Arun Kumar

Founder and Non-Executive Director

Arun Kumar is a first-generation entrepreneur and known for his ability to identify great opportunities in “difficult to operate” business domains. He founded Strides Pharma Science Limited (Strides) in 1990 and has since then led the company in building a global reputation with a differentiated business model and delivering value for its stakeholders (over $5B value creation for shareholders, including distribution of the most extensive dividend by a pharmaceutical company in India).

Besides founding Strides, Arun’s family office (setup in the early 2000s) ran a differentiated set of investments spread across several companies with a combined revenue base of over a billion dollars and an invested capital of over half a billion dollars. Arun is credited to have co-founded and built India’s largest fully integrated Animal Health Company, SeQuent Scientific Limited, in less than five years. Arun’s stake in SeQuent was divested to the Carlyle Group in May 2020.

Arun is the promoter of Solara Active Pharma Sciences, a pure-play API company, targeted to become India’s second-largest API business in less than four years. Recently, Arun’s family office has entered a strategic partnership with marquee investors to build a global biologics CDMO, specialty injectable and vaccine business with capabilities across several technology platforms. The businesses run under Arun’s leadership and ownership have presence in 100+ countries with 7000+ employees and over 25 global manufacturing facilities worldwide.

Arun is a recipient of “EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award” in the healthcare sector in 2000, Business Today “India Best CEO Award” (in mid-sized companies category), and “The Best CEO in the Pharma & Healthcare Industry” in 2014.

Neeraj Sharma

CEO and Managing Director

In a distinguished career spanning of 28 years, Neeraj has resided and worked in pharma markets in India, South-East Asia, Latin America, and Europe. A seasoned professional, Neeraj has extensive General Management and P&L experience, steering businesses through pivotal stages such as market entry, growth leadership, turnarounds and M&A integration. His experience encompasses both highly regulated and emerging markets, providing him with a discerning perspective on the pharmaceutical industry. Neeraj brings a wealth of experience to his role as Managing Director at OneSource Specialty Pharma Limited.

Neeraj has been an integral part of the group for nearly 3 years (2021-24), overseeing the sterile injectable business – Steriscience, the Promoter entity. His strategic vision and leadership have contributed significantly to streamlining operations and driving growth within the organization.

In his previous role as the Head of Generics Business for Western Europe for Sun Pharma, Neeraj successfully spearheaded the establishment of a significant sterile injectables business in Europe, including numerous pioneering ready-to-use products.

Outside of work, Neeraj indulges in his favorite activities, including reading, working out and delving into the intricacies of Urdu poetry.

Claudio Albrecht

Non-Executive, Independent Director

Dr. Albrecht is a pharmaceutical industry veteran with over 30 years of experience. He co-founded Albrecht, Prock & Partners and previously served as CEO of STADAAG, 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

Non-Executive, Independent Director

Ms. 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 nonprofit and academic boards, including the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota and the Carlson School of Management.

Vijay Karwal

Non-Executive, Independent Director

Mr. 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.

Rashmi H. Barbhaiya

Non-Executive, Independent Director

Dr. Rashmi H. Barbhaiya is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with a global track record of driving innovation, drug development, and building successful pharma and CRO companies. He began his career with Bristol-Myers, where he spent 21 years contributing to the discovery and development of drugs for various diseases, including AIDS, cancer, and hypertension. His background combines management and entrepreneurial acumen, honed through decades of leading high-stakes pharma initiatives.

In 2002, Dr. Barbhaiya joined Ranbaxy in India as President of R&D, where he led a 900-person team and built an R&D alliance with GSK—the first of its kind for an Indian company. He was instrumental in Ranbaxy’s collaboration with the Medicines for Malaria Venture, which resulted in a cost-effective malaria treatment. Dr. Barbhaiya later co-founded Advinus Therapeutics, an innovative venture blending drug discovery with early-stage clinical services, and established partnerships with global pharma giants such as Merck and Novartis.

Dr. Barbhaiya’s recent roles include serving on advisory boards and scientific committees for various organizations focused on neglected diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and biotech innovation. He co-founded Apinovo Pharma Innovations, a company dedicated to revitalizing U.S.-based API manufacturing. A highly regarded scientist, he holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Pharmacology from the University of London and has over 150 scientific publications.

Bharat D Shah

Non-Executive, Non Independent Director

Bharat Shah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from University of Mumbai and a Diploma in Applied Chemistry from Borough Polytechnic, London.

Bharat has a rich experience in the financial services sector and has expertise in the fields of banking, finance, real estate and securities market.

Bharat has been with HDFC Bank since its inception and has played a key role in the formation of the bank. He joined HDFC Bank as an Executive Director in December 1994.

Presently, he is the Chairman of 3M India Limited and Exide Industries Limited. He is also an independent director with HDFC Credila.