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Team

Chemistry & Biology

Dr. Sathish Sadagopan

Director - Biologics R&D

Dr. Sathish Sadagopan

Director - Biologics R&D

Dr. Sathish Sadagopan has been with Anthem for last the 14 years, he completed his PhD from a premiere institute in India on cloning and expression of viral proteins in E coli. He was then at the NUS-MIT alliance as a post-doctoral fellow, researching alternative splicing, followed by a second postdoctoral fellowship at Chicago Medical School on virus-associated cancer where he continued as an assistant professor until he moved to Anthem. He has authored more than 35 peer-reviewed publications. As a founding member of the Anthem Biologicals department, he established the facility and teams to work on upstream, downstream and analytical divisions. Sathish played a lead role in technology transfer and setting up Anthem’s facility for manufacturing novel biological entities for the US and European market. Currently, he leads a team of over 150 colleagues working on 30 different products including biologics, biosimilars, probiotics, enzyme and small molecules.

Antony Mariadass

Director – PRD & Tech Transfer

Antony Mariadass

Director – PRD & Tech Transfer

V. Antony Mariadass, Head (Process R&D), holds a M.Sc., in Chemistry from Bharathidasan University (1998). He completed his undergraduate studies in Chemistry at Madras University. He is a performance oriented & passionate R&D professional with over 25+ years of rich experience in process research development, technology transfer and experience of heading large scientific teams. His expertise lies in developing non-infringing, cost effective technologies, process optimization, validation, commercialization and DMF filing for generic APIs, NCEs, intermediates and peptides.

Dr. Govinda Rajulu Gavara

Director - R&D

Dr. Govinda Rajulu Gavara

Director - R&D

Dr. Govinda Rajulu Gavara, Head of R&D, earned his Ph.D. from the Kuvempu University, Karnataka, India in 2014. His academic journey includes M.Tech in Modern Methods of Chemical Analysis from IIT Delhi (2003) and M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry at Andhra University (2001). Prior to Anthem, he worked at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited, Hyderabad, India, in drug discovery division. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Rajulu specializes in medicinal chemistry, design and development of novel, scalable and cost effective synthetic routes for API and its intermediates using green chemistry technologies. He plays a vital role in patent review and filing.

Dr. Sumesh Eswaran

Director – Oligonucleotides

Dr. Sumesh Eswaran

Director – Oligonucleotides

Dr. Sumesh Eswaran, Head of Oligonucleotides and Specialty Chemicals, is a distinguished professional with a robust academic and career background. He earned his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the National Institute of Technology, Surathkal, India. Since the inception of his current role, he has been a pivotal part of the team, demonstrating leadership through progressively significant responsibilities. With over two decades of experience in pharmaceutical drug discovery, research, and development, Dr. Eswaran is instrumental in steering the company's emerging portfolio. His work focuses on expanding capabilities in lipids, small molecules and oligonucleotide technologies while leveraging the company's advanced development platforms. His leadership is marked by a commitment to organizational growth and the cultivation of high-skilled teams, emphasizing integrity and scientific rigor in the lipid and oligonucleotide sectors.

Dr. Srinivas Seekallu

General Manager – PCR

Dr. Srinivas Seekallu

General Manager – PCR

Dr. Srinivas Seekallu, Head of Preclinical Research, Development and Test Facility Management, holds a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry and a Master's degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Bangalore Veterinary College. He conducted research at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and earned his Ph.D. in Veterinary Biomedical Sciences from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Dr. Seekallu further advanced his expertise with postdoctoral training in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics at the Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology and CancerCare Manitoba, Canada. He also served as a Veterinary Clinical Officer for the Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Karnataka. With over 20 years of research experience, Dr. Seekallu is a seasoned expert in the planning, designing, conducting, monitoring, and reporting of preclinical studies, including ADME, General Toxicology, Genotoxicity, and Safety Pharmacology for global regulatory submissions. He has been pivotal in achieving GLP and ISO certifications and ensuring strict compliance with OECD principles of GLP and also receiving AAALAC accreditation for Anthem’s preclinical facility.

Prashanth Nayak

Deputy General Manager – PRD

Prashanth Nayak

Deputy General Manager – PRD

Prashanth Nayak Deputy General Manager (Process Research and Development/Technology Transfer), holds a Master degree from Mangalore University and is an integral part of Anthem bringing together chemistry know-how, process development and operational execution. Prior to Anthem, he worked at Syngene International ltd., under the synthetic chemistry division. With over 2 decades of industry experience, he plays a critical role in leading multiple high-value projects for both early / late-stage molecules and has consistently demonstrated deep expertise in process optimization and scale-up of complex pharmaceutical intermediates /active ingredients. His work ensures successful transition of lab-scale processes to commercial-scale manufacturing—an essential aspect of Anthem’s reputation for delivering reliable and scalable solutions to global pharma clients.

Operations

Dr. Karunanidhi Gnanavelu

Director - Operations

Dr. Karunanidhi Gnanavelu

Director - Operations

Dr. Karunanidhi Gnanavelu, Director-Head of Operations, earned his Ph.D. from Vellore Institute of Technology in Vellore, India. As a founding member of Anthem, he has been integral to the team since its inception. With over 23 years of experience in pharmaceutical research and development, he is a prominent leader in the field, specializing in developing and commercializing products across various life science industries. He leads the new technology division, which focuses on creating synthetic strategies for cost-effective and safe chemical transformations. Dr. Gnanavelu is an expert in flow technology and played a pivotal role in establishing Anthem's development and scale-up facilities in Unit II and Unit III.

Raghavendra Venkata

GM - Operations (NeoAnthem)

Raghavendra Venkata

GM - Operations (NeoAnthem)

Raghavendra Venkata, General Manager (Operations – NeoAnthem Lifesciences Private Limited), holds a Master’s degree in Chemistry from Kuvempu University. He has held many responsible positions in his 33+ years of experience in pharmaceutical industry with companies like Intermed Pharma, UB-Pharma Division, Recon Limited (now HIKAL), Syngene International Limited and Asolution Pharmaceuticals. He has led multidisciplinary teams and held very responsible positions in production planning and management, technology transfer in Generics & New Chemical Entities (NCE’s) across Generic & CRO Industries, facility operations and site leadership, quality assurance, and EHS. He brings a unique blend of experience with a thorough understanding of operations encompassing Generics, NCE’s and CRO Space.

Vivekananadhan P

GM - Chemical Synthesis

Vivekananadhan P

GM - Chemical Synthesis

Vivekanandhan P, General Manager, Head (Manufacturing) holds a Master’s degree in Chemistry from Kuvempu University and brings over 24 years of extensive experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Throughout his career, he has held key roles in leading organizations such as Malladi Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Nicholas Piramal India Ltd, Cipla Ltd, Apotex Pharmachem India Pvt Ltd, and Syngene International Ltd, before joining Anthem in 2013. At Anthem, Vivekanandhan leads the operations of chemical synthesis manufacturing across all the units. He plays a pivotal role in optimizing production processes, ensuring adherence to the highest quality standards, driving operational efficiency, and achieving timely product delivery.His commitment to operational excellence fosters close collaboration with cross-functional teams including R&D, engineering, supply chain, and logistics. His leadership is marked by seamless production planning and meticulous execution.

Natarajan Arumugam

GM - Chemical Synthesis

Natarajan Arumugam

GM - Chemical Synthesis

Natarajan. A, General Manager, Head (CP-Manufacturing Unit-2), holds a Bachelor degree in Chemistry from Madras University. He held key position in his 28 years of rich experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing. He began his career in API production in 1998 and has held strategic roles across renowned companies including Max Pharma, Biocon Limited and Sai Life sciences before joining Anthem in 2013. At Anthem, he heads the operation of chemical synthesis manufacturing at Unit-2 contributing significantly to the Anthem Unit-2 greenfield project which got commissioned in 2017. His core competencies include meticulous planning, building cohesive teams, and fostering a future-focused mindset. These strengths have consistently translated into high-performance teams and timely project deliveries. His commitment to excellence and his proactive approach to problem solving have been instrumental in aligning manufacturing goals with organizational growth. Proficient in scale up of processes and design of manufacturing plants, his competency is in grooming people and building teams who excel in their work and identifying future resource needs.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Manisha Natesh

Director – QA & Regulatory Affairs

Manisha Natesh

Director – QA & Regulatory Affairs

Manisha Natesh, Head (Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs), is an M. Tech from IIT Delhi. She brings extensive expertise in early drug discovery, manufacturing, and preclinical research, alongside a deep understanding of analytical and quality systems. She began her career at Ranbaxy and subsequently with Syngene where she established industry best analytical capabilities. At Anthem, she has been instrumental in enabling best in class quality systems compliant with international standards and associated regulatory strategy. Anthem has successfully faced multiple inspections from esteemed global regulatory bodies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), ANVISA (Brazil), Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Australia, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) Japan. She is a seasoned leader with over 25+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, specializing in quality assurance and regulatory affairs.

Sampathkumar Rajanna

Deputy General Manager – Quality Control

Sampathkumar Rajanna

Deputy General Manager – Quality Control

Sampathkumar Rajanna, Deputy General Manager – Quality Control, holds a M.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry from St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore and brings over 18 years of professional experience in Quality Control and Analytical Research & Development. Throughout his career, he has specialized in driving excellence in chemical analysis, analytical method development, and regulatory compliance. He began his professional journey at Biocon in the Quality Control department, where he gained hands-on experience in analytical techniques. In 2008, he joined Anthem, where he advanced into leadership roles and currently oversees Quality Control and Analytical R&D operations across all the Facilities. He has successfully managed regulatory audits like IMS, USFDA, TGA, and ANVISA, strengthening organizational credibility and ensuring readiness for international markets.

Project Management and Customer Relationship Management

Dr. Abhishek Ashok

Associate Director - CRM

Dr. Abhishek Ashok

Associate Director - CRM

Dr. Abhishek Ashok, Head of Project Management and Customer Relationship Management, holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Kuvempu University, Karnataka and is responsible for overseeing deliveries, managing customer relationships, and attending to client needs with a strong focus on business growth. He began his career as a medicinal chemist at Syngene International Limited and joined Anthem during its early stages driving innovative solutions in process development. In addition to his technical expertise, Abhishek Ashok plays a pivotal role in engaging with customers, understanding their requirements, and ensuring seamless communication between clients and the organization. His ability to balance scientific precision with business insight allows him to handle customer interactions effectively, foster long-term partnerships, and contribute to the company’s strategic objectives. His extensive experience in both academic and industry settings has equipped him with a deep understanding of project dynamics, client needs, and business operations.

Supply Chain & Logistics

Kavitha Chennappa

DGM - Sales & Logistics

Kavitha Chennappa

DGM - Sales & Logistics

C. Kavitha, Head (Sales and Logistics, CDMO) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science from NMKRV College, Bangalore, and an MBA in International Business from Christ College, Bangalore. With nearly 20 years of industrial experience, including a significant role in supply chain management at Syngene International Limited, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the sales team. Her extensive background in supply chain optimization, strategic planning, and logistics management is instrumental in driving the sales team’s performance and achieving organizational goals. Her leadership is marked by a strong commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and fostering a collaborative environment, contributing to Anthem’s continued growth and success.

Shailaja Singh

DGM - Sales Support & Supply Chain

Shailaja Singh

DGM - Sales Support & Supply Chain

Shailaja Singh, DGM - Sales Support & Supply Chain, Specialty Ingredients, is a Commerce Graduate from Bangalore University (1991). She has 26+ years of experience in strategic procurement and Supply chain Management in the area of Pharmaceutical APIs, Biologics, Functional Food and Feed ingredients and Industrial applications. In her previous roles, she worked in Marketing division of Dominion – Pharmacia Upjohn for API formulations as a Marketing coordinator for National sales team. Subsequently, she has lead the Global Sourcing and procurement operations for Biocon - Syngene. At Anthem, She has proven expertise in mapping market demand and planning, supply chain optimisation including global sourcing & procurement of key ingredients for Pharmaceutical industry for both Chemical and Biotech manufacturing sectors. She has been responsible for building a smooth and efficient supply chain for strategic product business with dependable logistic operations and PPIC (production planning and inventory control).

Shivaji Patil

DGM - Warehouse

Shivaji Patil

DGM - Warehouse

Shivaji Patil, Head (Warehouse), holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science (2001) from Karnataka University Dharwad and earned a CSCM certificate from Indian Institute of Material Management. He started his career as a academician and later in 2005; joined Syngene International Limited. He has been associated with Anthem since 2007 and has played a vital role in establishing top class warehouse facilities that meets the global standards at Anthem. Being a lead auditee, he has witnessed an extensive exposure to international inspection from regulatory bodies like USFDA, ANVISA and TGA etc. His commitment to excellence and his proactive approach to problem solving have been instrumental in supporting Anthem’s growth to success.

Projects and Engineering

Shivanna Gowda C.R.

Director - Projects & Engineering

Shivanna Gowda C.R.

Director - Projects & Engineering

Shivanna Gowda C.R, Director – Projects & Engineering, holds a B. Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from Kalinga University and has been a key player in the field since 1995. His career includes significant roles at Hikal Limited and Biocon Limited, where he was instrumental in the establishment and development of excellent manufacturing facilities that adhere to global standards. His expertise extends to navigating complex regulatory landscapes, including USFDA, ANVISA, GLP, AALAC, IMS, FSSIC, and European standards. With close to three decades of experience, Shivanna has successfully managed international inspections and customer audits, highlighting his deep knowledge and leadership in engineering. His extensive experience and strategic oversight have made substantial contributions to advancing manufacturing practices in the pharmaceutical industry.

Sudharsanan Narayanan

Deputy General Manager – Projects

Sudharsanan Narayanan

Deputy General Manager – Projects

Sudharsanan Narayanan is a chemical engineer with strong expertise in project management and manufacturing operations. He started his career in process design at Chemech Engineers, Chennai, before moving to Biocon Limited’s API manufacturing division. At Anthem, he has been instrumental from the beginning, heading the chemical synthesis manufacturing team and driving the successful execution of the Anthem Unit II greenfield project which got commissioned in 2017. He has also led process engineering initiatives and large-scale fermentation operations, demonstrating versatility across both chemical synthesis and fermentation domains.

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Anthem Biosciences is a fully integrated Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (“CRDMO”) delivering small molecules, large molecules, peptides, lipids, oligos, high-potent APIs and ADC solutions for global pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners.

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