolio comprises rubber additives and colorants business. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13825/mfine-appoints-n-s-viswanathan-as-chief-financial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13825/mfine-appoints-n-s-viswanathan-as-chief-financial-officer.html Thu, 06 Jun 2019 14:35:00 +0530 mfine, a health-tech AI startup, announced the appointment of N S Viswanathan as the company’s Chief Financial Officer with immediate effect. In this new role, Vishwanathan will be heading the finance function and will also be driving the company's strategic initiatives while also being a part of the company’s leadership team.  He will play an important role in expanding hospital network of mfine and introducing new healthcare services and products in partnership with the hospitals across the country. N S Viswanathan has over twenty five years of financial experience with some of the most recognizable companies in the healthcare sector. He has been a key member to drive the finance strategy for high-growth companies, doing fund-raise both Public & Private and Debt across Banks and NBFCs. Most recently, Vishwanathan served as the CFO for CARE group of Hospitals and then as a Financial Advisor and CFO for Sunshine Hospitals, Hyderabad. Prior to that, he spent five years leading the accounting and finance team of GVK Biosciences, a contract research services company and then as a CFO for Neuland Laboratories, an API manufacturing service provider, and bulk drug manufacturing company. The appointment comes at a time when mfine is rapidly growing its hospital network across the country, and building its AI technology. It is also expanding on the additional services which include delivering medicines, conducting preventive health screenings and diagnostic tests. The company is hiring extensively across all job profiles to solidify its leadership position in delivering an AI-driven, on-demand healthcare service across India. In the last 6 months, the company has grown from 100 employees to 275 employees and will be tripling its investments in AI, mobile engineering and in-house Doctors. Recently, mfine raised $17.2 Million in Series B and aims to be one of the largest virtual hospitals in the world with services across primary care, secondary care and chronic care management. In the next 12 months, mfine will bring together India's top 250 hospitals, from 10 cities with more than 2500 doctors onto its virtual hospital platform. Over 100,000 customers have consulted on mfine in the last 15 months and customer base is growing 30% month over month. More than 500 MD/MS doctors, including some of India’s top doctors from over 150 reputed hospitals practice across 25 specialties on mfine. Collectively they have been able to expand their reach beyond the physical boundaries of the cities and have served over 800 towns in India. mfine follows a unique model of partnering with leading and trusted hospitals instead of aggregating individual doctors on its platform. Specialist Doctors from these hospitals are assisted by mfine’s AI system, improving their efficiency & effectiveness dramatically. mfine’s care team of more than 60 in-house doctors are working alongside the AI system offering best possible diagnosis and care. The AI engine has the ability to diagnose and triage over 1200 common diseases, read hundreds of health parameters in the diagnostic reports thus saving significant time for the doctors. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13790/dr-harsh-vardhan-takes-over-health-ministry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13790/dr-harsh-vardhan-takes-over-health-ministry.html Mon, 03 Jun 2019 14:50:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has allocated Cabinet portfolios to his new ministers.  Dr Harsh Vardhan has been appointed as the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences. Jagat Prakash Nadda had held the portfolio in the health cabinet before. A major pioneering initiative of Dr Harsh Vardhan was his act of implementing WHO’s Essential Drug Programme, which revolutionised governments’ attitudes on public health care. Under the concept, maximum budgetary outlay was apportioned to those drugs most needed by the people.  His life-long commitment to polio eradication continues notwithstanding his being in power or not. To this end, he also served the South-East Asia office of World Health Organisation (WHO) as an Advisor. He is the first Indian to have been nominated to the prestigious WHO body, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), in which capacity he counseled the international body on developing policies on vaccines and biologicals. Apart from this, he has served on the Global Technical Consultative Group and the Technical Consultative Group of the South East Asia region for polio eradication. This is the highest body of WHO dedicated to the elimination of polio.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13756/resmed-appoints-new-s-e-asia-gm-to-help-drive-increased-awareness-of-sleep-apnea-and-other-respiratory-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13756/resmed-appoints-new-s-e-asia-gm-to-help-drive-increased-awareness-of-sleep-apnea-and-other-respiratory-diseases.html Thu, 30 May 2019 13:10:00 +0530 ResMed, a world leader in connected health solutions for sleep apnea, lung disease, and other chronic diseases, today announced the appointment of Shubhi Khurana as general manager for India and South Asia. Ms. Khurana, former general manager of Capsugel India Region (now Lonza), oversees business operations including setting strategic priorities, evolving team and go-to-market models for ResMed’s long-term growth. She aims to enhance ResMed’s leadership in the region by enabling efforts in developing innovative technology-enabled care pathways and improving patients’ therapy experiences. These initiatives also encompass market development and awareness measures to educate the public, medical community, and decision makers about the prevalence of sleep and respiratory diseases in South Asia, as well as how to diagnose and treat them at home with cloud-connectable non-invasive devices. These campaigns support efforts to address the under-penetration of sleep and respiratory care markets in India and neighbouring countries and help millions of people improve their quality of life. An estimated 52 million Indians have sleep apnea – the vast majority are undiagnosed – and 55 million have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), the fourth leading cause of death annually worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. “Sleep apnea and COPD are global health epidemics and are especially prevalent in Asia,” said Justin Leong, president of ResMed’s Asia Growth Markets. “In India, these diseases are highly underdiagnosed due to low awareness amongst both doctors and the general community. Given the link between these diseases, and other chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cognitive disorders and cancer, it is critical we continue to educate and treat people with these conditions. We are thrilled to have Shubhi join us at this important time.” “I am excited to accept this critical role,” said Ms. Khurana, “and to grow both public awareness of the health epidemics ResMed helps treat and ResMed’s own reputation as an important digital health leader in this space. Research on the impacts of sleep apnea and COPD are only a few decades old. Therefore, the potential to make an impact in people lives and their health through ResMed’s innovative offerings is a great opportunity in itself.” Ms. Khurana has more than two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and medtech industries in various leadership roles. Before Capsugel, she worked at Baxter and Baxalta (now Takeda), building their Critical Care, Rare Diseases, and Surgical Kits business.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13752/resmed-appoints-shubhi-khurana-as-the-new-south-asia-gm-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13752/resmed-appoints-shubhi-khurana-as-the-new-south-asia-gm-.html Thu, 30 May 2019 12:05:00 +0530 ResMed, a world leader in connected health solutions for sleep apnea, lung disease, and other chronic diseases has announced the appointment of Shubhi Khurana as general manager for India and South Asia. Ms. Khurana, former general manager of Capsugel India Region (now Lonza), oversees business operations including setting strategic priorities, evolving team and go-to-market models for ResMed’s long-term growth. She aims to enhance ResMed’s leadership in the region by enabling efforts in developing innovative technology-enabled care pathways and improving patients’ therapy experiences. These initiatives also encompass market development and awareness measures to educate the public, medical community, and decision makers about the prevalence of sleep and respiratory diseases in South Asia, as well as how to diagnose and treat them at home with cloud-connectable non-invasive devices. These campaigns support efforts to address the under-penetration of sleep and respiratory care markets in India and neighboring  countries, and help millions of people improve their quality of life. An estimated 52 million Indians have sleep apnea – the vast majority are undiagnosed – and 55 million have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), the fourth leading cause of death annually worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Justin Leong, president of ResMed’s Asia Growth Markets said, “Sleep apnea and COPD are global health epidemics and are especially prevalent in Asia. In India, these diseases are highly underdiagnosed due to low awareness amongst both doctors and the general community. Given the link between these diseases, and other chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cognitive disorders and cancer, it is critical we continue to educate and treat people with these conditions. We are thrilled to have Shubhi join us at this important time.” Ms. Khurana said, “I am excited to accept this critical role and to grow both public awareness of the health epidemics ResMed helps treat and ResMed’s own reputation as an important digital health leader in this space. Research on the impacts of  sleep apnea and COPD are only a few decades old.  Therefore, the potential to make an impact in people lives and their health through ResMed’s innovative offerings  is a great opportunity in itself.” Ms. Khurana has more than two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and medtech industries in various leadership roles. Before Capsugel, she worked at Baxter and Baxalta (now Takeda), building their Critical Care, Rare Diseases, and Surgical Kits business.           ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13595/ortho-surgeon-father-son-win-best-research-paper-publication-awards.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13595/ortho-surgeon-father-son-win-best-research-paper-publication-awards.html Fri, 10 May 2019 12:15:00 +0530 Renowned Orthopaedic Surgeon and Medical Researcher Dr. (Prof.) Raju Vaishya and his Orthopaedic Surgeon son, Dr. Abhishek Vaish were conferred the ‘Best paper publication awards”, the most prestigious Awards of Apollo group of Hospitals, by its Chairman, Dr. Prathap C. Reddy. The award along with a citation was given to Dr. Raju Vaishya and Dr. Abhishek Vaishya during a glorious function organized at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals this week. The function was attended by a large number of distinguished doctors and healthcare professionals. These awards are given on behalf of Apollo Hospital Education Research Foundation (AHERF). Dr. Raju Vaishya has once again received a maximum number of 30 awards for his research papers published in 2018, which were the maximum in the whole group of hospitals. He was also awarded the adjunct title of Professor in this function. Dr. Abhishek Vaish also received the award for his paper on 3D printing in complex orthopedic fracture cases. Dr.Abhishek Vaish is a consultant orthopedic surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. He has completed top five master degrees in Orthopaedics (MS Orth, MCh Orth, Dip. SICOT, DNB (Ortho) and MNAMS) in only 30 years of age. He has worked as Senior Resident Orthopaedics in Central Institute of Orthopaedics, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi and in Kent, UK, before joining the Apollo group of hospitals. He is also credited with 70 publications in various reputed medical journals and has authored many chapters in the medical books. Dr. Raju Vaishya is one of the most prolific and well-known researchers in the Orthopaedic community of India. He has more than 350 publications to his credit, in the various reputed International and National journals and has also authored many books and chapters. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the reputed Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma. Also, he is on the Editorial Board and Reviewer of several other well- known medical journals. Dr Vaishya is also the recipient of several other distinguished awards like Dr. B.C. Roy Oration Award and Gold medal, Siemens-GAPIO innovation award in Medicine, Pride of Asia International Award, Vijaya Raje Scindia Excellence award, Professor’s gold medal for the best research at Oswestry, University of Birmingham, UK and the Best Researcher IRJULA title awards.  The world famous Royal College of Surgeons of England had also conferred on him FRCS. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13568/gvk-bio-announces-new-ceo-for-aragen-bioscience.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13568/gvk-bio-announces-new-ceo-for-aragen-bioscience.html Wed, 08 May 2019 11:30:00 +0530 GVK BIO is pleased to announce the appointment of  Dr. Axel Schleyer as Chief Executive Officer, Aragen Bioscience Inc.  Aragen, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GVK BIO, is a leading Contract Research Organization focused on accelerating biologicals product development with an integrated offering that includes antibody discovery and humanization, stable cell line development, recombinant protein production and purification, and differentiated diseases models. A seasoned Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology professional, Dr. Schleyer has over two decades of industry experience, building and leading high-performance teams, spearheading global business initiatives, and formulating business strategies resulting in successful outcomes. Prior to joining Aragen, Dr. Schleyer served as Senior Vice President, AGC Biologics and has held roles of increasing responsibilities at Lonza, Siegfried, Baxter Healthcare and Boehringer Ingelheim.Dr. Schleyer has completed his postdoctoral studies at The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA and at Carlsberg Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark. He completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Hamburg, and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from California State University, San Marcos. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13552/glenmark-appoints-dr-yasir-rawjee-as-ceo-of-glenmark-life-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13552/glenmark-appoints-dr-yasir-rawjee-as-ceo-of-glenmark-life-sciences.html Tue, 07 May 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd has announced that it has appointed Dr. Yasir Rawjee as the Chief Executive Officer of Glenmark Life Sciences Ltd, its subsidiary for the API (Active Pharmaceuticals Ingredients) business. Yasir joins Glenmark Life Sciences from Mylan Inc where most recently, he was the Head of Global API Operations. He has held positions of increasing responsibility at Mylan including Senior Vice President of API Technical Operations and Senior Vice President and Head for Sales and Marketing for the API Business. Yasir started his career with SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals based in the USA and has been associated with GlaxoSmithKline and Matrix Laboratories Ltd. previously. He has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Texas A&M University, USA and holds a degree in B.Sc.(Tech.) from UDCT Mumbai, India. Glenn Saldanha, Chairman and Managing Director, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said, “We see significant growth potential in our API business given the increasing demand for good quality and sustained supply of APIs globally. With this view, we housed our API business into a separate subsidiary, which will be run independently. We are happy that Dr. Yasir Rawjee will now spearhead the API unit and take it to greater heights with his rich experience both in the technical and marketing aspects of the business.” “Glenmark Life Sciences has built strong partnerships across the globe and has a very focused approach to further expand the API business. I am pleased to join the organization at a time when I believe I am getting an opportunity to contribute meaningfully in scaling up and shaping the next leg of growth for the API unit,” said Dr. Yasir Rawjee. Glenmark’s API business has witnessed robust growth rate of 15% CAGR over the last 5 years while maintaining its leadership position globally across several molecules. To provide a strategic focus to this business, Glenmark had earlier this year transferred the API business to a wholly-owned subsidiary Glenmark Life Sciences.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13490/raviganesh-venkataraman-appointed-as-the-new-ceo-for-cloudnine-group-of-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13490/raviganesh-venkataraman-appointed-as-the-new-ceo-for-cloudnine-group-of-hospitals.html Mon, 29 Apr 2019 10:50:00 +0530 Cloudnine Group of Hospitals has announced the appointment of Raviganesh Venkataraman as its Chief Executive Officer. Akash Malik, outgoing CEO has been with the Cloudnine group of hospitals for six years and had expressed his ambition to pursue other entrepreneurial opportunities beyond healthcare. As the Chief Executive Officer, Raviganesh will be responsible for driving and overseeing the development and execution of Cloudnine’s corporate strategy, business developments, M & A, systems and policies across the company in doctor and customer relationship management, delivery excellence, quality, building top talent and leadership development. As a seasoned professional with over 25 years of working experience across verticals, Raviganesh has been a part of several industries and geographies in India and Asia with specialities in strategy, project planning and execution, supply chain management, sales and distribution and organisation development.  Raviganesh was until recently a director on the board of Metro Cash & Carry India and has held leadership roles in the past with Bharti Airtel, Subhiksha Retail, Coca Cola India, Titan Industries and Godrej Boyce. Speaking on his appointment Dr. R Kishore Kumar, Founder Chairman, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals said, “We are very pleased to have Raviganesh as the Chief Executive officer at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals. He is an exceptional leader with an impressive track record in a variety of key functions. We are confident that his leadership, collective knowledge, expertise and experience will be extremely beneficial for us to successfully implement our strategy and take advantage of the market opportunities ahead in the space of maternal and child healthcare. We look forward to leveraging his expertise in steering the group forward.” Speaking on behalf of the board Rohit MA, Co-founder and Managing Director, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals said, “After a thorough and thoughtful nation-wide ranging selection process, on behalf of the board I am delighted to introduce Raviganesh as the new CEO. We are confident that his deep industry experience across verticals and the ability to have led large teams across the country will help us drive our continuous evolution as the trusted, innovative partner that our customers rely upon in the maternal and child healthcare space. Today's fluid, dynamic employment market career paths are no longer linear and appointment of one of our senior most leadership team member have remained true to bringing in the best performers from non-healthcare industry across managerial positions to help push the possibilities within healthcare.” “I look forward to working with Raviganesh across markets to tackle many more exciting opportunities and challenges being presented in the healthcare sector, in doing so, continue our tradition of exceeding the expectations of our customers, partners and shareholders.” Praneet Singh, Partner, True North said, “We are very excited to have Raviganesh come onboard. Cloudnine has already established itself as the most trusted and innovative partner across birthing and fertility. Raviganesh’s rich and extensive experience in retail and consumer services will help Cloudnine further fortify its leadership in providing best-in-class consumer experience across our service offerings.” On being appointed Raviganesh Venkataraman, new incoming CEO, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals stated, “I am thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to serve one of the leading maternity and childcare group of hospitals in India. Cloudnine Group has a great organisational culture and an amazing market capability. I look forward to building on this success whilst simultaneously ensuring we remain focused on delivering the very best of services to our customers. I am committed to ensuring that we not only stay at the forefront in this space but we continue to innovate and lead the market as we have always done.” Raviganesh holds a Masters in Management studies – operations from SP Jain Institute of Management & Research and a B.E in Production engineering from KJ Somaiya College of Engineering.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13469/cloudnine-group-appoints-new-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13469/cloudnine-group-appoints-new-ceo.html Thu, 25 Apr 2019 20:15:00 +0530 Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, India’s leading chain of maternity, childcare and fertility care group of hospitals headquartered in Bengaluru, has announced the appointment of Raviganesh Venkataraman as its Chief Executive Officer. He joins the company on April 17, 2019 and will be based out of the corporate office in Bengaluru. Akash Malik, outgoing CEO has been with the Cloudnine group of hospitals for six years and had expressed his ambition to pursue other entrepreneurial opportunities beyond healthcare. As the Chief Executive Officer, Raviganesh will be responsible for driving and overseeing the development and execution of Cloudnine’s corporate strategy, business developments, M & A, systems and policies across the company in doctor and customer relationship management, delivery excellence, quality, building top talent and leadership development. As a seasoned professional with over 25 years of working experience across verticals, Raviganesh has been a part of several industries and geographies in India and Asia with specialities in strategy, project planning and execution, supply chain management, sales and distribution and organisation development.  Raviganesh was until recently a director on the board of Metro Cash & Carry India and has held leadership roles in the past with Bharti Airtel, Subhiksha Retail, Coca Cola India, Titan Industries and Godrej Boyce. Raviganesh holds a Masters in Management studies – operations from SP Jain Institute of Management & Research and a B.E in Production engineering from KJ Somaiya College of Engineering. Speaking on his appointment, says Dr.R Kishore Kumar, Founder Chairman, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, “We are very pleased to have Raviganesh as the Chief Executive officer at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals. He is an exceptional leader with an impressive track record in a variety of key functions. We are confident that his leadership, collective knowledge, expertise and experience will be extremely beneficial for us to successfully implement our strategy and take advantage of the market opportunities ahead in the space of maternal and child healthcare. We look forward to leveraging his expertise in steering the group forward.” Speaking on behalf of the board says Rohit MA, Co-founder and Managing Director, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals “After a thorough and thoughtful nation-wide ranging selection process, on behalf of the board I am delighted to introduce Raviganesh as the new CEO. We are confident that his deep industry experience across verticals and the ability to have led large teams across the country will help us drive our continuous evolution as the trusted, innovative partner that our customers rely upon in the maternal and child healthcare space. Today's fluid, dynamic employment market career paths are no longer linear and appointment of one of our senior most leadership team member have remained true to bringing in the best performers from non-healthcare industry across managerial positions to help push the possibilities within healthcare. I look forward to working with Raviganesh across markets to tackle many more exciting opportunities and challenges being presented in the healthcare sector, in doing so, continue our tradition of exceeding the expectations of our customers, partners and shareholders.” Says Praneet Singh, Partner, True North “We are very excited to have Raviganesh come onboard. Cloudnine has already established itself as the most trusted and innovative partner across birthing and fertility. Raviganesh’s rich and extensive experience in retail and consumer services will help Cloudnine further fortify its leadership in providing best-in-class consumer experience across our service offerings.” On being appointed Raviganesh Venkataraman, new incoming CEO, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals stated: “I am thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to serve one of the leading maternity and childcare group of hospitals in India. Cloudnine Group has a great organisational culture and an amazing market capability. I look forward to building on this success whilst simultaneously ensuring we remain focused on delivering the very best of services to our customers. I am committed to ensuring that we not only stay at the forefront in this space but we continue to innovate and lead the market as we have always done.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13435/bio-rad-appoints-andrew-last-as-executive-vp-and-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13435/bio-rad-appoints-andrew-last-as-executive-vp-and-coo.html Tue, 23 Apr 2019 12:00:00 +0530 Bio-Rad Laboratories, a global leader of life science research and clinical diagnostic products has announced the appointment of Dr. Andrew Last as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective April 22, 2019. In this role, Dr. Last is responsible for all operating functions of the company on a global basis. “We are pleased to have Andrew join Bio-Rad and believe his strong background in global management and leadership spanning the life science, diagnostics, and pharmaceutical industries coupled with his technical expertise will be an invaluable asset to Bio-Rad,” said Norman Schwartz, Bio-Rad President and CEO. Dr. Last brings over 30 years of global management experience to Bio-Rad. Most recently he served as Chief Commercial Officer at Berkeley Lights, Inc. Prior to that he was Chief Operating Officer at Intrexon Corporation. From 2010 to 2016 Dr. Last held senior roles at Affymetrix that included Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. His other past leadership roles included senior positions with Becton, Dickinson and Company; Applied Biosystems; Incyte Genomics; and, Monsanto Company. Dr. Last has a PhD with Agrochemical Specialization and a Master of Science in Bio-Aeronautics from Cranfield University, UK. He holds of Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Leicester, UK. Bio-Rad Laboratories is a global leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of innovative products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. With a focus on quality and customer service for over 65 years, our products advance the discovery process and improve healthcare. Our customers are university and research institutions, hospitals, public health and commercial laboratories, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, as well as applied laboratories that include food safety and environmental quality. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is based in Hercules, California, and has a global network of operations with more than 8,000 employees worldwide. Bio-Rad had revenues exceeding $2.2 billion in 2018.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13426/cipla-appoints-dr-raju-mistry-as-global-chief-people-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13426/cipla-appoints-dr-raju-mistry-as-global-chief-people-officer.html Mon, 22 Apr 2019 21:15:00 +0530 Cipla announces the appointment of Dr. Raju Mistry as President and Global Chief People Officer (GCPO) of Cipla.  Raju is an accomplished and veteran Human Resources (HR) leader with over 27 years of global experience across diverse sectors such as Chemicals, Pharma, FMCG, IT, Engineering and Textiles. Prior to joining Cipla, Raju was Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Jubilant Life Sciences Ltd. For 13 years before that, Raju led the talent, employer brand and leadership programmes of the Aditya Birla Group, and was CHRO of Grasim’s Pulp and Fibre business. She has previously worked with Tata Sons, Colgate Palmolive, Siemens, and Mastech Corporation, Canada.  In her role at Cipla, Raju will oversee Human Resources, and Administration and Facilities Management. She will be a member of the Management Council of Cipla and will report to Umang Vohra, Managing Director & Global Chief Executive Officer.  Commenting on the appointment, Umang Vohra, Managing Director & Global Chief Executive Officer of Cipla said: “We are delighted to welcome Raju to the Cipla family. In the last few years, Cipla has successfully worked towards strengthening its core, reiterating its values and focusing on building a future-ready organization. Raju brings with her the experience to continue the journey and help us reach new milestones.” Established in 1935, Cipla is a global pharmaceutical company focused on agile and sustainable growth, complex generics, and deepening portfolio in our home markets of India, South Africa, North America, and key regulated and emerging markets. Our strengths in the respiratory, anti-retroviral, urology, cardiology and CNS segments are well-known. Cipla is ranked 3rd largest in pharma in India (IQVIA MAT Dec’18), 3rd largest in the pharma private market in South Africa (IQVIA YTD Dec’18), and is among the most dispensed generic players in the US. For over eight decades, making a difference to patients has inspired every aspect of Cipla’s work. A responsible corporate citizen, Cipla’s humanitarian approach to healthcare in pursuit of its purpose of ‘Caring for Life’ and deep-rooted community links wherever it is present make it a partner of choice to global health bodies, peers and all stakeholders.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13412/first-indian-woman-scientist-gets-elected-as-frs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13412/first-indian-woman-scientist-gets-elected-as-frs.html Mon, 22 Apr 2019 10:35:00 +0530 Adding to her long list of accomplishments, Prof. Gagandeep Kang, Executive Director, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), has been elected as a Fellow of The Royal Society (FRS) for 2019. The election to the prestigious society is especially important as this makes Prof. Kang the first woman working in India to be elected to the Society in the 400+ years of its history. She has been awarded the fellowship in recognition of her contributions to vaccine development in India and establishment of training programs in clinical translational medicine. Prof Kang is known for her inter-disciplinary research studying the transmission, development and prevention of enteric infections and their sequelae in children in India. To develop practical approaches to support public health, she has also built national rotavirus and typhoid surveillance networks, established laboratories to support vaccine trials and conducted phase 1-3 clinical trials of vaccines, a comprehensive approach that has supported two WHO pre-qualified vaccines, made by two Indian companies. She is investigating the complex relationships between infection, gut function and physical and cognitive development, and seeking to build a stronger human immunology research in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13397/manipal-hospitals-whitefield-appoints-dr-venugopal-as-consultant-in-neuro-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13397/manipal-hospitals-whitefield-appoints-dr-venugopal-as-consultant-in-neuro-surgery.html Thu, 18 Apr 2019 12:25:00 +0530 Manipal Hospital Whitefield announced the joining of Dr. Venugopal Subramaniam as Consultant in Neursurgery Department of the Hospital. Having an experience of over a decade post qualification, Dr.Venugopal is having hands-on experience in various subspecialties of Neurosurgery, which includes complex Brain and Spine diseases in both adult and pediatrics. His special interests are in Neuro oncology, Deep brain stimulation (DBS), Epilepsy surgery, Spinal deformity and Minimal invasive spine surgery (MISS). Dr. Venugopal said, “Manipal Hospitals Whitefield is focused and committed to quality healthcare at par with International standards. This a great opportunity for me to leverage my expertise and experience to boost up Manipal Hospital’s endeavour in creating a patient-centric System” With Functional Neurosurgery getting more importance in the area of today’s  Neurosurgery, Dr. Venugopal’s academic contribution and interest in  research work on Stem cell Transplant for Parkinson’s disease, Deep Brain Stimulation and 3D printing technology for spinal deformity surgeries is an  added advantage which can aid patient’s seeking highest order of treatment in these respective disorders.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13295/sitaram-gupta-receives-csr-lifetime-achievement-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13295/sitaram-gupta-receives-csr-lifetime-achievement-award.html Fri, 05 Apr 2019 17:15:00 +0530 Mr. Sitaram Gupta, Executive Director, Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation (Lupin Foundation) is honored with the ‘India CSR Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the CSR Leadership Summit held at New Delhi, for his extraordinary contribution towards social development. Mr. Rusen Kumar, Founder and Managing Editor of India CSR Group, Mr. Rahul Roy, Actor, and Mr. Martin Neureiter, President & CEO, CSR Company International conferred the award in the presence of 300 CSR leaders. Mr. Gupta, an electrical engineer by profession, joined the Lupin Foundation in 1989 and started his journey to develop and uplift the rural sector. Under his dynamic leadership, Lupin Foundation has successfully created replicable development models to improve livelihoods at the rural and district levels. Rusen Kumar, Founder and Managing Editor of India CSR Group said, “The India CSR Lifetime Achievement Award is an acknowledgement of Sitaram Gupta’s contributions to the areas of corporate responsibility, social and sustainable development, and agriculture, enterprise development. We wish him happy and healthy life ahead to carry on with his mission to make positive contribution to the larger good.” Sitaram Gupta, Executive Director, Lupin Foundation on receiving the award said, “It is an honor to receive this prestigious award by India CSR. As organizations we have the power to aid people in need through our promising CSR practices. At Lupin Foundation, we have dedicated the past three decades to undertake holistic development of various districts and villages. We pledge to continue with our work and fulfill the vision of Dr. Desh Bandhu Gupta, Founder, Lupin Foundation.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13263/bio-rad-names-ilan-daskal-as-vp-and-cfo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13263/bio-rad-names-ilan-daskal-as-vp-and-cfo.html Wed, 03 Apr 2019 12:10:00 +0530 Bio-Rad Laboratories, a global leader of life science research and clinical diagnostic products, today announced the appointment of Ilan Daskal as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective April 6, 2019. Mr. Daskal comes to Bio-Rad from Lumileds, where he served as Chief Financial Officer. He has over 25 years of experience in senior financial roles and has held several CFO positions at both public and private companies that include International Rectifier Corporation and Infineon. Mr. Daskal holds a Masters in Finance degree from City University of New York and a BB in Accounting from Tel-Aviv College of Business in Israel. “Ilan brings a breadth of experience in finance, operations, IT, as well as mergers and acquisitions, all in a global setting," said Norman Schwartz, Bio-Rad President and CEO. "We believe he will make an excellent addition to Bio-Rad." Bio-Rad Laboratories is a global leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of innovative products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. With a focus on quality and customer service for over 65 years, our products advance the discovery process and improve healthcare. Our customers are university and research institutions, hospitals, public health and commercial laboratories, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, as well as applied laboratories that include food safety and environmental quality. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is based in Hercules, California, and has a global network of operations with more than 8,000 employees worldwide. Bio-Rad had revenues exceeding $2.2 billion in 2018. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13245/ipa-appoints-industry-veteran-sudarshan-jain-as-secretary-general.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13245/ipa-appoints-industry-veteran-sudarshan-jain-as-secretary-general.html Tue, 02 Apr 2019 09:00:00 +0530 The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) has announced appointment of industry veteran Sudarshan Jain as Secretary General of the group with effect from April 8, 2019. Mr. Jain has an experience of more than 40 years in the healthcare industry with leadership position in leading Indian and multinational companies. Formerly a Managing Director at Abbott Healthcare Solutions. Glenn Saldanha, President, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance said, “Over the years, IPA has played a pivotal role in placing Indian pharmaceutical companies on the global map and we are happy that now Mr. Sudarshan Jain will be deeply involved in the activities of the group. With his rich experience and vision, I believe he will effectively steer efforts of IPA in the areas of advocacy, knowledge sharing and best practices, and represent interests of Indian companies at national and international forums.” Sudarshan Jain said, "India occupies a place of pride and is rightly described as the pharmacy of the world. The pharmaceutical industry is at an exciting stage and there is opportunity for Indian companies to make a difference, both in access and innovation. IPA member companies have contributed significantly to the growth of Indian industry and I am glad to be associated with the group. IPA will continue to be a catalyst in shaping policy environment to unleash the potential of Indian industry in line with national priorities." He is currently member of the board of a number of companies in the healthcare space and also associated with leading educational institutions. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and St. Stephan’s College, New Delhi.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13237/lupin-appoints-christine-mundkur-as-an-independent-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13237/lupin-appoints-christine-mundkur-as-an-independent-director.html Mon, 01 Apr 2019 14:05:00 +0530 Lupin Limited has announced the appointment of Christine Mundkur as an Independent Director with immediate effect. Ms. Mundkur most recently served as Chief Executive Officer and Non-voting Chairman of the Board of Directors for Impopharma Inc, a developer of complex formulations focused on inhalation pharmaceutical products.  While at Impopharma, she led the transition of the company from a successful clinical research organization into a generic pharmaceutical inhalation development company. She also held leadership positions as President and Chief Executive Officer for North America for Sandoz, Inc.  Earlier, she served as Chief Executive Officer of Barr Laboratories, Inc. Ms. Mundkur started her career at Barr as quality and regulatory counsel. In addition, she served as a strategic advisor to clients on generics, 505(b)2, biosimilars and NDA business strategies. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for MannKind Corporation in the U.S. Commenting on the appointment, Vinita Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Lupin said, “We are delighted to welcome Ms. Mundkur to our Board.  Her extensive experience in the global pharma industry, significant knowledge in areas like inhalation, biosimilars and proprietary women’s health, and strong experience in operations and quality will be a great asset for Lupin.” Ms. Mundkur holds a J.D. from the St. Louis University School of Law and also received a B.S. degree in chemistry from St. Louis University. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13170/nathealth-announces-the-new-leadership-team-for-2019-20.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13170/nathealth-announces-the-new-leadership-team-for-2019-20.html Fri, 22 Mar 2019 17:30:00 +0530 India’s healthcare apex body NATHEALTH announced its new Leadership Team for the year 2019-20. Dr. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, Manipal Hospitals, Manipal Health Enterprises Pvt Ltd has been elected as the President of the federation.  He succeeds Mr. Daljit Singh, President, Fortis Healthcare Limited. Dr. Sudarshan Ballal thanked the outgoing President of NATHEALTH, Mr. Daljit Singh and warmly welcomed Mr. Rajit Mehta as Senior Vice President-NATHEALTH, along with the other members of the NATHEALTH Leadership Team – Ms. Preetha Reddy as Vice President-NATHEALTH, Dr. Badhri Iyengar as Secretary-NATHEALTH and Dr. Harsh Mahajan as Treasurer-NATHEALTH.  Mr. Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Secretary General, NATHEALTH will lead the federation with this team, towards its goal of creating a robust platform for long term growth and sustainability of India’s healthcare sector.  Speaking on emerging priorities President, NATHEALTH, Dr. Sudarshan Ballal said, “this has been a truly tumultuous year for healthcare and the events of this year will certainly shape the future of healthcare in India. The greatest and biggest news and development of 2018 is the rolling out of NHPM or Ayushman Bharat by the central government providing Rs.5 lakh coverage to about 500 million poorer sections of the society. Stringent governmental regulations, increased public and media attention on the cost of healthcare will substantially affect the delivery of healthcare in our country. The effect of demonetization, GST and capping of prices would further impact healthcare in a big way. The greatest challenge for the healthcare sector is to” deliver 1st world healthcare at 3rd world costs.”   Dr. Sudarshan Ballal is the recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious Rajyotsava Award by the Government of Karnataka 2005, the Namma Bengaluru Awards 2009, Dr. B. C. Roy award by the Government of Karnataka in 2010, the Trinity Vaidya Rathna Award Aryabhata International and the Teacher of Excellence Award by the National Board of Examination, New Delhi conferred for his distinguished contributions. Recently he was honoured with The Life-time Achievement Award 2018 – Presented by Bangalore Health Festival and was recognised as A legend In Nephrology by the Times Group for his continuous service and contribution in the field of Nephrology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13144/actinium-appoints-mamata-gokhale-as-vp-global-head-of-regulatory-affairs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13144/actinium-appoints-mamata-gokhale-as-vp-global-head-of-regulatory-affairs.html Wed, 20 Mar 2019 13:15:00 +0530 Actinium Pharmaceuticals announced the appointment of Mamata Gokhale, Ph.D., RAC as Vice President, Global Head of Regulatory Affairs. In this role, Dr. Gokhale will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive clinical regulatory strategy across Actinium's portfolio of ARC or Antibody Radiation-Conjugate product candidates for targeted conditioning. These include the pivotal Phase 3 trial for Actinium's lead candidate Iomab-B, therapeutic and combination trials of Actimab-A, as well as potential next-generation ARC's resulting from its AWE or Antibody Warhead Enabling technology platform. Dr. Gokhale brings over 20 years of regulatory affairs experience to Actinium that began at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or FDA as a reviewer before transitioning to industry where she worked at biotechnology and pharma companies including Amgen, Watson Pharma, Neumedicines Inc. and global Contract Research Organizations including Voisin Consulting Life Sciences and Paraxel International. At Amgen Dr. Gokhale successfully contributed to approvals and expansion of Prolia ®, Xgeva ®, Vectibix ® and Sensipar ®. Dr. Gokhale, said, "I am particularly excited that I will be able to apply my skills most immediately to Iomab-B given it is in a pivotal Phase 3 trial. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about ushering novel candidates to approvals and where possible by using regulatory strategy to affect a better development plan and/or label. Actinium's portfolio of ARC's can represent opportunities to apply my regulatory strategy in multiple ways by leveraging the extensive clinical history of the Iomab-B program in multiple hematologic indications. I am also excited to have the opportunity to impact development of the Iomab-ACT program, which represents an exciting opportunity in CAR-T and cell therapy, and also Actinium's combination trials." Familiarity with all phases of drug development allows Dr. Gokhale to align nonclinical and clinical development with regulatory strategies and implementing them at regional and global levels and seamlessly transition between INDs, NDAs/BLAs (United States) and CTAs/IMPDs, MAAs (EU). Dr. Gokhale's regulatory experience includes developing regulatory strategies for small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, cell and gene therapies, leading and managing regulatory interactions, requesting orphan drug, breakthrough therapy and fast track designations and pediatric vouchers, resolution of clinical hold issues, developing target product profiles, core data sheets and conducting labeling negotiations. Dr. Gokhale also has highly complementary and relevant clinical experience that includes developing study concept documents and protocols, interacting with Key Opinion Leaders and data safety monitoring committees, drafting and reviewing Protocols and Investigator Brochures, compiling and reviewing clinical study reports, project management, conducting study feasibility, evaluating budgets for clinical trials, pharmacovigilance and resolution of audit findings. Dr. Gokhale earned her Ph.D. from the University of Bombay (accredited in United States), trained as postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University (School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of public Health) and as a staff fellow at the FDA. Dr. Gokhale has the RAC certification from RAPS and Associate training in the ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System. Dr. Gokhale maintains academic ties with the University of Southern California by lecturing at its International Center for Regulatory Science. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13077/neeraj-bhargava-joins-medgenome-board-of-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13077/neeraj-bhargava-joins-medgenome-board-of-directors.html Tue, 12 Mar 2019 20:35:00 +0530 MedGenome, a genomics and clinical data driven diagnostics and drug discovery research company, announced that Neeraj Bhargava has joined their Board of Directors. Neeraj, an alumnus of St. Stephens, Delhi, is the founder, CEO and Senior Managing Director of Zodius Capital Advisors. Zodius is an early investor in MedGenome. Neeraj is passionate about building market-defining companies across industries that challenge the status-quo. Neeraj has a stellar career behind him that includes taking companies from launch to unicorn status. Prior to joining Zodius, he had co-founded and led multiple companies including WNS Global Services and eVentures India. Currently, Neeraj is an investor-operator and a board member at companies like BigBasket, Allygrow and Markets & Markets. Neeraj is also the CEO and Chairman of Rainshine Entertainment, a next-generation media and entertainment company. “Neeraj’s unique combination of entrepreneurial, consulting and operational experience, coupled with his unparalleled network across the globe, makes him an ideal mentor for MedGenome” said Sam Santhosh Founder and Chairman of MedGenome. “Genomics is set to redefine the way healthcare is accessed and delivered today. We look forward to Neeraj’s guidance as we embark on the next phase of our growth. ” “Genomics is an industry of the future and MedGenome is already a leader in the field. I am most impressed by MedGenome’s team and their scientific approach.  I look forward to working closely with them to drive their next phase of growth,” said Neeraj Bhargava. Earlier in his career, Neeraj was a partner at McKinsey & Company, where he worked at New York, London and Mumbai offices and led practices and client relationships in the technology sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13074/dr-r-v-ramani-awarded-padma-shri-by-the-govt-of-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13074/dr-r-v-ramani-awarded-padma-shri-by-the-govt-of-india-.html Tue, 12 Mar 2019 17:00:00 +0530 Sankara Eye Foundation India is honored to share that Dr. Ramanathan V Ramani, the Founder and Managing Trustee, has been awarded the prestigious “Padma Shri” from the Government of India in recognition of his work in the field of medical services. In 1977, Dr. R.V. Ramani set up Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Medical Centre, which later became Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Medical Trust, a Registered Public Charitable Trust in India. Through this Trust he established a network of 10 Super Specialty Eye Hospitals across 7 States of India with over 2200 beds for community eye care, which is one of the largest super speciality network eye hospitals in India. Sankara Eye Hospitals work on an 80:20 ratio, providing world class eye care with a social impact. 80 % of the beneficiaries are the underprivileged who receive completely free services, while the remaining 20% are the patients who can afford to pay for their treatment, thereby cross-subsidizing and enabling the hospital to be self-sustaining. Sankara Eye Hospitals have so far performed 1.8 million absolutely free eye surgeries, positively impacting beneficiaries’ health and livelihood. The rural outreach eye care programme, Gift of Vision, was initiated in 1990 which serves to the rural population in 92 districts across 7 states in India. Gift of Vision has so far conducted over 26,138 rural outreach camps, screened 4.8 million people and performed over 1.8 million free vision restoration surgeries. Rainbow, a preventive eye care programme for children started in the year 1996, has screened over 6 million school children for undetected visual defects and provided care – everything from spectacles to surgery – wherever required. Dr. R.V. Ramani is also the recipient of national and international awards including the Role Model of India Award, Lifetime Achievement Award from Kasturba Medical College, Heroes of Humanity Award from the Art of Living Foundation, and IAPB Regional Achievement Award. “National Award, a high recognition, which has come out of thorough due diligence and transparent evaluation will further encourage me and Team Sankara to reach greater heights and serve many more millions of needy people in our Motherland. It will also set an example for many other likeminded individuals and organisations to take up similar activities in their chosen field,” was Dr. R.V. Ramani’s initial reaction on being conferred the Padma Shri Award.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13063/deakin-university-felicitates-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-with-honorary-doctorate.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13063/deakin-university-felicitates-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-with-honorary-doctorate.html Mon, 11 Mar 2019 18:15:00 +0530 Deakin University, Australia has announced an Honorary Doctorate to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon Limited. She said, “The Deakin-Biocon scholarship aims to deliver integrative education in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics that will encourage the student to be a future innovator.” The Honorary Doctorate is to felicitate Ms. Mazumdar-Shaw's long spanning achievement in the field of health, science and technology. It celebrates how she has set an example for creating a strong narrative for women leadership in India and reiterates Deakin University's aim towards encouraging careers of the future. The university has also partnered with Biocon to give away one 100% scholarship for on-store studies at Deakin University, Australia in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) either at undergraduate or post-graduate level. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13062/qure-ai-taps-former-ge-healthcare-exec-as-chief-commercial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13062/qure-ai-taps-former-ge-healthcare-exec-as-chief-commercial-officer.html Mon, 11 Mar 2019 16:40:00 +0530 Qure.ai, a leading healthcare AI company, has announced that Chiranjiv Singh has joined the company's New York office as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Chiranjiv brings significant commercial expertise to Qure.ai and will lead Qure.ai's global expansion and adoption across the healthcare ecosystem. "Chiranjiv's track record of delivering growth in diverse geographies combined with his recent experience of leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to deliver improved patient outcomes, is aligned to Qure.ai's key objectives," said Prashant Warier, Co-Founder & CEO of Qure.ai. "Over the last 3 years, we have been on a mission to deploy our solutions in the emerging markets, including a strong focus on Tuberculosis, the leading infectious cause of mortality worldwide. Chiranjiv's global experience will help us reach new markets and drive adoption globally." Chiranjiv joins Qure.ai from GE Healthcare where he spent 13 years in marketing and sales roles including his last role as the Chief Marketing Officer at GE Healthcare's X-Ray division, where he led global marketing and commercial strategy for the business. "I'm proud to join a team that has recently published its 5th peer reviewed journal publication in the last year, including the first AI publication in The Lancet. The data science teams from Qure.ai have also presented more than 20 scientific abstracts at leading Radiology conferences such as RSNA and ECR. While there are many companies building algorithms, the fact that we are one of the few AI healthcare companies that is backing up the technology with both academic and industry validations is proof of the quality of our solutions," said Chiranjiv Singh, Chief Commercial Officer, Qure.ai. "I see a huge opportunity for market creation and growth by understanding clinical needs and embedding Qure.ai solutions into user workflows to deliver maximum impact. I'm excited to be part of this journey to deliver value to patients and our healthcare system." Qure.ai's current solution portfolio consists of a CE-certified chest X-ray solution, qXR that can identify and localize 18+ abnormal findings on a chest X-ray. qXR is now being used at 40+ sites globally, impacting 1000s of lives on a daily basis. Another solution, qER enables automated interpretation of 12+ critical findings on a head CT scan, helping prioritize the most critical cases for read by a radiologist. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13045/who-moves-dr-soumya-swaminathan-to-chief-scientist-position.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13045/who-moves-dr-soumya-swaminathan-to-chief-scientist-position.html Mon, 11 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Dr Soumya Swaminathan, most recently appointed as World Health Organisation's Deputy Director-General for Programmes has been moved to the position of Chief Scientist heading the division created to strengthen the organisation’s core scientific work and ensure the quality and consistency of its norms and standards. A paediatrician from India and a globally recognized researcher on tuberculosis and HIV, she brings with her 30 years of experience in clinical care and research and has worked throughout her career to translate research into impactful programmes. Dr Soumya was Secretary of the Department of Health Research and Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research. From 2009 to 2011, she also served as Coordinator of the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases in Geneva.  She has sat on several WHO and global advisory bodies and committees, including the WHO Expert Panel to Review Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property, the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group of the Global TB Department at WHO, and as Co-Chair of the Lancet Commission on TB. She received her academic training in India, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America, and has published more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13005/glenmark-appoints-alessandro-riva-as-ceo-of-its-new-innovation-company.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/13005/glenmark-appoints-alessandro-riva-as-ceo-of-its-new-innovation-company.html Wed, 06 Mar 2019 11:55:00 +0530 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has announced that Alessandro Riva, MD, will join its new innovation company as Chief Executive Officer. Alessandro is currently Executive Vice President, Oncology Therapeutics and Cell Therapy for Gilead Sciences. The appointment is effective April 2, 2019. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals announced on February 14, 2019, the in-principle approval from its Board of Directors to spin off the innovation business into a new company headquartered in the US. The new company will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glenmark and will operate with Alessandro Riva as the CEO, a management team and an independent Board of Directors. Glenn Saldanha, Chairman & Managing Director, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said, “We are pleased that Alessandro will assume the role of CEO of the new innovation business. His extensive and diverse industry experience leading global R&D will no doubt be invaluable in driving our pipeline towards commercialization. We are excited for this major step as a company and are confident Alessandro’s talent and leadership will shape the innovation business into a major global biotech company.” Alessandro is with Gilead Sciences, where he is the Executive Vice President, Head of Oncology Therapeutics and Head of Cell Therapy. As part of the Gilead senior leadership team and executive committee member, he is responsible for leading the oncology R&D program and support functions, defining the strategic direction for the oncology therapeutic unit. In addition, he plays a critical role in key corporate initiatives including strategic acquisition, partnering and business development. Prior to joining Gilead, Alessandro spent 12 years with Novartis where he was the Executive Vice President and Head of Global Oncology Development and Medical Affairs in the Oncology Business Unit, managing a global group of more than 2,500 associates. He also served as Interim President of the Novartis Oncology Business Unit during the acquisition of GSK Oncology. Prior to his time at Novartis, Alessandro held leadership roles with Rhône-Poulenc Rorer and Aventis, France. “I’m excited to join a company so committed to driving business through entrepreneurial innovation. The novel technology and diverse pipeline, which includes clinical-stage candidates on track to progress rapidly, has the potential to differentiate in areas of unmet need,” said Alessandro Riva. “I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to lead the company and work together with highly experienced teams to deliver first-in-class therapies to the patients who need them the most.” The new innovation company will be headquartered in Paramus, New Jersey. Global locations include two R&D centers in Switzerland, the R&D center at Mahape, Navi Mumbai, India, and the GMP biologics manufacturing facility in Switzerland. The new company will include approximately 400 employees working to provide an enhanced focus on the innovation business and help accelerate the pipeline towards commercialization. The current pipeline has eight assets, including new chemical entities (NCEs) and new biological entities (NBEs), in various stages of development in the areas of immunology, oncology and pain management. The pipeline includes an immuno-oncology pipeline with three bispecific antibodies developed through Glenmark’s proprietary BEAT® (Bispecific Engagement by Antibodies based on the T cell receptor) platform. Of the five clinical and three preclinical assets in development, three clinical assets are currently in Phase 2b, and one asset is likely to enter Phase 2b in FY20. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12994/life-biosciences-appoints-dr-mehmood-khan-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12994/life-biosciences-appoints-dr-mehmood-khan-as-ceo.html Tue, 05 Mar 2019 11:35:00 +0530 Life Biosciences Inc. has announced Dr. Mehmood Khan, former PepsiCo Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer, is incoming Chief Executive Officer and member of its board of directors. Dr. Khan will lead the Boston-based biotech company, which has raised more than $75 million to pursue the eight pathways of age-related decline (ARD). In his prior role with PepsiCo, a company which generated more than $64 billion in revenue in 2018, Dr. Khan led research and development efforts and oversaw PepsiCo's global sustainability initiatives. He was challenged to create breakthrough innovations across the food and beverages category, including helping to drive growth for its nutritious offerings across the portfolio. "Tristan and David have done a remarkable job establishing Life Biosciences as the leader in the longevity space," said Khan. "Under their guidance, the company has grown tremendously and has already made much progress in tackling the issues of age-related decline. I'm excited to now work beside them in this next phase, continuing to grow and advance Life Biosciences." Prior to joining PepsiCo, Dr. Khan was President of Takeda Global Research & Development Center, overseeing Takeda's worldwide R&D efforts. Before this, he was a faculty member at the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Medical School where he served as Director of the Diabetes, Endocrine and Nutritional Trials Unit in the endocrinology division. Dr. Khan also spent nine years leading programs in diabetes, endocrinology, metabolism and nutrition for the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12978/biocon-appoints-dr-christiane-hamacher-as-ceo-biocon-biologics-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12978/biocon-appoints-dr-christiane-hamacher-as-ceo-biocon-biologics-india.html Mon, 04 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Biocon Ltd, Asia’s premier biopharmaceuticals company, has announced that Dr. Christiane Hamacher has been appointed as CEO of Biocon Biologics India Ltd. effective March 1, 2019. Dr. Hamacher comes with more than 20 years of leadership experience in both strategic and operational roles across the value chain in global pharma, spanning Asia, Europe and the U.S. She has been with Roche, Basel, Switzerland since 2007 and prior to that spent 10 years at Schering AG, Berlin, Germany. Ms Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson & Managing Director, Biocon, said: “I am delighted to welcome Christiane Hamacher as CEO of Biocon Biologics India Ltd. Christiane joins us at a critical inflexion point in the business as we build our stature in the large and growing opportunity for biosimilar biologics. I am confident that she will successfully lead the company to become a major global player in the near future. Being a woman leader, I believe she also brings a diversity perspective which is integral to our leadership journey.” Dr. Hamacher is an accomplished international C-suite executive with a passion for setting the corporate vision, defining and implementing future-driven strategy and growing businesses through entrepreneurial innovation and patient-centricity. She has robust experience in steering complex, global matrix organizations, quickly building strong, trusting relationships to enable achievement of top-level results. During her long career in the pharmaceutical industry, she has built expertise in the areas of oncology, virology, CNS, cardiovascular, gynaecology, diagnostics, dermatology, rheumatology and rare diseases. She holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology (Oncology) from the University Clinic Bergmannsheil / University of Bochum, Germany. She also studied Economics at the University of Hagen, Germany. Biocon Biologics India Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Biocon Ltd. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12907/ipa-founder-dg-shah-passes-away.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12907/ipa-founder-dg-shah-passes-away.html Fri, 22 Feb 2019 16:55:00 +0530 Dilip Girdharlal Shah, founder of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), passed away in Mumbai recently. Shah served as the Chief Executive Officer and Proprietor of Vision Consulting Group. He also served as a Member of Generics Consultative Group at The World Bank. He had 42 years of varied experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He had been in the pharmaceutical industry since 1967. He set up Vision Consulting Group at Mumbai to work in the areas of Public Policy, Strategic Planning and Entry Planning. Shah served as the Commercial Director at Pfizer Limited until August 1997. He was an Editor, Asia and India, Journal of Generics Medicines, UK. He had been an Independent Non-Executive Director at Anuh Pharma Ltd. since October 30, 2007. He had been a Non-Executive Independent Director of Fresenius Kabi Oncology Limited (formerly Dabur Pharma Limited) since August 11, 2008. He served as a Member of the Advisory Panel for the Business Briefing of PharmaGenerics UK. He also served as an Additional Director of Lyka Labs Ltd. from July 2008 to April 21, 2009. He represented the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry at several International meetings and conferences. He was a guest faculty for Management Development Programmes at Indian Institute of Management (MM), Ahmedabad. He was the Author of the First Book on Drug Pricing in India. Glenn Saldanha, President, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, on the demise of DG Shah said, “I am deeply saddened with the sudden demise of DG. Shah. It is a great loss to the entire pharmaceutical industry and his contributions in the areas of advocacy, strategic planning, advisory and knowledge sharing have been invaluable. During his era, we have seen the Indian pharmaceutical industry emerge as a global leader and he has played a significant role in that area. On behalf of IPA, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family in this time of grief and may his soul rest in peace.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12774/kiran-mazumdar-shaw-inducted-to-the-national-academy-of-engineering.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12774/kiran-mazumdar-shaw-inducted-to-the-national-academy-of-engineering.html Fri, 08 Feb 2019 13:10:00 +0530 Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson and Managing Director, Biocon Ltd has been elected as a member of the prestigious U.S.-based National Academy of Engineering (NAE) for her contribution to the development of affordable biopharmaceuticals and the biotechnology industry in India. She is the first woman from India to get this prestigious global honour. Election to the NAE is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice, or education, and to the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education. The NAE elected 86 new members and 18 foreign members to its 2019 class. Individuals in the newly elected class will be formally inducted during a ceremony at the NAE's annual meeting in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 6, 2019.  Commenting on her election, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said: “This is a huge honour. I am humbled to be elected to an institution that provides the leadership and expertise for numerous projects focused on the relationships between engineering, technology, and the quality of life. Science and Technology are fundamental to solving some of the biggest challenges facing the world today and the NAE is playing a pivotal role in encouraging the kind of research and innovation that can make a global impact by pushing the boundaries of science and engineering.” Mazumdar-Shaw is a well-regarded global influencer and has been named among TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.  Her pioneering efforts in biotechnology have drawn global recognition for both the Indian industry and Biocon, Asia’s premier biopharmaceutical company. She was elected full-term member of the Board of Trustees of the MIT, U.S. in 2018. She has been given the AWSM Award for Excellence in 2017 by the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and the Chemical Heritage Foundation conferred her with the Othmer Gold Medal in 2014.  She has received the highest French distinction, Knight of the Legion of Honour, in 2016 and the Global Economy Prize for Business in 2014 from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Germany, for her outstanding contribution and dedication to the biosciences and research field globally.  She is the proud recipient of India’s two highest civilian honours - Padma Shri in 1989 and Padma Bhushan in 2005. She has featured in the Forbes’ list of ‘World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’; Scientific American’s ‘The Worldview 100 List’ of most influential visionaries; and Fortune’s ‘Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Asia-Pacific’. She was ranked No. 1 in the Business Captains category in the Medicine Maker Power List 2018, an index of the 100 most influential people across the globe in the field of medicine.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12778/dr-raju-vaishya-bestowed-with-distinguished-researcher-ward.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12778/dr-raju-vaishya-bestowed-with-distinguished-researcher-ward.html Fri, 08 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Renowned Orthopaedic Surgeon and medical researcher Dr. (Prof.) Raju Vaishya was conferred the ‘Distinguished Researcher Ward’, which is one of the most prestigious Awards of Apollo group of Hospitals, by its Chairman, Dr. Prathap C. Reddy. The award along with a citation was given to him during a glorious function, on the occasion of Founders Day of Apollo Hospitals this week at Madras University Auditorium, Chennai. The function was attended by a large number of distinguished guests, doctors and healthcare professionals. After receiving the award, Prof. (Dr.) Raju Vaishya said, “I am thrilled to receive this recognition. However, this award is not for me as an individual. The award is for my team. Let us continue tirelessly, sparing no effort, in providing best healthcare service to our patients.” Dr. Vaishya is one of the most prolific and well known researcher in the Orthopaedic community of India. He has more than 300 publications to his credit, in the various reputed International and National journals and have also authored many books and chapters. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the reputed Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma. In addition, he is also on the Editorial board and Reviewer of several other well- known medical journals. He has received the best paper publication awards of Delhi Orthopaedic Association and Apollo Hospitals, on several occasions. He is also credited publishing maximum number of 58 articles in one year in 2015. Some of his published research work have the biggest case series, in the world. For his excellent and rare clinical cases, he has featured four times in the Limca book of records. Dr Vaishya is also the recipient of several other distinguished awards like Dr. B.C. Roy Oration Award and Gold medal, Siemens-GAPIO innovation award in Medicine, Pride of Asia International Award, Vijaya Raje Scindia Excellence award, Professor’s gold medal for the best research at Oswestry, University of Birmingham, UK and the Best Researcher IRJULA title awards.  The world famous Royal College of Surgeons of England had also conferred him FRCS. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12720/sls-appoints-harish-natarajan-as-new-president-and-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12720/sls-appoints-harish-natarajan-as-new-president-and-coo.html Mon, 04 Feb 2019 17:55:00 +0530 Strand Life Sciences (SLS), a clinical diagnostics company and a leader in precision medicine in India, has announced the appointment of Harish Natarajan as President (Clinical Diagnostics Business) and Chief Operating Officer with effect from 21st December 2018. Harish brings to Strand Life Sciences, a wealth of leadership experience that spans multiple healthcare assignments across India and South East Asia. Over his 28 years in the field, he has spent 15 years in healthcare and 12 years as CEO of organisations such as Baxter, Bausch and Lomb and HCL Healthcare. He is passionate about creating a proactive healthcare system that is rooted in wellness, early detection and primary care. Early diagnosis is critical to an effective cure and as the new COO at the helm of Strand Life Sciences, Harish is committed to the company’s motto of new generation healthcare with diagnostic reports that matter. Dr. Ramesh Hariharan, PhD, FASc, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Strand Life Sciences quoted, “Strand Life Sciences is now an end-to-end diagnostics player in India, offering solutions in advanced Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) diagnostics; specialised diagnostics for Oncology, women's health and infectious diseases, data analytics-based wellness predictions and the entire range of routine tests. Our geographical reach now spans most major Indian cities, and with Harish at the helm, our strong R&D and data sciences teams will continue to drive innovative growth as well as partnerships with major international players like Quest”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12715/first-indian-credentialed-as-hiv-specialist-from-aahivm-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12715/first-indian-credentialed-as-hiv-specialist-from-aahivm-.html Mon, 04 Feb 2019 13:10:00 +0530 Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan becomes the first Indian to be credentialed as HIV Specialist from American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM) Washington, USA. Speaking of his achievement, Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan, PhD in Medicine by Research in HIV Medicine said, “The topic of HIV started to enthral me when I was in my 3rd year MBBS. Back then, our teachers used to organize seminars on HIV AIDS with limited access to information as there was no search engine like we have today. I was curious to know more on the subject matter. With avid interest, my knowledge of the subject grew but the challenge was to find an institution facilitating specialization in the subject. It was a blessing when the re-owned school of Tropical Medicine Kolkata started fellowship in HIV medicine in 2006.Although, it was very tough to get through, I got selected. After completing my fellowship, I started looking for an option to do PH.D in HIV medicine but as far as my knowledge goes, in India, none of the reputed universities offered the same.” “After completing MBBS, MPH, MMSc (HIV Medicine), PhD and Fellowship (HIV Medicine) by Research from The University of Central Nicaragua (UCN) in academic guidance and affiliation with Texila American University, I was credentialed as an HIV Specialist from American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM), Washington, USA”, he added. He also said, “There were many challenges I had faced during my academic journey one of them was monetary support which was taken care of by TAU as they helped me with scholarship to support my studies. Next challenge was the social stigma attached to HIV. Patients were scared to be a part of my research that I had to do as a part of my thesis for PhD. Between the window period of 2007(fellowship) to 2017(PhD), I tried to cover almost everything related to HIV medicine, be it physical, social, programmatic, research, clinical and testing and in the process I completed Master in sociology, psychology, counselling, clinical research, biochemistry &AAHIVS. I am proud to say that I am the only PhD in HIV medicine in the country and Texila American University has played a pivotal role in this.” It came as a breakthrough for Dr. Matin when he came to know about an overseas institution that was offering specialization in his subject of interest. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12708/marc-kikuchi-to-lead-dr-reddys-generics-biz-in-north-america.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12708/marc-kikuchi-to-lead-dr-reddys-generics-biz-in-north-america.html Mon, 04 Feb 2019 12:20:00 +0530 Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, along with its subsidiaries together referred to as Dr. Reddy’s has announced the appointment of Marc Kikuchi as Chief Executive Officer, North America Generics. As part of the Dr. Reddy’s senior leadership team, he will be responsible for the Company’s North America Generics business and will be based in Princeton office, U.S. Marc has more than 20 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry with extensive knowledge and understanding of Generics. Marc joins Dr. Reddy’s from Zydus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. where he served as CEO, Americas since 2016. Prior to joining Zydus, he held professional leadership roles of increasing responsibility with AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Medrad Inc., PRTM, Johnson & Johnson and Incyte Pharmaceuticals. Marc holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular and Cell Biology with a Biochemistry emphasis from the University of California at Berkeley and Master of Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University in Strategy, Marketing, and Operations Management. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12665/histogen-appoints-richard-pascoe-as-chairman-and-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12665/histogen-appoints-richard-pascoe-as-chairman-and-ceo.html Wed, 30 Jan 2019 11:15:00 +0530 Histogen, a regenerative medicine company focused on stimulating the body's stem cells to regenerate tissues and restore youthful function, has announced that the Company's Board of Directors has appointed Richard Pascoe as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer. He will lead the Company through its next stages of clinical, corporate development and financial growth. "Histogen has a compelling story, both in its platform technology and in its product opportunities, and we are on the cusp of developments that point to an exciting year ahead," said Pascoe. "I'm very pleased to join Histogen at this pivotal time, and I look forward to spreading its story to a broader audience as we look to drive value through focused clinical development and business development activities in 2019." Mr. Pascoe brings a strong track record with over 25 years of experience building and leading organizations in transition. He has previously been responsible for raising over $250 million in equity capital, closing business development transactions valued at over $2 billion, and launching prescription therapeutics in the U.S. generating net sales of over $1 billion across multiple therapeutic categories. Most recently, he served as CEO of Apricus Biosciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused in urology and rheumatology, where he led European regulatory approval efforts and the sale of the ex-US rights for its lead asset Vitaros in 2017 and more recently completing a successful merger with Seelos Therapeutics. "As we look to the key milestones anticipated in 2019, including upcoming data from the clinical trial of HSC660 in female hair loss, the timing is ripe for leadership that will drive Histogen's technology to the next level and maximize its value to our partners and shareholders," said Dr. Stephen Chang, former Chairman. "The Board identified a great fit for this task in Richard Pascoe, and we are excited to welcome him as CEO and Chairman. I look forward to working with him as I continue to serve as a member of the Histogen board." Prior to Apricus, Mr. Pascoe was President and CEO of Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he was responsible for the FDA approval of Somaxon's lead drug Silenor and the merger of Somaxon and Pernix Therapeutics in 2013. Previously, he served as CCO and later COO of ARIAD, where he led the close of key international partnerships and was instrumental in two successful financings. Additional positions held by Mr. Pascoe include a series of senior management roles at King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (acquired by Pfizer Inc.), and commercial positions at Medco Research, Inc. (acquired by King), COR Therapeutics, Inc. (acquired by Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc., the Takeda Oncology Company), B. Braun Interventional and The BOC Group. Mr. Pascoe is a member of the board of directors of two public life sciences companies; KemPharm, Inc., and Seelos Therapeutics. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of Biocom, California's leading life science advocacy organization, and the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, a charity for military veterans. Mr. Pascoe served as a Commissioned Officer with the U.S. Army 24th Infantry Division where he earned a Bronze Star Medal during Operation Desert Storm. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point where he received a B.S. degree in Leadership. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12620/who-employs-directors-for-western-pacific-and-southeast-asia-regions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12620/who-employs-directors-for-western-pacific-and-southeast-asia-regions.html Mon, 28 Jan 2019 11:00:00 +0530 The WHO has appointed Dr Takeshi Kasai as Regional Director for WHO’s Western Pacific Region, and re-appointed Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh for a second term as Regional Director for WHO’s Southeast Asia Region. New Regional Director for Western Pacific (WPRO) Dr Kasai said he plans to build on the decade of leadership and legacy of the outgoing Regional Director. He is a Japanese national, has worked for WHO for more than 15 years. As Director of Programme Management for the last 4 years, he served as deputy to the Regional Director. Prior to this, Dr. Kasai was instrumental in developing and implementing the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies, which guides the Member States to improve readiness and response in public health emergencies. Dr Kasai also served as the WHO Representative in Viet Nam from 2012 to 2014. A physician by training, his career in public health began nearly 30 years ago, when he was assigned to a post on the remote northeast coast of Japan, where he saw first-hand the value of building strong health systems from the ground up.  Re-election of the Regional Director for South-East Asia (SEARO) “It is a privilege to once again be appointed as Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region. The confidence you have reposed in me is humbling,” said Dr Khetrapal Singh, whose first term as Regional Director was marked by numerous initiatives and public health achievements.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12619/dr-poonam-khetrapal-singh-appointed-as-regional-director-who-se-asia-for-second-term.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12619/dr-poonam-khetrapal-singh-appointed-as-regional-director-who-se-asia-for-second-term.html Mon, 28 Jan 2019 10:40:00 +0530 Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has been appointed Regional Director for World Health Organization South-East Asia, for a second five-year term. The WHO Executive Board yesterday unanimously endorsed Dr Khetrapal Singh, who was earlier also unanimously nominated by 11 Member countries of the Region for another five years. Congratulating her, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said, “the first woman to become Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region, you have provided dynamic leadership in a Region that accounts for a quarter of the world’s population but a disproportionate burden of diseases. Under your leadership, the Region has made remarkable progress.” In her acceptance speech, Dr Khetrapal Singh said, “it is a privilege to once again be appointed as Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region. The confidence you have reposed in me is humbling.” Outlining her vision for the second term that begins on 1 February 2019, Dr Khetrapal Singh, said sustaining the gains, accelerating progress to finish the unfinished agenda and innovating, would be the approach to ensure health and wellbeing of the 1.8 billion people across the Region. In her first term Dr Khetrapal Singh, focused on building an increasingly responsive and accountable WHO in the Region, while prioritizing persisting and emerging epidemiological and demographic challenges; promoting universal health coverage and building robust health systems; strengthening emergency risk management and articulating a strong regional voice in global health agenda.  She identified eight flagship priority programmes, focusing on results and accountability, which are cascading into sustainable and result-oriented efforts. From vision to results In the last five years, inclusive, sustainable and quantifiable gains have been made in the Region and are accelerating in pace every year.Certified polio-free in 2014, WHO South-East Asia became the second WHO Region to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus in 2015. Four countries eliminated measles and six controlled rubella. Maternal and under-five deaths reduced significantly. Thailand became the first in Asia-Pacific and the first with a large HIV epidemic—to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. Maldives and Sri Lanka were certified malaria free. Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand eliminated lymphatic filariasis, India was declared yaws-free and Nepal trachoma-free. For universal health coverage, access to safe, high-quality medicine is being enhanced through the South-East Asia Regulatory Network established in 2016. Countries have developed multi-sectoral action plans for a whole-of-society approach to reverse non-communicable diseases. Prone to natural disasters, the Region’s investment in strengthening emergency risk management is evident from the responses to the Nepal earthquake, the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, cyclones, floods and earthquakes. There is a strong political commitment to end TB by 2030. Despite progress we have challenges; some permanent, some programmatic, some epidemiological and some transient, said Dr Khetrapal Singh. Sustain, accelerate and innovate Detailing her vision for her next term in her acceptance speech at the Executive Board, Dr Khetrapal Singh said, “We must sustain the gains we made. It means ensuring we hold fast to our progress in diseases elimination, which history shows can return with a vengeance if attention falters, and ensuring that there is no room for complacency”. “We must accelerate sustainable progress,” she said. Her eight regional flagship priority programmes are aligned to WHO’s global goals and health targets for Sustainable Development Goal 3. “We must innovate”, Dr Khetrapal Singh said, adding innovation means taking advantage of the existing opportunities, being agile in applying research findings and developing new policies to meet the challenges we face. “Ending TB will be difficult unless we develop and apply rapid diagnostics, which test and diagnose large populations in a short time. Likewise, we cannot hope to eradicate key neglected tropical diseases which largely affect the poor unless we can create and implement policies that address the needs of specific communities in specific areas,” she said. The Regional Director said there is a robust commitment to leave no one behind. WHO’s ‘triple billion’ targets, the Sustainable Development Goal 3 and the efforts to achieve universal health coverage focus on equitable access and equity. “I have confidence that together we will sustain our gains, accelerate progress and harness the full power of innovation to advance health and well-being across the WHO South-East Asia Region,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12566/srikant-ramaswami-to-join-caris-life-sciences-as-vp-cco.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12566/srikant-ramaswami-to-join-caris-life-sciences-as-vp-cco.html Tue, 22 Jan 2019 21:50:00 +0530 Caris Life Sciences, a leading innovator in molecular science focused on fulfilling the promise of precision medicine, has announced that Srikant (Sri) Ramaswami, has joined the company as Vice President and Chief Communications Officer (CCO). Ramaswami brings to Caris more than two decades of healthcare communications experience, and has held roles of increasing importance at Merck & Co., Inc., Pfizer Inc. and Johnson & Johnson. While at Johnson & Johnson, Ramaswami led the company's pharmaceutical communications efforts in China and later served as Vice President for Asia Pacific at Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices. "We are delighted that Sri has joined Caris and believe that his breadth and depth of experience in healthcare will be of great benefit to us," said Michael Sullivan, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Caris Life Sciences. "His strong communication skills coupled with his passion for healthcare and successful patient outcomes will enable us to effectively share the Caris story with key influencers." Ramaswami joins Caris from rbb Communications where he was most recently Executive Vice President for healthcare. He began his career at Dow Jones & Co., Inc. and received his J.D. and M.S. degrees from the University at Buffalo School of Law and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, respectively.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12545/dr-soumya-swaminathan-to-receive-genome-valley-excellence-award-at-bioasia-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12545/dr-soumya-swaminathan-to-receive-genome-valley-excellence-award-at-bioasia-2019.html Mon, 21 Jan 2019 12:15:00 +0530 BioAsia, the annual global life sciences confluence hosted by the Government of Telangana, has announced that the prestigious Genome Valley Excellence Award for the 16th Edition the event will be conferred upon Dr. Don W. Cleveland of the University of California and Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Deputy Director General of Programmes, World Health Organization (WHO). The award to Dr. Cleveland recognizes his pioneering work in cancer genetics. He is also the winner of Breakthrough Prize for Life Sciences 2018, which is regarded as the “Oscar of Science”. Dr. Swaminathan, who is the first Indian to be appointed to the second highest position in the World Health Organization, is acknowledged for her excellence in Biomedical research. The awards will be presented during the inauguration ceremony of BioAsia 2019, which is scheduled to begin from February 25, 2019 at HICC, Hyderabad. Dr. Soumya Swaminathan is the first Indian to be appointed to the second highest position in the World Health Organization. Globally acclaimed for her research in tuberculosis, she served as the director of the National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai. Further, she was a part of several global advisory bodies and committees, which include the WHO expert panel to review global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property, the strategic and technical advisory group of the global TB department at the WHO. In recognition of her expertise, she served as the co-chair of the Lancet Commission on TB. Further, she has served as the Secretary of the Department of Health Research for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in the past. She has over 250 peer-reviewed publications and several distinguished awards to her credit. The Genome Valley Excellence Award was instituted in 2004 to recognize ‘transformative advances toward biomedical research and facilitating improvement in human life.’ The winners are chosen by an International Advisory Board of BioAsia consisting of eminent personalities from the life sciences sector including Dr. Ajit Shetty, Chairman Emeritus, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Belgium and Corporate Vice President Global Operations, Johnson & Johnson USA (retd.), Dr. Robert Naismith, Chairman, JUJAMA, Inc., USA and Dr. Makarand S Jawadekar, Former Director, Pfizer, USA among others. The awardees shall participate in the discussions at BioAsia 2019, which will conclude on February 27, 2019. This year, there is an increased focus on amalgamation of technology and Life sciences and how it can be leveraged to improve patient outcomes at reduced costs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12515/agilent-to-bring-mala-anand-on-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12515/agilent-to-bring-mala-anand-on-board.html Thu, 17 Jan 2019 10:35:00 +0530 Agilent Technologies, Inc. has recently announced that Mala Anand, president, Intelligent Enterprise Solutions and Industries has been elected to its board of directors, effective March 20, 2019. Mala serves as President, Intelligent Enterprise Solutions and Industries at SAP since October 2016. Prior to that, she served as the Senior Vice President, Data & Analytics and Automation Software Platform group at Cisco Systems, Inc. from 2007 to 2016. She has over 20 years of experience leading products and go-to-market for enterprise-focused software companies. Mala has deep expertise in data analytics and automation platforms (real-time analytics, machine-learning, cloud platforms and distributed computing). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12473/take-solutions-strengthens-leadership-team.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12473/take-solutions-strengthens-leadership-team.html Fri, 11 Jan 2019 11:35:00 +0530 TAKE Solutions has announced the appointment of Dr Steve Galen as the Global Head of Clinical at Navitas Life Sciences, a TAKE Solutions Enterprise. He will be based out of Princeton, NJ. Steve has over 20 years of pharmaceutical and CRO industry experience. He has held key strategic and leadership roles in Covance, PRA, InVentiv Health and Syneos Health. Steve has been instrumental in scaling global businesses, leading successful tech-enabled clinical operations and has a strong track record of operations leadership, project management, technology and innovation in global roles. Steve holds a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Drexel University, Pennsylvania. Commenting on the appointment, Srinivasan H R, Vice Chairman and Managing Director TAKE Solutions said, “We are happy to welcome Steve Galen, Global Head of Clinical to our TAKE team. Steve’s in-depth pharmaceutical industry experience and thought leadership in the Clinical space will further enhance our well-established market presence as we further widen our global footprint.” Ram Yeleswarapu, President and CEO, TAKE Solutions said, “Steve Galen is an accomplished pharma Senior Leader with an impressive track record in project management, clinical operations as well as global study start up experience in major pharmaceutical companies and CROs. His expertise in heading innovation and leading successful tech-enabled clinical operations projects is vital as TAKE spearheads on its 2021 growth strategy. On behalf of the board, I welcome him to the company.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12447/dr-partap-chauhan-earns-indias-most-admired-leader-in-healthcare-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12447/dr-partap-chauhan-earns-indias-most-admired-leader-in-healthcare-award.html Tue, 08 Jan 2019 18:20:00 +0530 Ayurvedacharya, Dr Partap Chauhan, and Jiva Ayurveda, has been honoured with a few awards for nearly three decades of work to revive the Vedic Indian science of healing and well-being and taking Ayurveda to every household. At the Indian Healthcare Summit, Jiva Ayurveda was honoured with India’s Most Admired Ayurveda clinic and Dr. Partap Chauhan as India’s Most Admired Leader in Healthcare. Over fifty healthcare brands from different regions of India across various categories and their leaders were felicitated for their notable distinctions and leadership.  In a separate event, Dr Partap Chauhan, Director, Jiva Ayurveda received The Sankalp Se Siddhi Award. The award was initiated on former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 94th birth anniversary, to recall his thoughts and values through recognition of exceptional achievements among industry and social leaders.  On receiving the awards, Dr Partap Chauhan, Director Jiva Ayurveda, said: “I am honoured to receive the awards bestowed on Jiva. We have crossed significant milestones in 2018.  We launched Ayunique™ treatment protocols for more precise, personalized care for our patients, we made it easy for everyone to be Ayurvedic on-the-go with our Jiva Health App. We are also constantly working with leading research institutes to document and universalize Ayurveda. The recognitions embolden our mission of taking high quality, authentic Ayurveda to every home.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12394/dr-gaurav-laroia-appointed-as-gm-for-roche-diabetes-care-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12394/dr-gaurav-laroia-appointed-as-gm-for-roche-diabetes-care-india.html Wed, 02 Jan 2019 13:00:00 +0530 Roche Diabetes Care India, a pioneer in the development of blood glucose monitoring systems, and a global leader for diabetes management systems and services, announced the appointment of Dr. Gaurav Laroia as General Manager for its India operations. He assumes his new role with effect from 01st January, 2019. Gaurav will report to Pedro Goncalves, Head of Roche Diabetes Care Asia Pacific and will be a member of the Roche Diabetes Care Asia Pacific Leadership Team. He relocates to Mumbai from his current role as Head of Program Management Office (PMO) APAC in Singapore. Gaurav has more than 18 years of experience in commercial operations, business development, and management consulting in healthcare-related multinational organisations in India, Singapore and the USA. He holds a Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Biology from New York University School of Medicine, USA and a Masters in Genetics from the University of Cambridge, UK. Dr. Gaurav Laroia, GM, Roche Diabetes Care India, said, “I am excited to be heading the India entity of Roche Diabetes Care. This role that comes with great responsibility towards patient care and I look forward to driving the development of integrated diabetes management solutions. Roche persistently endeavours to improve the quality of life and provide cohesive solutions for people with diabetes and I am privileged to be part of this journey. India is a very important market for Roche and our aspiration in the near future will be to be India’s topmost integrated diabetes solutions provider, touching millions of lives who need smart solutions for diabetes.” About Roche Diabetes Care Roche Diabetes Care is pioneering innovative diabetes technologies and services for more than 40 years. Being a global leader in integrated diabetes management, more than 5,000 employees in over 100 markets worldwide work every day to support people with diabetes and those at risk to achieve more time in their target range and experience true relief from the daily therapy routines. Roche Diabetes Care collaborates with caregivers, healthcare providers and payers to optimally manage this complex condition and contribute to sustainable care structures. Under the brand Accu-Chek and in collaboration with partners, Roche Diabetes Care creates value by providing integrated solutions to monitor glucose levels, deliver insulin and track as well as contextualize relevant data points for a successful therapy. By establishing a leading open ecosystem, connecting devices, digital solutions, Roche Diabetes Care will enable optimal personalised diabetes management and thus improve therapy outcomes. Since 2017, mySugr with its world-leading mobile diabetes management app and services is part of Roche Diabetes Care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12385/shirish-moreshwar-apte-appointed-as-vc-for-fortis-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12385/shirish-moreshwar-apte-appointed-as-vc-for-fortis-healthcare.html Tue, 01 Jan 2019 15:10:00 +0530 Fortis Healthcare has announced that it has appointed Shirish Moreshwar Apte as Vice-Chairman of the company. It has also extended the last date for the acquisition of portfolio of assets of the Singapore-listed entity RHT Health Trust to March 26, 2019. The board of directors of the company has approved the appointment of Apte as an additional director designated as vice-chairman under the category of 'non-executive non-independent director' with immediate effect, Fortis Healthcare said in a filing to the BSE. "He will hold the office up to the ensuing annual general meeting and will be regularised, subject to the approval of the shareholders," it added. Apte was appointed to the board of IHH Healthcare Berhad in September 2014, Fortis Healthcare said. Currently, he is also the independent non-executive chairman of Pierfront Mezzanine Fund Pte. Apte concurrently serves on several boards of directors including Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the Supervisory Board of Bank Handlowy, Poland and Fullerton India Credit Company Ltd, it added. Prior to his retirement from Citigroup in 2014 as chairman of Asia Pacific Banking, Apte had built up 32-year career with Citibank/Citigroup, Fortis Healthcare said. The board of directors has also approved the appointment of BSR & Co LLP as the statutory auditors of the company with immediate effect, as its earlier auditors Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP resigned with effect from December 28, 2018.BSR & Co LLP will hold the office till the conclusion of the ensuing annual general meeting subject to the approval of shareholders of the company, Fortis Healthcare said in a filing to the BSE. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12353/dr-srinubabu-gedela-receives-champions-of-change-award-from-vice-president-of-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12353/dr-srinubabu-gedela-receives-champions-of-change-award-from-vice-president-of-india.html Thu, 27 Dec 2018 11:15:00 +0530 Dr Srinubabu Gedela , Hyderabad headquarted OMICS & PULSUS CEO have received “Champions of Change” award from M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India. The Champions of Change Awards is an endeavor to tell the world about positive developments in India. It is crucial that the stories of people who toil for the betterment of their brethren. The prestigious awards have been chosen through a rigorous selection process by a distinguished Jury Board. The awardees are those who have ushered in refreshing changes in their districts through their commitment, dedication, creative interventions and innovations all been inspirational leaders from around 115 districts across India. The ‘Transformation of Aspirational Districts’ program, the brain child of the premier think tank of India, the NITI Aayog, aims to quickly and effectively bring about transformational changes in the chosen 115 districts of India. The award was given to Dr Srinubabu Gedela for his relentless work and contribution in various social and healthcare services, his involvement in sharing healthcare and agricultural information to remotest corners of India in citizen preferred Indian languages, giving knowledge and information to every citizen of this country for free of cost. His contribution during TiTli cyclone in Andhra Pradesh was notable, more than one Lakh families was supported by him, when these family lost everything that they have to TiTli, each family was provided 10 kg Rice Bag, blanket and a sari. He is also known for his service in creating jobs, in Uttara Andhra alone, he had created 1 million (10 lakhs) jobs.   After receiving the award Dr Srinubabu Gedela, the distinguished scientist, an entrepreneur, and post-doctorate from Stanford University said, “It is a great honor and I am humbled, the Champions of change 2018 award will further my grit, to continue to make healthcare and scientific information accessible to remotest corners of the world in their preferred language for free of cost and will also go on to create employment opportunities for rural India and underprivileged population.” Dr. Srinubabu established a team of 5,000+ employees in his Seven SEZ units spread across Hyderabad, Chennai, Gurugram, and Vizag delivering outstanding improvements healthcare and health informatics services, and publishing business in 50 countries. His company Omics International Pvt Ltd publishes 1000 scientific and healthcare journals in the fields of Clinical, Medical, Engineering & Technology, Management, and Life Sciences including 50,000 scientific research articles annually. In 1984 he established PULSUS Group with operations in London, Singapore, Chennai, Gurgaon and Hyderabad, providing services in HealthTech, health informatics, medical publishing and Pharmacovigilence services.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12326/novartis-appoints-susanne-schaffert-as-ceo-novartis-oncology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12326/novartis-appoints-susanne-schaffert-as-ceo-novartis-oncology.html Fri, 21 Dec 2018 10:20:00 +0530 Novartis has announced that Susanne Schaffert, Ph.D., currently President, Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA), a Novartis company, has been appointed CEO Novartis Oncology. She will report to Vas Narasimhan, CEO, Novartis, and will join the Executive Committee on January 1, 2019. Liz Barrett will be stepping down as CEO of Novartis Oncology effective December 31, 2018. Vas Narasimhan, CEO, Novartis, said: "I would like to thank Liz for her leadership and her contributions to our business and our patients this past year. She made a significant positive impact on the organization in a relatively short time and I wish her the very best in her future endeavors. As testament to our pipeline of talent, I am delighted that Susanne Schaffert, current president of AAA and a long-time Oncology and Novartis executive, has accepted the role of CEO, Oncology. Susanne is a successful business leader with very deep expertise in Oncology, an unwavering commitment to patients, and a strong track record of inspiring talent and building empowered, high performing organizations. She has our full support and confidence as we continue to invest in both our internal pipeline as well as external assets to strengthen our presence." Regarding her appointment, Susanne Schaffert said: "Becoming CEO of Novartis Oncology is a great honor and I am humbled to be given the opportunity to lead one of the top-tier oncology businesses in the world. There is still much work to be done to help people with cancer live longer and better lives and I am excited to reimagine medicine together with my colleagues at Novartis." Susanne Schaffert joined Novartis more than 20 years ago and has spent the last six years in the Oncology business in leadership roles, including Region Head, Novartis Oncology Europe, where she led that organization through 5 years of sustained growth (excluding Glivec® which lost exclusivity during this period). Earlier this year she was appointed President, AAA, launching Lutathera®, a radioligand therapy for the treatment of certain cancers, in the U.S. and E.U. Also during her tenure in Oncology, she was instrumental in the GSK Oncology integration and served on the Board of Directors of the Consumer Health joint venture between Novartis and GSK until early 2018. In addition, Susanne was Head of Investor Relations, Novartis, from 2010-2013. She transitioned back to Oncology in 2013, and has been a member of the Global Novartis Oncology Leadership Team since then. Prior to 2010, Susanne worked in Sales and Marketing in both the pharmaceuticals and oncology business units. She received her master's degree and PhD in chemistry from University Erlangen, Germany. Liz Barrett said: "After much personal reflection, it became clear that my family would be unable to relocate to Basel where the Oncology headquarters is based. Therefore, I decided to accept a new role as CEO of a U.S. based biotech. I want to thank Vas for the opportunity to work at this great company and to everyone in Oncology for their commitment to transforming cancer for patients and their families. I am confident that under Susanne's leadership, Novartis will continue to expand its impact in Oncology." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12250/lr-group-appoints-dr-klemens-schulz-as-cpo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12250/lr-group-appoints-dr-klemens-schulz-as-cpo.html Wed, 12 Dec 2018 15:05:00 +0530 Lohmann & Rauscher International GmbH & Co. KG (L&R Group) is a leading international supplier of medical devices and hygiene products. With more than 5,000 employee worldwide and 49 subsidiaries and shareholdings, L&R is represented in all important markets around the world and will realize revenue of more than 650 million euros in 2018.  The Advisory Board of the L&R Group hereby announces that Dr. Klemens Schulz has been appointed additional Executive Officer of the L&R Group with effect from 1 January 2019 by unanimous decision of the Advisory Board. As CPO (Chief Portfolio Officer), Dr. Schulz will assume responsibility for the Group's global portfolio and marketing management. A position newly anchored in the management board. Dr. Schulz has been working in a managerial function within the L&R Group since 2012 and, due to his many years of experience in the areas of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, brings to the table all the required expertise to fulfill his new role. Wolfgang Süssle, CEO of the L&R Group: "As a preferred solution provider and reliable partner in the fields of medicine, patient care and hygiene, L&R has been able to implement a consistent growth and internationalisation strategy in recent years. A key factor for this success is our innovative range of products and solutions. We are delighted to continue along this successful path together with Dr. Schulz." "Supported by a focused innovation strategy, L&R has successfully established itself as a global player in the healthcare market. I look forward to continuing the Group's successful growth strategy in portfolio management and marketing in close cooperation with the entire management board," Dr. Klemens Schulz commented.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12244/dr-prahlad-singh-to-lead-new-role-at-perkinelmer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12244/dr-prahlad-singh-to-lead-new-role-at-perkinelmer.html Wed, 12 Dec 2018 10:00:00 +0530 PerkinElmer, Inc., a global leader committed to innovating for a healthier world, has announced that its board of directors has named Dr Prahlad Singh as president and chief operating officer, effective January 1, 2019. In his expanded position, Dr. Singh will have responsibility for both the Discovery and Analytical Solutions (DAS) and Diagnostics operating divisions of the Company. This change is being made to better facilitate synergies across the businesses to identify incremental growth opportunities, create operating efficiencies, and most importantly, accelerate the pace of innovation across the Company. Dr. Singh, along with the leaders of the Company’s corporate functions, will continue to report to Robert F. Friel, PerkinElmer’s chairman and chief executive officer. Dr. Singh joined PerkinElmer in 2014 as president of the Diagnostics business. He was elected an officer of PerkinElmer in 2016 and executive vice president in March 2018. Dr. Singh served as general manager of GE Healthcare’s Women’s Health Business, responsible for the mammography and bone densitometry businesses. Before that, Dr. Singh held senior executive level roles in strategy, business development and M&A at both GE and Philips Healthcare. From 1995 to 2007, he held leadership roles of increasing responsibility at DuPont Pharmaceuticals and subsequently Bristol Myers Squibb Medical Imaging which included managing the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12212/dr-rajanish-giri-wins-innovative-young-biotechnologist-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12212/dr-rajanish-giri-wins-innovative-young-biotechnologist-award.html Fri, 07 Dec 2018 15:30:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) Assistant Professor, Dr. Rajanish Giri, has been awarded with Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award (IYBA) 2018. He was selected by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology. Dr. Giri is selected for his proposed innovative idea on Zika virus Capsid Folding and inhibitor discovery. Additionally, he has proven expertise on understanding and solving the fundamental problems of protein folding in various structured and Intrinsically Disordered Proteins. Speaking about the award, Dr. Rajanish Giri, Assistant Professor of Biotechnology, IIT Mandi, said, “This award is for an innovative idea to execute. I propose to work on Zika virus capsid protein biophysical perspectives.” Along with the award, Dr. Giri also received a research grant, for three years, to delve more insight into the biophysical research on Zika Capsid protein system by running well equipped lab and hiring and training the high quality people or Senior Research Fellows etc. Dr Giri started his work on understanding Zika virus proteome in 2016, after the declaration of Zika virus as medical health emergency of international concern. His research finding led to the understanding of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins (IDPs) or dark proteome in Zika Virus system. In Future, Dr. Giri is interested in the Mechanistic insights into Zika virus parthenogenesis and the biophysics of Zika virus. Dr. Rajanish Giri is now known as one of the Zika researchers in India. In the field of Zika virus research, Dr Giri published several of his work in different reputed journals such as Journal of Molecular Biology, Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology etc. Towards this end, Dr Giri has been successful in bringing international collaborations from several universities from abroad. Few to mention are, University of South Florida, Washington University in St. Louis, Belarus Academy of Sciences, University of Leeds etc. Previously also, from his PhD and Postdoc work, Dr. Giri made significant publications in top notch journals such as PNAS, Biophysical Journal, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Scientific Reports etc. Additionally, in a separate note, under the supervision of Dr. Rajanish Giri, a PhD Scholar, Mr. Nitin Sharma from IIT Mandi received ‘Newton Bhabha Doctoral Placement Grant. This placement offer provides funding to India and UK PhD scholars for short period of their research at any UK or Indian higher education institution. The British Council, in partnership with the Departments of Science and Technology (DST) and Biotechnology (DBT), is providing this funding support. In the lab of Dr. Giri, PhD Scholar, Mr. Nitin Sharma, is also working on the Biophysics of Zika virus Envelope protein, membrane fusion and inhibitor discovery. His future studies on biophysical and structural perspectives of Zika virus Envelope protein will provide new insights into the entry of Zika virus. This work can reinforce the drug development against ZIKV infection and can be fruitful with low-cost medicines in the future. This placement program will not only provide him with new skills and techniques to develop his Ph.D. project and validate current findings, it will also help his career progression into a senior scientific researcher. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12175/dr-k-m-cherian-receives-prestigious-memorial-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12175/dr-k-m-cherian-receives-prestigious-memorial-award.html Tue, 04 Dec 2018 12:30:00 +0530 Dr. K M Cherian, Chairman and CEO of Frontier Lifeline Hospital was felicitated with the prestigious Dr. B.C.Roy Memorial Award during the scientific session of 70th CSI Annual Conference 2018 held at   MMRDA grounds, Bandra – Kurla Complex, Mumbai, recently. President of CSI, Dr. K Sarat Chanda inaugurated the event and felicitated Dr. K M Cherian with Dr. B C Memorial Award. In recognition of the contributions made by Dr. K M Cherian towards the field of paediatric Surgery (the first coronary artery bypass surgery,  Heart, Heart & Lung Transplant, Introduction of transmyocardiacl laser revascularization (TMLR), homograft etc.) the highest recognition for medical practitioners invaluable in India, he was honoured with this prestigious award.  The award was citation, gold medal and Rs. 1 lakh. Dr. K M Cherian had previously won the Padma Shri too. Having received the award, Dr. K M Cherian, Chairman and CEO of Frontier Lifeline Hospital said“ Dr. B.C. Roy National Award is a national honour bestowed upon eminent doctors of the nation, which is considered as a highest recognition in the medical domain and I am grateful to lord almighty for being chosen for this coveted award. Further adding he said “The number of patients regarding the heart disease is increasing in our country but we have very less doctors for treatment. I would request our government to take more initiative to produce more doctors”.  During the award ceremony, Dr. Cherian also made a request for Govt  to support for encouraging Basic Medical Science in the country to make Medical Care affordable as well as MAKE IN INDIA ambition successful.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12161/new-appointment-of-secretary-general-at-nathealth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12161/new-appointment-of-secretary-general-at-nathealth.html Mon, 03 Dec 2018 10:15:00 +0530 NATHEALTH announced the appointment of Siddhartha Bhattacharya as Secretary General, effective December 1st, 2018. In his new role, Siddhartha will lead the organization and work with key partners in realizing NATHEALTH’s vision/ mission to spearhead the goal of high quality, affordable health for all.  “Siddhartha Bhattacharya is very well respected and one of the most seasoned and dedicated healthcare leaders of India,” said Daljit Singh, President NATHEALTH. “His decades of experience in launching successful partnerships in the public and private healthcare sectors and extensive background in healthcare systems and technology will be a tremendous asset to NATHEALTH. We are delighted to welcome him on board.”            “NATHEALTH, as a thought leader of the healthcare sector of our country, is uniquely positioned to shape the dialogue and catalyse the evolution of a high quality, affordable health systems across India, that match up to the best in the world. In pursuit of universal health coverage, it is important that all industry partners align with the vision of better health outcomes at better value," said Mr. Bhattacharya. "I am excited to be part of this transformation and look forward to working with key partners in making an impact” Siddhartha brings over twenty years of leadership experience in health, technology and technology enabled services sector across India and USA. Siddhartha has leadership experience in both Public and Private Sectors in India where he has been responsible for strategic advisory services, operational delivery and technology leadership in the health sector. Siddhartha joins NATHEALTH from ACCESS Health International, a leading health think tank and advisory group with a mission to improve access to high quality, affordable healthcare for people everywhere. As Country Director in India, Siddhartha was responsible for organizational leadership and worked extensively in areas that drove scalable innovation in healthcare delivery, financing, and technology.  Siddhartha led the think tank, advisory services, implementation support and innovation transfer programs of ACCESS Health India office and drove the functional integration with global offices. Prior to ACCESS Health, Siddhartha worked with Emergency Management and Research Institute (GVK EMRI), where he served as Chief Operating Officer and Technology Head for four years. He oversaw the design, development, and delivery of health outreach services, which resulted in improved delivery of emergency health services across multiple states and union territories in India. He has also held prior leadership positions at Dell, Inc. (USA), Dell International Services (India), Philips (India), and the Government of Kerala, where he was Chief Executive Officer of Information Technology parks across the state. Siddhartha holds a Bachelor’s degree with Honors in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Rajasthan. He received his Master’s in Business Administration from the John M. Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. In addition, he is an Executive Alumnus of the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.           ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12156/-raman-singh-wins-global-executive-of-the-year-scrip-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12156/-raman-singh-wins-global-executive-of-the-year-scrip-award.html Fri, 30 Nov 2018 17:10:00 +0530 Mundipharma CEO, Raman Singh, has won Executive of the Year for small cap & private pharma companies at the annual scrip Awards, which were held in London on 28 November. The pre-eminent global healthcare awards recognise and celebrate responsible people and companies in the pharmaceutical industry that help improve healthcare for people around the world. With Mr Singh at the helm, Mundipharma has become a global leader in developing medical solutions that have improved the quality of life for millions of people around the world, and achieved extraordinary growth, which has enabled the organisation to touch the lives of an ever-increasing number of patients and their families. In relentlessly pursuing this objective, Mr. Singh has, this year alone, been recognised for his work numerous times. As well as the Scrip award, he has won: CEO of the Year 2018 -- Influential Brands; Executive of the Year, Pharmaceuticals, 2018 -- SBR; Top 100 Global CEOs 2018 -- CEO Magazine; and been named the 3rd Most Powerful Person in Healthcare 2018 -- Medicine Maker. Acknowledging the latest accolade, Mr. Singh said, "I am humbled and delighted on behalf of Mundipharma to win this award, it's a reflection of the quality of our people and their exceptional hard work." "Success in business requires building high-performing, ambitious teams and I'm privileged to lead a fantastic group of people. It's nice to be recognized in so many ways, but what drives everybody at Mundipharma is the number-one value underpinning our culture -- putting people and patients at the heart of everything we do. For me winning this award is a testament to the culture we've created and the people who embody it," he said. "We're also well aware of, and motivated by, the many serious healthcare challenges the world faces and will continue our hard work to develop new and innovative solutions and strategies to combat them," added Mr Singh. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12142/dr-krishna-reddy-joins-access-health-india-as-country-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12142/dr-krishna-reddy-joins-access-health-india-as-country-director.html Wed, 28 Nov 2018 18:10:00 +0530 The global health nonprofit ACCESS Health International has announced the appointment of Dr. Krishna Reddy as the new Country Director of ACCESS Health India. Dr. Reddy has a long and distinguished career in India and is known internationally as a pioneer in comprehensive primary care, digital health, and integrated care.  ACCESS Health India designs and manages programs and projects that drive domestic healthcare improvements and inspire improvements in other countries in the region and beyond. ACCESS Health works closely with the Government of India and local state governments to scale up innovative best practices in healthcare in partnership with private sector partners. ACCESS Health India also works directly with healthcare providers to identify, share, and scale hospital processes and procedures that lead to better outcomes for patients. Dr. Reddy will assume full responsibility for the ACCESS Health India program and its activities as of December 1, 2018. Prior to joining ACCESS Health, Dr. Reddy was Director and Vice Chairman of CARE Hospitals. Dr. Reddy co-founded CARE Hospital in 1997. It started as a single hospital in Hyderabad with one hundred beds and grew into one of the top 5 multispecialty healthcare providers with fourteen hospitals serving six cities across five states in India. The hospital group is now recognized as one of the most advanced, multispecialty tertiary care hospital chains in the country and a model for patient satisfaction and innovation. Dr. Reddy plans to strengthen ACCESS Health India’s position as a leader in health systems research and transformation, with in-depth specialization in the core building blocks of health systems: payers, providers, health policy, health regulation, and digital health as a systems integrator. Both he and the entire ACCESS Health India office are unified under a single core purpose, Swasth Bharat, a Healthy India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12126/eastgate-biotech-appoints-dr-lalit-upadhyay-for-upcoming-diabetes-initiatives.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12126/eastgate-biotech-appoints-dr-lalit-upadhyay-for-upcoming-diabetes-initiatives.html Tue, 27 Nov 2018 15:05:00 +0530 EastGate Biotech Corp. a pharmaceutical company that focuses on innovative technological developments specifically in insulin drug delivery for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, appointed key advisor Dr. Lalit Upadhyay to be the diabetes ambassador to help drive awareness of the company’s liquid insulin mouth rinse solution for Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes patients.    Dr. Lalit has devoted his life messaging that managing glucose levels in the body is the first line of defense against treating the deadly disease of diabetes. He is both a physician and a pharmacist in India, which is known as the Diabetes Capital of the World, due to the 84 million people living with diabetes in his country.  He is extremely active in the medical community as president of an international non-profit United World Against Diabetes (UWAD), chief editor of Diabetes Free India magazine, scientific director of Vedic Holistic Medicines & Research Foundation, and medical journalist for the All India Press Club.  For years he has been running an advocacy campaign for public health access to essential medicines and insulin at an affordable price.  His work has been focused around conducting public health surveys and getting studies published for general public awareness and reports that encourage government action.          “We already know that there is no magic pill that can make type 2 diabetes go away because big pharma has tried so many times and failed because there simply is no better substitute than insulin itself,” said Dr. Lalit.  “Tricking the body to produce more insulin is not the answer.  The only way to truly attack this epidemic disease is to effectively manage glucose levels.  In developed countries through needles and pinpricks and monitoring devices, we can manage glucose but the issue is scalability and patient compliance.  The world needs an innovative delivery system that patients can take easily.  Oral insulin has eluded us for over 90 years and I believe EastGate Biotech’s oral insulin mouth rinse is the answer to managing glucose levels because any product that can reduce HbA1c by even 1% can have a profound effect on the reduction of complications by 30% that arise from diabetes. It is now my mission to make sure that institutions like the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Association are aware of EastGate Biotech’s initiatives.  We cannot wait a moment longer.  We must address this epidemic now, and EastGate’s oral insulin mouth rinse is a vital tool in controlling this epidemic in India and around the world.”  Rose Perri, President of EastGate said, “The month of November is Diabetes Month and to mark EastGate’s commitment to our new advisor we have contributed to the UWAD enough medicine for 50 diabetic patients to cover the cost of one month’s supply.  We look forward to working closely with Dr. Lalit as he can provide valuable information and knowledge about the South East Asian and Asian markets within which will be our initial focus.  We hope to add more expertise from that part of the world to our team in the near future.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12060/medikabazaar-appoints-akash-rajpal-as-new-executive-vice-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12060/medikabazaar-appoints-akash-rajpal-as-new-executive-vice-president.html Mon, 19 Nov 2018 18:00:00 +0530 Medikabazaar, India’s B2B online aggregator for medical supplies recently announced the appointment of Dr. Akash Rajpal as Executive Vice-President, Marketing and Product Management. Dr Akash has more than 20 years of rich experience in public & private healthcare sectors. Dr Akash with a forte in healthcare operations & IT has executed various PPP, EHealth, Accreditation & operationally challenging initiatives. He is a qualified medical graduate and holds post graduate credentials in administration, public health & finance. His achievements include receiving 1st NABH accreditation in Western region of India, IMC Ramkrishna Bajaj National Quality Award & Asia Pacific Quality Award. Speaking about the new journey, Dr. Rajpal, said, “MedikaBazaar is an exciting opportunity where I’m fortunate to use my experience in technology, operations and clinical exposure to understand the supply chain & product need-gaps in the healthcare industry and help leverage my work experience to address them and be part of the company’s exponential growth.” Vivek Tiwari, CEO, Medikabazaar, said, “Dr Akash has been appointed as Executive Vice President Marketing & Product Management. Dr Akash has provided many valuable insights which have benefitted the organisation. I’m confident that Dr Akash’s rich diverse set of experience in IT, healthcare operations and business acumen as an entrepreneur himself, will help take the organization to greater heights” He worked as COO at Jaslok Hospital & Research centre, Head HOSMAC Private LTD, & in various positions at Hiranandani hospital Powai & Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12052/two-faculty-members-felicitated-for-their-contribution-in-forensic-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12052/two-faculty-members-felicitated-for-their-contribution-in-forensic-medicine.html Mon, 19 Nov 2018 12:05:00 +0530 Two faculty members from the department of forensic medicine and toxicology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, were felicitated for their contribution to the field of forensic medicine by Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology in its 16th annual conference organised by the Government Medical College, Patiala. According to the reports by TNN, Dr Dasari Harish, head of the forensic department, received the first fellowship of the Academy and Dr Amandeep Singh, associate professor, was conferred with the Young Scientist Award. Dr Preet Inder Singh, senior resident, bagged the second prize in poster presentation for his work. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12049/roop-mallik-receives-infosys-prize-2018-for-life-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12049/roop-mallik-receives-infosys-prize-2018-for-life-sciences.html Mon, 19 Nov 2018 10:00:00 +0530 Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) recently celebrated its 10-year milestone and announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2018 in six categories - Engineering and Computer Sciences, Humanities, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences. The Prize, given annually, celebrates the success of the recipients in science and research by recognizing their achievements in each category. It carries a pure gold medal, a citation and a prize purse, the amount for which has been increased to $100,000 (or its equivalent in Rupees) this year, tax free in the hands of winners in India. The Infosys Prize 2018 for Life Sciences has been awarded to Roop Mallik, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai for his pioneering work on molecular motor proteins, which are crucial for the functioning of living cells. Mallik has identified and measured forces needed to transport large particles inside cells, and demonstrated their role in fundamental processes such as targeting pathogens for their destruction and moving lipid droplets for fatty acid regulation in the liver. He completed his post graduate work in Physics at Allahabad University. Mallik later joined the TIFR for doctoral research in Condensed Matter Physics. He moved to problems in experimental biology after completing a PhD in Physics. Mallik received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in Biology in 2014. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12050/eminent-orthopaedic-surgeon-dr-sanjay-desai-nominated-for-prestigious-dr-b-c-roy-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12050/eminent-orthopaedic-surgeon-dr-sanjay-desai-nominated-for-prestigious-dr-b-c-roy-award.html Sun, 18 Nov 2018 11:50:00 +0530 Two faculty members from the department of forensic medicine and toxicology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, were felicitated for their contribution to the field of forensic medicine by Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology in its 16th annual conference organised by the Government Medical College, Patiala. According to the reports by TNN, Dr Dasari Harish, head of the forensic department, received the first fellowship of the Academy and Dr Amandeep Singh, associate professor, was conferred with the Young Scientist Award. Dr Preet Inder Singh, senior resident, bagged the second prize in poster presentation for his work. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12036/dr-sanjay-desai-to-receive-dr-b-c-roy-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/12036/dr-sanjay-desai-to-receive-dr-b-c-roy-award.html Fri, 16 Nov 2018 10:25:00 +0530 Leading orthopaedic surgeon and super specialist Dr Sanjay Desai has been nominated to receive the prestigious Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy National Award that recognises the best talents in development of specialties in different branches in medicine. The award will be presented to Dr Desai by the President of India Ramnath Kovind in New Delhi. The award was bestowed upon Dr Desai for his noteworthy work done in the orthopaedic field and for developing a subspecialty and taking it to an international level. Dr. B. C. Roy Award was instituted in 1962 in memory of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy by Medical Council of India and is the highest medical honour of India. Dr Desai, who is a Super Specialist in shoulder and knee Arthroscopic Surgery at Bhatia Hospital in Mumbai, is considered a pioneer in shoulder and knee surgeries in India. Dr Desai holds a brilliant academic record throughout his orthopaedic career having won several laurels including a Gold Medal at the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, scoring a second position in MS (Ortho), University of Bombay and winning the Khazanifar medal in MCh (Orth), University of Liverpool. He is the recipient of several international awards like the ‘Young achievers Award – 2002’ conferred by the Indo-American society and Giants International Award in the field of medicine -- 2016. He has been Referee of the prestigious Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, American Journal of Sports Medicine and is on the editorial board of the European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11959/bijal-shah-steps-in-as-country-manager-for-lumenis-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11959/bijal-shah-steps-in-as-country-manager-for-lumenis-india-.html Fri, 02 Nov 2018 10:05:00 +0530 Lumenis, world’s largest energy-based medical device company for surgical, aesthetic and ophthalmic applications appoints Bijal Shah as Country Manager, India & South Asia Shah will spearhead Lumenis’ Operations and lead the direct/ indirect business transformation in India & South Asia. Qiying Zhai, President, Lumenis Asia was reported saying “ India is a strategic market for us and Bijal is ideally credentialed to drive the company’s ambitious and challenging mandate. We are extremely confident of Bijal’s leadership and I will personally support him in driving our business to achieve unprecedented growth. Speaking on his appointment Shah said, “It is a privilege to be entrusted with this responsibility of leading a company with an iconic legacy. I will aim at aggressively expanding Lumenis’ footprint and taking business to new heights by contributing towards delivering solutions effectively with the winning team” Shah has over 20 years of relevant industry experiences in General Management, Emerging Markets Marketing, Projects, Operations and P&L in leading global corporations like Philips, Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson Medical. He has gained valuable cross cultural exposure through his stints in South East Asia having lived in Singapore and Malaysia for past 7 years before this home coming. Shah is an alumnus of Mumbai University, where he pursued his post-graduation in Management and bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Shah’s appointment comes immediately after Dharmendra Mistry stepped down as Country Manager. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11923/dr-raju-vaishya-gets-prestigious-dr-bc-roy-oration-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11923/dr-raju-vaishya-gets-prestigious-dr-bc-roy-oration-award.html Mon, 29 Oct 2018 13:15:00 +0530 Dr Raju Vaishya, a well-known Orthopaedic Surgeon, has been honoured with ‘DR. B. C. ROY ORATION AWARD, 2018’ of Indian Medical Association, Madhya Pradesh for his outstanding achievement and remarkable role in the field of Health care.  The award was given away in the inaugural function of 63rd Annual Medical Conference of IMA, Madhya Pradesh organized on 27th & 28th October 2018 at Jabalpaur. A large number of doctors and other dignitaries were present during the function.  Prof. (Dr.) Vaishya is a Senior Orthopaedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. He is also the President of Arthritis Care Foundation and Indian Cartilage Society. Recently he was awarded “Pride of Asia Award” in Bangkok. He has been featured in Limca book of records four times in 2912, 2013, 2014 and 2016.He has made a record by publishing 58 research papers in one year alone (2015). He has more than 300 scientific research papers in peer reviewed and indexed medical journals, with the highest number of publications among 7000 Consultants of 69 Apollo group of hospitals. He is credited to have the largest published series on fracture of neck radius in children, Irritable hip, Megaprosthesis for resistant nonunion of the distal femur, Galeazzi variants in adults, and Acacia thorn injuries.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11863/csir-appoints-shekhar-mande-as-new-dg.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11863/csir-appoints-shekhar-mande-as-new-dg.html Tue, 16 Oct 2018 14:30:00 +0530 Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Dr. Shekhar Mande as the Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Research (DSIR). Mande is a structural biologist with a doctoral degree from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and has been the director of Pune-based National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) since September 2011. At NCCS, which performs cutting-edge research in cell biology, Mande oversaw the launch of the Indian Human Microbiome Initiative in the Northeast in June last year. Mande has a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from Nagpur University in physics, and was the recipient of the B.M. Birla Young Scientist Award in 1999. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11808/stryker-names-meenakshi-nevatia-as-new-md-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11808/stryker-names-meenakshi-nevatia-as-new-md-for-india.html Mon, 08 Oct 2018 18:20:00 +0530 Stryker has announced the appointment of Meenakshi Nevatia as its new managing director of India. In her new role, Nevatia will be responsible for building Stryker’s business strategy and setting up the organization for long-term, sustainable growth in the Indian market. Additionally, one of Nevatia’s priorities will be to cultivate a strong commitment to Stryker’s mission and values in India. “Customers and patients are at the heart of everything we do, and I look forward to bringing together our team to do more to improve lives in India,” said Nevatia. “I also look forward to creating an environment where our people, one of our core values, can continue to thrive and grow.” Nevatia will also be responsible for building long-term partnerships with industry bodies and government organizations and driving transparency amongst stakeholders. Prior to joining Stryker, Nevatia had a successful 15-year stint with Novartis, where she served in various sales, marketing and business leadership positions across geographies. In her last assignment as the country president and pharma division head for Novartis in Thailand, Nevatia successfully led strong business performance. Prior to these roles, Nevatia had a successful track record of serving in various leadership positions at Novartis across Spain, Portugal, UK and Switzerland. Nevatia’s first work assignment was with McKinsey & Company where she led various projects in the Healthcare Practice in India, Singapore, U.S. and South Africa. Meenakshi Nevatia has a Master of Business Administration in Strategy and Finance from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and Bachelor of Science in Economics and Mathematics from the Presidency College, Kolkata. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11777/a-vaidheesh-re-elected-as-oppi-president-for-the-second-consecutive-year.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11777/a-vaidheesh-re-elected-as-oppi-president-for-the-second-consecutive-year.html Mon, 01 Oct 2018 11:30:00 +0530 The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), which represents the research-based pharmaceutical companies, announced the newly elected Board of Directors for 2018-19 at its statutory AGM held on Friday, September 28, 2018.  A. Vaidheesh, Vice President, South Asia & Managing Director, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has been re-elected as the President for OPPI, for the second year.  Speaking on his role, A. Vaidheesh, President- OPPI said, “2017-18 has been a year of big changes for healthcare in India.  Universal Health Coverage, Big Data and personalized medicine continue to define this healthcare transformation.  With the launch of Ayushman Bharat, health has gained its well-deserved attention.  OPPI members are consistently innovating and investing in science and patient care for better patient outcomes.  OPPI continues to collaborate with the Government on access to quality medicines and to establish the value of innovative medicine in the country. OPPI will continue to partner with all the stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem and work towards building ethical, innovative and progressive pharmaceutical ecosystem in India.” Kanchana TK, Director General-OPPI said, “We congratulate Vaidheesh on his re-election as the President.  Under Vaidheesh’s leadership in 2017-18, OPPI had worked on a focused approach to innovation, access to quality medicine and an ethical ecosystem to foster trust with patients. We look forward to his guidance in leading us as we advocate for policies that promote scientific temperament and innovative mindset for a progressive India where Health Meets Hope.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11678/prof-pankaj-gupta-joins-as-president-of-iihmr-university.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11678/prof-pankaj-gupta-joins-as-president-of-iihmr-university.html Sat, 15 Sep 2018 22:15:00 +0530 Professor Pankaj Gupta has joined as President of Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR) University. IIHMR University is a leading knowledge institution engaged in teaching, research, and training in public health, health and hospital administration, pharmaceutical management, and rural development. It is the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Center for Strengthening Health Systems based on Primary Care, and is termed as an ‘Institute of Excellence’ by the Government of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. With 25 years of experience in academics as a teacher, leader, and institution builder, Professor Gupta has a strong understanding of higher education worldwide, especially management education. Prior to joining IIHMR University, Professor Gupta was the Executive Director (Corporate Relations, Career Services, and Institution Building) at O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, where he was also Executive Director of Centre for Ethics, Spirituality, and Sustainability. Professor Gupta’s professional experience in leadership roles like Chief Advisor, Director General, and Vice-Chancellor spans across top organizations including IIM Kozhikode, IMT Ghaziabad, Symbiosis (SIBM), Educomp Raffles, University of Washington, S.P. Jain (Dubai & Singapore), and ICSI. He has been the Founding Director of Symbiosis (SIBM) Bangalore and JRE Group (Educomp Raffles) and has also served as Co-chairman of Education Committee of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry for two successive terms. A Ph.D., a Fulbright Fellow, and an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and Lucknow University, Professor Gupta has received the 'Most Innovative Idea in Management Education Award' at the Indian Management Conclave organized by Mbauniverse.com. He is also a recipient of the prestigious ‘Valuable Contribution to Profession Award’ by ICAI, New Delhi and ‘Rashtriya Shiksha Gaurav Award’ by CEGR, New Delhi. IIM Ahmedabad has written a case study on the transformative work under his leadership. Organizations that have benefited from his training and consulting expertise include GE Capital, Maruti, Dabur, Ericsson, Electrolux, IREDA, NTPC, NHPC, LIC, NIU, Genpact, Indian Navy, and DOPT. As an expert resource person and distinguished orator, he has been regularly invited by eminent professional and government bodies like UPSC, AICTE, Fulbright Commission, Planning Commission, ICAI, The British Council, FICCI, CII, and PHDCCI. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11677/cytecare-appoints-akshaya-nath-as-cbo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11677/cytecare-appoints-akshaya-nath-as-cbo.html Fri, 14 Sep 2018 17:30:00 +0530 Cytecare Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, committed towards delivering cancer care the right way, has strengthened its leadership team with the addition of Akshaya Nath as Chief Business Officer (CBO), who will lead the marketing and sales initiatives at Cytecare. Mr. Akshaya Nath has an in-depth understanding of healthcare and pharmaceutical sector.  Akshaya has had a proven record of over two decades for his strong proficiency in designing, managing and implementing innovative business solutions for companies Prior to this, Akshaya has held key leadership positions, including Global Lead role in Quintiles since 2016 where he managed some of the off-shoring initiatives for the company. He was in the lead role across sales, outsourcing, business development, site management and regulatory management of India affairs, during his first stint in Quintiles.  Akshaya’s major role was in setting up and expanding Innovex operations for Quintiles, India, catering to the world’s top pharmaceutical companies for their commercial operations.  Bitten by the entrepreneurial bug in 2010, Akshaya headed Avita Incorporated as the Founder CEO for three years before moving to Lambda Therapeutics as their COO in 2014. Announcing the appointment, Mr. Suresh Ramu, CEO & Co-Founder, Cytecare Hospitals said, “We are glad to announce Akshaya as our Chief Business Officer. His passion and deep industry knowledge about the healthcare sector will drive our vision of treating cancer the right way with a focus on patient centricity”. Akshaya earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11657/paras-healthcare-appoints-new-group-cfo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11657/paras-healthcare-appoints-new-group-cfo.html Tue, 11 Sep 2018 13:20:00 +0530 The leading multi-specialty medical care provider Paras Healthcare has announced the appointment of Debajit Sensharma as new Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who will be at the helm of managing the company’s finances and strategising organizational growth and expansion plans. Debajit joins Paras after a 5-year-long stint in Symbiotec Pharmalab Pvt Ltd., where he was working as a Chief Financial Officer and was heading global finance functions. With over 28 years of experience in the field of finance and accounts, Debajit has had rich experience in working with healthcare and pharma majors, such as Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, Sentiss Pharma Pvt Ltd., Symbiotec Pharmalab Pvt. Ltd and consumer goods major, Reckitt Benckiser Group. “We are delighted to have Debajit join our team. His expertise in financial planning and budgeting, mergers and acquisitions, fund raising, business structuring, and investment planning will be much needed to further our expansion plans and direct healthcare delivery operations towards newer areas. With his appointment we look forward to him playing an instrumental role in plugging gaps and in helping Paras Healthcare consolidate on its present standing and explore more opportunities. We are confident that the appointment will take the organization to new heights,” says Dr. Dharminder Nagar, MD, Paras Healthcare. Commenting on his appointment, Debajit Sensharma, Group CFO, Paras Healthcare, said, “I am excited about my new role at Paras Healthcare, which has been at the forefront of quality medical care delivery to the common man. The energy of the organization has been exhilarating and the commitment shown by the staff to patient care is just fantastic. My endeavors would be to put to use my experience in pharma and healthcare industry and further Dr. Nagar’s plans for the organization.” Established in 2006, Paras Healthcare began its operations in Gurgaon with the objective of providing affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare. Today the organization is spread across 4 states, including Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Delhi NCR, with its units being at Patna, Panchkula, Darbhanga, and Ranchi, other than the one in Gurgaon. The healthcare delivery leader will be expanding into more tier 2 north-Indian cities in the phase 2 of their expansions, which would begin from 2021. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11650/fortis-bids-adieu-to-medical-strategist-dr-bishnu-panigrahi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11650/fortis-bids-adieu-to-medical-strategist-dr-bishnu-panigrahi.html Mon, 10 Sep 2018 17:40:00 +0530 Fortis Healthcare recently announced that Dr Bishnu Panigrahi – Group Head, Medical Strategy and Operations, has decided to move on from the services of the company in order to make a more substantial contribution to society. For more than 6 years, Dr Panigrahi spearheaded medical operations at Fortis Healthcare. He was instrumental in making Fortis, the destination of choice for those seeking medical services in India. Apart from several other accomplishments, a hallmark of his tenure and a defining initiative was the publishing of Clinical outcomes. Fortis was the first healthcare service provider in India, to do so. As part of the working group at International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM), Dr Panigrahi and the team were responsible for conceptualizing the standard sets for Coronary Artery Disease outcome measurement. These standard sets were rolled out in November 2013 at Harvard Business School, Boston by Prof. Michael E. Porter. Dr Panigrahi has also fostered the Anti-Microbial Stewardship program since its inception and helped institutionalize a comprehensive Medical Audit system. As a school boy in Odisha, Dr Panigrahi aspired to become a Foreign Service officer. However, a series of events and life-changing experiences inspired him to become take up medicine as a profession. After graduating from S.C.B Medical College, Cuttack, Dr Panigrahi pursued post-graduation in Anesthesia from the reputed Delhi University. Subsequently, he went on to receive further training in Cardiac and Neuro Anesthesia from Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology. It was during 12 years of teaching at his alma mater in Cuttack that he got the opportunity to enhance his skills and work in Cardiac Anesthesia and Intensive Care at Dunedin Hospital, OTAGO University in New Zealand. However, in spite of being offered a rewarding career in New Zealand, he decided to come back and serve his country. Dr Panigrahi has the distinction of being a part of 3 major healthcare service providers in India, at their inception stage which have gone on to become the largest service providers, namely, Indraprastha Apollo, Fortis and Max.  After 25 years in corporate world, life has come a full circle for Dr Panigrahi as he decides to go back to his roots in Bhubaneswar to work in a not-for-profit academic institution and serve the society.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11620/dr-poonam-khetrapal-continues-as-regional-director-who-se-asia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11620/dr-poonam-khetrapal-continues-as-regional-director-who-se-asia.html Wed, 05 Sep 2018 12:05:00 +0530 Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has been nominated for a second five-year term as Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia. Dr Khetrapal Singh’s candidature was unopposed, as the 11 Member countries of WHO South-East Asia Region met at the ongoing Regional Committee session to elect the next Regional Director. Congratulating Dr Khetrapal Singh, India’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare, J P Nadda, and chair of the Regional Committee meeting, said, “With her contribution to regional as well as global initiatives and outstanding work in placing health central to the agenda of sustainable development, she will surely lead the Region to greater heights.” The leadership provided by Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has seen the WHO South-East Asia Region emerge as the top performer in the organization globally. Her commitment to the public health agenda in the Member States is reflected in the significant achievements in all the flagship priorities of the Region, he said. WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said “As the first woman to become Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region, you have provided dynamic leadership in a Region that accounts for one quarter of the world’s population, but a disproportionate burden of its diseases.” The Director-General said that through her flagship programmes, Dr Khetrapal Singh had brought a strong focus to delivering results in countries, which is one of the key themes of WHO’s new General Programme of Work and of WHO’s transformation project. Thanking the Member States for nominating her for the second term, Dr Khetrapal Singh said, “My vision is to consolidate, accelerate and innovate to further strengthen progress in the priority areas and translate vision into action”. Dr Khetrapal Singh has a long and distinguished career in public health of over four decades. She served in the health sector at various senior positions during her stint in the Indian Administrative Services; in the World Bank; was part of WHO Director-General’s cabinet in Geneva; worked as the Executive Director of Sustainable Development and Healthy Environments in WHO headquarters; and was Deputy Regional Director WHO South-East Asia Region from 2000-2013. Dr Khetrapal Singh’s ongoing first term as Regional Director began on 1 February 2014, during which, in consultation with the Member countries she identified seven flagship priorities- achieving universal health coverage; strengthening emergency response capacity; reversing the noncommunicable disease epidemics; finishing off neglected tropical diseases; combatting antimicrobial resistance; preventing maternal, under-5 and neonatal deaths and eliminating measles and controlling rubella. Eliminating tuberculosis was added as her eighth flagship in 2017. Substantial progress has been made in each of these flagships and beyond. Certified polio free in 2014, the Region continues to maintain this status. The Region eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus becoming only the second WHO Region to do so. Four countries in the Region have eliminated measles and six have controlled rubella. The maternal mortality rates in the Region have reduced by 69%, the steepest decline in any WHO Region during the MDG era. Countries in the Region have reduced maternal, under-5 and neonatal mortality rates to levels below the SDG targets. Among neglected tropical diseases, India eliminated yaws, Nepal eliminated trachoma, while Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand have eliminated lymphatic filariasis. Two countries – Maldives and Sri Lanka – have eliminated malaria. All countries are implementing national action plans to combat anti-microbial resistance. Nine of the 11 countries have multi-sectoral action plan to address non-communicable diseases while all countries are committed to 25% relative reduction in overall NCD mortality by 2025. Improved preparedness is helping minimize deaths and diseases during outbreaks and emergencies, while the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund continues to support emergency response, and now preparedness as well. In their quest to achieve universal health coverage, countries are increasing their health budgets, rolling out health financing programmes, strengthening health workforce and making efforts to make essential medicines accessible and affordable. The regional flagships are in sync with the Sustainable Development Goals 3 on health, and WHO’s new triple billion goals to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. As per WHO procedures, the WHO Executive Board, which next meets in Geneva in January 2019 is expected to confirm Dr Khetrapal Singh’s nomination and appoint her as the Regional Director. Dr Khetrapal Singh will commence her next five-year term on 1 February 2019. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11610/dr-manish-banker-gets-recognition-with-dr-b-c-roy-national-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11610/dr-manish-banker-gets-recognition-with-dr-b-c-roy-national-award.html Tue, 04 Sep 2018 16:35:00 +0530 Dr. Manish Banker, a renowned fertility specialist and the visionary Medical Director of Nova IVI Fertility, has been selected for the prestigious Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy National Award, recognising the best talents in encouraging the development of specialties in different branches in medicine. This award is being bestowed on Dr. Banker for his constant efforts towards improving research and development in reproductive medicine in India, thereby increasing accessibility and affordability of world-class infertility treatment to thousands of infertile couples across the country. Dr. B. C. Roy Award was instituted in 1962 in memory of Bidhan Chandra Roy by Medical Council of India. It is presented by the President of India in New Delhi every year. Being a pioneer of IVF treatment in India, Dr. Manish Banker has numerous accolades to his name, the latest one being the distinguished Dr. B. C. Roy National Award. Dr. Banker has been the President of the Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction (ISAR) and Chairman of the Infertility Committee of Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI). He is a member of the drafting committee for ART bill of India, I.C.M.R., and is the regional representative for the International Committee for Monitoring ART (ICMART), a World Health Organisation (WHO) affiliate. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11592/dr-b-k-misra-to-receive-dr-b-c-roy-national-award-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11592/dr-b-k-misra-to-receive-dr-b-c-roy-national-award-.html Fri, 31 Aug 2018 14:45:00 +0530 Basant Kumar Misra, Head of the Department of Surgery & Head of Neurosurgery & Gamma Knife Radiosurgery at P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre will be honoured with the Dr. B. C. ROY National Award in the most prestigious category of ‘Eminent Medical Person’ of the year, the highest award in the field of medicine in India. Dr. Misra will receive the award from the President of India, Shri. Ram Nath Kovind. Dr. Misra is one of the leading Neurosurgeons in India and has been attached to P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC since 1995. Under his guidance P. D. Hinduja Hospital was the first hospital in South Asia to acquire Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Facility. Dr. B. K Misra has many 'firsts' to his credits. He was the first in the world to do Image Guided Aneurysm microsurgery and the first in South Asia to perform Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. He was also the first neurosurgeon in India to do Awake Craniotomy for brain tumors. Dr. B. K. Misra's expertise in neurosurgical patient care includes Acoustic Neuroma Surgery, Vascular Neurosurgery (Aneurysm, AVM), Skull Base Surgery, Pituitary Surgery, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, Awake Craniotomy, Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery and Surgery of Complex Brain and Spine Disorder.  Dr. Misra is on the editorial board of many neurosurgery journals of repute, has over 150 publications in peer reviewed journals and has made more than 700 presentations at international & national conferences. He has also been a Visiting Professor to many international & national institutions in India & abroad like the Harvard Medical School & Brigham Women’s Hospital, Boston; Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany; Acibadem University, Istanbul, Turkey; George Washington University, Washington DC to name a few.  Currently Dr. Misra is the President of Asian Australasian Society of Neurological Surgeons (First Indian), President of World Federation of Skull Base Societies (First Asian) & 2nd Vice President of World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies after completing his 4-year term as Secretary of WFNS (First Asian). In fact, no other neurosurgeon in the world has ever held so many top positions in organized neurosurgery at the same time. He was also recognized as one of the World's Top Neurosurgeons – published in JO LEE magazine as "The World's Top 16 Neurosurgeons THAT MATTER ". ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11584/argentina-invites-dr-amar-agarwal-for-complicated-eye-surgeries.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11584/argentina-invites-dr-amar-agarwal-for-complicated-eye-surgeries.html Thu, 30 Aug 2018 20:50:00 +0530 Prof. Dr. Amar Agarwal, Chairman, Dr. Agarwal Group of Eye Hospitals, became the first Indian to be invited to Buenos Aires, Argentina, South America to perform Live Eye surgeries for complicated cases. Prof. Dr. Amar Agarwal was the International Guest for “Facoextrema”, the conclave on ‘Retina, breaking Retina frontiers’. The conclave witnessed participation of thousands of Ophthalmologists across the World. They witnessed Live talks and Eye Surgical procedures, which were streamed live on the Internet. Prof. Dr. Amar Agarwal performed complex procedures ranging from Glued IOL. He also explained on single pass four throw Pupilloplasty technique. This is considered as the latest treatment for patients with closed angle glaucoma or ‘glare’. Finally, he presented on the procedures to remove an Intra Intraocular lens (IOL) which has fallen inside the eye using the technique called ECAL, Extrusion Cannula Assisted Levitation. This procedure was distinctly started by Dr. Ashvin Agarwal He performed a Glued IOL surgery in which an INTRAOCULAR lens was fixed in the eye with glue. He also showed how to do the single pass four throw pupilloplasty technique the latest treatment for patients with closed angle glaucoma or glare. Finally, he showed how to remove an Intra INTRAOCULAR lens which has fallen inside the eye using the technique called ECAL or extrusion cannula assisted levitation which was started by dr Ashvin Agarwal. Prof. Dr. Amar Agarwal, Chairman, Dr. Agarwal Group of Eye Hospitals said, “The Surgical procedures exhibited lively on internet were very unique for complicated cases. They were a part of knowledge sharing with scientific directions for thousands of spectators who participated in “Facoextrema”. Along with Prof. Dr. Amar Agarwal from India, the conclave was attended by International guests including ike Ahmed from Canada, Oscar Asís and Elena Barraquer from Spain, Gustavo Hüning from Brazil, Antonio López Bolaños from Mexico, Fernando Pellegrino from Argentina, Carolina Sardi from Colombia and Miguel Zylberglajt from Uruguay. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11551/yatin-suneja-to-join-guggenheim-securities-as-biotech-analyst.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11551/yatin-suneja-to-join-guggenheim-securities-as-biotech-analyst.html Mon, 27 Aug 2018 12:15:00 +0530 Guggenheim Securities, the investment banking and capital markets division of Guggenheim Partners has announced that Yatin Suneja will join the firm in November as a Managing Director, continuing the firm’s planned expansion of the Healthcare Research team. Mr. Suneja will focus on the coverage of Biotechnology companies in close collaboration with our growing therapeutics team. Mr. Suneja will bring over a decade of experience in Healthcare Equity Research. He will join Guggenheim from SunTrust Robinson Humphrey where he was a Managing Director and Biotechnology analyst covering therapeutic areas in the healthcare space. Prior to SunTrust, he was a Vice President on the Cowen and Company biotechnology research team. He began his career at Bank of America in Corporate Banking. “Yatin is a great addition to our growing healthcare equity research team,” said Stefano Natella, Co-Head of Equities. “He will bring valued insight through his deep-dive approach and further expand the breadth of Guggenheim’s therapeutics research platform. We look forward to his success at Guggenheim.” Guggenheim Securities has hired four other senior analysts this year to expand the equity research therapeutics franchise: Seamus Fernandez, Whitney Ijem, Michael Schmidt, and Etzer Darout, in addition to Adnan Butt hired in 2017. Mr. Suneja received his M.B.A. from The Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University and his B.Com. in Economics and Accounting from PGDAV College at the University of Delhi in New Delhi, India. He will be based in Guggenheim’s New York office.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11540/dr-rm-anjana-receives-felicitation-from-kerala-governor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11540/dr-rm-anjana-receives-felicitation-from-kerala-governor.html Fri, 24 Aug 2018 10:00:00 +0530 Dr R.M Anjana, Managing Director and Senior Diabetologist of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre and Vice President of Madras Diabetes Research Foundation was awarded the Keshavdev JPEF Award for Young Researcher in Diabetes in India. Governor of Kerala, P Sathasivam presented the award recently in the presence of the Tourism Minister of Kerala, Kadakampally Surendran on the occasion of the two-day convention organised by Dr. Jothydev and Jothydev’s Diabetes and Research Centre at Trivandrum. This is one of the highest honours for young diabetologists and is given to the best conducted original research in India. Dr. R. M. Anjana was selected for the award from among more than 100 entries. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, a gold medal and a citation. Upon receiving the award Dr. R.M. Anjana, commented, “I am thankful to the selection committee for selecting me for this prestigious award. I wish to thank my team at Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre for their contribution to my research and I dedicate this award to them“. Deeply interested in medical research right from her under graduate days Dr. Anjana has published nearly 100 research papers including original articles and chapters in text books. Her contribution to the field of epidemiology, particularly the mega epidemiological study called as ICMR INDIAB study which involves a sample size of 1.24 lakh people from 31 states and 2 union territories, has been recognized nationally and internationally. Her special interest is in the area of physical activity where she has done pioneering work on the link of physical inactivity in diabetes and how to address this important risk factor. Dr. R. M. Anjana has received numerous awards for her research in diabetes  including the prestigious “Young Investigator award in Diabetes” given by Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) and the Indo ‘UK Young Investigator Award’ among several others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11497/dr-sundar-receives-an-honor-of-first-female-president-of-bgcs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11497/dr-sundar-receives-an-honor-of-first-female-president-of-bgcs.html Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:40:00 +0530 University of Birmingham women’s cancer expert Dr Sudha Sundar has been chosen as the President-Elect of the British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS), the first female gynaecological oncologist to be elected to this post.  The BGCS is a society of professionals dedicated to improving the care provided to patients with gynaecological cancers.  The BGCS develops guidelines, advocates for advances in care, helps improve training and education for gynaecological cancer professionals and works in partnership with charities and patients. Senior Lecturer in Gynaecological Oncology at the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Dr Sundar becomes the third BGCS President to be elected from the University of Birmingham. In addition to her clinical and teaching work, Dr Sundar’s research programme investigates clinical challenges in patients with ovarian and endometrial cancer, using a combined clinical trials and translational research approach. Dr Sundar is Chief Investigator for the ROCKETS project which aims to achieve earlier diagnosis of ovarian cancer collaboration between international experts from KU Leuven (Netherlands), University College London and the University of Birmingham. Translational research in genomics, steroidomics, and metabolomics is underway. She is also leading the SOCQER 2 study, commissioned by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which investigates surgical outcomes in advanced stage ovarian cancer in 15 cancer centres in the UK, Australia and India. Dr Sundar is the cancer surgery work package lead for the NIHR global health research unit on Global Surgery, which is carrying out surgical research across sub-Saharan Africa, India and other countries. She is also working with partners across India and Africa to establishing matched cohort studies that will help investigate ethnic diversity in women’s cancer genomics. She trained in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Oxford and in Gynaecological Oncology at the Three Counties cancer centre, Gloucestershire. Dr Sundar also trained in Molecular Oncology as a Cancer Research UK Clinical Fellow at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11493/iit-h-prof-gets-recognition-by-nasi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11493/iit-h-prof-gets-recognition-by-nasi.html Thu, 16 Aug 2018 11:10:00 +0530 Dr Aravind Kumar Rengan, Assistant Professor, Plasmonic NAnoSpace (P-NAS) Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad, has been chosen for the NASI-Young Scientist Platinum Jubilee Awards (2018) by the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) this year. He has been chosen in the Bio-medical, Molecular Biology and Bio-technology category. Dr Rengan heads the Plasmonic NAnoSpace laboratory (P-NAS Lab) at IIT Hyderabad and is working in the area of cancer nanotechnology. The award was given in recognition of his work for developing affordable nanomedicines towards cancer theranostics (combining diagnostics with therapeutics). He plans to perform translational research involving novel nanomedicines synthesized in IIT Hyderabad laboratories and proceed towards human clinical trials in collaboration with Pharma Industry. After his MBBS degree from Thanjavur Medical College, Tamil Nadu, Dr Rengan went on to do his Masters in Nanomedical Sciences from Amrita Centre for Nanosciences (DST centre of Excellence) followed by a PhD in the same field at IIT Bombay - Institute of Eminence. His research is focused on developing affordable nanosystems to achieve better outcome in cancer treatment. Some of his earlier awards include DST INSPIRE, DBT Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award, INSA Young Scientist Medal, IIT Bombay - Excellence in PhD Thesis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11489/iit-r-professor-receives-g-d-naidu-award-in-biomedical-nanotech.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11489/iit-r-professor-receives-g-d-naidu-award-in-biomedical-nanotech.html Tue, 14 Aug 2018 16:45:00 +0530 Dr. M. Anandakrishnan (fourth left), Padma Shri awardee, former honorary chairman of the Board of Governors of the IIT  Kanpur & Former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, Chennai, honours Dr. P.Gopinath, Associate Professor, IIT  Roorkee, with G.D. Naidu Award for Young Scientist in Erode   Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-R)  faculty Dr. P. Gopinath has been awarded the prestigious G.D. Naidu Award for Young Scientist by Makkal Sinthanai Peravai, a non-profit organization. The award carries a cash component of Rs. 1 lakh and citation and is sponsored by the Singapore Mustafa Tamil Trust. The award was given to Dr. Gopinath, who is an Associate Professor in Department of Biotechnology, IIT Roorkee, for his outstanding contribution in the field of biomedical nanotechnology by Dr. M. Anandakrishnan, Padma Shri awardee, former honorary chairman of the Board of Governors of the, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and Former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, Chennai. Dr. Gopinath developed various polymer based nanocarriers for the delivery of several anticancer agents and also exploring the possibilities of different biocompatible imaging agents for cancer diagnosis. To detect cancer cells, his research group has recently synthesized carbon dots by heating a solution of finely chopped periwinkle plant leaves under controlled conditions and then cooled it down to room temperature. This process yielded nanosized carbon dots. When incubated with specific cancer cells, the carbon dots entered the cells. These cells showed enhanced fluorescence, indicating that the dots reached inside the cells. By this way, cancer cells can be detected and as the entered carbon dots binds and destroy the cytoskeleton proteins, they can be used as an anti-cancer agent as well. This is an economical and green way to produce fluorescent carbon dots from the leaves of a common medicinal plant. His research group has also developed a portable nanofibrous membrane that removes bacteria present in the polluted water. This membrane can be used similar to cloth based homemade filter to remove other pollutants present in the water by simple filtration. It could also be possible that immersing the membrane in the contaminated water would kill the bacteria due to the presence of bactericidal agent (Silver nanoparticles). His research group has also developed nanomaterials for potential applications in air purification. Currently, Dr. Gopinath’s research projects aim to produce economical and affordable solutions for pressing healthcare problems facing the country. He has filed a patent for “4D tissue engineering device” and also published high impact research articles in many of the world’s leading biomedical journals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11472/new-directors-in-aiims-raipur-and-jodhpur.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11472/new-directors-in-aiims-raipur-and-jodhpur.html Mon, 13 Aug 2018 13:30:00 +0530 The government has appointed directors of All india Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Raipur and Jodhpur. Nitin M Nagarkar will be head of AIIMS, Raipur, while Sanjeev Misra has been named director AIIMS Jodhpur.   The central government had decided to set up six new AIIMS at Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Rishikesh and Raipur under the first phase of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), to correct regional imbalances in providing quality healthcare and attain self-sufficiency in graduate and postgraduate medical education.   Two more AIIMS, one at Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh and the other at Raiganj, West Bengal have been approved in the second phase of PMSSY.   The move to set up more premier medical institution aims at reducing work load of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, which caters to a large number of patients.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11446/dr-cyrus-poonawalla-receives-doctor-of-humane-letters-degree.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11446/dr-cyrus-poonawalla-receives-doctor-of-humane-letters-degree.html Wed, 08 Aug 2018 13:00:00 +0530 Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, founder of Serum Institute of India has been recently felicitated by NCP Chief, Sharad Pawar, for being the first Indian to be conferred with the honorary ‘Doctor of Humane Letters’ degree. Dr. Poonawalla was bestowed with the prestigious honorary degree by the University of Massachusetts in the US earlier this year for his outstanding contribution to the field of vaccination. Dr. Poonawalla has been widely acknowledged for his unparalleled and continuous mission of global immunization. Upon being conferred with this degree, Dr. Poonawalla has joined the list of exceptional leaders such as the former US President Barack Obama among other renowned public personalities. Spearheading the vaccination movement in India for the past 50 years, Dr. Poonawalla and Serum Institute of India have been successful in immunizing more than 20 million underprivileged children. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11423/dr-k-m-cherian-receives-cardiac-surgery-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11423/dr-k-m-cherian-receives-cardiac-surgery-award.html Fri, 03 Aug 2018 15:05:00 +0530 Dr. K M Cherian was felicitated as "Pioneer in Cardiac Surgery and Modern Sushrutha of Cardiac Surgery" at the National Holistic Cardiology Conclave 2018 (NHCC2018), recently. Defence Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the meet and felicitated Dr.  K M Cherian with an award. According to Dr. A. Mathavan Director - Cardiology, Velammal Hospital and Chairman of NHCC2018, “I personally feel that Dr. K.M. Cherian truly deserves the award as he has Pioneered Cardiac Surgery in India, He is a true stalwart of his profession and also his experience and interest on AYUSH, and such ayurvedic medicines proves that he is the Modern Sushruta of Cardiac Surgery”. Receiving the award Dr. K M Cherian, Chairman and CEO of Frontier Lifeline Hospital said “I am humbled, honoured and happy to receive such prestigious award this evening from the honourable Defence Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. This Conference proved as an effective forum for participants to exchange knowledge and ideas. It is an opportunity for individuals to exchange thoughts and meet outstanding professionals who demonstrated vision, compassion and dedication in their field. The conclave would also empower all the physicians to handle cardiac emergencies.” Recently Dr. K.M. Cherian donated a statue of Sushruta seated over the inscribed plinth to the Royal Australian College of Surgeons in order to boost the students and trainees to perform better and achieve higher.  According to Dr. K M Cherian the main aim of gifting the statue to the college is to motivate the students and professionals to strive for greater heights and to contribute more actively towards promoting the profession’s intellectual, creative and ethical value systems and also to make them know the highest standards of excellence in Cardiac health care. Dr. K. M. Cherian gave an excellent presentational talk on the origin and importance of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) Cardiac Surgery in India. He was asked to talk on the topic “PCI CAN NEVER CONQUER CABG“. As a speaker he made it possible to convince the participants and impressed upon them that PCI CAN NEVER CONQUER CABG. The scientific programme has been meticulously planned to encompass a wide array of contemporary topics and to showcase the cutting edge technologies in the field of Clinical and Interventional Cardiology. More than 1000 cardiologist participated in the event. This event also brought together the collaborative efforts from Cardiologists and General physicians from various National and International hospitals under one roof to disseminate the knowledge of new treatment strategies and technologies to participants. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11357/slayback-pharma-appoints-dr-girish-jain-as-global-rd-head.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11357/slayback-pharma-appoints-dr-girish-jain-as-global-rd-head.html Wed, 25 Jul 2018 10:35:00 +0530 Slayback Pharma LLC, a privately held pharmaceutical research and development company, has announced the appointment of Dr Girish Jain as Senior Vice President and Head of Global R&D. Dr Jain will be based out of Slayback's Hyderabad, India office. Dr Jain is a highly accomplished scientist and a veteran in the field of Pharmaceutical Research and Development. He is widely recognized in India for his R&D leadership. He has successfully led the development and filing of more than 225 ANDAs with USFDA, across various dosage forms and over 75 different products with Europe and Australia. He is also the lead inventor in scores of granted patents. His experience straddles both the innovative and generic pharmaceutical research space. Dr Jain has had a stellar leadership track record in the industry. Prior to joining Slayback, he was President and Head of R&D at Alkem for the last four years. Earlier, he served for 10 years at Wockhardt where he was the Senior Vice President and Head of R&D in his last position. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11341/-dr-partap-honored-with-lifetime-achievement-award-in-ayurveda.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11341/-dr-partap-honored-with-lifetime-achievement-award-in-ayurveda.html Fri, 20 Jul 2018 17:55:00 +0530 Dr Partap Chauhan, Ayurvedacharya and Director of Jiva Ayurveda was recently honoured with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at an Arogyam Conclave and Awards ceremony in the presence of Shripad Naik, Minister of State, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt of India. The conclave and awards ceremony was organized to award excellence in Ayurveda, Unani, Yoga, Siddha, Naturopathy and Homeopathy.    Receiving the award on behalf of Dr Chauhan, Rishi Pal Chauhan, President, Jiva Group said, “It is a great honour. Dr Chauhan has dedicated his life and inspired hundreds to passionately work towards the cause of taking Ayurveda to every home. Under his guidance Jiva Ayurveda is surpassing new milestones. From providing quality treatment and care to innovating new technology with the aim of establishing Ayurveda as a globally accepted treatment science, Jiva has always been a benchmark-setter thanks to Dr Chauhan’s leadership and guidance”.    The event was organized at the Ashok Hotel, New Delhi and was attended by several by distinguished guests like Sri Sri Ravishankar, Acharya Balakrishna, Dr. Jai Madaan and Prof Asim Khan to name a few.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11334/lanxess-india-appoints-neelanjan-banerjee-as-managing-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11334/lanxess-india-appoints-neelanjan-banerjee-as-managing-director.html Thu, 19 Jul 2018 17:40:00 +0530 Neelanjan Banerjee, age 45 years, will be the new Country Representative and Managing Director for India effective September 1, 2018. He will assume these tasks in addition to his current function as head of the Advanced Industrial Intermediates business unit (BU AII) in India. Banerjee joined LANXESS in 2006 as head of the former Basic Chemicals business unit and the Saltigo business unit in India. Banerjee follows Jacques Perez, aged 56, who will take overnew responsibilities as Managing Director of LANXESS Holding UKUnlimited and Country Representative of LANXESS in the UnitedKingdom. Born in France, he has also held the position of ChiefFinancial Officer (CFO) of LANXESS India Private Limited since 2013. “On behalf of the entire Board of Management, I would like to thankboth Jacques Perez and Neelanjan Banerjee for their excellent workand outstanding contributions to the company so far and wish themevery success in their new roles” said Rainier van Roessel, Member ofthe Board of Management at LANXESS AG, commenting on thedevelopment. LANXESS India was incorporated in India on February 20, 2004, and isrepresented through all its twelve business units, operating out of itsregistered office in Thane and sales offices in New Delhi and Chennaiwith around 1000 employees across its operations. The company also has manufacturing facilities in India for five of itsbusiness units. The manufacturing sites are located in Nagda in MadhyaPradesh and Jhagadia in Gujarat. Production facilities for business unitsLiquid Purification Technologies (ion exchange resins), High PerformanceMaterials (high tech plastics), Material Protection Products (biocides) and RheinChemie (polymer bound rubber chemicals and release agents) are operational in Jhagadia. The business unit Advanced IndustrialIntermediates has production facilities both in Nagda and Jhagadia. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11259/mfine-appoints-anitha-venkat-as-senior-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11259/mfine-appoints-anitha-venkat-as-senior-director.html Fri, 06 Jul 2018 12:50:00 +0530 mfine, an app-based on-demand healthcare service, has announced the appointment of Anitha Venkat as the company’s new Senior Director. In this new role, Anitha will be responsible for building mfine’s hospital and doctor network across India. The company is planning to achieve over 100,000 consultations by the end of 2018 and is looking to build a network of 1000 hospitals over the next 12-18 months. In a career spanning over 25 years, Anitha was a key senior management executive at Lifecell International, the world's largest repository of stem cell units. During her decade long stint at Lifecell, she spearheaded and helped grow the company and managed business in 50 cities across India. Prior to Lifecell, Anitha was a senior management team member in the financial services industry and was responsible for new premium income, renewal business, new customer acquisition, corporate tie-ups, manpower expansion, retention and overall agency business development. Anitha has a master’s degree in Science from Birla Institute of Technology & Science. mfine follows a unique model of partnering with leading and trusted hospitals instead of aggregating individual doctors on the platform. Hospital partnerships enable mfine to make high quality care of trusted doctors available on a digital channel – for the first time in the country. Top doctors from more than 16 leading and reputed hospitals in Bengaluru such as CloudNine, Aster, and Ovum consult with patients across nine specialties. For the hospitals, mfine is their new center on the cloud bringing in more patients and offering premium services, long-term care programs, super specialties without any upfront investments. mfine was founded in February 2017 by Ashutosh Lawania and Prasad Kompalli. The company recently raised $4.2 million in Series A funding from Prime Venture Partners, Stellaris Venture Partners and healthcare entrepreneur, Mayur Abhaya. “I am thrilled to join the team at such an exciting time. In a country like India where there is only one doctor for every 1700 people, on-demand healthcare service can bridge the gap in primary healthcare delivery. With mfine’s strong AI-driven approach, doctors and hospitals can cater to many more patients and deliver quality healthcare quickly and effectively”, shares Anitha Venkat, Senior Director, mfine. “We are delighted to welcome Anitha to our team as we strive to strengthen the leadership team. Anitha’s expertise and experience working with hospitals and doctors will help mfine to rapidly expand the hospital network across India. This is a significant step for us as our key focus is to aggregate hospitals and make primary care on-demand and more accessible”, says Prasad Kompalli, CEO and cofounder, mfine. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11234/cigna-tkk-health-appoints-prasun-sikdar-as-md-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11234/cigna-tkk-health-appoints-prasun-sikdar-as-md-ceo.html Tue, 03 Jul 2018 12:10:00 +0530 Cigna TTK Health Insurance, a joint venture between U.S.-based global health services company, Cigna Corporation and Indian conglomerate TTK Group has announced the appointment of Mr. Prasun Sikdar as its new MD and Chief Executive Officer following regulatory approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). He succeeds Mr. Sandeep Patel, former MD and Chief Executive Officer, who will take over as Chief Strategy and JV Officer for Cigna and will serve as Director on the Cigna TTK Health Insurance Board. Prasun will be responsible for building upon the company’s already strong position in India. He will continue to focus on delivering innovative products and services to the company’s growing customer base. With his deep experience in partnerships, he will also be working with the leadership team to further expand the company’s distribution channels, while enhancing the brand and creating long-term value for the organization and its customers. Prasun brings more than 22 years of leadership experience in financial services and deep insurance knowledge to Cigna TTK. Before joining Cigna TTK, Prasun was Group President and Global Head at Yes Bank, where he managed and grew key bancassurance and mutual fund alliances and partnerships. Prior to this he was a founding member and Senior General Manager, Chief Sales & Distribution at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. During his 17 years with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, he worked across several portfolios including Operations & Underwriting, Bancassurance, Agency, Alternate Distribution, Health Business and Sales Strategy. Before ICICI Prudential Life, he has been associated with GE Capital (SBI Cards) and Citicorp. Mr. Jason Sadler, President, International Markets, Cigna said: “We are delighted to have appointed Prasun as we continue to grow at a fast pace across India and deliver products and services to improve the health, well-being and sense of security of our customers. I am confident that his passion for innovation, as well as his rich and diverse experience, will add immense value and strengthen our market position in India.” Cigna TTK is one the fastest growing health insurance companies in India and has created a niche in the health and wellness sector by offering its customers innovative products and services. Since commencing operations in 2014, the company has established a significant presence in the market and has fostered new partnerships with leading financial institutions. In 2018, Cigna TTK was recognized as the Best Health Insurance Company at the Indian Insurance Summit and was certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’. Commenting on his new appointment, Prasun said “I am honoured to become part of the Cigna TTK family and am excited to have the opportunity to lead this respected organization. Health Insurance continues to be a fast-growing segment and I see tremendous opportunity for Cigna TTK to support access to health and wellness. I look forward to building a superior customer experience, delivering profitable growth for the organization and enabling the expansion of quality healthcare to millions of people in India.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11226/dr-v-mohan-wins-harold-rifkin-award-for-diabetes-research-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11226/dr-v-mohan-wins-harold-rifkin-award-for-diabetes-research-.html Mon, 02 Jul 2018 17:00:00 +0530 Dr. V. Mohan, Chairman and Chief of Diabetology at Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and President & Chief of Diabetes Research of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation has been conferred the prestigious Harold Rifkin Distinguished International Service in the Cause of Diabetes Award by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Dr. Mohan is the first Indian doctor to be conferred with this award by the American Diabetes Association ( ADA ).The award is dedicated in the memory of Dr. Harold Rifkin, an internationally recognized clinician, researcher and educator in diabetes.  It is one of the highest scientific achievement awards of American Diabetes Association given annually to an individual whose efforts have increased the awareness of the burden of diabetes worldwide to improve the care and lives of those with diabetes. The award recognizes Dr. Mohan’s outstanding service to the cause of diabetes in India and his pioneering work in the field of diabetes.  The award was conferred on Dr. Mohan during the 78th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association at Orlando during the National Scientific Achievement Awards Presentation Ceremony held on June 25th 2018 at WB4 Convention Center. Supported by a grant from the Rifkin Family, this award honours individuals who have demonstrated outstanding research, education, and care in diabetes performed from an international perspective with an international project.   On the occasion of receiving the award, Dr.V.Mohan commented “I thank the American Diabetes Association for this great honour and also a proud moment that it is the first time being bestowed to an Indian. I also thank my family and the entire team of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre. The greatest accomplishment of course, is in setting up the chain of diabetes centres that we run. We currently have 42 branches of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre across India and this serves approximately 430,000 people with diabetes both in urban as well as in rural India. The other important accomplishment I would say is capacity building or training people ,not just in the  speciality of diabetes, or just physicians and dialectologists but also nurses, ophthalmologists and many other technicians not just from India but from many other countries in  Africa and Asia. The methods of care and the low cost care which we have developed in India that is suitable for both rural and urban areas would be ideally suited not only for counties in and around India but also the developing countries in Asia, Africa and South America where they can learn a lot from the kind of rural work as well as the community work that we have carried out in India. “Internationally renowned, Dr. Mohan has worked tirelessly to address the challenges of diabetes in India and developing countries. He has actively been involved in government health policy and advocacy programs related to diabetes, and he has served as President of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India. Dr. Mohan’s comprehensive diabetes center boasts 41 branches with computerized clinical data on more than 4,21,000 patients. “Thank you, Dr. Mohan, for your commitment to serving people with diabetes and to bringing systematic changes to improve populations. Congratulations on this accomplishment,” said the ADA’s 2018 President of Health Care and Education Felicia Hill-Briggs, PhD, ABPP. “Your efforts to ensure that the best diabetes care is available to people in India and other developing countries have improved millions of lives.”With several productive international research collaborations, Dr. Mohan has contributed to more than 700 original publications. His remarkable reach in training health care providers includes efforts supported by the World Diabetes Foundation (Denmark) and Public Health Foundation of India, through which he has trained more than 20,000 providers in India, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal. He also provides lifelong, free treatment to thousands of patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11223/anu-acharya-receives-pride-of-telangana-achiever-award-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11223/anu-acharya-receives-pride-of-telangana-achiever-award-.html Mon, 02 Jul 2018 12:45:00 +0530 Round Table India recently launched its prestigious awards, Pride of Telangana Awards. With plans to do it every year, Round Table identified and honored those unsung heroes who were instrumental in bringing about a silent revolution. People who make our community and society rich through their stupendous contribution were recognized. The Round Table is internationally, a friendship organization, founded in Norwich, England by Louis Marchesi, then a Rotarian in 1927. From a small group of 8 members, today it has grown to over 43,000 members across 52 countries representing every corner of the world. Round Table came to India in 1957. Over the past six decades it has grown to become a 4,000-member strong association.  Round Table India (RTI) has around over 324 Tables located over 105 cities and towns, comprising of businessmen, entrepreneurs, technocrats and professionals, men who can rise above personal concerns to seek and serve the larger needs of the community. There were various categories for Awards. The Twelve categories for which Awards were presented were in the areas of Sports, NGOs, Retail industry, Film industry, SME, Administrative Services, Food & Beverage, Medicine, Start-ups, Arts & Culture, Education; and a Special Award for Women. There were two categories of awards, reported Ragalahari. Individuals or Organisations who achieved name and fame in their respective fields and were a role model to budding aspirants in the category, were eligible for the Achiever Awards. The Emerging Award was an attempt to identify and recognize the budding aspirants for their achievements and contribution in their respective fields. The Judges were: Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, I & C and IT, Telangana Mr. Srinivas Kollipara, Founder & COO, T-Hub Ms. Amala Akkineni, Former Actress& Co-founder – Blue cross of Hyderabad Ms. Rekha Lahoti, Founder & Director, Kalakriti Art Gallery & Krishnakriti Foundation Prof. Shantha Sinha, Padma shree Awardee, Founder, MV Foundation Mr. Vishnu Raju, Chairman & CEO, Exciga Group, Vice President – Olympic association of Telangana Dr. P.Raghuram, Director, Padma Shree awardee, Director, KIMS Hospital Advisory Board Members were: Mr Ravindra Agarwal, MD Ravi Foods (Dukes) Ms. Rekha Lahoti, Founder & Director, Kalakriti Art Gallery & Krishnakriti Foundation Mr Yashwant Jhabakh, Founder & Chairman, Mahavir Group  Ms. Anu Acharya, Founder & CEO of Mapmygenome received the award on behalf of the company which won an award in the "Startup category". The awards were conducted at Trident hotel in Hitech City.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11213/indias-biotech-queen-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-elected-to-mit-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11213/indias-biotech-queen-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-elected-to-mit-board.html Fri, 29 Jun 2018 15:30:00 +0530 India’s biotech queen Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw got elected as a full-term member of the MIT Corporation, the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), her company Biocon announced on Thursday. “Shaw is among the eight members who will serve the five-year term on the Board from July 1,” said the city-based biotech firm in a statement here. Shaw, 65, is a pioneer of the Indian biotech sector and founder-chairperson of Biocon, a global drug maker for affordable and accessible healthcare. “I am honoured to be elected as a full-time member of the MIT Board and look forward to contributing to its journey of making a difference in solving challenges of the world,” she said. A first-generation entrepreneur and a thought leader, Shaw is ranked among the world’s most influential people in bio-pharma by Fierce Biotech, Forbes magazine’s ‘World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ and Fortune’s ‘Top 25 Most Powerful Women in the Asia-Pacific region’. She has also been ranked number one in the Business Captains category on ‘Medicine Maker Power List’ 2018, an index of the 100 most influential people the world over in medicine where she has been among the top 10 since 2015. “It is inspiring to be a part of a premiere research university like MIT, which is engaged in advancing knowledge, leveraging science and technology to address fundamental human needs for food, shelter, energy, transportation and social harmony,” said Shaw, who holds key positions in educational, industrial and government bodies, including expert committees of the Department of Biotechnology and governing councils of its institutes. She is also on the board of directors of the US-India Business Council and the board of trustees of the Keck Graduate Institute at California’s Claremont. Shaw was elected a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in 2006. She has established a 1,400-bed medical centre here to deliver affordable cancer care to patients of socio-economic background and a non-profit research institute dedicated to treating human diseases. Shaw graduated from Bangalore University and has a master’s from Ballarat College of Melbourne University in Australia. Ranked among the world’s leading universities, the 157-year-old MIT is an independent, co-educational and privately-endowed institution, with 1,000 faculty members, 11,000 under-graduate and post-graduate students and 130,000 living alumni. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11208/mit-board-elects-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-as-full-term-member.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11208/mit-board-elects-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-as-full-term-member.html Thu, 28 Jun 2018 17:35:00 +0530 Biocon Ltd, Asia’s premier biopharmaceutical company, has announced that its Chairperson and Managing Director, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, has been elected as full-term member of the MIT Corporation, the board of trustees of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. She is among the eight full-term members who will each serve a term of five years starting July 1, 2018. Commenting on her election, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD - Biocon, said, “I am truly honoured to be elected as a full-time member of the board of trustees of MIT and look forward to contributing to this venerable institution's continuous journey of making a meaningful difference in solving various challenges of the world. It is inspiring to be a part of this premiere research university, which is engaged in advancing knowledge, leveraging science and technology to address fundamental human needs for food, shelter, energy, transportation and social harmony.” Mazumdar-Shaw is a pioneer of India’s biotech industry and founder of the country’s leading biotechnology enterprise, Biocon. A first generation entrepreneur, she has made her country proud with a globally recognized biopharmaceuticals company that is committed to innovation for making healthcare affordable and accessible. A thought leader and a global influencer, she has been ranked among ‘World's 25 Most Influential People in Biopharma’ by Fierce Biotech, Forbes magazine’s ‘World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ and Fortune’s ‘Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Asia-Pacific.’ She has been ranked No. 1 in the Business Captains category on ‘Medicine Maker Power List’ 2018, an index of the 100 most influential people across the globe in the field of medicine, where she has been among the Top 10 continuously since 2015. She holds key positions in various educational, government, and industry positions, including: member of high-level expert committees of India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and governing councils of institutes of the DBT; non- executive chairperson of the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), a non-profit pan-India forum representing the Indian biotechnology sector; and member of the governing body of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission. She is on the board of directors of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) and the board of trustees of the Keck Graduate Institute in Claremont, California, U.S. She has previously served as a member of the board of trustees of the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP). She was elected a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in 2006. She has established a 1,400-bed medical center in Bengaluru to deliver affordable cancer care to patients of all socioeconomic backgrounds, and a non-profit research institute dedicated to treating a range of human diseases. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Bangalore University and a master’s degree from Ballarat College of Melbourne University, and has been awarded several honorary degrees by international universities such as the University of Abertay, University of Glasgow, Heriot-Watt University and Trinity College, Dublin (2012) for her pre-eminent contributions in the field of biotechnology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11170/roche-appoints-james-sabry-as-global-partnering-head.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11170/roche-appoints-james-sabry-as-global-partnering-head.html Mon, 25 Jun 2018 10:20:00 +0530 Swiss drug major Roche Group has appointed James Sabry as Global Head of Partnering, a role that combines the partnering functions across the Roche pharmaceuticals business, and as a member of the enlarged Corporate Executive Committee. He will be based in Basel and assumes his new role on August 1. Sabry currently is Head of Partnering for Genentech Research and Early Development or gRED. Sabry succeeds Sophie KornowskiBonnet, Head of Roche Partnering and member of the enlarged Corporate Executive Committee since 2012, as she leaves the company on July 31 for a new opportunity. Prior to joining Genentech in his current role in 2010, Sabry was CEO of a start-up biotech company and was founder and CEO of Cytokinetics, a biopharmaceutical company in the San Francisco Bay Area. He completed his MD at Queen’s University in Canada and then did his medical residency in Neurology at Harvard Medical School before further attaining a PhD in Neuroscience from University of California, San Francisco. He continued his research work as a post-doctoral fellow at Stanford Medical School in the Department of Biochemistry. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11165/dr-r-rajani-receives-excellence-healthcare-award-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11165/dr-r-rajani-receives-excellence-healthcare-award-.html Fri, 22 Jun 2018 15:15:00 +0530 Dr Rajesh Rajani, a Consultant Cardiologist at P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai was honoured with the" Excellence in Cardiology, Mumbai" award at India Today's Excellence Health Care Awards 2018 held recently in the city. The award was handed over by Maharashtra Health Minister Dr Deepak Sawant. Dr Rajani has undergone extensive training in Melbourne, Australia at the St. Vincent’s Group of Hospitals.  During his tenure in Australia he performed more than 8,000 coronary angiograms and more than 2000 coronary angioplasties.  At Hinduja Hospital he performs approximately 500 – 600 procedures per year which include coronary angiographies, coronary angioplasties with stenting, balloon mitral valvuloplasties, permanent pacemaker implantation.  He has already completed more than 2000 Trans Radial Interventions.  Dr Rajani is also serving as an Asst. Professor in Cardiology at the J.J. Group of Hospitals, Grant Medical College, Mumbai. He has graduated from J.J. Group of Hospitals and the K.E.M. Hospital with MD and DM in Cardiology respectively.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11155/amazon-led-joint-healthcare-firm-names-atul-gawande-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11155/amazon-led-joint-healthcare-firm-names-atul-gawande-as-ceo.html Thu, 21 Jun 2018 12:50:00 +0530 Eminent Indian-American surgeon, writer and public health innovator Atul Gawande has been named as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a new US employee health care company, a joint venture between Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase. Gawande, 52, will take over as the CEO of the company from July 9. The new company will be headquartered in Boston and will operate as an independent entity that is free from profit-making incentives and constraints. Gawande practices general and endocrine surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital and is Professor at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School. He is the founding executive director of the health systems innovation centre, Ariadne Labs and is also is a staff writer for The New Yorker magazine. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11139/biotechnology-institute-announces-woman-of-the-year-awardee.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11139/biotechnology-institute-announces-woman-of-the-year-awardee.html Tue, 19 Jun 2018 12:20:00 +0530 Seema Kumar, Vice President of Innovation, Global Health and Science Policy Communication for Johnson & Johnson was named recipient of the Biotechnology Institute’s newly launched 2018 Woman of the Year Award. The award, part of the Institute’s new Bi♀GENEius Innovators women-in-science mentoring initiative, recognizes a woman in science who exemplifies the goals of the Institute’s mission to engage, excite and educate our future young innovators. Drawing from the Institute’s historic 50% participation by young women in the BioGENEius program, Bi♀GENEius Innovators brings together Biotechnology Institute alumni and experienced women professionals for two days of formal and informal exchange. The Biotechnology Institute selected Kumar as its first Woman of the Year in part for her efforts to increase representation of women and young people in the sciences. Today more women graduate with college and university degrees in the U.S. than men, more than twice as many men graduate with degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and globally only 16% of women graduate with STEM degrees. Kumar is helping to change this landscape through the promotion of STEM education and public engagement in science here and abroad, especially in developing countries where there is growing need for innovation in health, sustainability and the environment. “Seema believes a great idea can come from anywhere, and she has an intense dedication to fostering the very best talent in innovative research no matter who they are or where they’re from,” said Larry Mahan, President of the Biotechnology Institute. “She is an especially strong champion of young scientists via the Institute’s BioGENEius Challenge and Gene Pool Pitch Competition held every year at the BIO International Convention to showcase the research excellence and entrepreneurial spirit of top U.S. and international high school students in healthcare, food sustainability and industrial/environmental applications of biotechnology.” “Amidst the myriad responsibilities she undertakes for J&J, Seema still finds time to create or support new programs that promote inclusivity in the sciences – especially of youth and women of all cultural ethnicities. This year in addition to participation in and championing the BioGENEius Challenge, BioGENEius Gene Pool Competition and Bi♀GENEius Innovators program, she announced the launch of an ambitious Johnson & Johnson Champions of Science storytelling program to spotlight innovators from all over the world,” said Jim Greenwood, President of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. “Seema truly goes ‘beyond the bench’ to advance inclusive innovation for greater impact on human health,” Mahan added. “We are very proud to name her the 2018 Woman of the Year.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11104/jci-appoints-john-yoon-as-md-asia-pacific-region.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11104/jci-appoints-john-yoon-as-md-asia-pacific-region.html Tue, 12 Jun 2018 11:40:00 +0530 Joint Commission International (JCI) is pleased to announce John Yoon, MBA, as JCI's managing director of the Asia-Pacific Region.   In this role, he is responsible for developing relationships between JCI and health care organizations, governments, medical societies and industry clients in their efforts to reduce risk and improve health outcomes.   Yoon joined JCI in January 2017. With more than 13 years of experience in health care and finance, he brings a wealth of knowledge in leading large-scale projects, as well as financial and operational consulting for health care systems and cross-border businesses.   Prior to his role with JCI, Yoon was Philips Healthcare's regional director of Southeast Asia and head of Philips Capital at the Asia-Pacific office in Singapore.   In these positions, he led large-scale hospital projects, capital asset financing and turnkey equipment solutions to governments and health care organizations across Asia.   He also has managed a multi-specialty spine surgery and rehabilitation hospital as the general manager at Mubadala Development Company in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and served as head of international business at Wooridul Spine Hospital in South Korea.   Yoon has worked with leading health care providers in Asia, Europe and the Middle East on strategic partnerships and joint ventures, and led Wooridul's first JCI accreditation.   He is an expert in strategic planning, new product launches and project management, which guides his work as new organizations and long-term clients seek accreditation.    Yoon takes over the regional leadership role formerly held by Joyce Chang, MHSA, who moved into a newly created position in JCI's U.S. office leading a strategic planning project for the International Accreditation Department. Chang stated she is excited about Yoon's promotion to managing director.    With more than 323 accredited organizations in 17 countries across the Asia-Pacific Region, Yoon's innovation and creative problem-solving will be an asset to health care organizations throughout the region.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11092/io-biotech-assigns-kathleen-sereda-glaub-on-board-of-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11092/io-biotech-assigns-kathleen-sereda-glaub-on-board-of-directors.html Mon, 11 Jun 2018 11:45:00 +0530 IO Biotech, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, immune modulating anti-cancer therapies, based on its proprietary T-win technology announced the appointment of Kathleen Sereda Glaub, MBA, as member of the Board of Directors.   Ms. Glaub brings more than 30 years of experience in executive-level corporate development, financing and company-building for leading life science and technology innovation-based companies.   "I am very pleased to welcome Ms. Glaub to our Board of Directors. Ms. Glaub has outstanding experience and a strong track record in strategic decision making and creating value in companies. We look forward to continuing to develop our company under her guidance," said Mai-Britt Zocca, CEO of IO Biotech.   "In recent years, the field of immuno-oncology has greatly advanced our ability to effectively treat cancer patients in need. So, I am pleased to join IO Biotech and their leading scientific team in advancing the company's next generation platform and pipeline of cancer treatments that have already demonstrated significant improvements in safely, effectively and efficiently harnessing the patient's immune system," said Kathleen Sereda Glaub, Member of the Board of Directors at IO Biotech.   Kathleen S. Glaub has, since September 2017, been associated with IO Biotech as Strategic Advisor and has led several companies at the executive level to success. Most recently, as Chief Executive Officer of Afferent Pharmaceuticals from 2014-2016, Ms. Glaub led the company's development of its lead molecule, AF-219/MK-7264, through a full complement of mid-stage clinical trials to Phase 3 readiness as a novel treatment for chronic cough, and ultimately, the sale of the company to Merck in 2016 for USD 1.25 billion, including USD 500 million upfront. She also raised USD 80 million additional private funding, including a crossover round.   She had joined the Afferent Board in 2013. Prior to Afferent, Ms. Glaub co-led Plexxikon Inc. as President for 12 years, until May 2013. In this role, she led the business and financing strategy for the company, including negotiating six partnerships generating over several hundred million in non-equity funding, and led the company's buyout by Daiichi Sankyo for nearly USD 1 billion cash in 2011. She also was instrumental in Plexxikon's advancement of multiple novel molecules to the clinic, as well as advancement of Zelboraf®, a targeted treatment for melanoma, along with its companion diagnostic to market approval in 2011. Prior experience also included positions as SVP & CFO of Cell Genesys, Treasurer of Genentech, and various finance and treasury roles with Intel Corporation. Ms. Glaub received her MBA from Northwestern University, and her BA from the University of California, Berkeley. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11067/senior-marketing-director-biocon-vasudev-tribhuvan-joins-wellthy-therapeutics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11067/senior-marketing-director-biocon-vasudev-tribhuvan-joins-wellthy-therapeutics.html Tue, 05 Jun 2018 15:10:00 +0530 Wellthy Therapeutics (Wellthy) has announced the appointment of Vasudev V. Tribhuvan as Vice President, Partnerships & Alliances effective May 2018. Commenting on the appointment, Abhishek Shah, Co-Founder and CEO of Wellthy Therapeutics said, “We have reached a point where digital pills greatly augment conventional drugs to target outcomes which were previously unheard of. Wellthy has already been pioneering outcomes beyond the pill in India. Vasudev's rich experience in understanding of healthcare stakeholder problems, coupled with Wellthy’s world-class platform to solve for them has incredible potential to accelerate our impact goals, both in India and in Asia”. Vasudev’s previous role was at Biocon, where he was the Senior Director, Marketing and led strategic initiatives for the metabolic unit while guiding the team on patient programs. Prior to Biocon, Vasudev held sales and marketing leadership roles with AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim and Novo Nordisk, and is an alumni of the University of California, Los Angeles. Commenting on his new role, Vasudev V. Tribhuvan said, “For years, there has been a push within the pharmaceutical industry to move ‘beyond the pill’, to improve outcomes in chronic metabolic disorders. The impetus to move beyond the pill typically arises from the realizations that drugs alone do not suffice for patients to achieve optimal clinical outcomes. Pharma companies should consider integrating beyond-the-pill solutions as a differentiated package offering in chronic disease categories, also ensuring better outcomes.” About Wellthy Therapeutics Wellthy Therapeutics is a digital therapeutics company that uses a hybrid of artificial intelligence and human paramedical intervention to improve health literacy and facilitate behavior change for better outcomes in patients. It’s first digital therapeutic for type II diabetes has been endorsed by Asia’s largest diabetes association (RSSDI).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11066/vasudev-tribhuvan-joins-wellthy-therapeutics-from-biocon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11066/vasudev-tribhuvan-joins-wellthy-therapeutics-from-biocon.html Tue, 05 Jun 2018 14:35:00 +0530 Wellthy Therapeutics has recently announced the appointment of Vasudev V. Tribhuvan as Vice President, Partnerships & Alliances effective May 2018. Commenting on the appointment, Abhishek Shah, Co-Founder and CEO of Wellthy Therapeutics said, “We have reached a point where digital pills greatly augment conventional drugs to target outcomes which were previously unheard of. Wellthy has already been pioneering outcomes beyond the pill in India. Vasudev's rich experience in understanding of healthcare stakeholder problems, coupled with Wellthy’s world-class platform to solve for them has incredible potential to accelerate our impact goals, both in India and in Asia”. Vasudev’s previous role was at Biocon, where he was the Senior Director, Marketing and led strategic initiatives for the metabolic unit while guiding the team on patient programs. Prior to Biocon, Vasudev held sales and marketing leadership roles with AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim and Novo Nordisk, and is an alumni of the University of California, Los Angeles. Commenting on his new role, Vasudev V. Tribhuvan said, “For years, there has been a push within the pharmaceutical industry to move ‘beyond the pill’, to improve outcomes in chronic metabolic disorders. The impetus to move beyond the pill typically arises from the realizations that drugs alone do not suffice for patients to achieve optimal clinical outcomes. Pharma companies should consider integrating beyond-the-pill solutions as a differentiated package offering in chronic disease categories, also ensuring better outcomes.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11048/jawed-zia-joins-as-vice-president-in-abbott-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/11048/jawed-zia-joins-as-vice-president-in-abbott-india-.html Thu, 31 May 2018 17:40:00 +0530 Effective June 1, 2018, Jawed Zia joins Abbott as Vice President, Established Pharmaceuticals, India. In this role, Jawed will lead Abbott’s India pharmaceutical business, which offers quality, trusted medicines to help people get and stay healthy. With his extensive knowledge of the Indian pharmaceutical market and his vast strategic and operational experience, Jawed will be responsible for Abbott’s continued growth and leadership in the country. Jawed joins Abbott from Novartis where he was the Pharma Division Head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Country President. Over the last 25 years of his career, Jawed has been in various leadership roles with Novartis, working in its pharma and ophthalmic businesses, as well as being part of many integration projects. He has had the opportunity to work in several countries including Singapore, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.  Abbott has been in India since 1910, offering products and solutions in nutrition, diagnostics, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. With two production sites and a new Innovation and Development Centre for its pharmaceutical business, the company has over 12,000 employees in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10967/healthifyme-appoints-anish-basu-roy-as-svp-enterprise-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10967/healthifyme-appoints-anish-basu-roy-as-svp-enterprise-platform.html Fri, 18 May 2018 10:30:00 +0530 HealthifyMe, India’s largest & most loved health & fitness app has announced that Anish Basu Roy (Ex-CEO and Founder Shotang.com) has been appointed as the company’s first Senior Vice President. In his new capacity, Anish will lead the Enterprise Business at HealthifyMe and would be responsible for taking HealthifyMe’ s Corporate Wellness practice to the next level of growth. Anish is also expected to help the company launch its platform ambition on Foods, Diagnostics and will additionally be responsible for Corporate Development efforts as HealthifyMe looks to acqui-hire other startups. Anish will be reporting to the CEO of HealthifyMe, Tushar Vashisht. Anish was previously the CEO & Founder of Shotang India which had raised more than $5M in funding with a goal to disrupt India’s retail distribution space in India aggregating over 18,000 retailers and 165 wholesalers in 7 cities. Before starting Shotang, Anish helped setup Nokia’s enterprise business in India and also had a successful sales stint at Coca Cola. Commenting on Anish’s appointment, Tushar Vashisht, Co-Founder & CEO, HealthifyMe said, “I am excited about Anish’s inclusion in our leadership team. As a fellow entrepreneur who has built businesses and teams from scratch previously, I am confident that Anish will help scale Enterprise and launch other P&Ls in our business while adding positively to our “DoTheImpossible” culture.” Anish Basu Roy commented - “I believe there is a huge opportunity to make a difference in the digital health & wellness space in India and HealthifyMe is at the centre of this. As a fitness enthusiast myself, I am excited about this new chapter in my life & career. Look forward to my intrapreneurial journey at HealthifyMe.” Anish is a marketing post graduate from Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development, Pune and a Bachelor in Electronics from GEC, Bhopal. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10937/novartis-india-announces-appointment-of-milan-paleja-as-vc-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10937/novartis-india-announces-appointment-of-milan-paleja-as-vc-md.html Mon, 14 May 2018 15:55:00 +0530 Drug firm Novartis India has announced the appointment of Milan Paleja as Vice Chairman and Managing Director, with effect from June 1. Novartis India Ltd. said in a statement that Paleja is currently country president at Novartis in India and is also responsible for the pharmaceuticals business in the country. He is also a managing director of Novartis Healthcare Pvt Ltd. Paleja is a graduate from Bombay University and holds a cost accounts degree from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India. He has also worked as country president and head pharmaceuticals, Novartis Indonesia. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10922/bharat-biotechs-rotavac-receives-national-technology-award-from-the-president-of-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10922/bharat-biotechs-rotavac-receives-national-technology-award-from-the-president-of-india-.html Fri, 11 May 2018 16:50:00 +0530  Bharat Biotech announces the receipt of the National Technology Award for 2018 from the Technology Development Board, Govt of India. This prestigious award on innovative technologies, successfully developed and commercialized from India was bestowed on ROTAVAC®, by the Hon’ble President of India Shri. Ram Nath Kovind.  Launched in 2015 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ROTAVAC ® was introduced into the Universal Immunization Program in India during 2016, with initial implementation in 9 states with more States in the pipeline. Till date, Bharat Biotech has supplied ~ 35 million doses to the UIP. ROTAVAC ® is already saving infant lives and lowering the cost of hospitalizations across India. The company has also initiated supply of WHO Prequalified ROTAVAC® to UNICEF and other Immunization programs worldwide. Ecstatic about the Presidential honour and the highly prestigious National Award, Dr. Krishna M Ella, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech said: “We are proud to receive the National Technology Award 2018 for ROTAVAC®, it proves that researchers and product developers from India are capabable to develop and commercialize innovative technologies for the world.”  The national award from the Technology Development Board award recognizes organizations   who have forged powerful partnerships with the national laboratories and to create knowledge networks with academic institutions to promote research and development and to gain entry into global markets. The nominees for the award and winners were selected on the basis of their extraordinary knowledge in and contributions to scientific innovation. ROTAVAC® boasts a large family of intellectual property with patents filed in more than 35 countries and granted in 10 countries including India, USA, China, EU, Japan, UK etc. Bharat Biotech currently, holds a portfolio of 60 patents and has delivered more than 3 billion doses of vaccines to over 65 countries. Since its inception, Bharat Biotech’s founding vision and strategy was to develop vaccines for neglected diseases and cater to people who suffer from these diseases especially the underprivileged who live in the emerging world. Mrs. Suchitra Ella, the Joint Managing Director of Bharat Biotech added, “We are highly thankful to the Technology Development Board and the Govt of India for selecting ROTAVAC®. This inspires our team to continue our efforts in vaccines innovation and product development for India and beyond”        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10886/narasimha-joins-nightingales-home-health-services-as-ceo-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10886/narasimha-joins-nightingales-home-health-services-as-ceo-.html Mon, 07 May 2018 14:35:00 +0530 Nightingales Home Health Services, an enterprise of Medwell Ventures and a pioneer in specialty home healthcare in India, announced the appointment of Narasimha Jayakumar as their Chief Executive Officer. Medwell Ventures has received $21mn in Series B funding in 2017 led by Mahindra Partners & Eight Roads Ventures. In 2015 Eight Roads Ventures had led a $10mn round in the company. Narasimha joins the company to lead its next phase of growth beyond the cities of Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune where the company operates its multi-branch model of speciality home healthcare services for chronic diseases. The company has a team of more than 1000 people across India. Narasimha brings to Nightingales rich and diverse experience across various consumer centric businesses. He was formerly the Chief Business Officer of 99acres.com, part of Info Edge India Limited which is India's premier online classifieds company. Previously, Narasimha worked as COO, E-commerce for HomeShop18, India’s leading TV /web platform. His prior assignments also include Google India, where he was the business head for travel, local and media verticals. Narasimha holds a B. Tech (Computer Engineering, REC Surathkal), PGDM (IIM-Bangalore) and an MBA from the London Business School. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10878/nhhs-appoints-narasimha-jayakumar-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10878/nhhs-appoints-narasimha-jayakumar-as-ceo.html Sat, 05 May 2018 13:05:00 +0530 Nightingales Home Health Services, an enterprise of Medwell Ventures and a pioneer in specialty home healthcare in India, has announced the appointment of Narasimha Jayakumar as their Chief Executive Officer. Medwell Ventures has received $21 million in Series B funding in 2017 led by Mahindra Partners & Eight Roads Ventures. In 2015 Eight Roads Ventures had led a $10 million round in the company. Narasimha joins the company to lead its next phase of growth beyond the cities of Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune where the company operates its multi-branch model of speciality home healthcare services for chronic diseases. The company has a team of more than 1000 people across India. Narasimha brings to Nightingales rich and diverse experience across various consumer centric businesses. He was formerly the Chief Business Officer of 99acres.com, part of Info Edge India Limited which is India's premier online classifieds company. Previously, Narasimha worked as COO, E-commerce for HomeShop18, India’s leading TV /web platform. His prior assignments also include Google India, where he was the business head for travel, local and media verticals. Narasimha holds a B. Tech (Computer Engineering, REC Surathkal), PGDM (IIM-Bangalore) and an MBA from the London Business School. Announcing the appointment, Vishal Bali, Co-Founder & Chairman, Medwell Ventures said “Nightingales is poised to be the front runner in the home healthcare sector in India. We took an early position in the emerging home healthcare sector through a differentiated clinical offering. Narasimha’s vast experience and exemplary track record as a business leader with deep experience in building consumer centric businesses will benefit Nightingales immensely. We are excited to have him on board to take forward our next phase of expansion“. India’s home healthcare sector is on track to grow to a $6.2 billion market on the back of rising consumer demand and increasing incidence of chronic diseases. “We expect our next phase of growth to be technology led with a phased roll-out of scalable patient-centric service offerings. Our Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) platform uses miniature devices and digital technologies to collect and monitor health data from individual patients in a home setting and represents a paradigm shift in healthcare. Narasimha’s strong background in the consumer and technology industries will help Nightingales deliver on this promise” said Dr Ferzaan Engineer, Co-Founder & Jt Chairman, Medwell Ventures. On his appointment, Mr. Narasimha Jayakumar, Chief Executive Officer, Nightingales Home Health Services said “Home Healthcare Services are the next wave of healthcare in India. I am looking forward to joining the team at Nightingales at this pivotal point in its transformation and the sector’s evolution. As the Indian home healthcare industry evolves, Nightingales will lead the industry in delivering exceptional patient care and enabling patients to receive clinically-led healthcare services in the comfort of their homes” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10844/hn-reliance-foundation-hospital-appoints-tarang-gianchandani-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10844/hn-reliance-foundation-hospital-appoints-tarang-gianchandani-as-ceo.html Fri, 27 Apr 2018 14:15:00 +0530 Reliance Foundation announced the appointment of Tarang Gianchandani as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital at Girgaum, Mumbai. "It gives me immense pleasure in welcoming Dr Tarang Gianchandani as the new CEO of Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital. With her vast administrative and clinical experience, both in India and abroad, and organizational skills she will steer the hospital in its quest to rank among the very best in India, delivering quality care," said Jalaj Dani, a representative of the Trust.  Gianchandani was previously with Jaslik Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai, as its CEO since 2012, the statement said. Gianchandani did her Masters of Business Administration in 2007 from Singapore, with specialization in Healthcare Management from the National University of Singapore, Business School. She has also worked with the Ministry of Health, Hospital Services in Singapore, where she managed strategic development and promotion of integrated and holistic healthcare. She has also worked at Alexandra Hospital, Singapore, as a Fellow in the Department of Orthopedics, and was also the head of Clinical Quality, Changi General Hospital, Singapore. A recipient of Rashtra Vibhushan and Rashtriya Rattan Awards, Dr Gianchandani has worked as a member of a task force set up by the Maharashtra government on Organ Transplant and turns the state into a hub for medical tourism. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10814/novartis-appoints-john-tsai-as-head-gdd-cmo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10814/novartis-appoints-john-tsai-as-head-gdd-cmo.html Sat, 21 Apr 2018 19:30:00 +0530 Novartis has announced the appointment of John Tsai, M.D. as Head of Global Drug Development (GDD) and Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Tsai will join Novartis on May 1, 2018, and will be based in Basel, Switzerland. He will report to Vas Narasimhan, M.D., CEO of Novartis and will become a member of the Executive Committee of Novartis (ECN). Dr. Tsai succeeds Dr. Narasimhan who became CEO of Novartis on February 1, 2018. Dr. Rob Kowalski, who led GDD as interim since February 1, 2018, will resume his responsibilities as Head of Global Regulatory Affairs for GDD. Dr. Tsai has been Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Medical at Amgen Inc., since May 2017 and oversees all clinical and medical functions across multiple sites worldwide. At Novartis, he will be responsible for advancing the company's industry-leading pipeline of innovative medicines and biosimilars. Dr. Tsai will also lead the GDD organization's ongoing transformation embracing the power of advanced data sciences and digital technologies to create a more agile model for drug development. Prior to joining Amgen, Dr. Tsai spent eleven years with Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), where he served as Global Head of Clinical Development for marketed products and global clinical operations.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10810/mundipharma-ceo-maintains-position-in-the-power-list.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10810/mundipharma-ceo-maintains-position-in-the-power-list.html Fri, 20 Apr 2018 11:35:00 +0530 Mundipharma CEO, Raman Singh, has been ranked the third most prominent Business Captain on a list of the top 100 medical and pharmaceutical sector leaders by UK-based industry publication, The Medicine Maker. This is the fourth year in succession that Singh has featured among the Power List’s top business leaders. Singh is the highest ranking CEO followed by Emma Walmsley, CEO, GSK. The Medicine Maker’s Power List ranks the top 100 individuals with the most significant impact on the world of medicine across four categories each featuring 25 business leaders under ‘Masters of the Bench’, ‘Industry Influencers’, ‘Business Captains’ and ‘Champions of Change’. Singh’s ranking among the world’s most prominent ‘Business Captains’ places him alongside leaders and entrepreneurs ‘who turn scientific ideas into marketable medicines’. The Power List features top executives, scientists and other professionals from leading pharmaceutical and healthcare companies as well as a range of academic and civil society institutions. Acknowledging his ranking, Singh commented: “I am again honoured and humbled to be named among the leading Business Captains at a time when our industry sector is experiencing such rapid technology-led transformation. “In a changing landscape, leaders are challenged to navigate complexity and provide clear and strong direction for others to follow. This is a focus of my leadership and Mundipharma’s direction as an agile innovative company,” he added. Nominees of the Medicine Maker Power List were evaluated and ranked by each individual judge on the judging panel. The rankings were then averaged to obtain the final Power List. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10758/milan-paleja-to-head-novartis-india-pharma-biz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10758/milan-paleja-to-head-novartis-india-pharma-biz.html Thu, 12 Apr 2018 10:50:00 +0530 Milan Paleja has been appointed Country President responsible for Novartis Group companies in India and Country Head Pharmaceuticals with immediate effect. Paleja succeeds Jawed Zia as Country President. Prior to this, Paleja was Country President and Head Pharmaceuticals, Novartis Indonesia, where he pioneered innovative access models, turned around the business and laid the foundation for future growth. Milan Paleja joined Sandoz India in 1982 in the Finance function. He has gained a wealth of experience over the years having held positions of increasing responsibility in Consumer Health, Sandoz and Pharmaceuticals, at country and regional level, in diverse geographies such as Singapore, South Africa and Switzerland. Paleja is a graduate from Bombay University and holds a Cost Accountants degree from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10755/icmr-appoints-aiims-professor-as-new-dg.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10755/icmr-appoints-aiims-professor-as-new-dg.html Wed, 11 Apr 2018 12:10:00 +0530 Balram Bhargava, a senior consultant cardiologist at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), has been appointed the new Director General (DG) of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Secretary of the Department of Health Research. He will be succeeding former ICMR DG Soumya Swaminathan, appointed the deputy director general for the World Health Organisation in October 2017. Bhargava will carry out this role until 2021. Bhargava is a recipient of Padma Shri in 2014, for his contributions to the field of medicine. Bhargava is reported as a leader in the field of biomedical innovations in India. He was the force in the establishment of the Stem Cell Facility at AIIMS which was, reportedly, the first centre in the world which initiated treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy patients. The centre is now poised to develop into a Centre for Excellence for Stem Cell Studies, with the assistance from the Government of India. Bhargava founded the Stanford India Biodesign Centre, the Indian chapter of the Stanford Biodesign and he is the Executive Director. The organization has set goals to promote innovators of medical technology through fellowships and also to conduct internships and events related to the area. The system is supported by AIIMS and has Stanford University, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India as partners. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10752/dr-mohd-aslam-likely-to-be-birac-new-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10752/dr-mohd-aslam-likely-to-be-birac-new-md.html Wed, 11 Apr 2018 10:30:00 +0530 Dr Mohd. Aslam, Advisor (Scientist G) in the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), is most likely to charge as the Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). He will be filing the gap that will be left out after Dr Renu Swarup starts working as DBT Secretary. Dr Aslam is currently involved in planning, coordination and monitoring of various R&D programmes in plant biotechnology and allied areas. He is handling major programmes of DBT such as Centres of Excellence in Biotechnology, Translational Research in Products and Processed from Medicinal & Aromatic Plants and Technology Development in Silk. Dr Aslam is the Member Secretary of the Technical Advisory Committee of Centres of Excellence in Biotechnology and DBT’s Expert Groups on Translational Research in Products and Processed from Medicinal & Aromatic Plants and Technology Development in Silk. He is also working as the nodal officer in DBT for three autonomous institutions – National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi; Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal, Manipur; and International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi and also for Biotech Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), New Delhi. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10751/dr-renu-swarup-takes-charge-as-dbt-secretary.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10751/dr-renu-swarup-takes-charge-as-dbt-secretary.html Tue, 10 Apr 2018 14:15:00 +0530 Dr Renu Swarup has been appointed as the Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) after Prof K Vijay Raghavan. She had been previously serving as the Senior Adviser to DBT. After his retirement as DBT Secretary, Prof Vijay Raghavan has been appointed as the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. Dr. Renu Swarup also holds charge of Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) incorporated by the Government of India to nurture and promote innovation research in the Biotech Enterprise with special focus on Start-ups and SMEs. Through Biotechnology translational research and industry academia partnerships she has supported more than 1000 Start-ups and Entrepreneurs and nearly 500 small companies for innovation research and product development. A PhD in Genetics and Plant Breeding, Dr. Renu Swarup completed her Post Doctoral at The John Innes Centre, Norwich UK, under Commonwealth Scholarship and returned to India to take up the assignment of a Science Manager in the DBT, Ministry of Science and Technology, in 1989. As a Science Manager, issues related to policy planning and implementations are a part of her assignment. She was actively engaged in formulation of the Biotechnology Vision in 2001, National Biotechnology Development Strategy in 2007 and Strategy II, 2015-20 as the Member Secretary of the Expert Committee. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10722/suryanarayan-takes-charge-as-able-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10722/suryanarayan-takes-charge-as-able-president.html Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:20:00 +0530 A new team of elected Executive Council, led by  Mr Shrikumar Suryanarayan, chairman of Sea6Energy, as President has taken charge at the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) on April 1, 2018. Biocon and ABLE’s Founder, Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw will continue to play the role of Non-executive Chairperson of ABLE. A new logo is also being designed to add up to the changes. Prior to this role, Suryanarayan was the vice president of the organization for the past three years and has been associated with ABLE for a long time, starting as Honorary Director-General, nearly 10 years ago.  A former R&D head of Biocon, Mr Suryanarayan is currently the chairman of startup, Sea6Energy, a prominent company in the field of Biostimulants and biofuels, based in Bengaluru and operations in Indonesia. “Biotechnology touches many important sectors of our economy and has a major role to play in improving the prosperity and health of the people of our country. ABLE will continue its role to facilitate the development of this sector and to work with the government to ensure that India can become a world leader in this important sector,” said the new ABLE President, Mr Suryanarayan. The new Executive Council of ABLE comprises of Shrikumar Suryanarayan (Sea6Energy) as President, G S Krishnan (Novozymes South Asia) as Vice President, Dr Goutam Das (Goutam Das Consultancy) as General Secretary, and Dr Anand Anandkumar (Bugworks Research) as Treasurer. The other EC members include Dr K K Narayanan (ex-President, ABLE), Dr P M Murali, (Evolva Biotech & ex-president, ABLE), Dr Vijay Chandru (Strand Life Sciences & ex-President ABLE), Dr Raja Mugasimangalam (Genotypic Technologies), Sujay Shetty (PWC), Ravi Bhola (KNS Partners), Dr Shriram Ragavan (Evolva Biotech) and Dr Jayashree Aiyar (Syngene International). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10717/slayback-pharma-appoints-abhijit-mukherjee-as-senior-advisor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10717/slayback-pharma-appoints-abhijit-mukherjee-as-senior-advisor.html Wed, 04 Apr 2018 10:55:00 +0530 Slayback Pharma is a privately held pharma research and development company, announced the appointment of Abhijit Mukherjee as a Senior Advisor to the Board and Management of Slayback, effective immediately. In this role, Abhijit will advise the company on strategic and operational matters. "There are very few leaders like Abhijit who have the rare ability of appreciating the smallest details while still maintaining a sharp understanding of the big picture. Abhijit's leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry as well as his ability to connect the dots will be extremely valuable to the company. I am personally delighted to be working with him again,” said CEO Ajay Singh. Abhijit has a Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. He is a seasoned veteran in the pharmaceutical industry with a proven track record. For more than 15 years, Abhijit held a number of leadership roles at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer leading operations of the company’s businesses globally. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10684/dr-reddys-lab-announces-senior-leadership-changes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10684/dr-reddys-lab-announces-senior-leadership-changes.html Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:25:00 +0530 Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. has announced a change in the makeup of its senior leadership team. Following a 15-year career with the company, Mr. Abhijit Mukherjee, Chief Operating Officer, will retire on March 31, 2018.Mr. Mukherjee will be succeeded by Mr. Erez Israeli, former President & CEO of Enzymotec. Mr. Israeli will join Dr. Reddy’s on April 2, 2018, as Chief Operating Officer and Global Head of Generics & PSAI, based out of Hyderabad. He will report to Dr. Reddy’s Co-Chairman & CEO, G.V. Prasad. In a career spanning over 25 years, Israeli has held leadership positions that have contributed significantly to the performance of companies he worked for.  Prior to Enzymotec, he completed 23 years with Teva Pharmaceuticals Limited, where he held several positions of responsibility including Vice President Marketing & Sales for North America, Vice President Asia Operations, President Teva API, Group Executive Vice President, Head of Global Quality, and President & CEO Growth Markets. Speaking about the transition, G.V. Prasad said, “I would like to thank Abhijit for his valuable contribution to our company’s growth journey over the past fifteen years. I extend a warm welcome to Erez Israeli. Erez is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of achievement. His knowledge and experience from leading pharmaceutical businesses of scale will be valuable for our future growth.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10672/dr-javed-n-agrewala-receives-prestigious-jc-bose-fellowship.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10672/dr-javed-n-agrewala-receives-prestigious-jc-bose-fellowship.html Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:55:00 +0530 Dr. Javed N Agrewala, Professor, Centre for Biomedical Research, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar has been awarded the prestigious ‘JC Bose Fellowship’ for his work on the development of novel vaccination strategies against tuberculosis. He with the help of his collaborator Prof David Jackson, University of Melbourne, Australia has engineered a chimeric vaccine by linking proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with a unique lipid to target the vaccine to dendritic cells of the body. Dendritic cells play a cardinal and sentinel role in initiating the immunity against any infection. This vaccine optimally activates the immunity and has been shown to protect against the disease better than the traditional BCG vaccine in the experimental model of tuberculosis. It is totally synthetic and therefore can be used to vaccinate AIDS patients and immunocompromised individuals. In such people, BCG cannot be used because it can itself spread infection. Dr. Agrewala developed this vaccine by carefully studying the snags associated with BCG failure to protect public living in TB-endemic regions. He believes that this vaccine may have potential in future to successfully protect against TB. Earlier, he worked as a Chief Scientist at the CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh. In connection with this work, he has been granted United States patent and published several manuscripts in high impact journals like Trends in Molecular Medicine, Journal of Infectious Diseases, Journal of Proteome Research, Frontiers in Immunology, Critical Reviews of Microbiology, etc. Currently, he is searching an industrial partner, who can synthesize the vaccine under GLP condition for clinical trials.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10664/k-vijay-raghavan-to-serve-as-scientific-adviser-to-the-govt-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10664/k-vijay-raghavan-to-serve-as-scientific-adviser-to-the-govt-.html Tue, 27 Mar 2018 11:45:00 +0530 Distinguished Professor and former Director of the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS),  Krishnaswamy VijayRaghavan has been appointed as the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. He will be succeeding R Chidamabaram who has been in the position for more than 16 years. VijayRaghavan has served as a Secretary of Department of Biotechnology, India since 28 January 2013, replacing Maharaj Kishan Bhan. He was conferred the Padma Shri by the Govt. of India on 26 January, 2013. He is also a recipient of the Infosys Prize in the life sciences category in 2009. The tasks of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (PSA's Office), involves creation of missions and also to undertake multi-departmental, multi-institutional projects in strategic, technology and other areas of economic/ social relevance.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10634/nathealth-brings-in-daljit-singh-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10634/nathealth-brings-in-daljit-singh-as-president.html Thu, 22 Mar 2018 11:00:00 +0530 Healthcare federation NATHEALTH has elected Fortis Healthcare president Daljit Singh as the president, who succeeds Brig. Dr. Arvind Lal, chairman & MD, Dr. Lal PathLabs Ltd. Probir Das, MD, Terumo India Private Ltd has become senior vice president-NATHEALTH and Dr. H. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, Manipal Hospitals has been elected as vice president. Amit Mookim, general manager- South Asia, IQVIA and Rajit Mehta, MD and CEO of Max Healthcare Institute have been elected as secretary and treasurer of the healthcare federation respectively. Singh has been a pivotal member of the top team of Fortis that formulated and implemented Fortis’ growth strategy to position it as India’s leading Healthcare delivery organization in a short span of 10 years. Singh is an acknowledged expert and thought leader in the domain of Healthcare Delivery. He is on the Steering Boards constituted by the World Economic Forum to guide two major Global projects: “Scenarios for Sustainable Health Systems” and “The Healthy Living Charter”. He is also on the Forum’s Advisory Board on “The Economic Burden of Non Communicable Diseases in India”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10621/cytecare-appoints-dr-g-r-m-reddy-as-nuclear-medicine-consultant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10621/cytecare-appoints-dr-g-r-m-reddy-as-nuclear-medicine-consultant.html Tue, 20 Mar 2018 10:40:00 +0530 Cytecare Cancer Hospital, which is committed to revolutionizing cancer care in India, has strengthened its roster with the addition of Dr. G. Rama Mohan Reddy, who will work as Consultant – Nuclear Medicine. Dr. G. Rama Mohan Reddy is an accomplished specialist in the field of Nuclear Medicine, with over eight years of experience. Having completed his M.B.B.S. from Kurnool Medical College, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. G. Rama Mohan Reddy then went on to complete his specialization at the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, in the Department of Nuclear Medicine (M.D. - Nuclear Medicine). Having acquired valuable clinical experience as a senior resident at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; Dr. G. Rama Reddy went on to head the department of PET-CT and Nuclear Medicine at EKO Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd. Dr. Reddy is extremely active in the academic medical community and has published 13 international papers on topics such as PET-CT for detecting recurrent gastric adenocarcinoma, detection of recurrent diseases in colorectal cancer, among others in reputed journals such as Nuclear Medicine Communications, International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. He is also a certified Radiological Safety Officer, with extensive training in the use of GE and SIEMENS machines to aid radio diagnosis and therapy. Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Suresh Ramu, CEO & Co Founder, Cytecare Hospitals, said, “We are delighted to have on board Dr. G. Rama Reddy as our in-house specialist on Nuclear Medicine. PET-CT is the gold standard in the detection and diagnosis of cancer and provides accurate, anatomical landmarks to guide biopsy, surgery and even radiation treatment planning. Targeted therapy with radiopharmaceuticals has demonstrated superior clinical outcomes for cancer treatment and in Dr. Reddy, we have an expert on Nuclear Medicine who not only brings vast experience to the table, but is also ideally suited to our philosophy of ‘Fighting Cancer the Right Way’.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10608/alpna-seth-to-join-seattle-genetics-board-of-directors-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10608/alpna-seth-to-join-seattle-genetics-board-of-directors-.html Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:20:00 +0530 Seattle Genetics, Inc. announced that Alpna Seth has been appointed to the company’s Board of Directors. Dr. Seth has more than 20 years of global experience in the healthcare and biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry, including senior leadership positions at Biogen. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of Vir Biotechnology, a San Francisco-based biotechnology company focused on transforming the care of people with serious infectious diseases.  Prior to joining Vir in July 2017, Dr. Seth was Senior Vice President and Global Head of the Biosimilars business for Biogen, Inc. since 2014. From 1998 through 2014, she held a range of leadership roles at Biogen in market and business development, drug development and commercial, including founding Managing Director of Biogen Idec India and Program Executive for several of Biogen’s major cross-functional drug development programs and product launches. She holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of Massachusetts Medical School and conducted her post-doctoral research at Harvard University in Immunology and Structural Biology, both as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow. She is also a 2002 graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10599/dr-murali-doraiswamy-appointed-to-the-board-of-trustees-of-tlllf.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10599/dr-murali-doraiswamy-appointed-to-the-board-of-trustees-of-tlllf.html Thu, 15 Mar 2018 12:05:00 +0530 Duke University’s Dr. P. Murali Doraiswamy, an internationally recognized expert in brain-mental health and a Member of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Neurotechnologies and Brain Sciences, has joined the board of trustees of The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF). TLLLF was set up in 2015 as a Charitable Trust to champion the cause of mental health in India, with a focus on depression, stress and anxiety.  The main aim of TLLLF is to reduce stigma and create awareness around mental health. According to WHO, an estimated 300 million people are affected by depression globally, and depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$1 trillion each year. Welcoming Dr Doraiswamy to the board, Deepika Padukone, TLLLF Founder, said, “The spread of mental illness is one of the toughest challenges confronting the world today. Finding long-term solutions to tackle this issue requires the best minds and stakeholder groups to collaborate effectively. As we scale TLLLF’s programmes, I am delighted that Dr Doraiswamy, with his many years of varied global experience, has agreed to join us. I believe his expertise will help amplify the impact of our work and project international attention to our mission to inspire a change in the narrative around mental health." "I have been following TLLLF’s work for some months now. Their approach has yielded impressive results in a fairly short period of time since the organization was founded in 2015. As a member of the TLLLF board, I would like to carry the TLLLF message across borders and further international stakeholder engagement,” said Dr Murali Doraiswamy. Anna Chandy, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, TLLLF, said, “Dr Doraiswamy’s work is admired globally and I am glad he has agreed to offer his time and expertise to TLLLF. Having an academic with his credentials on the board is important for our work to garner the required attention, funding and support for the millions who need help. I look forward to working with him as we scale our activities in the years to come.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10589/iit-professor-joins-unicorn-india-ventures-as-adviser.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10589/iit-professor-joins-unicorn-india-ventures-as-adviser.html Wed, 14 Mar 2018 11:30:00 +0530 Professor Soumyo Mukherji, a senior faculty member at Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B), has joined Mumbai-based VC firm Unicorn India Ventures as an adviser. Mukherji is a chair professor in the department of biosciences and bioengineering at IIT-B, and will serve on the firm’s Investment Committee, which is responsible for taking funding decisions. Mukherji’s primary research areas include biosensors and bioinstrumentation for wide-scale deployment. Unicorn India focuses on investments in deep domain and hi-tech businesses and has backed startups exploring Internet of Things (IoT), 3D and robotics technology. Mukherji will be involved in decision-making on investments in sectors such as electronic, system design and manufacturing (ESDM), robotics, cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), nanotechnology and medical devices. He will also mentor companies in Unicorn India’s existing portfolio with regard to research and development of products under development. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10586/dr-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-appointed-as-the-victorian-business-ambassador.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10586/dr-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-appointed-as-the-victorian-business-ambassador.html Tue, 13 Mar 2018 18:30:00 +0530 The Australian state of Victoria has launched a drive to strengthen its trade and investment ties with India with the appointment of Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson and managing director of Biocon Limited as the Victorian Business Ambassador. Earlier this year, Victoria had released their India Strategy setting out the state’s vision to be a valued knowledge and business partner to India with a focus on key sectors including biotechnology and education. Victoria’s Minister for Trade and Investment Philip Dalidakis met Dr Mazumdar-Shaw in Bangalore to mark her appointment as the Victorian Business Ambassador.  According to a press release, their meeting was followed by an event at Taj West End Bangalore attended by Victorian alumni, Victorian businesses in Bangalore and stakeholders. Minister Dalidakis was accompanied by a delegation of business representatives from Victoria’s sports technology industry. Dr Mazumdar-Shaw has strong ties to Victoria, having graduated from Ballarat College in 1975 with a Master’s degree in malting and brewing. She also worked as a trainee brewer at Melbourne’s Carlton & United Breweries. Her studies in Victoria sowed the seeds for a career in biotech and her in-depth knowledge of fermentation science helped her build Biocon, India’s largest biopharmaceutical enterprise. Among her many notable commemorations is her appointment as the first ever woman head of the board of governors of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) in 2014. She also holds the prestigious Othmer Gold Medal for her outstanding contributions in science and chemistry, conferred by Chemical Heritage Foundation, USA. In 2015, Federation University Australia in Ballarat even named a road in its Mt Helen campus in her honour – Mazumdar Drive.  Victoria is Australia’s ideas capital and is renowned for its highly skilled workforce and culture of innovation with universities and research institutes that are ranked among the world’s best. The state is a leader in medical technologies and pharmaceuticals with globally renowned researchers who have delivered life-changing innovations like the bionic ear. This vibrant industry generates more than $12.7 billion in revenue a year and features institutions like Monash University, ranked second in the world for pharmacy and pharmaceuticals. Building on the ongoing collaborations between Victoria and India, the Victorian Government sees great opportunities to work together with India on its ambitious agenda for the National Health Plan 2017. Dr Mazumdar-Shaw’s appointment was announced by Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews on a visit earlier this year. “Victoria is honoured to have Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw as a business ambassador for our state and we are excited to work with her towards strengthening the state’s relationship with India. We look forward to forging new trade and investment partnerships in sectors like health, ICT, medical technology and pharmaceuticals that will benefit both the states,” said Minister for Trade and Investment Philip Dalidakis. “Victoria deeply values its strong cultural, social and economic relationship with India and, with our India Strategy, we are making a long-term commitment to deepen those connections and to become a valued knowledge and business partner,”  he further added. “It is indeed an honour to be appointed as the Victorian Business Ambassador. In my new role, I look forward to promote collaborative and synergistic initiatives among academia, industry and government agencies of Victoria and India, which share compelling business and bilateral interests. There is a unique opportunity to combine Victoria's renowned culture of innovation with India's low cost innovation paradigm in developing and manufacturing cutting-edge technologies that can make global impact,” said Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw .   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10520/committee-moves-nppa-chief-to-nacwc.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10520/committee-moves-nppa-chief-to-nacwc.html Fri, 02 Mar 2018 11:35:00 +0530 The appointments committee of the Cabinet has appointed current National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) chairman Bhupendra Singh to the National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) in the cabinet secretariat in the rank and pay of additional secretary. Singh, NPPA's chairman since 2016, is one of 23 IAS officials to be appointed in a new role by the appointments committee and is expected to succeed Inder Jit Singh as chairman of NACWC. Under Bhupendra Singh, NPPA slashed the prices of cardiac stents by over 80 per cent last year in a move to improve access to the life-saving devices, which are used to prevent heart attacks. Later in 2017, NPPA also exercised emergency powers to fix maximum prices and trade margins of knee implants in public interest, dropping their retail prices by up to 69 per cent. Recently, the drug pricing regulator also highlighted exorbitant margins that some hospitals in the NCR region were charging patients for various medicines, consumables and medical devices. In this regard, All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN) expressed their concerns stating- "We are deeply concerned about the manner and timing of the transfer of Mr. Bhupendra Singh, Chairman NPPA, a move which seriously impacts public interest particularly when measures are being taken to plug unethical profiteering. We ask that the Government reconsider its decision and allow Mr. Singh to complete his three year term in the NPPA, and the NPPA be made into a statutory body along with fixed term periods for the Chairman and leadership to ensure the independence and integrity of the regulator". ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10491/bd-ropes-in-pavan-mocherla-as-new-md-for-india-south-asia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10491/bd-ropes-in-pavan-mocherla-as-new-md-for-india-south-asia.html Tue, 27 Feb 2018 11:40:00 +0530 BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) has recently announced the appointment of Pavan Mocherla as the new managing director for India and South Asia operations. Pavan will be relocating to India from the US to be at the helm of affairs in the country. With more than 25 years of experience across various industries, Pavan has held multiple positions and managed several projects in both emerging and developed markets. A strong believer in living the BD values of continuously improving and innovating and doing it right, he has been with BD for more than 14 years in business and strategic roles. In his last assignment in BD for Strategic Innovation, he was instrumental in setting up an Innovation System to accelerate growth opportunities for the markets of China and South East Asia. In his current role, Pavan will be driving patient safety initiatives like Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Healthcare associated infections (HAI) reduction etc. and spearhead projects to improve access to technology in the global health space (HIV, TB etc.) through engagement with stakeholders across Government and multilateral agencies. Prior to BD, he was associated with organisations like Whirlpool, ONIDA and NIIT Ltd. Pavan completed his MBA in marketing from Central University, Pondicherry and Bachelors in Science from Osmania University, Hyderabad. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10481/dr-bani-anand-receives-achiever-award-at-nexbrands-brand-summit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10481/dr-bani-anand-receives-achiever-award-at-nexbrands-brand-summit.html Mon, 26 Feb 2018 16:10:00 +0530 Hairline International Hair and Skin Clinic was awarded ‘The Extraordinaire’ Brand award at NexBrand’s Brand Summit held at ITC Grand Maratha in Mumbai recently. Dr. Bani Anand, Founder and Managing Director, Hairline International Hair and skin Clinic also received ‘The Extraordinaire’ Powerful Woman Achiever award. One among the India’s crème de la crème from across various sectors, the Hairline brand was honoured on NexBrand’s prestigious stage at glittering ceremony that paid tribute to all those powering India’s growth to being a global superpower.  Speaking on being conferred the award, Dr. Bani Anand, Founder and Managing Director, Hairline International said, “It is an honor to be recognized on this platform of the work done at Hairline International. Never one to worry about competition, we have always worked as a team and ensured that we are on the pulse of the market. This single-minded determination is what has seen us grow tremendously, be pioneers in our field and also be recognized for the work done. This one is for the team that has worked so hard”. Said Ms. Chandrika Maheshwari, Founder, NexBrands Inc, “Our vision is to honour achievers who are helping India rewrite milestones in the fields of business, arts, literary, philanthropy etc. A nation is built on these cornerstones and our honorees tonight have been doing a great job of giving India a robust foundation. It’s a matter of pride and honour to share the room with them, as we all raise a toast to their collective passion and work!” NexBrand’s Brand Vision Summit was founded in 2015 with the vision to honour India’s highest achievers across the spectrum, from Corporate and Entertainment to Literature, Philanthropy and Sports. Past recipients of the honour include names like Niranjan Hiranandani, Sonam Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Sunidhi Chauhan, Randeep Hooda, Kiran Mazumdar – Shaw amongst many other renowned names. Each of the recipients have etched their unique imprint on the history of the profession they have passionately pursued. This year too, recipients included illustrious names that have brought immense dignity to their work. The first phase survey for the NexBrand’s awards was initiated with preparing a list of 1000 (the list included national, and regional brands) brands across India under 40 different categories and 108 sub-categories. The initial list was created based on the impact, inspire and innovate. Furthermore, a survey was conducted amongst 5,000 respondents based on the parameters of Brand Recall, Brand Perception & Brand Impact in different cities of India. Based on the results from the second phase, the top 200 brands across the different categories were selected. A survey was conducted amongst a sample size of 5000 consumers in 10 cities pan India (respondent profiling was done individually for the categories). The survey generated the scores for each brand on the parameter of Brand Recall, Brand Perception and Brand Sustainability. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10457/pg-appoints-m-gopalan-as-new-india-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10457/pg-appoints-m-gopalan-as-new-india-ceo.html Thu, 22 Feb 2018 15:25:00 +0530 Madhusudan Gopalan, the head of Procter & Gamble's Indonesian business will replace Al Rajwani as its India MD. The change is effective April 1, 2018. Gopalan, an IIM, Calcutta alumnus, started his career at P&G India in 1999 in the sales function. The 42-year old has also worked in the Cincinnati headquarters with the P&G-Walmart business team and later as the head of market, strategy and planning in India. Rajwani, until his retirement in June, will help in on-boarding the new CEO on the India business and enable a smooth transition. Rajwani, spent 37 years in P&G across the US, China and Arabian Peninsula markets in roles ranging from product supply, marketing and general management. While its unlisted arm P&G Home Products has seen declining growth last fiscal, its listed entities - P&G Hygiene and Healthcare and Gillette has been posting double digit sales growth. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10442/eswara-reddy-takes-charge-as-new-dcgi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10442/eswara-reddy-takes-charge-as-new-dcgi.html Wed, 21 Feb 2018 12:10:00 +0530 Joint Drugs Controller Dr S Eswara Reddy has been appointed as the new Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for the next three months till regularly appointed person takes charge. According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr GN Singh has been relieved from the post with immediate effect. Dr GN Singh was appointed as the DCGI in 2012. Drug Controller General of India under the gamut of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization is responsible for approval of licenses of specified categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines and sera in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10420/ag-diagnostics-ropes-in-ajit-golwilkar-as-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10420/ag-diagnostics-ropes-in-ajit-golwilkar-as-ceo.html Fri, 16 Feb 2018 10:25:00 +0530 Dr. Ajit Golwilkar will now serve as the chief executive officer (CEO)with AG Diagnostics, a state-of-the-art diagnostics set-up in Pune. Dr Ajit Golwilkar, known for his pioneering efforts in the field of medical diagnostic services,  recently parted ways with Golwilkar Metropolis. Dr. Golwilkar served as Medical Director, North & West India of Metropolis Health Services India Ltd. He had been Chief of Lab Services At Metropolis Pune at Metropolis Healthcare Limited since October 2, 2015. Golwilkar had set up a pathology lab called Golwilkar Laboratories, in 1978. There are many firsts to his credit, providing automation and a diverse test facility and commencement of home collection services.  Spread across 15,000 square feet, AG Diagnostics is loaded with latest equipment for l major medical investigations in pathology, among other tests.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10411/dr-srinivasa-reddy-bags-prestigious-sun-pharma-research-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10411/dr-srinivasa-reddy-bags-prestigious-sun-pharma-research-award.html Thu, 15 Feb 2018 12:55:00 +0530 The prestigious Sun Pharma Research Award in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences is given to Dr. Srinivasa Reddy, a scientist from the Organic Chemistry Division of CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune. He received the award by Mr. Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Prof. Vishwajit Nimgaonkar, University of Pittsburgh, USA at a function held in India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on 12th February.  Dr. Reddy is working in the area of total synthesis of biologically active natural products and medicinal chemistry using “silicon incorporation approach”. His group research interests are related to application oriented organic synthesis in particular total synthesis of biologically active natural products; medicinal chemistry and crop protection. Efforts on macrocyclic natural compounds and silicon incorporation in known drug scaffolds with an ultimate aim of discovering drugs are the special interests. His research group has accomplished total synthesis of more than 25 natural products with impressive biological activities. A few recent achievements include identification of potential leads: (i) antibiotic compound based on hunanamycin natural product for treating food infections, (ii) anti-diabetic molecule in collaboration with an industry partner and (iii) anti-TB compound using a strategy called “repurposing of a drug scaffold”.  Dr. Reddy has more than 80 scientific publications and is an inventor in 35 patents. He is recipient of prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prize in chemical sciences. Other recognitions include CDRI Award for excellence in drug discovery research, CRSI Bronze Medal in chemical science, NASI-Reliance Industries Platinum Jubilee Award for application oriented innovations in physical sciences, OPPI award for contributions in pharmaceutical sciences. He is a nominated member of the scientific body of Indian Pharmacopoeia, Govt. of India. He also serves as an editor of Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, an Elsevier journal. He was also elected as a fellow of Telangana and Maharashtra Academies of Sciences in addition to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI).  It is interesting to note that two out of four awardees are from the CSIR institutes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10399/eli-lilly-appoints-luca-visini-as-md-for-india-operations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10399/eli-lilly-appoints-luca-visini-as-md-for-india-operations.html Wed, 14 Feb 2018 11:25:00 +0530 Multinational biopharmaceutical leader, Eli Lilly and Company, announced earlier this year the appointment of Luca Visini as Managing Director of its Indian subsidiary, Eli Lilly and Company (India) Pvt. Ltd, effective February 1, 2018. Visini replaces Edgard Olaizola, who headed Lilly India operations from September 2013 to January 2018 and will now be moving internally to a new role. Visini joined Lilly in 2004 and held several strategic leadership roles in various functional departments out of Lilly headquarters in Indianapolis, the USA and Europe. From 2011 to 2014 he was the country manager for Lilly Romania. He is taking this executive role endowed with a diverse and solid management experience at Lilly. Speaking about his new appointment, Visini said, “I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to work hand in hand with our passionate Lilly India team to contribute in making life better for people across the country. I am taking the lead of Lilly India in a year that marks Lilly’s 25-year presence in India, and that will witness the launch of several innovative medications which will help answer unmet needs. Lilly has a strong heritage and experience in the research, development and management of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. We are determined to engage with all stakeholders in the healthcare field in India to help people live longer, healthier and more active lives.”  Visini is a native of Italy, and an alumnus of SDA Bocconi School of Management and Università degli Studi di Bergamo in Italy. For more than 140 years, Eli Lilly and Company has united caring with discovery to make life better around the world and has been committed to bringing high-quality medicines that meet real needs. In 1993, Eli Lilly and Company established its wholly-owned subsidiary Eli Lilly and Company (India) Pvt. Ltd., headquartered in Gurgaon. Since then, Lilly India has expanded its operations considerably, making Lilly’s innovative medications available to those who need them in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10340/michael-n-hall-to-receive-genome-valley-excellence-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10340/michael-n-hall-to-receive-genome-valley-excellence-award.html Wed, 07 Feb 2018 10:20:00 +0530 BioAsia, the annual flagship event of the Government of Telangana, which will start this year from February 22, 2018 at HICC in the city of Hyderabad, has announced that this year the Genome Valley Excellence Award will be presented to Professor Michael N. Hall. A veteran expert from Biozentrum University of Basel, Switzerland, Professor Michael N. Hall has been bestowed with 2018 Genome Valley Excellence Award for his pioneering work in discovering the nutrient-activated TOR (Target of Rapamycin) proteins and their central role in the metabolic control of cell growth. The award will be presented to him during the inauguration ceremony ofBioAsia 2018. This award, instituted in 2004, recognizes ‘transformative advances toward biomedical research and facilitating improvement in human life.’ The winners are chosen by an international advisory board consisting of eminent personalities of life sciences industry. This year the board consisted of Dr. Ajit Shetty, Corporate Vice President Global Operations, Johnson & Johnson USA (retd.) and Chairman Emeritus, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Belgium, Dr. Robert Naismith, Chairman, JUJAMA, Inc., USA and Dr. Makarand S Jawadekar, Former Director, Pfizer, USA among others. Professor Hall’s exhaustive research proved that the TOR system adjusts cell size in response to the availability of raw materials. TOR balances constructive and destructive activities to match accumulation of cell mass with nutrient supply and other growth signals, such as hormones. Disruption of the TOR network contributes to numerous human illnesses, including diabetes and cancer, and has implications across various age-related disorders. While announcing the 2018 Genome Valley Excellence Award, Mr. KT Rama Rao, Minister for Industries and Commerce, IT, E&C, MAUD, Govt. of Telangana said, “We are delighted to have an eminent expert like Professor Michael N Hall joining us at the BioAsia 2018. Professor Hall’s work in discovering the nutrient-activated TOR (Target of Rapamycin) proteins is a commendable achievement. Every year at BioAsia, it’s been a tradition to honour the path-breaking work done in the field of life sciences and give further impetus to innovation. Telangana has emerged as a leader in the life sciences sector and we strongly believe that innovation will drive the next wave of growth. BioAsia 2018 acts as a platform for the Government to invite global investors, scientists and business leaders for showcasing the extraordinary infrastructure available in the state.” Professor Hall has served at various research positions across top universities including Harvard Medical School, Frederick Cancer Research Center, University of California and University of Basel. His work on the process through which certain class of drugs (called immunosuppressants) obstruct T-cell activation has profound implications for the scientific community’s ability to quash inflammation preventing organ rejection after a transplant. He is a Fellow at the Helen Hay Whitney and NIH Training Grant, member of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a past recipient of the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, Debrecen Award for Molecular Medicine and the Szent-Györgyi Prize. He serves in the Scientific Advisory Board at PIQUR Therapeutics and serves as a member of the American Association for Cancer Research. Genome Valley Excellence Awards laureates are honoured at an annual awards ceremony which is followed by a two-day-long symposium featuring discussions around the opportunities in Pharma and Life sciences sector. The award ceremony, hosted by Telangana Government, India as part of BioAsia 2018 summit is among the most prestigious Pharma and Lifesciences event in the scientific and business community. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10339/strategic-importance-of-data-sciences-in-research-and-innovation-kiran-mazumdar-speaks-at-ihc.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10339/strategic-importance-of-data-sciences-in-research-and-innovation-kiran-mazumdar-speaks-at-ihc.html Tue, 06 Feb 2018 17:00:00 +0530 Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD Biocon Limited and Chairperson, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises, delivered the IHC Annual Lecture 2018. A widely anticipated annual event in New Delhi’s cultural calendar, the IHC Annual Lectures in the past has featured leading voices from public life on a wide range of compelling topics. Welcoming the gathering, Mr. Rakesh Kacker, IHC Director, said - “Having addressed areas such as Value-based Nation Building with Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Global Economic Governance with Dr. Raghuram Rajan, and Sustainable & Compassionate Innovation with Mr. Sonam Wangchuk in the previous annual lectures, it was a privilege listening to Ms. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw on the transformative potential in Data Sciences and how technology really pushes the envelope.” Speaking on the topic “Strategic Importance of Data Sciences in Research and Innovation” to a packed and diverse audience comprising of IHC members, entrepreneurs, diplomats, policy experts, researchers, students and the civil society at large, Ms. Mazumdar-Shaw spoke at length in her characteristic lucid style and  with deep insight. She underlined that “Data Science can unleash breakthrough innovation and be the most potent instrument for transformative social change the world has ever seen.” The programme was chaired by Mr. Kiran Karnik, President, India Habitat Centre. She spoke of data as the lifeblood of our rapidly expanding digital existence and its emergence as the new raw material of business. “The International Data Corporation (IDC) projects the global datasphere to grow to 163 zettabytes by 2025. This unimaginably vast amount of digital information can enable humanity to do many of the things that were previously considered impossible. This would transform the information ecosystem, and data will not remain as historical artefacts anymore. And humanity now can make sense of this data and generate new insights, create new knowledge and enable breakthrough innovation by finding relationships between distinct kinds of information”, said Ms Mazumdar-Shaw. In her lecture, she looked at the various ways in which data science is opening new doors to the future by spurring research and innovation. The ‘data network effect’ - She shared her views on how the increasingly hyper-connected world is setting in motion the “data network effect” which has the potential to set off a powerful virtuous cycle of innovation. How quantum computing can enable Artificial Intelligence to deliver on its stated promise of transforming the digital world by delivering solutions at speeds that are orders of magnitude faster than classical computers. Data Science for Affordable Innovation - She provided an interesting insight into how data science is today enabling the pharmaceuticals industry throw off the shackles of the conventional one-drug-one-target-one-disease model of healthcare innovation, which is inefficient, expensive and time-consuming. These developments come at a time when the astronomical prices of cutting-edge medical therapies are grabbing headlines across the world and leading to a fierce debate on the urgent need for drug affordability. Data Analytics for Drug Modelling - Bioinformatics, a specialized branch of data science, is helping incorporate knowledge derived from genomics, proteomics and other biological disciplines into drug discovery and drug design in order to come up with revolutionary ideas for new molecules. Ms Mazumdar Shaw says: “Data analytics is helping predict clinical outcomes, inform clinical trial designs, support evidence of effectiveness, optimize dosing, predict product safety, and evaluate potential adverse event mechanisms.” It is allowing scientists to look at existing data in a multifaceted way for developing new anti-cancer drugs, which can typically cost billions of dollars and take many years of research. Big Data Provides Huge Growth Prospects for India - The lecture touched on how India's vast genetic diversity and the quality of its data scientists offer a huge opportunity for the country to create and mine a rich source of genomic information. Smart mining of genetic data can help India transform the disadvantage of a huge disease burden into a competitive advantage by capturing and analysing this information. She called upon the Indian government to play an enabling role in incentivizing the creation and mining these databases by giving tax breaks to companies involved in such activities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10291/vinod-paul-to-receive-who-prize.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10291/vinod-paul-to-receive-who-prize.html Wed, 31 Jan 2018 12:20:00 +0530 NITI Aayog Member Vinod Paul has been chosen to receive WHO's prestigious IhsanDogramaci Family Health Foundation Prize for his services in the field of family health. The global honour will be presented to Paul at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, in May. A well-known name in public health circles in India, Paul has played a key role in formulating national child health guidelines and programmes in the country. Prior to joining the NITI Aayog, Paul was head of the Department of Pediatrics at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. He was chosen unanimously from among shortlisted candidates from Algeria, China, Malaysia, Mexico, Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan. He has made distinguished contributions towards improving the health and well-being of families, especially in developing countries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10275/novartis-india-ropes-in-jawed-zia-as-new-vc-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10275/novartis-india-ropes-in-jawed-zia-as-new-vc-md.html Tue, 30 Jan 2018 10:25:00 +0530 Jawed Zia has been appointed as Vice Chairman and Managing Director at Novartis India, with effect from March 1, 2018. He is currently the head of pharmaceuticals. Zia has a wealth of experience gained in various geographies and functions in the healthcare sector across the globe He will be succeeding Ranjit Shahani who will hold this position until February 28, 2018. Ranjit Shahani joined Novartis Indian board during 2002. Zia had joined Ciba-Geigy in 1987, and has had a successful career working across pharmaceuticals, consumer health and devices. He has held positions of increasing responsibility in various functions of market research, brand, management, marketing management, division management and area management in Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Singapore, Canada, Switzerland and now in India. He set up and led the Alcon business in India from 2004 to 2012; and then moved to a regional role in Alcon in 2012 following which he jointed Novartis India in June 2014 as head pharmaceuticals. Zia is a graduate in clinical pharmacology from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and holds an MBA from Trinity College, Dublin (Ireland). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10244/sudeep-agrawal-to-lead-as-cfo-for-philips-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10244/sudeep-agrawal-to-lead-as-cfo-for-philips-india.html Wed, 24 Jan 2018 11:00:00 +0530 Philips India has announced the appointment of Sudeep Agrawal as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Indian Subcontinent. Sudeep has an extensive experience in driving consistent results in both developed and emerging markets. He has been working with Royal Philips since 1998, serving in various positions across Middle East, Africa, and Amsterdam before returning to Philips India in 2013. Since 2013, he led as the Head of audit for Personal Health business and India, Middle East and Africa. One of his key roles at Philips as a financial operations leader has been to formulate assessment profile for entire Personal Health business in close co-ordination with stakeholders across domains. He has also been accountable for mitigating financial and business risks in these emerging markets. His achievements during the tenure in Middle East include Director Finance for Personal Health along with setting up of shared business services and further embedding the culture of continued education and compliance in the organization. Sudeep’s overall current responsibility will be to head the finance team in the Indian Subcontinent and assist the organization in continuous efforts to drive growth. He will also be responsible to lead talent development for finance functions within Philips India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10238/superior-anti-venom-drugs-for-snake-bite-discovered-by-a-faculty-member-of-tezpur-university.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10238/superior-anti-venom-drugs-for-snake-bite-discovered-by-a-faculty-member-of-tezpur-university.html Tue, 23 Jan 2018 16:40:00 +0530 Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease affecting rural population of Indian sub-continent where more than 100,000 deaths are recorded per year. India has a rich range of snake fauna, out of which only 242 species have been identified which includes 57 venomous species of snakes. Professor Ashis. K. Mukherjee from the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of Tezpur University has received the highest academic degree Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in the field of Biotechnology from the University of Calcutta for his remarkable contribution in snake venom research and snake bite therapy. The award was conferred to him by the Governor of West Bengal and Chancellor of the University Keshri Nath Tripahty at the Annual Convocation of the University held on January 11, 2018. Prof. Mukherjee is among the few notable scientists who have been pursuing research in exceedingly specialized but neglected area of snake venom from the past 24 years. He received Ph.D. in 1998 from Burdwan University for his work on biochemical characterization of cobra and Russell’s viper venom. The research contribution of Prof. Mukherjee is expected to significantly improve the current status of people’s knowledge on the pathophysiology and the mechanism of action of several novel/previously uncharacterized toxins of snake venoms. Prof. Mukherjee has also pinned down the problems associated with commercial anti-venom and suggested measures for improving the quality and efficacy of anti-venom for the betterment of snakebite treatment. Further, his group has also discovered novel/ superior peptide-based therapeutic molecules, better than the commercial drugs, from the underexplored snake venom. Prof. Mukherjee also visited at University of Connecticut Health Center, USA, University of Northern Colorado, USA, and National University of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia for exploring novel drugs and diagnostic molecules from snake venom. Prof. Mukherjee has received several national as well as international awards and medals such as ISCA Young scientist award, National Bioscience and CREST awards from DBT, BOYSCAST fellowship from DST, and Best Researchers Award from TU for his academic and research excellence.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10206/saama-welcomes-makarand-jawadekar-to-board-of-advisors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10206/saama-welcomes-makarand-jawadekar-to-board-of-advisors.html Tue, 16 Jan 2018 15:25:00 +0530 Renowned scientist, Makarand Jawadekar, Ph.D. has accepted a position on Saama Technologies, Inc.’s Board of Advisors. Dr. Jawadekar brings over three decades of drug discovery and development experience to his partnership with Saama, including extensive expertise creating and cultivating external alliances to optimize drug discovery as well as drug delivery technologies. Dr. Jawadekar spent 28 years at Pfizer, where he served as Director of Portfolio Management, as well as Bench Scientist for the formulation of blockbuster drug, Zoloft (sertraline). At Pfizer, Dr. Jawadekar was also responsible for the company’s Drug Delivery Technology Assessment function, incorporating external systems into Pfizer’s operations. He has extensive experience in clinical trial supply manufacturing, scale-up and technology transfer, performance metrics evaluation and assessment, drug delivery systems assessment, drug product formulation, contracting, outsourcing as well as Pharma  R&D performance benchmarking. Dr. Jawadekar has received numerous distinctions and awards. In 2006, he was invited to serve as part of President George W. Bush’s trade delegation to India. He represented Pfizer at the 2009 BioAsia International Conference, and was the recipient of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association’s 2001 M.L. Khorana Memorial Lecture of the Year Award. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10162/mr-purushottam-agrawal-honoured-with-lifetime-achievement-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10162/mr-purushottam-agrawal-honoured-with-lifetime-achievement-award.html Mon, 08 Jan 2018 11:30:00 +0530 A charismatic, Visionary businessman and compassionate human being; Mr. Agrawal was the first to create a brand in the gripe water segment.  In addition to the success in business, Mr. Agrawal has also made his impressive mark in other fields of best practices, environment consciousness and social services.  Coming from a very humble background in a small remote village in the state of Maharashtra, his entrepreneurial journey started with a borrowed capital of Rs. 10,000 in 1973.  His efforts turned a small repacking unit in a garage in Aurangabad into a pharmaceutical empire.  Ajanta Pharma operates in 45 countries, which includes US, Europe, Asia and most of the least developed countries in African continent.  The company, today, has a market capitalization of over Rs 13,000 Cr and employee strength of around 8,000 across the globe.  His astute business acumen has resulted in introducing several revolutionary 1st to the market products in India.   The combination of simplicity, down-to-earth behavior and ethical sense of conducting his business along with immense societal concern for the underprivileged section of our society gives him great recognition in the industry as well as society.  Mr. Purushottam Agrawal strives to serve through SAMTA FOUNDATION.  It aims at bringing social reform (EDUCATE, EMPOWER and ENABLE) with respect to healthcare, education and women’s empowerment.  Today, Samta Foundation operates across the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP and Chhattisgarh.  Samta Foundation has funded more than 300,000 cataract surgeries in last five years and is aiming to do an additional 100,000 from coming year.  It has also organized 5500 free and safe family planning operations in tribal district of Palghar.  The Foundation has conducted cataract checkup in all the prisons across Maharashtra and provided free spectacles to the inmates who required them.  Skin disease treatment for more than 6000 jail inmates across 20 prisons in Maharashtra was carried out and necessary medicines were provided.  The foundation has adopted 17 schools. This has benefitted more than 20,000 students by providing hi-tech computer education with e-Library facility to children from underprivileged sections of the society.  With specially design computer courses by in-house competent faculty many students have become employable in Palghar district, Marathwada & Vidharba regions. A silent performer, he has contributed immensely to the economy and country as a whole.  He has also been honoured with several State awards, National awards and an international award. Recently, he was also presented with the “Pharma Life Time Achievement” award by PHARMAXCIL, Govt. of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10146/iit-h-researcher-bags-young-engineer-award-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10146/iit-h-researcher-bags-young-engineer-award-.html Thu, 04 Jan 2018 13:25:00 +0530 Dr. Sushmee Badhulika, Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H), has been honoured with the prestigious Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) Young Engineer Award 2017 in recognition of her notable contribution in the field of flexible and wearable nanoelectronics and eco-friendly paper based electronics. Her research group at IIT has developed a low cost, artificial electronic skin (e-skin) beneficial to acid attack and burn victims where a part of the skin is permanently damaged and loses functionality. The e-skin mimics the functionality of the human skin in terms of sensing even minor pressure and strain variations and is based on natural rubber which is low cost and biodegradable. Further, the technique adapted is solvent-free thus making the fabrication simple and viable for commercialization. The group also focuses on developing electrochemical nanosensors for food and water safety and nanomaterials for supercapacitor applications. The award is presented annually by the Academy to young engineers working in academia, government, R&D laboratories and industry for their outstanding contributions in the field of Engineering research and technology development. The Award consists of a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh, a citation and recognition as an INAE Young Associates till attaining 45 years of age. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10124/juniper-pharmas-co-founder-awarded-cbe-in-2018-honours-list.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10124/juniper-pharmas-co-founder-awarded-cbe-in-2018-honours-list.html Mon, 01 Jan 2018 15:35:00 +0530 Juniper Pharmaceuticals a diversified healthcare company , announced that Juniper Pharma Services co-founder Martyn Davies, has been appointed as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in Her Majesty's 2018 New Year's Honours List. The honors system recognizes people who have made achievements in public life and have committed themselves to serving and helping Britain. Honorees are proposed by a committee and then approved by the Prime Minister and the Queen. Dr. Davies will officially receive his CBE medal at an Investiture in 2018. Dr. Davies has been granted one of the United Kingdom's most prestigious awards in recognition of his contribution to science and his ground-breaking achievements in pharmaceutical research and drug development. Now an advisor to the board of Juniper Pharmaceuticals and Chair of Juniper's Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Davies is also an Emeritus Professor at the School of Pharmacy within The University of Nottingham. Dr. Davies co-founded Molecular Profiles (now Juniper Pharma Services) in 1997. He has played a significant role in the contract development and built-up organization's rapid growth and expansion over the last 20 years. He worked on several hundred products, including over half of the world's top 20 blockbuster drugs. In 2013, the company was acquired by Columbia Laboratories (now Juniper Pharmaceuticals). Dr. Davies originally qualified as a pharmacist, with first-class honors before earning his PhD from the Chelsea School of Pharmacy in 1984.  During his academic career, Dr. Davies has published 425 scientific papers and supervised over 70 PhD students and mentored over 40 postdoctoral fellows. He is a Fellow of the Controlled Release Society, UK Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, Royal Society of Chemistry, American Institute of Biological Engineering and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Dr. Davies is also the part of editorial boards of many journals including the Journal of Controlled Release, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10103/iit-professor-wins-biotechnology-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10103/iit-professor-wins-biotechnology-award.html Wed, 27 Dec 2017 11:30:00 +0530 A professor of Biotechnology at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, Pranita P Sarangi, has bagged the Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award (IYBA) for 2017. The IYBA award covers a research grant up to Rs 50 lakh and a cash award prize of Rs 1 lakh per year during the project period. This is a highly prestigious scheme from the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology to identify and nurture outstanding young scientists with innovative ideas to pursue research in frontier areas of biotechnology. Sarangi was chosen for the award for her scientific achievements and proposed work in the field of cancer immunology. She is currently working as an Assistant Professor and her research work primarily involves inflammation and cancer biology, sepsis, cell-matrix interaction, cell migration, immunomodulatory therapeutics, cancer immunoediting. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10096/unicef-announces-henrietta-h-fore-as-its-new-executive-director-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10096/unicef-announces-henrietta-h-fore-as-its-new-executive-director-.html Tue, 26 Dec 2017 12:40:00 +0530 UNICEF has announced that Henrietta H. Fore will succeed Anthony Lake as UNICEF Executive Director when his term ends on 31 December 2017. She has nearly four decades of public sector service culminating as the first woman to serve as Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Director of United States Foreign Assistance in the U.S. Department of State (2007 to 2009). Earlier in her career, at USAID, she was appointed as Assistant Administrator for Asia and Assistant Administrator for Private Enterprise (1989 to 1993). In addition, she served as Under Secretary of State for Management, the Chief Operating Officer for the U.S. Department of State and as the 37th Director of the United States Mint in the U.S. Department of Treasury. Fore is currently Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Holsman International, a manufacturing and investment company and served as Chair and Board Member of many non-profit and for-profit entities, focusing on development and working with children of the world. She will become UNICEF's seventh Executive Director on 1 January 2018.  Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO said, “UNICEF is a critical partner in our effort to improve the world’s health, particularly in the drive to protect its most vulnerable women and children. I very much look forward to work with Ms Fore towards reaching the agenda 2030 goals. At the same time, I wish to extend my own deepest thanks to my friend and colleague Tony Lake for his exceptional commitment and leadership.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10075/rohit-sathe-appointed-as-president-of-philips-india-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10075/rohit-sathe-appointed-as-president-of-philips-india-healthcare.html Wed, 20 Dec 2017 15:05:00 +0530 Philips India has announced the appointment of Mr. Rohit Sathe as President in Philips India Healthcare. The designation is operational from December 4th, 2017. Rohit will be a part of the Philips India Leadership team and will be responsible for bringing in leadership experience and extensive industry knowledge to contribute to Philips’ overall growth plans. He will administer key initiatives to improve access to healthcare in the areas of prevention, diagnostics and treatment.  Almost two decades of work experience in the healthcare, Rohit Sathe is also having knowledge and experience of construction and e-learning industries in India and UK. He has joined Philips from Johnson & Johnson Medical India (JJMI) where his last role was Senior Director of Strategy, Key Accounts and International (SAARC) Business. He has vast awareness and understanding of healthcare as he worked in the Cardiology, Orthopaedics and Neuro segments for12+ years of tenure at J&J. His achievements include launching coronary drug eluting stents (DES), integrating the recently acquired Synthes business into J&J and turning around and improving profitability of the Trauma and Neuro businesses. Philips target of touching 200 million patients in India by 2025 will be in reach by Rohit Sathe’s presence, as he is having ironic experience in sales, marketing strategy and project management across diverse industries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10067/nari-appoints-dr-panda-as-the-new-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10067/nari-appoints-dr-panda-as-the-new-director.html Wed, 20 Dec 2017 10:40:00 +0530 Dr Samiran Panda has taken charge as the director of the Pune-based National AIDS Research Institute (NARI). As a tropical medicine specialist who has played a key role in supporting AIDS programmes, he will be focusing on HIV prevention programmes among high-risk groups, such as injecting drug users (IDUs) and men having sex with men (MSM). Panda was earlier the deputy director at the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata. He has taken charge from Dr R R Gangakhedkar, who was the officiating director in-charge at NARI for the last three years. As a scientist with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) during the early 1990s, Dr Panda was a key member of the team, documenting the HIV/AIDS epidemic among IDUs in northeastern states, with focus on Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram. Panda has also been associated with projects pertaining to Hepatitis C infection. He has worked as a short-term consultant of WHO in the delivery of anti-retroviral therapy for injection drug users (IDUs) and their partners in resource poor settings. Dr Panda has also been closely associated with one of the largest harm reduction projects in developing country setting - the CARE funded SHAKTI project in Bangladesh. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10061/dr-a-a-shah-receives-outstanding-researcher-of-the-year-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10061/dr-a-a-shah-receives-outstanding-researcher-of-the-year-award.html Tue, 19 Dec 2017 17:20:00 +0530 Dr. A A Shah has received an “Outstanding researcher of the year” award with a prize of Rs. 2 lakh, a memento and a certificate from R&B minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Naeem Ahkter and Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr.) Javed Massarat. Dr. A A Shah has crafted a respectable space for himself in the world of Zoological Science. He has done pioneering research work on free-living nematodes of India for which the DST, Ministry of Science and Technology awarded him Young Scientists award and Fastrack fellowship in 2007. He has also received fellowship award of Indian Academy of Science and Nature and Zoological Society of India. Under some of his research projects, he has collaborated with eminent scientists of UK and US and completed 5 research projects funded by reputed funding agencies. Currently his ongoing research project entitled “Development of DNA barcode for rapid identification of Rhabditid nematodes” is funded by DBT, Government of India. He has published several research papers in journals of International repute and supervised 4 research degrees. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10053/icmr-announces-appointments-of-directors-for-seven-key-institutes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10053/icmr-announces-appointments-of-directors-for-seven-key-institutes.html Mon, 18 Dec 2017 16:25:00 +0530 ICMR has announced appointments of directors to seven national institutes together. The selection of directors comes at a time when the government is pushing new strategies to develop solutions for various disease areas. Mendu Vishnu Vardhana Rao, Sr. Grade Deputy Director & Biostatistician from National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad has been appointed as Director, National Institute of Medical Statistics (NIMS), New Delhi. R Hemalatha is named as the Director, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad. Dr. Manisha Madkaikar has been appointed as the new Director, National Institute of Immunohaemotology, Mumbai. Dr. Manoj V Murhekar has been named as the National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai and Shripad A Patel will take over as National JALMA Institute for Leprosy & other Mycobacterial Diseases, Agra. Kamlesh Sarkar has been named as the Director of  National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad and Samiran Panda has been named as the National AIDS Research Institute, Pune. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10050/icmr-appoints-new-director-for-nims.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10050/icmr-appoints-new-director-for-nims.html Mon, 18 Dec 2017 13:30:00 +0530 National Institute of Medical Statistics (NIMS), New Delhi under Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has appointed Mendu Vishnu Vardhana Rao, Sr. Grade Deputy Director & Biostatistician from National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad as the new Director. Rao is well-known in the field of biostatistics, computational biology and nutrition. He was a student of Osmania University, Hyderabad where he has completed his M.Sc and Ph.D. (Statistics) and also obtained M.Tech (IT) degree. As the Director of NIMS, he will be responsible for spearheading research in the field of Medical Statistics that could be used in formulating National Policies towards achieving the government targets in the area of health and nutrition. With 26 years of experience at NIN, the premier & oldest Institute under the ICMR, Vishnu Vardhan is confident to expand the role and sharpen the focus of the Institute. NIMS has been without a full fledged Director for close to a year now. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10044/sanofi-india-appoints-n-rajaram-as-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10044/sanofi-india-appoints-n-rajaram-as-md.html Fri, 15 Dec 2017 16:25:00 +0530 Sanofi India Limited (SIL) announced the elevation of N. Rajaram as the Managing Director of the Company, with effect from 1st January, 2018. His appointment was approved by the Sanofi India Board of Directors earlier today. N. Rajaram joined Sanofi India in February 2014 and was appointed as Whole Time Director in October 2015. Under his leadership, the Company has doubled the size of its diabetes business and established a foothold in the consumer healthcare sector, while significantly transforming its market operations.        Rajaram brings with him diverse experience of nearly two decades in the FMCG industry with Hindustan Unilever, and in the telecom industry with Airtel. Rajaram holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani, India and an MBA in International Business from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi. He is also an alumnus of the Advanced Managed Program of the Harvard Business School.       Rajaram succeedsDr. Shailesh Ayyangarwho has been the Managing Director of Sanofi India Limited for over 12 years. Dr. Ayyangar will take up a new role in the Sanofi Asia region effective January 1st, 2018. He will also continue as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Sanofi India Limited. Speaking about the transition, Dr. Ayyangar said, “I am truly grateful for the trust and confidence reposed on me over the years, by Sanofi India Limited’s shareholders, and other stakeholders including our employees and the senior leadership within Sanofi. It has been a real privilege to serve the Company and the country over a long period.” He further added that “While I am looking forward to taking on a new position in Sanofi Asia region, I am delighted to welcome N. Rajaram as the new Managing Director of SIL. This transition has been planned well in advance and I am very confident that under his leadership, SIL will scale greater heights of performance and continue to serve the patients of our country”. Speaking on the occasion, N. Rajaram said, “Sanofi is a great global organization, which is focused on delivering transformational outcomes for patients based on scientific innovation and improved access to healthcare solutions. Our people have a contagious commitment and passion to empower the lives of the millions of patients we serve, making Sanofi an exciting and purposeful place to work. I’m thrilled to be part of this journey and hope to steer the Company through its next phase of growth”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/66/10037/women-achievers-dr-renu-swarup.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/66/10037/women-achievers-dr-renu-swarup.html Thu, 14 Dec 2017 16:50:00 +0530 Having a PhD in Genetics and Plant Breeding, and Post- Doctoral fellowship at The John Innes Centre, Norwich UK, under Commonwealth Scholarship, Dr Renu Swarup who was having two options- researcher and science manager – took up the assignment of a Science Manager in the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology in 1989. Since then she was actively engaged in formulation of the Biotechnology Vision in 2001 and National Biotechnology Development Strategy in 2007 as the Member Secretary of the Expert Committee. She was also a member of the Task Force on Women in Science constituted by the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister. Talking about her role in developing strategy plans for the niche biotechnology industry, Dr Renu says “I was very fortunate that I got different opportunities be it from being associated with first Vision document on biotechnology brought in the year 2001, National Biotechnology Development Strategy in 2007, Second strategy in the year 2015; creating new models of the programmes to be taken up be it first intelligency programme of Department of Space. We did a characterisation of biodiversity project as the first public- private-partnership programme (PPP). We did for microbial prospecting and then shaping policies in the government for the first time for supporting and funding PPP research and then moved on eventually to BIRAC. I think the large canvas that was before me has really given me enormous opportunities. Over 29 years, I have looked at different aspects of policy planning.” At DBT, she heads the National Bioresource Development Board and is involved in developing, funding and monitoring programmes in the area of Energy Biosciences, Bioresource Development and Utilization and Plant Biotechnology- Bioprospecting, Tissue Culture and other Biomass associated programmes. She has also been closely involved in programmes and activities related to Women and Science. She was responsible for getting implemented the DBT Scheme on Biotechnology Career Advancement for Women Scientists – BioCARe. Commenting on challenges she says, “Challenges are working within the system. Challenges are trying to see how to keep pace with the fast moving changes in the field of biotechnology as this domain is moving really fast and if we have to plan the policy for biotechnology, we have to keep pace with that change. What you plan today will not really stay in next five years. Challenges have been how we keep up not only nationally but competitively in the global scenario. More than anything else challenge is how do you work through this whole policy in inclusive manner and get everyone on board. And biotechnology offers that challenge much more than any other area because it cuts the cross-sectors.” “There will be ups and down in your career and there will be successes and failures and there will be set backs but all this should not detour you. If you have a broad vision of what you wanting to achieve and if you know what your goal is, focus on the goal and with hard-work, determination and passion you will surely reach somewhere. Even if there are slippages and you fall back, you should always get up and move on with faster pace ahead because that failure will teach you where you went wrong,” she concluded. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10034/mundipharma-ceo-becomes-executive-of-the-year-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10034/mundipharma-ceo-becomes-executive-of-the-year-.html Thu, 14 Dec 2017 11:40:00 +0530 Singapore Business Review lauded the most exceptional business leaders in Singapore at the recent Management Excellence Awards with Mundipharma CEO, Raman Singh, winning Executive of the Year in the Pharmaceuticals category for his transformative leadership of the organisation. Now on its third year, the Management Excellence Awards recognises exemplary top-level management executives whose initiatives have brought tangible business gains for their company’s operations.  The awards gala dinner was held recently at Conrad Centennial Singapore. With Mr Singh at the helm, Mundipharma has become a global leader in developing medical solutions and achieved extraordinary growth with its healthcare operations now touching the lives of people in over 120 countries.  “I’m very proud of this accolade – it’s very much a testament to the quality of our people and their exceptional hard work,” said Mr Singh. This award follows Mr Singh being named: ‘Best CEO, Pharmaceutical Industry Asia 2017’ by Business Worldwide magazine; a Finalist for ‘Leader of the Year’ at the 2017 Scrip Awards in the UK, a Finalist for ‘CEO of the Year’ at the 2017 CNBC Asia Business Leaders Awards; and the only Asia-based executive in UK-based Medicine Maker’s ‘Top Ten Most Influential People in the World 2017’ – for the third consecutive year. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/66/10025/women-achievers-kanchana-tk-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/66/10025/women-achievers-kanchana-tk-.html Wed, 13 Dec 2017 11:15:00 +0530 Being one among the very few women who make it to senior roles in industry, Kanchana TK, Director General, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) has not hesitated to make bold career moves. Her professional experience of over two decades at the leading edge of a spectrum of businesses related to healthcare consulting and delivery, healthcare access and pharmaceuticals stands her in good stead with her many interlocutors. Her experience spans public affairs, policy, and business verticals in India, Africa and Middle East. She has worked across geographies, managing public affairs across borders in Middle East and Africa. Some of the campaigns designed under her leadership have had impactful outcomes. “I started with hotels and moved to Insurance and more specifically to health Insurance. I introduced corporate health and wellness when all clients wanted was a lower employee benefit payout. I then moved to Pharma in Policy and Public Affairs at a time when the pharma policy ecosystem was rapidly changing. I think taking risks and moving industries was bold and foolish at the same time but I don’t believe in linear career growth. To the contrary I think my multiple roles have helped my growth”, shared Kanchana. Having worked in two highly regulated sectors – insurance and pharmaceuticals, she understands stakeholder expectations and the evolving policy ecosystem in the country. Her experience of consulting on new product offerings for healthcare insurance, a deep understanding of the patent and pricing issues in pharma, designing patient assistance programs and access initiatives enable her to better understand the healthcare needs in India. An admirer of Thai cuisine, Kanchana spearheads OPPI’s engagement on emerging issues like anti-microbial resistance (AMR) and policy advocacy on government action on non-communicable diseases, four of which – cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), that account for more than half the mortality rates in India. She leads OPPI’s engagement with the government of India on a three-part agenda critical to an industry that produces medicines and therapies that are essential to the health of the Indian people: (a) intellectual property rights or IPR, that governs the system of protecting patents owned by member company; (b) access to healthcare, that allows member companies to bring the latest medicines for life-threatening diseases, and (c) ethics in pharmaceutical marketing, a code which protects. Her work has been recognized with a number of awards: Women Worth Watching 2017; the ‘Top 50 impactful women in Healthcare’ (global listing) by World Health & Wellness Congress, ‘Bloomberg-UTV Women in Leadership Award’, ‘Women at Work Leadership Award’ by Bloomberg-UTV, ‘WILL Choice Awards’ by WILL Forum, to name a few. “The one thing that I want as an achievement at OPPI is to be able to make a positive impact through policies for the Indian patient. The future of healthcare and innovative medicine offers new hope for millions of patients every day”, mentioned Kanchana. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/66/10016/women-achievers-bindhya-cariappa.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/66/10016/women-achievers-bindhya-cariappa.html Tue, 12 Dec 2017 12:20:00 +0530 With 22 years of experience in the Clinical Research industry and an expert in vaccine development, Bindhya Cariappa has seen her share of struggles and challenges in her career. After completing a Master’s degree in Pharmacy, she took up her first job as a clinical research associate (CRA) at Smith Kline Beecham. “Twenty years ago, this was a role that was very new to India but the description promised an interesting career in research. I was selected as the first CRA for SmithKline Beecham’s operations in India. Working with global clinical development and regulatory teams in UK & Europe helped rapidly assimilate knowledge of challenges and best practices across global clinical research programs (before the ICH GCP guidelines were rolled out) and initiate GCP compliant trials in India. It has been a very interesting journey ever since”, shared Bindhya. Today, Bindhya brings extensive clinical drug development experience having managed over 100 clinical programs in more than 30 countries, from North America to Australia. Her extensive experience includes management of clinical operations, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, medical writing, and training across these geographies. She has also been involved in training and development, working with 2 academic institutions in India and the UK to develop and deliver the curriculum for Masters programmes. Bindhya joined Clintec in 2002 and gradually developed and implemented the company’s clinical services in India. Bindhya has supported the development and expansion of Clintec’s operations in Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific. “The change in clinical trial regulations significantly impacted the clinical research industry as the majority of the workforce within these organisations was supporting onsite clinical operations activities. Observing the growing trend, it was imminent to implement plans to de- risk the business and we cross-trained resources to work on other functional verticals, upskilled resources to take on project lead and project management roles that were agnostic to location of operation. This helped us successfully maintain the team, double our turnover and we were one of the only organisations in India that avoided redundancies”, Bindhya pointed out. With an estimated annual revenue of $100 million, Clintec is at the top of its growth metrics when compared to competitors. During 2015-2020, while the CRO market in North America is expected to grow at 10.4 per cent CAGR, the Asia Pacific CRO market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 19.9 per cent. “The current challenges are to put India on the global clinical trial map, as well as manage the recruitment challenges of oncology and rare disease programs globally, that constitute a majority of the programs we manage. Expansion of clinical programs to India, is at the heart of all our client, industry and regulatory interactions. I also interact with various groups including under students to raise awareness and educate participants on the need for clinical trials and the importance to understand patient’s rights”, said Bindhya. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10003/dna-scientist-lalji-singh-passes-away.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/10003/dna-scientist-lalji-singh-passes-away.html Mon, 11 Dec 2017 11:10:00 +0530 Former Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Vice Chancellor (VC) and DNA scientist Prof Lalji Singh recently passed away. Prof Lalji Singh is considered to be the father of DNA fingerprints, who worked in the area of molecular basis of sex determination, wildlife conservation, forensics and evolution and migration of humans. Singh was 70. He served as the 25th Vice Chancellor of BHU and Chairman of Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Technology, Varanasi from August 2011 to August 2014. Before his term as Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University, he also served as director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) from May 1998 to July 2009 and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, India in 1995-1999. Singh founded various institutes and laboratories in India, including the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in 1995, Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) in 1998, and Genome Foundation in 2004, aiming to diagnose and treat genetic disorders affecting the Indian population, in particular the under-privileged people residing in rural India. Singh received the Padma Shri award in 2004 for his contribution to Indian science and technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9966/dr-gary-kobinger-received-award-for-ebola-virus-treatment-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9966/dr-gary-kobinger-received-award-for-ebola-virus-treatment-.html Tue, 05 Dec 2017 16:35:00 +0530 Ebola virus disease, a severe and often fatal infection can be cured now. Microbiologist and researcher Gary Kobinger developed a treatment against this disease, trademarked ZMapp. In the appreciation of his research he received the Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards' Principal Award in Toronto on November 29, 2017.  Dr. Kobinger is the director of the Québec City–University Laval Hospital Research Centre's CRI Infectious Disease Research Centre as well as a professor with University Laval's Faculty of Medicine and a world authority in vaccine research. He shares the award with his research partner Dr. Qui Xiangguo of Winnipeg.  The Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation was established in 1980 to foster a culture of innovation and cement Canada's position as a global leader in that area. It recognizes and tells the stories of outstanding Canadian innovators whose work improves the lives of people in Canada and world-wide. Its evaluation and selection process is modelled on that of the Nobel Prizes.  "This kind of recognition shows how the Québec City–University Laval CHU Research Centre (CRCHU) acquired its reputation for excellence," said Centre director Serge Rivest. Dr. Kobinger was also named Scientist of the Year in 2015 by Radio-Canada for contributions to the fight against Ebola virus disease.  "This high-level Canadian recognition is further proof of the global leadership shown by University Laval and its Faculty of Medicine in such cutting-edge fields as microbiology and infectiology," said Eugénie Brouillet, Vice Rector of Research, Creation, and Innovation. "Professor Kobinger and his team are internationally recognized for their work on Ebola virus disease and are now turning their attention to the development of an HIV vaccine." informed Eugenie Brouillet The treatment developed by Dr. Kobinger's team, in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada, is based on three specific antibodies, two of which came from CRI. It made headlines all over the world when first used on humans in 2014 where two American medical missionaries infected with the virus in Liberia. This was at the height of the Ebola epidemic the World Health Organization had declared a "public health emergency of international concern." The team from the National Microbiology Laboratory has earned international status as leaders in scientific research for the deadliest of infectious diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/66/9960/women-achievers-jayashree-thacker.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/66/9960/women-achievers-jayashree-thacker.html Tue, 05 Dec 2017 11:35:00 +0530     As President for PerkinElmer India, Jayashree Thacker carries the responsibility for developing and directing strategies to build the PerkinElmer organization, business and brand in India and South Asia, and is accountable for revenue, profitability, growth and market share metrics across 2 business units – Discovery & Analytical Solutions and Diagnostics. She believes in being transparent and working fairly with everyone in the organization, being committed to her work and trying to evoke similar commitment in people who are delivering for the organization. Very recently, PerkinElmer India has opened a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, to help educate the region’s current and future scientists on high-throughput analyses in life sciences. “This collaboration is another step towards supporting the Skill India campaign, which helps researchers and students develop advanced competencies in life sciences research. The opening of this new facility and our collaboration with IISER supports the expansion of PerkinElmer and our relationships with leading research organizations in India, further positioning us to deliver innovative solutions for our customers”, she shared. Jayashree is a graduate in Pharmacy from the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai, and a post graduate in Marketing from IIM, Ahmedabad. She has gained rich industry, business consulting, practice and organisation building expertise by leading the Healthcare Industry vertical at IBM India Global Delivery, and the Lifesciences & Healthcare Business Consulting practice at IBM and PricewaterhouseCoopers for the India market. When she joined PerkinElmer India a little under three years back, her mandate was to build an organization that would be ready to capitalize upon the growth opportunities in the market. “The initial couple of years really went through in getting fundamentals in place –  gaining the right competencies, defining policies, business processes, a governance framework and performance metrics, and initiating culture shaping, ” she pointed out. Focus has also been on inorganic growth and she has been part of the team that led the acquisition of Tulip Diagnostics. With so many things in hand, Thacker’s day typically begins at 6 am. After finishing her morning chores at home, her day goes by in the office till evening. “It is extremely important to have a balanced lifestyle. One should not get distracted while at work. At the same time there are certain things that require your undivided attention in your personal life”, said Jayashree. For her, the biggest achievement has been in making the organization ready for growth. “Some of the solutions we offer our customers are showing positive growth. Internal challenges have been managed well;   and now most of the challenges are external”, Jayashree stated. She recently accepted the Leadership Award for Contribution to Healthcare at the Healthcare Summit held in Bengaluru. “We are very happy to receive this recognition. It motivates us to continue to innovate for our customers throughout India, with advanced solutions that help protect the environment, the safety of our food, and the health of mothers, newborn babies and their families”, she mentioned. She was also recently awarded the UAA-ICT Distinguished Alumnus Award in the Professionals category. An advice for young women entrepreneurs- “There is a phase when women have to contribute a lot to family front and then all the balancing becomes really difficult. You need to have a very good support system. As Indra Nooyi says, the biological and career clock are conflicting when it comes to women. I think that is where we as an organization should be able to support”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9879/indian-origin-professor-becomes-unaids-special-ambassador.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9879/indian-origin-professor-becomes-unaids-special-ambassador.html Fri, 24 Nov 2017 11:10:00 +0530 Indian-origin professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim has been appointed as a UNAIDS Special Ambassador for Adolescents and HIV. UNAIDS is a joint United Nations programme for HIV/ AIDS. Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, who was awarded South Africa’s highest honour, the Order of Mapungubwe, is an infectious diseases epidemiologist whose main research interests are in understanding the evolving HIV epidemic in South Africa; factors influencing acquisition of HIV infection in adolescent girls; and sustainable strategies to introduce antiretroviral therapy in resource-constrained settings. In her new role as a UNAIDS Special Ambassador, she will focus on adolescents and HIV, while also championing the involvement of young women in science. Professor Abdool Karim, who is working as a Clinical Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, US, and an Honorary Professor in Public Health at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, has called for making HIV information and services more accessible to young people. The Indian-origin researcher is a member of the UNAIDS Scientific Expert Panel and Scientific Adviser to the Executive Director of UNAIDS. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9852/gsk-health-appoints-navneet-saluja-for-india-sub-continent.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9852/gsk-health-appoints-navneet-saluja-for-india-sub-continent.html Tue, 21 Nov 2017 10:35:00 +0530 GSK Consumer Healthcare has recently announced the appointment of Navneet Saluja as the Area General Manager for India Sub-continent. Saluja, who replaces Manoj Kumar, has also been nominated as a director on Board in place of Kumar, who will pursue his personal interests outside the company. The changes would be effective January 1, 2018. Saluja's last assignment with GSK Consumer Healthcare was that of Area General Manager in the Middle East and Africa. He has over 30-years of experience and worked with several organisations including Cadbury, Gillette, Kellogg's, Infocom and Reliance Retail, among others. Saluja joined GSK in 2008 as sales director for Consumer Healthcare India. GSK Consumer Healthcare has popular brands as Horlicks, Boost, Eno, Crocin, Iodex and Sensodyne in its portfolio and has a marketing and distribution network which comprises over 700 distributors. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9849/ncbs-professor-wins-infosys-prize-2017.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9849/ncbs-professor-wins-infosys-prize-2017.html Mon, 20 Nov 2017 14:55:00 +0530 Prof Upinder Singh Bhalla from National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) has bagged the Infosys prize 2017 for the Life Sciences category. Bhalla was recognised for his contributions to the understanding of the brain's computational machinery. His investigations have revealed essential neuronal computations that underlie the ability to acquire, integrate and store complex sensory information, and to utilize that information for decision and action. Bhalla has more than 50 research publications to his credit. He received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in 2007 for his contributions to Biological Sciences. The same year, the Indian Academy of Sciences elected him as their fellow. Three years later, he also became an elected fellow of the Indian National Science Academy. The Infosys Science Foundation’s prize was announced in the fields of Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences. The winners were selected from several nominations received from across universities and institutes. Now in its ninth year, the Infosys Prize for each category consists of a purse of Rs. 65 lakh, a gold medallion and a citation certificate. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9821/nimr-scientist-receives-icmr-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9821/nimr-scientist-receives-icmr-award.html Thu, 16 Nov 2017 11:10:00 +0530 Biomedical scientist Manoj Kumar Das, posted as deputy director, scientist-cum officer-in-charge of National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) at Itki in Ranchi, has bagged the prestigious Dr MOT Iyengar Memorial Award from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi. Das got the award recently for the year 2015 for his path-breaking research in vector control in underdeveloped areas. The ICMR gives this award every alternate year. Some of his most important works include research in Plasmodium knowlesi (primate malaria parasite) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands and evaluation of long-lasting insecticide treated nets and durable linings attached to walls of homes in Jharkhand. Studies on monitoring antimalarial drug resistance undertaken at chosen sites in Jharkhand has revealed Artesunate and SP (ACT- Artemisinin based combination therapy) were useful to treat P. falciparum malaria. Das has also mapped filariasis in Jharkhand, where microfilaria rate ranges from 2.27 per cent to 12.16 per cent. He has worked in malarial research in remote tribal areas such as Car Nicobar and the Andamans for 16 years. He also has to his credit over 78 scientific articles published in reputable journals and books across the world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9814/roche-pharma-ropes-in-lara-bezerra-as-india-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9814/roche-pharma-ropes-in-lara-bezerra-as-india-md.html Wed, 15 Nov 2017 11:00:00 +0530 Drug major Roche recently announced the appointment of Lara Bezerra as Managing Director for Roche Products India. She succeeds Maturin Tchoumi who has moved to Roche Finland in a new role. Lara Bezerra joins Roche India from Venezuela. The company states that with her strong business acumen and unique people-centric leadership approach, Lara is ideally positioned to drive Roche's efforts to bring its innovative treatments to patients in India. Lara comes to India after a successful assignment as the General Manager of Roche Venezuela. She has held various positions of leadership across geographies, including Europe and Latin America, with over 24 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Bezerra has a degree in business administration from the Fundacao Getulio Vargas (FGV) University, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Roche Products (India) Private Ltd was incorporated in 1994, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Basel headquartered Roche Group. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9795/national-entrepreneurship-award-2017-awarded-to-dr-renu-swarup-senior-adviser-dbt-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9795/national-entrepreneurship-award-2017-awarded-to-dr-renu-swarup-senior-adviser-dbt-.html Fri, 10 Nov 2017 15:45:00 +0530 Dr. Renu Swarup, Senior Adviser in the Department of Bio-technology, Ministry of Science & Technology has been awarded with National Entrepreneurship Award, 2017 under Mentor (Government) category in the Recognition Track. Arun Jaitley, Union Finance Minister presented the awards at the National Entrepreneurship Award Ceremony, 2017 in New Delhi.  Dr Renu Swarup is presently Senior Adviser for Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology and also holds position of Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Public Sector Company. A PhD in Genetics and Plant Breeding, Dr. Renu Swarup completed her Post Doctoral at The John Innes Centre, Norwich UK, under Commonwealth Scholarship and returned to India to take up the assignment of a Science Manager in the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, in 1989. As a Science Manager, issues related to policy planning and implementations are a part of her assignment. She was actively engaged in formulation of the Biotechnology Vision in 2001, National Biotechnology Development Strategy in 2007 and Strategy II, 2015-20 as the Member Secretary of the Expert Committee. Dr. Renu Swarup also holds charge of Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Public Sector Company incorporated by the Government of India to nurture and promote innovation research in the Biotech Enterprise with special focus on Start-ups and SMEs. Through Biotechnology translational research and industry academia partnerships she has supported more than 1000 Start-ups and Entrepreneurs and nearly 500 small companies for innovation research and product development. A Member of the National Academy of Sciences India (NASI), she is also a Member of Governing Body of National Institutes, Universities and Centers. She was awarded the “Bio-Spectrum Person of the Year Award” in 2012.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9717/indian-american-scientist-bags-loral-usa-grant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9717/indian-american-scientist-bags-loral-usa-grant.html Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:05:00 +0530 L'Oreal USA recently announced its handful of 2017 For Women in Science Fellows with Indian American postdoctoral fellow Ritu Raman among the recipients. Raman is a postdoctoral fellow in mechanical and biomedical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Raman's research focuses on the design of new smart materials that dynamically respond and adapt to their environment. She is developing these smart materials and using them to transform the way we deliver medication to people through the creation of a long-lasting pill device that delivers oral medication more reliably, cost-effectively and efficiently. The L'Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship will provide Raman the freedom to conduct her pioneering research and collaborate with other scientists, engineers and clinicians in this effort. Raman received her doctorate and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor's in mechanical engineering with a minor in biomedical engineering from Cornell University. L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards is a global program that recognizes and rewards women scientists around the world. Specifically, the program recognizes women researchers for their contributions to the advancement of science, technology engineering and mathematics fields. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9663/warren-wang-appointed-as-new-president-of-boston-scientific-asia-pacific-region.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9663/warren-wang-appointed-as-new-president-of-boston-scientific-asia-pacific-region.html Fri, 13 Oct 2017 15:35:00 +0530 US based medical technology firm Boston Scientific Corporation has recently appointed Warren Wang as its senior vice president and president, Asia Pacific, effective January 1, 2018. He joined Boston Scientific in 2012 as vice president and managing director for China and currently serves as president and managing director for the firm’s North Asia region, which includes China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. Wang previously held roles with the medical device businesses of Johnson & Johnson, including general manager of the Orthopedics group in China and leadership positions in the company’s surgical and orthopedics franchises. Mike Mahoney, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Boston Scientific said, “The opportunities and complexities of the Asia Pacific healthcare market offer new inroads and alternatives in the advancement of market-appropriate medical technology and access to high-quality care. Warren’s experience and keen sense for developing new business collaborations have had a strong influence on our growth in North Asia.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9609/dr-swaminathan-to-take-over-as-deputy-dg-who.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9609/dr-swaminathan-to-take-over-as-deputy-dg-who.html Tue, 03 Oct 2017 10:50:00 +0530 Director general of Indian Council of Medical Research, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, is likely to take over as the deputy director general of World Health Organization (WHO). As Deputy DG, she will hold office in Geneva. WHO is yet to make an official announcement about her posting. Dr Swaminathan also holds the post of Secretary, Health Research in MoHFW. The 58-year-old is a paediatrician and a clinical scientist. She is known for her research on Tuberculosis. She is the daughter of MS Swaminathan (92), the acclaimed Indian geneticist and father of green revolution. In her new role, Dr Swaminathan will look over all operations of WHO, including monitoring of communicable and non-communicable diseases except for emergencies, and hold the number two position in WHO after the DG. Dr Swaminathan has been serving as DG ICMR for over two years now. ICMR is the apex body in India for biomedical research. A repository on clinical research and public health, Dr Swaminathan's earlier stint in WHO was as Co-ordinator, Research in Neglected Priorities, TDR (Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases) from 2009 to 2011. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9589/guhaprasad-nagarajan-takes-over-as-the-ceo-of-nirma-owned-aculife.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9589/guhaprasad-nagarajan-takes-over-as-the-ceo-of-nirma-owned-aculife.html Wed, 27 Sep 2017 17:30:00 +0530 Guhaprasad Nagarajan has taken over as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aculife Healthcare Pvt Ltd, a Nirma Group company. Aculife is a leader in intravenous fluids manufacturing with a product portfolio comprising of electrolytes, blood products, plasma volume expanders, specialised solutions like anaesthetics, parenteral nutrition and specialised antibiotics. The USD 100mn company has 8 manufacturing plants and employs over 4000 employees with a presence in over 70 countries. As CEO Guhaprasad will institutionalise best practices into the entire value chain from product development to achieving leadership position in the markets that the company has its presence in. He also intends to leverage the organization’s excellent manufacturing infrastructure to penetrate into newer specialised portfolios. Guhaprasad comes with a varied experience of over 30 years in building brands and teams by institutionalizing the brand, sales and team practices for reputed pharmaceutical companies in the global markets including India. In his last assignment as President (Global Brands and Global Institutional Business), he played a key role in aligning the R&D, Q.C., Q.A., and manufacturing and regulatory functions to achieve the best value for the organisation. Aculife, a part of the Nirma group of companies has the world’s largest manufacturing infrastructure (spread over 650 acres) for parenteral solutions under one roof. This gives it the unique opportunity to leverage the same to become the leader in all the specialised parenteral solutions in its portfolio. This infrastructure will also be leveraged to enter into related and allied sterile solutions markets which offer significant opportunities in India as well as globally. Guhaprasad has a penchant for a strong result oriented approach that is driven through institutionalising business processes. In the past he has built Mega Brands in the therapies of high-end Antibiotics, Cardiovascular, Pain, Antirheumatics, Anthelmintics and Antimalarials. He has been credited with spearheading the presence of Alkem Laboratories in the high end antibiotics markets; Ipca Laboratories in Cardiovascular and Antidiabetic markets, and also successfully building its Global Brands and Global Institutional business in over 40 countries. An alumnus of UDCT Mumbai, Mr Nagarajan is a B.Sc. Tech with a Masters in Management Studies (MMS) in Marketing from Somaiya Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai. With three decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, he has served in various capacities at some of the country’s top pharma organizations including Wockhardt, Alkem Laboratories and IPCA Laboratories. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9588/oppi-elects-a-vaidheesh-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9588/oppi-elects-a-vaidheesh-as-president.html Wed, 27 Sep 2017 11:35:00 +0530 The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), which represents research-based pharmaceutical companies in India, has unanimously elected A Vaidheesh, vice president, South Asia & managing director, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals as president for the year 2017-18. He takes over from Dr Shailesh Ayyangar, managing director, India & Head - South Asia, Sanofi who held this position since 2013. The four elected vice presidents are Sharad Tyagi, managing director, Boehringer Ingelheim; Sanjiv Navangul, managing director, Janssen India (Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson Ltd); S Sridhar, managing director, Pfizer Ltd and Anand Nambiar, managing director, Merck India Ltd. The member companies of OPPI have played a very important and responsible role in collaborating with the Government and various stakeholder groups to ensure that high quality, innovative and essential medicines are available at affordable prices across India. Along with an inclusive ecosystem, in the coming years, healthcare financing will also play its role in improving access to healthcare. OPPI has clear priorities and along with the OPPI Secretariat led by Kanchana TK, Director General, OPPI, Vaidheesh plans on working towards serving more patients in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9553/jim-loerop-appointed-as-chief-corporate-development-officer-of-lupin.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9553/jim-loerop-appointed-as-chief-corporate-development-officer-of-lupin.html Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:50:00 +0530 Pharma Major Lupin has announced Jim Loerop as Chief Corporate Development Officer. He will lead Lupin’s overall corporate development efforts and will be responsible for the Company’s global M&A and business development functions. He will also integrate Lupin’s Business development, Licensing and M&A teams to drive the company’s global M&A and Business Development strategy. A seasoned professional with over 27 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Jim joins Lupin from Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. where he served as Senior Vice President of Global Business Development. Prior to Alexion, he held multiple leadership positions at leading pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Stiefel (a GSK Company), KV Pharmaceutical and Curatek Pharmaceuticals. Jim graduated from Western Michigan University with a major in Marketing following which he began his career as a Sales Representative with Solvay Pharmaceuticals. Commenting on the appointment, Vinita Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Lupin said, “We are delighted to welcome Jim at a crucial time as we accelerate our transition into complex generics and specialty brand segments. Jim’s rich experience in both branded and generic business will be invaluable in helping us navigate our business towards new growth opportunities.”  Jim will be based at Naples, Florida in the US, and he will report to Vinita Gupta, CEO, Lupin.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9526/dr-nagaraj-joins-cytecare-as-senior-consultant-radiology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9526/dr-nagaraj-joins-cytecare-as-senior-consultant-radiology.html Tue, 12 Sep 2017 16:35:00 +0530 Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, committed to revolutionizing Cancer care in India with organ specific approach, has strengthened their team of dedicated doctors by announcing the appointment of Dr. Nagaraj K.R as a Senior Consultant, Radiology. Dr. Nagaraj is the first radiologist to work with a PET CT hybrid imaging scanner and 3T MRI imaging systems in Bengaluru. He has more than fifteen years of experience as a radiologist. His special emphasis lies in head and neck oncology, hepato-biliary and gastrointestinal oncology and musculoskeletal oncology. He has more than nine years of experience in Onco-Radiology imaging, including interpretation of PET CT, MRI, CT, performing image guided biopsies, FNAC (Fine needle aspiration cytology) and facilitating radiotherapy planning in complex anatomical regions. Dr. Nagaraj did his MBBS from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute & DMRD, DNB (Radio- Diagnosis) from TNMC Mumbai. He has worked with HCG, Narayana Health & The Bangalore Hospitals in the past. Dr. Nagaraj also manages quality assurance programmers and is a Certified NABH assessor for Medical Imaging Services. He has written for several publications and is also a member of IRIA (Indian Radiological and Imaging Association) and the IMA. Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Suresh Ramu, CEO & Co Founder, Cytecare Hospitals, said “Diagnostics in cancer care is pivotal and to build a strong team of Radiology was core to our treatment principles. Hence having a diversely experienced clinician as Dr. Nagaraj, gives our Radiology team the pillar of strength and drive. We are glad to have him on board as our Senior Consultant, Radiology.”    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9510/shri-rao-inderjit-singh-enters-chemicals-fertilizers-ministry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9510/shri-rao-inderjit-singh-enters-chemicals-fertilizers-ministry.html Fri, 08 Sep 2017 16:50:00 +0530 Shri Rao Inderjit Singh took over as the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers in New Delhi on September 5. Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Rao Inderjit Singh said that he will strive forward to implement the dream of the Prime Minister. Shri Rao Inderjit Singh was born on 11 Feb 1950. He now represents Gurgaon (Haryana ) Parliamentary constituency in Lok Sabha. Shri Rao Inderjit Singh is also the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Planning. He was a Member, Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Food and Civil Supplies, Govt. of Haryana, Cabinet Minister, Environment & Forests and Medical & Technical Education, Government of Haryana, Member, Standing Committee on Science and Technology; Environment and Forests. He was also elected to 12th, 14th, 15th & 16th Lok Sabha. He was also Union Minister of State, External Affairs, Defence Production. He was also Chairman, Standing Committee on Information Technology,. He was Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Planning; Statistics and Programme Implementation; and Union Minister of State, Ministry of Defence. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9485/vasant-narasimhan-to-succeed-jimenez-at-novartis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9485/vasant-narasimhan-to-succeed-jimenez-at-novartis.html Tue, 05 Sep 2017 11:40:00 +0530 Novartis Chief Executive Joseph Jimenez will retire in 2018, with chief drug developer Vasant Narasimhan taking over as CEO starting in February. Jimenez, 58, is stepping down following a decade at Novartis after having successfully secured U.S. approval for a new gene therapy for leukemia but before Novartis returned to sales growth, which the company has forecast will resume in 2018. A Novartis employee since 2005, Narasimhan has increased his public presence at Novartis since becoming global head of drug development and chief medical officer in 2016. Just 41, he is among a new generation of youthful leaders at Novartis that include head researcher Jay Bradner at the Novartis Institutes For Biomedical Research who have sought to improve the process in which drugs move from research to actually becoming a commercial product. Jimenez arrived in 2007 to lead Novartis's consumer health division and rose to CEO in 2010 under former Chairman Daniel Vasella, who left in 2013. Jimenez is handing over the reins at a crucial juncture, with the drugmaker yet to make a decision on the future of its ailing Alcon eye-care business or its stake in crosstown rival Roche Holding AG. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9483/novartis-appointed-vasant-narasimhan-as-ceo-effective-february-1-2018.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9483/novartis-appointed-vasant-narasimhan-as-ceo-effective-february-1-2018.html Tue, 05 Sep 2017 11:25:00 +0530 Joseph Jimenez, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Novartis, has recently informed the Board of Directors of his desire to step down as CEO in 2018, after eight years in position. The Board of Directors has appointed Vasant (Vas) Narasimhan, M.D., Global Head of Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, as CEO of Novartis, effective February 1, 2018. Jimenez has been CEO since 2010 and joined the company in 2007. He first led the Consumer Health Division, and then held the position of Division Head, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. He will step down as CEO, effective January 31, 2018, and will be available for advice and support at the request of the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the CEO until he retires from Novartis on August 31, 2018. Joerg Reinhardt, Chairman of the Novartis Board of Directors, commented, "I would like to express my sincere appreciation for Joe's achievements as CEO. During his tenure, Joe focused Novartis on leading global businesses, while divesting non-core divisions. Under his leadership the innovation pipeline was rejuvenated, and we successfully navigated the patent expirations of our two largest products. We anticipate a smooth transition as Joe built a strong leadership team and mentored his successor. Novartis will be well positioned to continue its momentum." Jimenez said, "Both from a professional and a personal perspective, this is the right moment to hand the leadership reins of the company to Vas. Our strong pipeline and the strategic moves we have taken to focus the company have put Novartis on a strong path for the future. On the personal side, after 10 wonderful years in Switzerland, my family is ready to return to Silicon Valley and the US. I'm confident that Vas will be an excellent successor." Dr. Narasimhan has held numerous leadership positions across Novartis in commercial, drug development and strategy roles. Prior to his current role he served as Head of Development for Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Before joining Novartis in 2005, he worked at McKinsey & Company. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in the US and obtained a master's degree in public policy from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government. In addition, he holds a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from the University of Chicago, also in the US. During and after his medical studies, he worked extensively on a range of health issues in developing countries. Reinhardt added, "The strength of Novartis is our ability to drive science-based innovation. Vas is deeply anchored in medical science, has significant experience in managing the interfaces between Research and Development and commercial units and has strong business acumen with a track record of outstanding achievements. As a physician, he has a strong patient focus and a genuine humane perspective and care for the mission and values of Novartis. As a result, the Board of Directors is confident that Vas is the right choice to lead Novartis on our expected next growth phase, driving innovation and further strengthening our competitive position." Dr. Narasimhan said, "I would like to congratulate Joe and express my gratitude to Joe, Joerg, and the Board of Directors. I feel honored and humbled to be asked to lead Novartis. We will continue our legacy of bringing leading innovation to patients around the world. With our recent launches, our strong pipeline, broad capabilities, world-class leadership team, and committed people, I am very confident about our future."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9477/ak-choubey-steps-up-into-health-ministry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9477/ak-choubey-steps-up-into-health-ministry.html Mon, 04 Sep 2017 11:45:00 +0530 Prominent Brahmin face from Bihar, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, was appointed the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare in the cabinet reshuffle. According to health ministry officials, he will be entrusted with the responsibilities which his predecessor Faggan Singh Kulaste dealt with during his tenure. Elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly for five consecutive terms, Choubey, 64, helped in constructing 11,000 toilets for Mahadalit families. Choubey represents Bihar's Buxar in the Lok Sabha and was a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Estimates, Standing Committee on Energy and Consultative Committee on Health and Family Welfare. He is also a member of Central Silk Board. Choubey held portfolios such as urban development, PHED and health both in NDA I (2005-2010) and NDA II (2010-2013). A Bachelors in Zoology from Science College, Patna University, Choubey has also authored a book Kedarnath Trasadi based on the 2013 deluge in Uttarakhand. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9471/new-life-sciences-and-pharma-partner-joins-boyden-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9471/new-life-sciences-and-pharma-partner-joins-boyden-india.html Fri, 01 Sep 2017 11:45:00 +0530 Boyden has appointed Jagadish Kumar Audipudy as a partner in the firm’s healthcare and life sciences practice, based in Mumbai. Audipudy has 30 years’ experience in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries, including executive roles with global Fortune 500 companies. He has been responsible for introducing major pharmaceutical breakthroughs and leading strategic marketing solutions to pharma brands throughout India. Partnering with clients in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors, Audipudy’s expertise includes pharma sales and marketing, clinical research, business development, strategy and planning, and new-age digital clinical solutions. Most recently, Audipudy served as Director of Life Science Operations for Cognizant Technology Solutions. Earlier roles included VP of Business Development, clinical research & biopharma Marketing at Reliance Life Sciences, general manager of Biotechnology at Wockhardt Ltd. and general manager of marketing at Nicholas Piramal Ltd. Previously, he served in marketing and product management roles with Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. Audipudy holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Bombay College of Pharmacy, a master’s degree in pharmacy from Grant Medical College, and a master’s degree in marketing management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9451/kgi-brings-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-on-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9451/kgi-brings-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-on-board.html Tue, 29 Aug 2017 11:25:00 +0530 Keck Graduate Institute, a leader in applied life sciences and pharmacy education, has added Biocon Chairperson and Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw to its Board of Trustees. KGI's Board of Trustees consists of 26 leaders in the industries of bioscience, healthcare, and education. Mazumdar-Shaw is a pioneer of the biotechnology industry in India, and through a growing partnership with KGI, she established Biocon Academy, a Center of Excellence for Advanced Learning in Biosciences, in 2014. The program develops high-quality biotech talent that addresses the needs of the biotechnology sector in India. In collaboration with KGI, Biocon Academy's flagship certificate program in bioscience is an 18-week program that includes classroom sessions in the areas of drug development, research and development, and quality and regulatory affairs. All sessions are delivered by renowned faculty from KGI, along with experiential learning sessions at Biocon through subject matter experts. Mazumdar-Shaw's commitment to affordable healthcare extends beyond business. Her philanthropic initiatives are directed at making a difference to the lives of marginalized communities. She is making an enduring impact on society through Biocon Foundation's initiatives in the area of primary healthcare, education, and community development.           ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9435/amit-saraf-receives-the-frcp-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9435/amit-saraf-receives-the-frcp-award.html Wed, 23 Aug 2017 15:40:00 +0530 Amit Saraf, MD Internal Medicine, has been conferred upon with the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians award of London.  FRCP in Medicine is an accolade held by some of the most exceptional and innovative Physicians in the world. It is a mark of one’s achievement and skill as a doctor and recognises the ongoing contribution to the profession. Amit Saraf is currently serving as a consultant in Internal Medicine at the Jupiter Hospital. He also has his private consulting at Clinic de Care. He has completed his education from the Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai.  He has also worked at the Hammersmith Hospital, and the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery, London.  He is the author of more than 20 national and international publications and also is the official reviewer for the British Medical Journal.  He is also a faculty speaker for many state and national level medical conferences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9404/manju-deshbandhu-gupta-appointed-as-new-chairman-of-lupin-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9404/manju-deshbandhu-gupta-appointed-as-new-chairman-of-lupin-.html Thu, 17 Aug 2017 15:40:00 +0530 Lupin Limited has recently announced unanimous appointment of Manju Deshbandhu Gupta as Chairman. She has been a member of the board for over 40 years and has been an important pillar of strength for the company. The board felt that this is a deserving recognition for one of the co-founders and first investor of the company and is an important step in ensuring continuity. This non-executive role will be for a period of two years. Commenting on the appointment, Manju Deshbandhu Gupta said “I am honored with the confidence that the board has placed in me and I look forward to working with the board to take Lupin to greater heights. I am also very pleased that Dr. Kamal Sharma will continue to guide the management team for another year. I look upon my role as helping to take Dr. Deshbandhu Gupta’s legacy forward and transitioning over the next two years to Vinita and Nilesh.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9389/anil-kumble-announced-as-changing-diabetes-brand-ambassador-by-novo-nordisk-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9389/anil-kumble-announced-as-changing-diabetes-brand-ambassador-by-novo-nordisk-india.html Wed, 16 Aug 2017 12:55:00 +0530 With an aim of creating awareness about diabetes among children and adults, Anil Kumble, a leading sports icon has joined hands with Novo Nordisk to the Changing Diabetes in Children initiative. The Changing Diabetes in Children program is Novo Nordisk Education Foundation’s response to the diabetes challenge. The NNEF has been working to raise awareness, improve access to care and address psychosocial aspects of diabetes among children to improve their lives. A book on type 1 diabetes authored by 48 leading Indian Endocrinologists, Paediatric Endocrinologists and Diabetologists was also launched by Navdeep Rinwa, Joint Secretary Ministry of Health & Family Welfare at the event. The book has been supported by Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF). Anil Kumble said, “It is evident that diabetes_ is on the rise in India. I am glad that I have the opportunity to be a part of the Changing Diabetes mission spearheaded by Novo Nordisk. Through this platform, I appeal to each citizen to not take diabetes lightly. Timely diagnosis and early initiation of treatment combined with simple lifestyle modifications can help in managing diabetes better.” Navdeep Rinwa, Joint Secretary Ministry of Health & Family Welfare said, “To address the diabetes crisis, we all need to work collectively to ensure children with type 1 diabetes get timely access to care. The government is focused and committed towards providing people with diabetes quality medical treatment and ensuring every citizen is made aware about diabetes for early diagnosis.”   Dr P Raghupathy, Chairperson, Changing Diabetes in Children program said, “The book will be a milestone in assisting doctors in treating children with type 1 diabetes. Also students of medicine will find the book useful in addressing queries associated with type 1 diabetes.” Melvin D’souza, Managing Trustee, NNEF said, “We are honoured to have Navdeep Rinwa, launch this first-of-its-kind book on type 1 diabetes authored by Indian doctors. We are sure that this highly specialized book will prove to be a great help in capacity building among doctors and medical students on management of children with type 1 diabetes. Our Changing Diabetes in Children program is currently helping over 4000 children in India, by providing them free medication and healthcare advice. This is our commitment towards building a healthier future of India.” Ensuring better follow-up with good outcomes for the registered children, to continue working on capacity building among HCPs for better diagnosis & care and to improve awareness among caregivers and general public are the primary objectives of this program.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9388/eminent-scientist-wins-kalam-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9388/eminent-scientist-wins-kalam-award.html Wed, 16 Aug 2017 11:15:00 +0530 S P Thyagarajan, a former Vice-Chancellor at the University of Madras and at present Professor of Eminence and Dean (research), Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, was honoured with the A P J Abdul Kalam award for the current year. He is an eminent scientist, educationist and internationally acclaimed researcher. He has to his credit 345 research publications, authored 20 books and has eight patents to his credit. Thyagarajan discovered a drug for treating chronic hepatitis B. Now patented and sold under the brand name ViroHep, it is manufactured using Keezhanelli (Phyllanthus amarus) herb, well known in Tamil Nadu.  He has already been honoured with the Chevalier award of the Italian government. Thyagarajan played a pivotal role in developing policy documents and regulations of the UGC on various aspects of higher education quality promotion, including XIth and XIIth Five Year Plan policy documents on higher education. He was also instrumental in developing, implementing and monitoring national-level strengthening of basic science research in Indian universities besides several theme-based research programmes in medical sciences through UGC, ICMR, DST, DBT, MOEs and WHO - in his capacity as chairman/member of several national-level committees. His other unique scientific contributions include an internationally acceptable scientific design for drug development, validation and standardisation of natural products and traditional systems of medicine, molecular epidemiology and natural history of diseases like viral hepatitis B, C & E and HIV/AIDS,  WHO Policy guidelines for blood-borne pathogen screening,  diagnostic laboratory services and Hepatitis-B immunisation programme for India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9350/anand-piramal-appointed-as-non-executive-director-of-piramal-enterprises.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9350/anand-piramal-appointed-as-non-executive-director-of-piramal-enterprises.html Thu, 03 Aug 2017 14:35:00 +0530 Anand Piramal has been appointed as the non-executive, non-independent director of Piramal Enterprises. Ajay Piramal in a statement said, “At Piramal, investing in and preparing the next generation of leaders is a critical priority. I am excited to invite Anand on the board as it strengthens our company and positions us effectively for the future.” S. Ramadorai, former Vice Chairman of Tata Consultancy Service and board member with Piramal Enterprises said, “Anand has a strong track record of independently starting and building businesses. He founded Piramal Realty, acquired prime land parcels, assembled a great team, designed world class buildings and raised capital from Goldman Sachs and Warburg Pincus, two of the world’s most respected investors.” He had set up a rural healthcare start-up called ‘Piramal eSwasthya’. He also founded Piramal Realty in 2012. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9340/veteran-biologist-and-activist-passes-away.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9340/veteran-biologist-and-activist-passes-away.html Wed, 02 Aug 2017 11:20:00 +0530 Veteran molecular biologist and a vehement critic of genetically modified crops, Pushpa Mittra Bhargava, died at 89 in Hyderabad. Though Bhargava had ceased to be an active researcher for over 20 years, he remained engaged with issues in science and policy. A strident critic of multinational seed companies, Bhargava was opposed to the introduction of genetically modified crops — from cotton to brinjal and, most recently, transgenic mustard — in India. His argument was that these crops posed health hazards and required decades more of tests before possible clearance. He had led what came to be called the Award Wapsi programme in 2015 when scientists and litterateurs returned their awards against what they called rising tide of intolerance in the country. Bhargava was chairman of the Drafting Committee for the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (Regulation) Bill 2013. The Bill was the culmination of a 15-year struggle as he mobilised and marshalled support by meeting legislators and policy makers. The draft Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2016. However, Bhargava opposed the ban on surrogacy, instead calling for protection of the rights of surrogate mothers. Bhargava was also vice-chairman of the National Knowledge Commission. In his role as a founder director of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), he also invigorated the art scene in Hyderabad by inviting artistes from across the country and creating a residency programme. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9303/dr-kenneth-d-cruz-joins-cytecare-as-senior-consultant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9303/dr-kenneth-d-cruz-joins-cytecare-as-senior-consultant.html Tue, 25 Jul 2017 11:50:00 +0530 The Cytecare Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, pledge to create awareness about Cancer, recently announced the appointment of Dr.Kenneth D’ Cruz as a Senior Consultant, Gastrointestinal and HBP Surgical Oncology. He has been in the field of surgical gastro-intestinal oncology for more than two decades, with a special focus on complex and advanced procedures in minimal access surgery, including laparoscopic gastrointestinal cancer surgery and major hepatobiliary procedures.  Dr. Cruz did his MBBS and M.S. from St. John's Medical College , Bengaluru. Later, he pursued Specialisation in Bariatric Surgery, Surgical Gastroenterology and General Surgery. He served St. John's Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru as Professor of Surgery and Chief of Laparoscopic and Surgical Gastroenterology unit. His Areas of Expertise include- Laparoscopic and open gastrointestinal oncology surgery, including: Thoracoscopic Oesophageal resections, D2 Gastrectomy, Liver and Bile Duct Resections, Laparoscopy Pancreatic Surgery and Laparoscopic Colorectal Resections. Dr. Kenneth D’Cruz in the past has worked with Mazumdar Shaw Multispecialty Hospital and Cancer Centre, Fortis Hospitals, Manipal Hospital and St. Philomena’s Hospital. He has also received Clinical Fellowship in Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery at National University Hospital, Singapore. He underwent training in Surgery of liver and Liver transplantation in London and Paris. Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Suresh Ramu, CEO & Co Founder, Cytecare Hospitals, said “We are glad to have Dr. Kenneth D’Cruz as our Senior Consultant, Gastrointestinal and HBP Surgical Oncology. His experience will benefit our patients largely as he has a widespread experience in treating complicated cases with GI surgical diseases.  His joining the Cytecare team will definitely boost our efforts in dealing with rare and advanced GI cases.  His expertise in laparoscopic and open gastrointestinal oncology will definitely enhance the profile of Cytecare.’’ ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9278/ram-sasisekharan-receives-agilent-thought-leader-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9278/ram-sasisekharan-receives-agilent-thought-leader-award.html Wed, 19 Jul 2017 11:25:00 +0530 Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that Ram Sasisekharan, Ph.D., has received an Agilent Thought Leader Award in recognition of his contributions in the field of biologics characterization. A more efficient development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), against novel cancer targets and emerging pathogens (such as pandemic influenza, Ebola virus, Zika virus, and multi-drug resistant bacteria) is becoming critical, as the typical timeframe to develop these biopharmaceuticals from discovery to human clinical trials can be up to several years. This Agilent Thought Leader Award will help Dr. Sasisekharan and his lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, continue to evolve their radically different approach that aims to shorten the development time between product ‘design’ to the clinic. The proposed approach represents a new paradigm, characterizing and optimizing both the product and the process in a highly rich, parallel and multilayered fashion. Agilent’s 6545XT AdvanceBio LC/Q-TOF System, AssayMAP Bravo Platform (sample preparation solution), 1260 Infinity II Bio-Inert LC System combined with the 1290 Infinity II LC System, and MassHunter software will be used to help enable this new paradigm.  The Sasisekharan team will focus on the advancement of analytical techniques for mAb characterization to explore the utilization of critical quality attribute measurements, earlier in the clone selection and drug development process, as a strategy to bring biologics to market faster.   “I am gratified by this honor and pleased that Agilent has stepped up to support our ongoing work in the area of biopharmaceutical characterization and development” said Dr. Sasisekharan, who is Alfred H. Caspary Professor of Biological Engineering & Health Sciences and Technology, Department of Bioengineering at the Koch Institute for Cancer Research at MIT. “We are very excited to be working with Dr. Sasisekharan and the entire team at MIT on these innovative methods and approaches. Fundamentally improving the biopharmaceutical development process and timelines will ultimately result in more effective therapies being available sooner,” said Todd Christian, general manager of Agilent’s Cell Analysis Division, and executive sponsor of this award. The Agilent Thought Leader Award promotes fundamental scientific advances by contributing financial support, products, and expertise to the research of influential thought leaders in the life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9253/cytecare-appoints-dr-mythri-shankar-as-senior-consultant-in-nuclear-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9253/cytecare-appoints-dr-mythri-shankar-as-senior-consultant-in-nuclear-medicine.html Thu, 13 Jul 2017 15:00:00 +0530 Cytecare, committed to revolutionise Cancer care in India, announces the appointment of a Dr. Mythri Shankar, Senior Consultant, Nuclear Medicine Department. Dr. Mythri Shankar has trained extensively in Nuclear Medicine from various globally renowned institutions such as UCLA, Cedars Sinai, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, and Harvard Medical School. With over 15 years of clinical expertise, Dr. Shankar’s experience has enabled the integration of most appropriate protocol selection while performing sophisticated radioactive injection procedures. She is a member of several international organizations such as the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and the Society of Nuclear Medicine (USA & India), and is also actively involved in academics and several research projects. Additionally, as a Physician, she is a renowned Women’s Health Activist, an entrepreneur (IIM-B Alumini) and the Founder Trustee of ‘Osteoporosis Foundation, India’. Commenting on the appointment, Suresh Ramu, CEO & Co Founder, Cytecare Hospitals, said “We are delighted to have Dr. Mythri Shankar on board as our Nuclear Medicine specialist. Targeted therapy with radiopharmaceuticals - radioactive compounds used in nuclear medicine for diagnosis or treatment has demonstrated superior clinical outcomes in trials for cancer treatment,”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9229/early-career-professor-award-to-dr-gary-patti-by-agilent-technologies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9229/early-career-professor-award-to-dr-gary-patti-by-agilent-technologies.html Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:15:00 +0530 Dr. Patti, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry Arts and Science, Washington University in St. Louis, was selected for his contributions to the detection of metabolomics changes in whole organisms and their utility for drug discovery, early detection, characterization and surveillance of cancer as well as other diseases and conditions. Using state-of-the-art mass spectrometers coupled with cutting-edge metabolomic technologies, Dr. Patti’s lab takes a systems-level approach to the study of comprehensive metabolism and identification of specific pathways that are altered in connection with particular phenotypes. Jack Wenstrand, Director, University Relations and External Research at Agilent said, “Agilent is pleased to recognize and support the work of Dr. Patti, who is developing and implementing experimental approaches that advance metabolomics analysis from the lab bench to translational applications in human disease” Dr. William Buhro, Chairman, Department of Chemistry; George E. Pake Professor in Arts & Science Washington University in St. Louis said, "Metabolism is one of the most exciting areas in biochemical research. We are honored to have one of the world's best in metabolomics here in our department” Established in 2008, annual Agilent Early Career Professor Award seeks to recognise the achievements of academic researchers in the initial stages of their careers and to support and develop strong collaborative relationships with them at the beginning of their professional lives. This award underscores Agilent's commitment to furthering research through the company's products and services, financial support, and collaborative engagement by Agilent scientists and engineers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9176/astrazeneca-pharma-india-appoints-bedi-as-new-md.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9176/astrazeneca-pharma-india-appoints-bedi-as-new-md.html Fri, 30 Jun 2017 12:15:00 +0530 Drug firm AstraZeneca Pharma India stated that Gagan Singh Bedi will take over as the Managing Director of the company with effect from July 1. The company has accepted resignation of Sanjay Murdeshwar as MD and as a director. He is shifting to a global role within the AstraZeneca group, based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, US. The Board has co-opted Gagan Singh Bedi as additional director on the board, who will take over as the Managing Director of the company. Singh had joined AstraZeneca Pharma India in February 2006. Prior to joining AstraZeneca, he had worked with Baxter India and Eli Lilly. Singh holds a management degree from the Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi University post an economics degree from Delhi University. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9154/founder-and-chairman-of-lupin-passes-away.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9154/founder-and-chairman-of-lupin-passes-away.html Mon, 26 Jun 2017 15:55:00 +0530 Pharmaceutical company Lupin limited lost its founder and chairman Dr. Desh Bandhu Gupta today morning in Mumbai. He was 79 years old and earned a Master of Science degree in chemistry. He had a vision to fight life threatening diseases of highest national priority by delivering good quality medicines at an affordable price. It was with this objective that he moved to Mumbai and founded Lupin in 1968. In order to eradicate poverty by encouraging sustainable development at the grass root level in rural India, Dr. Gupta set-up Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation (LHWRF) in 1988. His efforts have led to a positive impact on the lives of 2.8 million families in 3,463 villages across India. Vinita Gupta, CEO and Nilesh Gupta, MD – Lupin, said “We are deeply saddened with the demise of our father early this morning. What DBG put in motion 50 years ago in helping to create, innovate and lead in the pharmaceutical space is an unparalleled legacy. Those who knew and worked with DBG, remember him giving generously and fostering a dynamic environment where people could learn and grow. We will continue to build on his legacy and live by the values he instilled.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9136/international-board-of-heart-and-rhythm-examiners-has-announced-its-new-ambassador-of-the-year-2017.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9136/international-board-of-heart-and-rhythm-examiners-has-announced-its-new-ambassador-of-the-year-2017.html Wed, 21 Jun 2017 18:05:00 +0530 Dr Aparna Jaswal, Additional Director, Electrophysiology, Fortis Escort Heart Institute, was conferred with the prestigious 2017 IBHRE Ambassador of the Year Award. Dr Jaswal has spent the last 11 years in the field of Cardiology & Electrophysiology and is a one of the few woman electro physiologists in India. Affiliated with the Cardiological Society of India, she is a fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society, USA, fellow of American College of Cardiology, USA and the ambassador of the Heart Rhythm Society- IBHRE.  She has conducted several interesting case studies such as Successful CRT/CRT-D implants in extremely sick patients, successful implants in the paediatric population and the successful implementation of a pacemaker in a 102 year old lady among others. Dr Jaswal’s role as an IBHRE ambassador is critical to the success of the organisation. She speaks at conferences and workshops around the world to advance and facilitate the heart rhythm management profession. In addition to this she regularly serves as a mentor to early career professionals.  As an IBHRE ambassador she is part of a distinguished team of physicians and allied professionals who promote the value of IBHRE certification. Somesh Mittal, Zonal Director, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute said, “This global recognition comes as a great moment for all of us at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute. Dr Aparna Jaswal has continuously ensured elevated patient care and promotion of excellence through certification, with focus on heart rhythm management with curing complex cases related to cardiac surgeries as old as treating 102 year old patient” IBHRE offers competency certification to physicians and allied professionals to provide quality patient care in cardiac pacing and electrophysiology.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9131/prime-ministers-award-for-outstanding-contribution-to-promotion-and-development-of-yoga-announced-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9131/prime-ministers-award-for-outstanding-contribution-to-promotion-and-development-of-yoga-announced-.html Wed, 21 Jun 2017 11:55:00 +0530 The Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute has been selected as the first recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for outstanding contribution to promotion and development of Yoga. The institution of the award was announced by the Prime Minister on the occasion of the Second International Day of Yoga at Chandigarh on 21st June, 2016.  The Award was recommended by an Evaluation Committee (Jury) constituted under the chairmanship of the cabinet secretary and included additional principal secretary to Prime Minister, the foreign secretary, Secretary (AYUSH) and Dr. Veerendra Heggade as its members. It examined the recommendations of the Screening Committee and also made its own analysis of the contributions made by the institutions and individuals and recommended Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune for the prestigious Award. The Government of India has accepted the recommendation of the Committee to honour the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune with the Prime Minister’s Award for Outstanding Contribution for the Promotion and Development of Yoga for 2017.  The selection was done from among 85 nominations received and 15 more recommended by the Screening Committee. The Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute has worked to spread Yoga, internationally, over a period of 4 decades. The Institute has published books on Yoga and these have been translated into multiple languages. There are thousands of Iyengar Yoga teachers popularising and propagating yoga across the world.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9123/scientist-who-led-thermonuclear-experiments-india-dies-at-69.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9123/scientist-who-led-thermonuclear-experiments-india-dies-at-69.html Tue, 20 Jun 2017 14:55:00 +0530 Professor P K Kaw, a globally acclaimed plasma physicist and founder director of the IPR, the nodal agency that has been coordinating with other countries in building the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France by 2019 recently died in Ahmedabad. He was honoured with a Padma Shri in 1985 and headed India’s efforts to produce energy through thermonuclear fusion. As per the statement given by D. Chenna Reddy, Dean (R&D) of Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar which was founded by Kaw in one of the daily newspapers, “He was suffering from cardiac disease. He underwent a bypass surgery a few years ago. But he was coming to work and attending all crucial meetings despite his deteriorating health. It is a huge and irreparable loss to the nation, and IPR in particular.” He was also behind the construction of the country’s first indigenously-designed machine for controlling thermonuclear fusion, Aditya tokamak. He began his career as a post-doctoral fellow in Princeton University, USA, after finishing his PhD from IIT-Delhi. From 1971-75 he was in India as associate professor and professor at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9120/dr-chandraghatgi-felicitated-by-japan-ministry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9120/dr-chandraghatgi-felicitated-by-japan-ministry.html Tue, 20 Jun 2017 13:25:00 +0530 An Indian Agricultural Microbiologist Dr. Shrihari Chandraghatgi, President & CEO, EcoCycle Corporation, has been conferred with Ministry of Environment Award for 2017 in Japan for developing cutting edge technologies to address burning environmental problems. Dr. Shrihari is the first foreigner to be given this Ministry of Environment Award, the highest award in environmental sector in Japan. The Ministry of Environment Award is the highest honour given in the environmental Sector every year jointly by the Ministry of Environment, Japan; National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Japan and The Nikkan Kogyo Shinbun (a media group). The award was given away to Dr. Shrihari on June 08, 2017 by State Minister of the Environment, Japan Mr. SEKI Yoshihiro at a ceremony at Kasumegaseki, Tokyo in presence of dignitaries including Mr. Imizu Haruhiro, President of The Nikkan Kogyo Shinbun; Mr. Watanabe, President of NIES and some eminent scientists from Japanese universities. Dr. Shrihari Chandraghatgi, a native Siddapura in the Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka, residing in Tokyo for almost 2 decades has done commendable work in the field of Environmental Biotechnology and has over a dozen patents against his name. An agricultural microbiologist, Dr Shrihari has developed cutting edge technologies by exploring the capabilities of natural microorganisms for environmental remediation. These patented technologies have been applied over 400 sites in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, India, China and the US. These technologies are the cheapest available alternatives of remediation. Mr. SEKI Yoshihiro, State Minister of the Environment, Japan, presented the award to Dr. Shrihari Chandraghatgi and stated that rapid economic development and exploding population in Asia has created severe environmental challenges. The country needs and appreciates environmental firms to develop new technologies to meet these challenges. This Minister of Environment award is being conferred in recognition of Bioremediation Technology developed by the President and CEO, EcoCycle Corporation. NIES, Nikkan Kogyo Shinbun and Ministry of environment also appreciates the exceptional effort of and results in environmental restoration and preservation by him and his team and honour with this award. Accepting the award, Dr. Shrihari expressed that he is delighted to receive the highest award in environmental sector in Japan and this gives him the motivation to aggressively work on newer technologies that will have profound bearing on solving environmental nightmares that are only increasing at an alarming rate globally. Further, he took this opportunity to thank all Family, Teachers, Engineers & Scientists at ECO Cycle Corporation for making this journey memorable. He plans to work in India where large scale health problems are reported because of consuming toxic groundwater. “If any organization, government or NGO, wants to take up such cause with concern of public health I am ready to provide my technology and vast experience free”, he said. Born in a humble family, Dr. Shrihari’s father was an air force officer who was involved in 1961 Goa liberation and 1971 Bangla liberation, and mother was a teacher. After schooling at his native Siddapura, in Kannada medium he graduated from University of Agricultural Sciences College, Dharwad in 1992.  Armed with a Junior Research Scholarship awarded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, Shrihari completed his Masters in 1994 and PhD in Agricultural Microbiology in 1997 in the same university, both with Gold Medal. In 1998 he obtained Monbusho fellowship (Ministry of Education, Japan) and joined as a researcher at Chiba University, Japan. Subsequently in 2000 he started his professional career as Scientist at EcoCycle Corporation and in 2005 became President and CEO of EcoCycle Corporation. In April 2017, He formed a joint venture, EcoChem Environmental Technologies in Shanghai to explore Chinese environmental market. He is currently helping Ministry of Industry, Thailand in forming environmental regulations and educate with remedial technologies. In 2017 he established a NGO, Kibono Hikari literally means Ray of Hope to help under privileged children in India with educational and medical support.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9115/tata-consultancy-services-recognised-as-a-star-performer-in-life-sciences-it-application-services-by-everest-group.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9115/tata-consultancy-services-recognised-as-a-star-performer-in-life-sciences-it-application-services-by-everest-group.html Mon, 19 Jun 2017 17:50:00 +0530 Tata Consultancy Services has been recognized as a leader and star performer for Life sciences IT application services by leading advisory and research firm, Everest Group, in its report, “Life Sciences – IT Application Services Providers PEAK Matrix™ Assessment 2017.” Everest Group acknowledged TCS’ strong foothold in the pharmaceutical and medical devices sector and a growing business presence with biotechnology firms.  The report highlights TCS’ strong focus on development of next-generation solutions, incorporating Artificial Intelligence, IoT and platform-driven approaches for areas such as drug development and patient engagement. Jimit Arora, Partner, Everest Group said, “Unlock efficiency out of globally diversified operations. Technology is a key enabler to ensure this transition, and TCS continues to be a partner of choice for leading Life Sciences firms, based on its delivery excellence and ongoing market success. By taking a platform-driven approach to strategic value chain tenets, TCS is seeking to future-proof its portfolio and driving differentiation in a highly competitive market.” Debashis Ghosh, President, Life Sciences, Manufacturing & Energy Business Group, TCS said, “Life Sciences customers are embracing newer technologies and next gen platforms to meet the challenges of higher R&D costs, declining revenue and increasingly complex regulations. Our deep industry expertise, global scale, investments in digital solutions, and focus on platforms enables us to offer true value to our customers across the Life Sciences value chain.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9047/kiran-mazumdar-shaw-appointed-to-the-board-of-live-love-laugh-foundation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9047/kiran-mazumdar-shaw-appointed-to-the-board-of-live-love-laugh-foundation.html Thu, 08 Jun 2017 18:20:00 +0530 The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF), a not-for-profit organization working towards mental health awareness in India has announced the appointment of Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson & Managing Director of Biocon, as a trustee on the board of the foundation. Welcoming Ms. Mazumdar-Shaw to the board, Deepika Padukone, TLLLF Founder said, “Mental health is an area that requires sustained effort and multi-stakeholder engagement. Kiran’s experience with large, focused organizations that deliver sustained and impactful outcomes across stakeholder groups will be extremely beneficial as the scale of TLLLF’s activities continues to grow year on year. Kiran has been a staunch supporter of TLLLF even before the foundation was formally launched in 2015 and we are thrilled to have her now join the board." Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said, “I am indeed very proud and happy to be a part of The Live Love Laugh Foundation, which is doing a stellar job of spreading mental health awareness in India with a focus on depression. As a member of the TLLLF Board, I intend to help with greater government engagement in order to shape policy around mental health in India. I also believe that greater community based programs that focus on treatment interventions for psychiatric disorders will hopefully help to remove the associated stigma. One in five people in India will suffer from depression in their lifetime, so we must endeavour to improve the lives of these suffering millions.” Anna Chandy, Chair - Board of Trustees, TLLLF, said, “I am delighted that Kiran has agreed to offer her time and her expertise to TLLLF. I look forward to working with her as we scale our activities and engagements in the years to come”. TLLLF was founded in October 2015 by actor Deepika Padukone and has since then undertaken three flagship initiatives: 1) ‘You Are Not Alone’: An awareness programme on depression, for adolescent school children and teachers, that has been conducted in six states covering more than 34,000 students and 6,480 teachers across 276 urban and rural schools; 2) ‘Together Against Depression’: A programme to sensitize doctors on mental health, that has covered more than 2,000 doctors; and 3) Dobara Poocho: India’s first nationwide public awareness campaign on mental health. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9000/pratima-rao-appointed-as-mission-director-of-biocon-foundation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/9000/pratima-rao-appointed-as-mission-director-of-biocon-foundation.html Mon, 05 Jun 2017 14:00:00 +0530 Pratima Rao has been appointed as mission director & head of Biocon Foundation.  Prior to joining Foundation, she was heading the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science, Baldwin Girls High School, Bengaluru for over two decades. She is a well-known educationist who is committed to quality education and also an author of the ‘Challenge Mathematics’ a series on mental mathematics, published by Macmillan India Limited. She has been a proud recipient of the ‘Best Educator’ award initiated by the Rustom Irani Foundation in Bangalore and associated with Biocon Foundation’s ‘Chinnara Ganitha’ rural education program since its inception in 2006. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD of Biocon said, “We are extremely happy to have Pratima Rao lead our CSR wing, Biocon Foundation. As a Mission Director, she will be responsible for the overall management of the activities, strategy and operations of Biocon Foundation. We are confident that her collective knowledge, experience and expertise will strengthen our commitment to promote social and economic inclusion of marginalized communities.”    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8994/bent-johnsen-appointed-as-ceo-for-emperra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8994/bent-johnsen-appointed-as-ceo-for-emperra.html Fri, 02 Jun 2017 18:05:00 +0530 Emperra specializes in digital health solutions for people living with diabetes. The company has appointed Mr. Bent Johnsen as Managing Director and CEO.  Mr. Johnsen, who is a Danish national, has an extensive international career in the health care sector and has lived and worked in multiple countries within Europe and the USA.   He has held several executive leadership positions within the field of diabetes working for a global insulin manufacturing company as well as with other global medical device companies. Furthermore, Mr. Johnsen has comprehensive experience in working with smaller growth companies and has formerly served as both CEO and a board member for medical device companies. His solid international management experience is seen as very valuable at this stage where Emperra is progressing rapidly to make the innovative digital health diabetes management system ESYSTA broadly available both in Germany and internationally. Mr. Johnsen is very excited about the ESYSTA solution and its benefits for patients, doctors and nurses. Mr. Johnsen is succeeding Dr. Christian Krey as CEO, who has decided to pursue new opportunities and will be leaving the company by the end of June 2017. The Board of Emperra is thankful to Dr. Krey for his contribution in launching ESYSTA, the world's first digitally connected insulin pen and blood glucose monitoring system in the German market. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8982/clariant-announces-adnan-ahmad-as-the-new-regional-president-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8982/clariant-announces-adnan-ahmad-as-the-new-regional-president-in-india-.html Thu, 01 Jun 2017 17:25:00 +0530 Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, announces the appointment of Adnan Ahmad as region president, India.  Effective June 1, 2017, Adnan Ahmad assumes the role of region president for Clariant in India and also the Vice-Chairman & Managing Director of Clariant Chemicals (India) Limited. Adnan has over 32 years of industry experience across sectors and continents. He began his career with ICI where he worked in a variety of manufacturing, supply chain and business roles across India. He worked in the UK, with responsibility for Europe and Africa and in Singapore with responsibility for Asia and Pacific regions. He also served on the Board of Castrol India Limited Adnan holds a masters degree in Chemical Engineering from Queens University, Canada. He received a National Energy Conservation award from the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2004. He has also been conferred with the Helios Award for Human Energy by Lord Browne, the erstwhile Chief Executive of BP plc, for leading transformational change in Road Safety for Castrol India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8952/whos-tobacco-control-award-for-health-minister-jp-nadda.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8952/whos-tobacco-control-award-for-health-minister-jp-nadda.html Tue, 30 May 2017 15:30:00 +0530 World Health Organization’s (WHO) award for outstanding global leadership in tobacco control will be given to JP Nadda, union minister of health and family Welfare. The WHO award is given to governments or individuals who show exceptional zeal in tobacco control. Usually given out in Geneva on World No-Tobacco Day (May 31), it has been decided that the award this time will be given at the regional level by the WHO Southeast Asia regional office. Past winners from India include former Health Minister Anbumani  Ramadoss and Reddy himself. One of the proposers for the award is Dr K S Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), a public-private initiative that was last month barred from getting foreign funds for allegedly using funds for “anti-tobacco lobbying” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8949/unitus-hires-milind-shah-as-healthcare-venture-partner.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8949/unitus-hires-milind-shah-as-healthcare-venture-partner.html Tue, 30 May 2017 12:55:00 +0530 Impact investment firm Unitus Seed Fund has hired Milind Shah, former managing director of Medtronic India, as healthcare venture partner to spearhead its investments in healthcare startups for which it has earmarked Rs 100 crore. Shah joins Unitus Seed Fund with a mandate to invest in 8-10 healthcare businesses by 2021, the fund said in a statement. Shah will bring in a deep understanding of the healthcare eco-system and a strong network of relationships in the medical technology and hospital segments, the firm said. He has over three decades of experience in sales, marketing and corporate planning across varied businesses—was associated with Henkel, 3M and Shell. Unitus, which had mobilised $23 million in its first fund, has invested across sectors and healthcare constitutes a significant part of its portfolio.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8941/dr-meshram-honored-for-contribution-to-neurology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8941/dr-meshram-honored-for-contribution-to-neurology.html Mon, 29 May 2017 15:05:00 +0530 Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, who is pursuing a project to upgrade all 12 port trust hospitals across India into ‘super-speciality hospital and paramedical institute’, announced at a programme to felicitate veteran neurologist Dr Chandrashekhar Meshram, at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Auditorium, Deekshabhoomi. Dr Meshram is the first doctor from the country nominated for Tropical Neurology group of World Federation of Neurology (WFN). WFN is the highest academic organization in neurology, with 120 countries as its members. Dr Meshram had also proposed the idea of nationwide public education programme as part of National Brain Week by Indian Academy of Neurology, which was accepted, and he was nominated national convener of this activity for last two years. Recently, he brought Nagpur on the international map for the first time by organizing Orange City International Film Festival in the city. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8890/dr-harsh-vardhan-assumes-charge-as-environment-minister.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8890/dr-harsh-vardhan-assumes-charge-as-environment-minister.html Wed, 24 May 2017 11:30:00 +0530 Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Science and Technology and Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, assumed the charge following the sudden and untimely demise of former Minister of State (Independent Charge) Anil Madhav Dave, last Thursday.    He reviewed the key areas of concern and priority with the Secretary and other senior officers of the Ministry.  The progress of work in the last 3 years of this government and the key initiatives taken were discussed. He acknowledged that there are many immediate and complex issues of environment, forest and climate change, which will need collective and concerted efforts. He emphasised the mission of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, for integrating environmental concerns into development policies and programmes and balancing the two for India’s sustained growth and progress. For this, it was important for the Ministry to quickly adopt the latest technologies, re-engineer clearance processes and develop policy initiatives to further enhance transparency, accountability and timely delivery.  He reviewed the key areas of concern and priority with the Secretary and other senior officers of the Ministry. The Minister focussed on policies and programmes for climate change adaptation and mitigation; biodiversity protection; pollution prevention and cleaner production; promoting circular economy for waste management through the concept of 4Rs (Reduce, Recover, Reuse And Recycle); eco-tourism; afforestation on degraded lands and disbursal of CAMPA funds to the states.  In particular, he emphasised that “Pollution, both of air and water, is a matter of concern for the whole country, in general, and especially Delhi and NCR, and needs to be addressed on priority by the Ministry. Involvement of the people is crucial, and for protection and conservation of environment people’s participation has to be increased.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8886/dr-bimal-desai-wins-healthcare-innovator-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8886/dr-bimal-desai-wins-healthcare-innovator-award.html Tue, 23 May 2017 17:45:00 +0530 Bimal Desai, MD, MBI, Assistant Vice President and Chief Health Informatics Officer at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) was honored at the Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT) annual black-tie gala as the winner of this year's Healthcare Innovator award. The award is given to a company, researcher, or investor who provides innovative solutions that have a positive impact on the quality, cost, and access to healthcare. Dr. Desai and his team have taken on the challenge of better connecting our patients, doctors, and the CHOP Care Network through technology and innovations in telemedicine. Under the direction of CHOP's president and CEO Madeline Bell, Dr. Desai helped create the Hospital's new Digital Health Program. Dr. Desai also co-founded Haystack Informatics, a company spun out of CHOP's "Open Canvas" innovation competition in 2014 which uses patients' electronic health records (EHR) and healthcare employees' patterns of behavior to protect patient privacy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8876/columbia-asia-hires-dr-kelvin-loh-as-ceo-to-navigate-its-next-phase-of-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8876/columbia-asia-hires-dr-kelvin-loh-as-ceo-to-navigate-its-next-phase-of-growth.html Tue, 23 May 2017 11:20:00 +0530 Columbia Asia, one of the fastest-growing healthcare companies in Asia, has appointed Dr. Kelvin Loh to serve as CEO, effective July 1. Dr. Loh worked for past eight years at Parkway Pantai, most recently as chief executive of the company’s Singapore operations division. Parkway Pantai is one of the largest private healthcare providers in Asia and a major subsidiary of IHH Healthcare Berhad. Dr. Loh previously served as CEO of Parkway’s Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore, and before entering healthcare administration 16 years ago, practiced as a medical doctor. Columbia Asia, part of Seattle-based Columbia Pacific Management, has 27 hospitals and two clinics in India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Kenya, built with an innovative business model focused on serving Asia’s rapidly growing middle class with modern and efficient multispecialty hospitals located close to where patients live and work. The company has about 10,000 employees serving more than 2.5 million patients a year.  “Dr. Loh brings a wealth of experience and a common vision as Columbia Asia continues to expand in its mission of delivering high-quality, affordable healthcare across Asia and Africa,” said Nate McLemore, Managing Director of Columbia Asia’s parent company, Columbia Pacific Management. “He shares our values of delivering patient-centered care – striving for both clinical and service excellence.” Columbia Asia opened its first hospital in 1996 and over two decades has developed into one of the largest hospital companies in Asia.Columbia Asia is the only healthcare provider in Asia to operate hospitals in so many countries under a single brand, and one of the few large, multinational providers in Asia to internally develop and build the vast majority of its hospitals. Columbia Asia will open new hospitals this year in the Klang Valley of Malaysia and in Bangalore, India, and has other hospitals in the development pipeline. Columbia Asia has 11 hospitals in Malaysia, 11 hospitals in India, three hospitals in Indonesia, two hospitals and one clinic in Vietnam and one clinic in Kenya. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8869/dr-harsh-vardhan-assumes-charge-as-environment-minister.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8869/dr-harsh-vardhan-assumes-charge-as-environment-minister.html Mon, 22 May 2017 15:30:00 +0530 Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Science and Technology and Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, assumed charge at the IP Bhavan in New Delhi on May 22, following the sudden and untimely demise of former Minister of State (Independent Charge) Shri Anil Madhav Dave, last Thursday.  He commenced his visit to the office by first planting a sapling in the memory of Late Anil Madhav Dave in the premises of IP Bhavan. He felt humbled at taking over charge of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and recalled the contribution of Late Shri Dave as a great champion of river conservation and environment.    He pointed out that Dave’s love for children was evident in his belief to restore our environment for our children.  “Dave ji did a great deal of work to protect our rivers, forests, ecosystem with the passion and the dedication of a true environmentalist”, he said. Dr. Harsh Vardhan recalled the words of Shri Anil Madhav Dave, who used to say, ‘If I can, so can we’. The Minister emphasised that the Ministry will always keep in mind the last wish of Late Shri Dave of environmental protection by planting, protecting and nurturing trees and of cleaning rivers and ponds. Dr. Harsh Vardhan reviewed the key areas of concern and priority with the Secretary and other senior officers of the Ministry.  The progress of work in the last 3 years of this government and the key initiatives taken were discussed. He acknowledged that there are many immediate and complex issues of environment, forest and climate change, which will need collective and concerted efforts. He emphasised the mission of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, for integrating environmental concerns into development policies and programmes and balancing the two for India’s sustained growth and progress. For this, it was important for the Ministry to quickly adopt the latest technologies, re-engineer clearance processes and develop policy initiatives to further enhance transparency, accountability and timely delivery.  The Minister focussed on policies and programmes for climate change adaptation and mitigation; biodiversity protection; pollution prevention and cleaner production; promoting circular economy for waste management through the concept of 4Rs (Reduce, Recover, Reuse And Recycle); eco-tourism; afforestation on degraded lands and disbursal of CAMPA funds to the states. In particular, he emphasised that “Pollution, both of air and water, is a matter of concern for the whole country, in general, and especially Delhi and NCR, and needs to be addressed on priority by the Ministry.”    He also underlined that Climate Change and the commitments of India in the Paris agreement are another important challenge.  He exhorted all the officers to continue to strive hard and meet these and other similar challenges in the coming years.  He added that lot of good work has been done, which must be shared with the people.  “Involvement of the people is crucial, and for protection and conservation of environment people’s participation has to be increased”, Dr Harsh Vardhan added.    Earlier, Dr Harsh Vardhan took a round of the building, which is a benchmark in sustainable urban built habitat.  The building is a net zero energy consumption building, as it generates all the power necessary on an annual basis.  He expressed happiness at the clean environment, the open office concept and the overall ambience of the building.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8862/indian-wins-top-intel-science-award-in-u-s-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8862/indian-wins-top-intel-science-award-in-u-s-.html Mon, 22 May 2017 11:45:00 +0530 Prashant Ranganathan, Indian boy has won the world's largest pre-college science competition in the US in the environmental engineering category for his project on biodegradation of pesticides.  This boy from Jamshedpur was accompanied by 20 high school students from various parts of India and participated in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Student of Carmel Junior College in Jamshedpur, Prashant's project 'Biodegradation of Chlorpyrifos using native bacteria' said that farmers should not use pesticides.  "In almost all the states, like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, Haryana and Bihar and Jharkhand, there's extensive farming. Using excessive amounts of pesticides, is affecting the health and the environment around them," he said.  Maya Ajmera president and CEO of Society for Science and Public said,  "India really boasts really extraordinary mathematics, science, physics, education. I think that many generations of Indian scientists and engineers and computer scientists, have truly paved the way of this generation of young people doing extraordinary things.” As a result, Indians and Indian Americans accounted for nearly one-fifth of the top categories of the awards.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8858/neal-cutler-conferred-with-the-title-of-best-ceo-in-cro-industry-by-the-2017-european-ceo-awards.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8858/neal-cutler-conferred-with-the-title-of-best-ceo-in-cro-industry-by-the-2017-european-ceo-awards.html Fri, 19 May 2017 15:55:00 +0530 Dr. Neal Cutler, M.D. is the Chief Executive Officer of Worldwide Clinical Trials, a company focused on the development of life-changing medicines, which is recognized by organizations from around the world for its outstanding services and expertise in clinical trials. It has won various awards which include Informa’s Scrip Award, Life Science Leader’s CRO Leadership Award, Nice Insight etc. This honor recognizes Dr. Cutler’s contributions as the founder and CEO of Worldwide, one of the world’s leading, full-service contract research organizations (CROs). The annual European CEO Awards highlight the achievements of CEOs across a variety of industries whose contributions are driving their companies forward. Dr. Cutler, a board-certified psychiatrist who is also board-qualified in both neurology and clinical pharmacology, has been instrumental in the design and clinical development of nearly 200 compounds in numerous therapeutic areas. Since creating the first iteration of Worldwide Clinical Trials 30 years ago, he has guided the company with a steadfast commitment to the medicine and science of clinical research, leading to impressive growth. This, along with his consistent dedication to Worldwide’s customers, were named as key reasons for his receiving the European CEO Award. “I am humbled to have been recognized with this prestigious honor. This truly is a reflection of what Worldwide has achieved, and the high-quality service that we consistently deliver – I share this award with our amazing team,” said Dr. Cutler in a press release. “My passion for the potentially life-changing work Worldwide does every day drives me and shapes my leadership, and it is this passion that I share with our entire company. This drive to support our sponsor partners in drug discovery permeates our company and has helped build our reputation as one of the world’s leading CROs.” Dr. Cutler has authored 276 publications, including nine books on the topics of clinical pharmacology, aging, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and diabetes. He has been a prominent figure in the industry, having been invited to give hundreds of presentations around the world in the fields of aging, clinical pharmacology and drug development. The European CEO Awards recognize the leading players across a range of sectors, the companies pushing the envelope in business, and the executives who make this progress possible. Dr. Cutler joins other recent healthcare industry winners including the CEOs of Chronos Therapeutics, Biolingus, and Evaxion Biotech.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8848/amitabh-bachchan-is-now-the-who-goodwill-ambassador-for-hepatitis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8848/amitabh-bachchan-is-now-the-who-goodwill-ambassador-for-hepatitis.html Wed, 17 May 2017 17:45:00 +0530 Famous Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan, a Hepatitis B conqueror, was recently appointed as the WHO Goodwill Ambassador for the Hepatitis awareness programme in southeast Asia region. The veteran actor has been brought on board to boost awareness and intensify action to arrest the Hepatitis epidemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced in a statement. "I am absolutely committed to the cause of Hepatitis. As a person living with Hepatitis-B, I know the pain and sufferings that Hepatitis causes. No one should ever suffer from viral Hepatitis," Amitabh said. He will lend his voice and support to public awareness programmes that aim to scale up preventive measures and advocate for early diagnosis and treatment of viral Hepatitis to reduce the disease burden. Announcing his association with WHO, Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director for WHO southeast Asia, said, "This association is expected to help strengthen WHO's efforts in reducing the high numbers of premature deaths and illnesses from viral Hepatitis which is not only causing hardships to individuals and families, but also impacting health and development across the region."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8849/padamshree-recipient-anil-joshi-has-been-conferred-biotechnology-social-development-award-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8849/padamshree-recipient-anil-joshi-has-been-conferred-biotechnology-social-development-award-.html Wed, 17 May 2017 17:40:00 +0530 Environmentalist and Padam Shree recipient Dr. Anil Joshi has been awarded the prestigious Biotechnology Development Award by the Biotechnology Department of Ministry of Science and Technology. He is only person to be selected for this award from all over the country. President Pranab Mukherjee presented the award to Dr Anil Joshi at a ceremony held at the Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Dr. Anil Joshi has been researching the biodiversity of the Himalayan region for a long time and helped spread awareness about the protection of biodiversity of the region at national as well as international platforms. He educated the farmers of Uttarakhand about the use of gobar gas to lessen the dependence on wood for cooking. After the 2013 Uttarakhand disaster, he not only helped people in rehabilitation but also encouraged people towards fruit processing to generate income for the families. He was presented with a scroll of honour and a cheque of Rs 5 lakh. Senior HESCO’s scientist Dr Rakesh Kumar was also present on the occasion. The award is given to personalities whose organizations have done commendable work in social development sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8841/ambani-makes-way-for-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-to-head-iim-bangalore.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8841/ambani-makes-way-for-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-to-head-iim-bangalore.html Tue, 16 May 2017 15:35:00 +0530 India's biotechnology queen Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the new chairperson of the prestigious Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore (IIM-B) as incumbent Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries stepped down. “The Union Human Resources Development ministry has ratified late Tuesday the appointment of Shaw as the chairperson of the institute's board of governors in place of Ambani,” a spokesperson told IANS here Wednesday. As the country's biotech pioneer, 60-year old Shaw is chairperson of Biocon Ltd, an integrated healthcare firm, delivering bio-pharmaceutical solutions. Ambani, who has been spearheading the institute since 2005, was re-appointed in 2010 as chairman of the institute's board till 2015. Ambani conveyed his decision to withdraw from the post at a board meeting. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8838/columbia-asia-hospitals-announces-appointment-of-the-new-ceo-and-coo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8838/columbia-asia-hospitals-announces-appointment-of-the-new-ceo-and-coo.html Mon, 15 May 2017 14:55:00 +0530 Columbia Asia Hospitals, India, has announced Dr. Nandakumar Jairam as their new CEO and Mr. Jasdeep Singh as the new COO. Both Dr. Jairam and Mr. Singh have assumed responsibilities in their new roles from April 2017. Dr. Jairam has been associated with Columbia Asia Hospitals for more than twelve years and has served the organization asthe Chairman and Group Medical Director. Dr Jairam said,  “I have been with Columbia Asia Hospitals since its inception in India. Joining Columbia Asia helped me realize my dream and ambition to set up high quality health care facilities in India to provide world class health care to our citizens and patients from overseas." "I am extremely thankful to the Board and pleased to have accepted this role.  With a strong team and my previous experience, I will strive to take the Group ahead to meet the expectation of the shareholders.", he added Dr. Jairam is also the Chairman of the NABH under the auspices of QCI (Quality Council of India), and was Chairman of the health services committee of FICCI. He is the founder member of NATHEALTH and GAPIO as well as the founder trustee for Terry Fox foundation Bangalore until its existence. He founded Krishna charitable trust. The hospital group has also appointed Mr. Jasdeep Singh, as the new COO on board. Mr. Singh comes with 17 years of rich experience in operations & P&L management and has worked with brands including Fortis Healthcare Ltd. He joined Columbia Asia Hospitals, from his position as the CEO at Milann-The Fertility Centre.   Excited with the appointment Jasdeep Singh said, “I am delighted to be a part of this fantastic organization which enjoys the reputation of being a large (global), ethical and technology driven healthcare provider. Over the years Columbia Asia has created a warm spot for itself and is regarded for the international quality of clinical and support services it offers to all its patients. I am sure we will be able to create a stronger presence in the Indian market in the times to come." He has deep-rooted knowledge and understanding of the healthcare sector and has served the industry for over 17 years now. Graduating in Hotel Management from the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Mr. Singh pursued MBA from Ohio Manipal School of Business.  In the last 17 years of his professional journey he has worked in large healthcare players such as Manipal Hospitals and Fortis Healthcare Ltd. At Fortis, he grew the ranks by working in different functions as well as in multiple hospitals. He has been instrumental in creating process efficiency in hospital operations and led various multi-specialty hospitals including the flagship hospital – Fortis Memorial Research Institute at Gurgaon. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8836/dr-duru-shah-becomes-the-new-president-of-isar-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8836/dr-duru-shah-becomes-the-new-president-of-isar-.html Fri, 12 May 2017 17:50:00 +0530 Well known gynaecologist and infertility expert Dr Duru Shah recently took charge as the president of the prestigious Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction (ISAR). As the Scientific Director of Gynaecworld and the Gynaecworld Assisted Fertility Center, Mumbai as well as a consultant to Breach Candy and Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai, Dr Shah leads a highly qualified team of consultants offering a wide range of specialised fertility treatments such as IUI and IVF to freezing of embryos, eggs, sperm, to surrogacy. She took over as the president of ISAR from Dr Narendra Malhotra, and assured her esteemed colleagues of her commitment to the worthy cause of women’s reproductive rights in India in her Presidential address, by dedicating 2017 as ISAR’s Year of Empowerment: through Education, Ethics and Empathy.   Over her several decades of experience in the field, Dr Shah has had to opportunity to work with and help women from all walks of life, and from all parts of the country, and has developed a deep empathy for the plight of lakhs of women in India who do not have access to reproductive healthcare.   “India has a strange problem. On the one hand, it has the burden of high fertility which the government is addressing through family planning programs, and on the other hand, there is the problem of childlessness, with over 7 % of currently married women being childless,” she explained. And as an infertility expert, Dr Shah stressed the point that infertility treatment is a very necessary component of women’s mental and physical health, especially considering the social pressure that women who are unable to conceive or have children face both in rural and urban India. Apart from this, they battle many other demons, such as the high cost of the treatment, the lack of access to quality infertility treatments in rural areas, the lack of insurance coverage for infertility treatments etc. Adding to this stress is the fact that the woman, who ultimately has to get pregnant, has to go through repeated examinations, procedures and maybe surgeries, entailing a lot of physical discomfort and health issues. An issue that Dr Shah wants to address during her term as President of ISAR is the need to offer good, dependable and genuine clinical services related to infertility treatment through public private partnerships with infertility clinics, which are accredited by a professional organisation such ISAR. And for this, she has a solution: “We could utilise a program with GOI and ISAR to get private IVF centers accredited so as to help women to become mothers without being at the mercy of quacks.” As the former President of the prestigious Federation of Obstreticians and Gynaecologists Society of India (FOGSI), Dr Shah had proposed a Public Private Partnership of GOI with FOGSI. Convinced of the need for such a partnership, the WHO had even offered a grant of Rs. 40 lakh to create guidelines on accreditation of private nursing homes that would then be a part of the PPP model. Ten years later, this agenda has been officially taken up in order to reduce maternal mortality. Many experts agree that the PPP model is the way to go, as far as healthcare in the country is concerned. “Even other countries in the world such as UK, Singapore, UAE, Israel, Canada, Switzerland, Germany and Australia have begun offering support for infertility treatments both through government or insurance channels.” And that is what is needed in India, she added.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8824/universities-uk-chief-is-new-royal-society-of-biology-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8824/universities-uk-chief-is-new-royal-society-of-biology-president.html Thu, 11 May 2017 16:15:00 +0530 Universities UK head Dame Julia Goodfellow has been appointed the new president of the Royal Society of Biology. The third of the RSB’s all-female heads, Goodfellow was the first woman both to head a UK research council - as chief executive of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) - and to assume the presidency of Universities UK. After completing her PhD in biophysics at the Open University research unit, Professor Goodfellow became professor of biomolecular science at Birkbeck College and later Vice-Master and head of the School of Crystallography. She also chaired the British Science Association from 2009 until 2014, and was appointed to the Science and Technology Facilities Council and the Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology in 2011. Additionally, she is the present vice chancellor of Kent University. The new president paid tribute to her predecessor whose time in office saw the award of a Royal title for the society and a period of major membership growth. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8799/3-indian-scientists-elected-fellows-of-royal-society.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8799/3-indian-scientists-elected-fellows-of-royal-society.html Tue, 09 May 2017 13:00:00 +0530 Three Indian-origin scientists known for their expertise in genetics, computers and ecology have been elected fellows of the Royal Society, the world’s oldest scientific academy in continuous existence. Headed by Nobel Prize winner Venki Ramakrishnan, the London-based Royal Society announced the 2017 election of 50 scientists and 10 foreign members for their outstanding contributions to science. The three Indian-origin scientists are Krishna Chatterjee (University of Cambridge), Yadvinder Malhi (University of Oxford) and Subhash Khot (New York University). Krishna Chatterjee is distinguished for his discoveries of genetic disorders of thyroid gland formation, regulation of hormone synthesis and hormone action, which have advanced fundamental knowledge of the thyroid axis. Chatterjee has identified dominant negative inhibition by defective nuclear hormone receptors as a common mechanism in Resistance to Thyroid Hormone and PPARg-mediated insulin resistance. He has shown how deficiency of human selenocysteine-containing proteins causes a multisystem disease, including disordered thyroid hormone metabolism. He seeks to translate such understanding into better diagnosis and therapy of both rare and common thyroid conditions. Subhash Khot is a theoretical computer scientist while Yadvinder Malhi is an ecosystem ecologist. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8795/iit-b-professor-wins-young-scientist-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8795/iit-b-professor-wins-young-scientist-award.html Tue, 09 May 2017 12:40:00 +0530 Vikram Vishal, a 31-year-old assistant professor in the Earth Sciences department of the institute, received recently the Young Scientist award from the Indian National Science Academy for the year 2017. His SCIENTIFIC model can prove to be a long-term solution for carbon dioxide emissions in the country. The model proposed by Vishal involves trapping the carbon dioxide emitted by industries and injecting them in hard rocks within the sub-surface of earth. “The analogy comes from the natural gases that remain trapped in rocks for millions of years. If we can successfully inject the emissions into the rocks, they will remain there for several thousand years,” said Vishal. While the research has been published in several high-impact journals last year, the next step for Vishal is to establish a plant to visualise his model. “The plan is to have at least a demonstration plant to see the feasibility of it. We can partner with the industries to set up the plant. We have worked on the emissions from dumpyard fires as well as mine fires and noted similarities in the two”,  he added Usually high emissions are recorded from coal-based power plants, oil and gas plants, fertiliser and cement manufacturing units. While Vishal is currently focused on carbon dioxide emissions, he has also worked on studies on pollution levels in Mumbai. Vishal completed his engineering degree from Presidency College in Kolkata and did a masters course at IIT-B. The ‘Young Scientist’ said that while institutes in the country do pathbreaking research, the government needs to invest more on infrastructure and incentivise research to stop the brain drain phenomenon. “Institutes also need to focus on certain research areas based on the contemporary needs of the world. We should also compare our institutes with the best practices in universities abroad to improve the quality of research,” said Vishal.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8774/seema-verma-is-the-key-architect-of-republican-healthcare-bill.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8774/seema-verma-is-the-key-architect-of-republican-healthcare-bill.html Mon, 08 May 2017 11:55:00 +0530 Indian-American Seema Verma is the key architect of the US new healthcare bill. She shared the podium with president Donald Trump who played a very important role in convincing several lawmakers on the need to repeal and replace Obamacare. She is the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is one of the highest ranking Indian American in the Trump administration after Nikki Haley who is the US Ambassador to the United Nations. Considered to be one of the key architect of the new healthcare bill, Verma was the only non-politician to be asked to speak from the podium at the Rose Garden as speaker as Trump rejoiced the passage of the legislation by the US House of Representatives that repealed Obamacare and replaced it with a new one. "Thank you, and congratulations to the President, the Vice President, the Speaker and all the Republican leadership and all the Republicans in the House, for what you did today," she said. "I've spoken to a lot of moms across the country like me, and they are so concerned about the rising cost of health care, paying for expensive premiums and high deductibles, having an insurance card that they can't use because it's still unaffordable," Verma said. "These are people that have no other place to go but the Medicaid programme and the status quo in the Medicaid programme is not acceptable. We can do better. And the big step that was taken today is a very important stride towards making that programme work better, towards giving governors the flexibility to design programmes that are innovative and actually improve health outcomes," she added ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8742/sutter-physician-services-announces-new-ceo-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8742/sutter-physician-services-announces-new-ceo-.html Tue, 02 May 2017 16:42:55 +0530 Sutter Physician Services (SPS), a leader in health care management and administrative services, announced Jeremy Eaves as the new CEO. Eaves will lead SPS's support of Sutter Health business and expansion into the national marketplace, all focused on partnerships and services that enhance patient access to quality care while reducing the cost of care. Eaves was previously senior vice president of Financial Operations at Baylor Scott & White Health, the largest not-for-profit health care system in Texas and one of the largest in the nation. From 2008 to 2014, he served as vice president of Revenue Cycle Management at Baylor Health Care System. Prior to joining Baylor Scott & White Health, Eaves was director of Revenue Cycle at Norman Regional Health System in Oklahoma, and also worked in consulting at Stockamp & Associates, Inc. Sutter Physician Services provides an array of administrative and clinical services to physician groups, hospitals, and integrated delivery networks nationwide, including revenue cycle management, accountable care solutions, and patient access solutions. SPS works with clients to enhance the patient experience, improve the health of populations, and reduce the per capita cost of health care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8741/quest-diagnostics-cio-wins-2017-forbes-innovation-award-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8741/quest-diagnostics-cio-wins-2017-forbes-innovation-award-.html Tue, 02 May 2017 16:40:25 +0530 Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, announced that it’s senior vice president and chief information officer Lidia L. Fonseca has received a 2017 Forbes CIO Innovation Award. The award, presented during the Forbes Innovation Summit on April 24, recognizes CIOs of multibillion dollar companies who have demonstrated the ability to generate value through innovation. Ms. Fonseca was recognized with the honor largely on the basis of the company's Quanum™ data analytics and information technology solutions, which help providers and health plans connect across the healthcare ecosystem and analyze health data to improve quality, health and financial outcomes. QuestQuanum offerings are divided into two solution sets: Analytics, which include population health management and quality reporting technologies, and Clinical and Financial (formerly known as Care360), which includes revenue cycle management, patient engagement and practice management tools. Ms. Fonseca leads the enterprise-wide Information Technology (IT) function for Quest Diagnostics with an emphasis on using IT and data to drive business transformation and better customer experiences. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Tegna, Inc. The Forbes CIO Innovation Award ceremony took place during the 2017 CIO Summit, a gathering of influential CIO leaders that explores today's biggest technological challenges, fosters deep collaboration and generates new ideas. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8740/new-directions-behavioral-health-announces-new-ceo-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8740/new-directions-behavioral-health-announces-new-ceo-.html Tue, 02 May 2017 16:36:13 +0530 The board of directors of New Directions Behavioral Health has named Lee Tuveson as the next president and chief executive officer. His selection followed a national search. Tuveson succeeds Dr. John Quick, who has served as CEO and president since the behavioral health care company was founded in 1995. Tuveson has been New Directions' chief financial and administrative officer since 2014. In that role, he has been instrumental to New Directions' growth and success in a number of key areas: infrastructure, operations, finance, project management, data analytics, and claims system management, among others. Before coming to New Directions, Tuveson worked at McDonnell Douglas for seven years, and at Magellan Health Services for 18, most recently as vice president of finance and contracts. In addition to his in-depth understanding of the managed health care industry and his business acumen, he shares New Directions' company values and clinical philosophy. Tuveson is a solid and compassionate leader who knows how to manage costs while putting members first. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8727/dr-vivekanand-jha-elected-as-president-of-international-society-of-nephrology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8727/dr-vivekanand-jha-elected-as-president-of-international-society-of-nephrology.html Tue, 02 May 2017 10:50:00 +0530 The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) has elected Dr. Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director of the George Institute for Global Health, India and former professor of nephrology at the Postgraduate Institute for Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, as President of the Society from 2019 to 2021in its recently concluded meeting at Mexico City. Dr Jha said, “The ISN has contributed much to capacity building and practice and research and nephrology in the developing world. I speak from personal experience having been a direct beneficiary as a past ISN fellow and a participant of the Renal Sister centre program.” Over time, Dr. Jha has been a member of the several ISN committees, task forces, councils and the Executive Committee. Dr. Jha is a James Martin Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health, University of Oxford. He is a physician with a specialisation in the area of kidney diseases and serves on the international advisory boards of several organisations. Prior to joining The George Institute, he was Professor of Nephrology and Head, Department of Translational Regenerative Medicine and Officer-In-Charge, Medical Education and Research Cell at the PGIMER (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) in Chandigarh, India. Dr. Vivekanand Jha serves on the international advisory boards of several organisations, including membership of the WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Human Cell, Tissue and Organ Transplantation, and the executive committee of the International Society of Nephrology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8716/accuray-appoints-a-new-chief-commercial-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8716/accuray-appoints-a-new-chief-commercial-officer.html Fri, 28 Apr 2017 16:15:53 +0530 Accuray Inc. reported the appointment of Lionel Hadjadjeba as senior vice president, chief commercial officer effective immediately. The chief commercial officer position will provide a high level of focus, accountability and urgency required to build upon the company's recent order momentum while driving increased corporate and regional level coordination and alignment across the commercial organization. Accuray is a radiation oncology company that develops, manufactures and sells precise, innovative tumor treatment solutions. Mr. Hadjadjeba who joined Accuray in 2012 and most recently served as senior vice president, world-wide commercial, is a medical doctor who specialized in internal medicine and hemato-oncology.  He received his MBA from HEC in France and has worked for more than 25 years in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries holding executive positions in sales, marketing, clinical research, health economics and general management with companies such as Haemonetics Corporation, Life Technologies Corporation and Medtronic. Under today's announced corporate structure, Mr. Hadjadjeba reports directly to Mr. Levine. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8682/jeffrey-hawkins-elected-to-the-board-of-acmg-foundation-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8682/jeffrey-hawkins-elected-to-the-board-of-acmg-foundation-.html Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:31:50 +0530 Jeffrey A. Hawkins, Vice President and General Manager of Reproductive Genetic Health at Illumina, Inc., has been elected to the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine Board of Directors. The ACMG Foundation is a national nonprofit foundation dedicated to facilitating the integration of genetics and genomics into medical practice. The board members are active participants in serving as advocates for the Foundation and for advancing its policies and programs. Hawkins has been elected to a 6-year term starting immediately. Hawkins joined Illumina in 2015 and leads the company's Reproductive Genetic Health business unit. Prior to joining Illumina, he served as Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Program Management for GenMark Diagnostics from the pre-IPO phase in 2009 until his departure in 2015. For the decade prior to GenMark, Hawkins served in various positions of increasing responsibility across R&D, sales, marketing and manufacturing in the clinical diagnostics field for Hologic, Third Wave Technologies and Abbott Laboratories. He holds a BA in Chemistry with honors from Concordia University and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8679/volvo-assar-gabrielsson-award-for-effective-treatment-of-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/8679/volvo-assar-gabrielsson-award-for-effective-treatment-of-cancer.html Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:11:07 +0530 The 2017 Assar Gabrielsson award is presented to Joydeep Bhadury for his important research that provides a better understanding of the development of cancer and in the future can contribute to the effective treatment of various cancer types. Cancer develops by stepwise changes in growth characteristics of the cells that may be caused by genetic and epigenetic changes and environmental factors. With the use of new molecular biological methods the analyses of the biological mechanisms behind cancer development have started and generated new important knowledge. Joydeep Bhadury has in this thesis presented important translational cancer research that provides a better understanding of how genetic changes are related to the initiation and development of cancer. Assar Gabrielsson was one of the founders of Volvo. In accordance with his wishes, a foundation to provide funding for clinical research into cancer diseases was created in 1962. It primarily supports research projects which are considered to be promising but which do not yet have the necessary weight to attract grants from central funds. ]]>