Leadership Team

Shravanti Bhowmik, Vice–President and Head Operations Management, oversees Program Management, Procurement, Investigational Product Supply Chain Management, and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Product Development- Technology Transfer. This includes initiation and execution of programs involving cross-functional teams with internal and external resources; planning and directing schedules; budgeting. Shravanti brings 22 years of experience in academia, medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, clinical operations, clinical development, and project management to the role. She is a Doctor of Medicine, a Project Management Professional Certified by Project Management Institute USA, and has completed executive MBA from S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai.

Vikram Ramanathan, Sr. Vice-President and Head Preclinical Development oversees Pharmacology, DMPK & Bioanalysis and Toxicology at SPARC. He received his PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Pharmaceutics Pathway) from the University of California, San Francisco where he studied the role of epithelial neurotransmitter transporters in pharmacokinetics and disposition in Dr Kathleen M. Giacomini’s laboratory. Vikram then did a post-doctoral fellowship in molecular neurobiology in Dr Zach W. Hall’s laboratory at the NIH (Bethesda) where he investigated the role of glycosylation in subunit folding and oligomerization of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Vikram started his industry career in the DMPK department of SmithKline Beecham/ GlaxoSmithKline in the Philadelphia area. He later moved to India where he has worked at Advinus Therapeutics and Zydus Healthcare prior to joining SPARC in 2018. In his last stint, Vikram was COO of Advinus with responsibility for its scientific functions including Chemistry, Anlytical R&D, Pharmacology, DMPK and Safety Assessment. In his career Vikram has been involved in the filing of several INDs and has conducted studies in support of altabax, eltrombopag, nelarabine and tranilast, as well as other candidates that reached late clinical development.

Dr Venkata Palle Executive Vice President and Global Head of drug discovery and Preclinical Development is responsible for leading scientific strategy, drug discovery and preclinical development efforts of SPARC to build a robust portfolio spanning Oncology, CNS and Immunology through a combination of 'first-in-class' and 'best-in-class' small molecules and other experimental modalities. He received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore) and conducted post-doctoral work at the University of Rhode Island (USA).Prior to joining SPARC, Dr. Palle was associated with Lupin Pharma as Senior Vice President of Discovery Research. He is a scientific leader who has built and managed large scientific teams from multiple disciplines. Dr. Palle is an inventor of more than 100 granted US patents and has co-authored more than fifty research publications in journals of international repute. He is co-inventor of the currently marketed drug Regadenoson (Lexiscan®) and Licogliflozin, which is in advanced clinical trials. He has also developed several other drug candidates that are in various stages of clinical development. Dr. Palle played important leadership positions in the drug discovery efforts of Advinus Therapeutics, Ranbaxy Laboratories, CV Therapeutics (Now Gilead Sciences, USA) and NeXstar Pharmaceuticals (USA).

“Nitin Damle, Executive Vice-President and Chief Innovation Officer leads the development of Biologics at SPARC. Nitin brings in 30 years of experience in drug discovery and preclinical development in Oncology and Immuno-Inflammatory therapeutic areas with focus on both small molecules and biologics. He was Director of Oncology and Immuno-Inflammatory diseases at Wyeth, and Sr. Director of Preclinical Research at Endo Pharmaceuticals before joining SPARC.”

Dr. Trinadha Rao Chitturi, Sr. Vice–President & Head, Medicinal Chemistry, oversees design and synthesis of NCE’s for therapeutic targets of interest with regard to the new drug discovery programs. Dr Rao carries over 22 years of experience in synthetic organic/ medicinal chemistry together at SPIL & SPARC Ltd. Prior to joining SUN, Dr Rao was associated with GlaxoSmithkline Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Thane, as Group Leader in Chemistry R&D. for about 4 years.

Shanta Gupta, Chief Human Resource Officer is responsible for the organization’s human capital management, steering the company towards progress by aligning human potential with the organization’s vision, mission and goals. Prior to joining SPARC, Shanta was CHRO for the EPC business of Reliance Infrastructure, instrumental in successfully transforming its business model through change management. She played a crucial role in the start up, successful production and divestment of its Cement business. Before joining Reliance she held roles in many HR consulting companies, one of them being Stantonchase International, where as an Associate Director she has recruited several top leaders in the Financial Services industry. Shanta has over 25 years of experience across industry verticals like Manufacturing, Financial Services, and Infrastructure. She has expertise in conceptualizing and aligning Human Resources in line with the overall business strategy. She has wide experience in assessing existing processes and accordingly designing and implementing measures aimed at enhancing process efficiency, organizational effectiveness and employee potential. Shanta has done her Post Graduation from Jadavpur University and has been identified as the 100 Top HR Minds by World HRD Congress.

Chetan Rajpara, CFO, joined SPARC in February 2017 and is responsible for Finance, Accounts, Taxation and Legal & Secretarial functions. Prior to joining SPARC, Chetan was associated with Sun Pharma since 1993 and has spent over 24 years with Sun Pharma in various leadership positions and has worked across multiple areas like Accounts, Distribution, International Logistics and Finance & Treasury. Chetan was instrumental in setting up Treasury for Sun Pharma in 2003. He was responsible for FOREX & Interest Rate Risk Management, Cash & Liquidity Management, Fund Raising, Investments, Banking Relationships, International Trade Transactions, RBI Compliance and Global Insurance Programme. Chetan worked with The Dharamsi Morarji Chemical Company Limited as Chief Accountant from 1990 to 1993. He is a Graduate Member of ICWAI, Calcutta (1989) and a Commerce Graduate with distinction from H.L. College of Commerce, Ahmedabad (1986). Chetan completed his Post Graduate Executive Management Programme from SP Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai in 2014.

Dr. Yashoraj Zala, Sr. Vice-President leads the Drug Delivery System at SPARC. Her 25+ years of prolific experience has culminated in several successful commercial products. She has a wide span of experience encompassing know-how of novel drug delivery platforms, complex generics ANDA & NDA filings. Her prominent achievements include development of platform technologies like Wrap Matrix^TM & GRID^TM , Abuse Deterrent & Overdose Protection technology, Solubilisation & oral bioavailability enhancement and topical dosage forms. Her current areas of research interest are biologics formulations and targeted oligotherapeutic delivery for oncology and neurodegeneration. She has to her credit several granted patents and applications. She obtained her Doctorate in Pharmaceutical sciences from Institute of Chemical technology, (ICT), Mumbai & has also completed executive MBA from S. P. Jain institute of Management & Research.

Siu-Long Yao, Executive Vice-President for Clinical Development & Operations, oversees design & execution of clinical research globally. Siu brings in 20 years of experience in clinical research. Prior to joining SPARC, he held positions of increasing responsibility in Clinical Pharmacology & Oncology at Merck, Sanofi-Aventis and Schering-Plough. He completed sub-specialty training in hematology & oncology at Johns Hopkins and is a Board certified Internist, Hematologist and Oncologist.

Dr. Nitin Dharmadhikari is Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (COO). As the COO, he is responsible for overseeing Finance, HR, IT and Quality funcitons. Dr. Dharmadhikari has rich experience spanning over 30 years within the pharmaceutical industry. After completing Ph.D. from Nagpur University, Dr. Dharmadhikari worked in corporates like Dr. Reddy’s and Ranbaxy. He joined Sun Pharma in 1999 and looked after product development for US, Europe & India. He moved to SPARC in 2007 to oversee the drug delivery system & product development research along with Manufacturing & Quality assurance. Dr Dharmadhikari is a co–inventor of three innovative platforms and more than 50 patents/patent applications.

Mr. Anil Raghavan is the Chief Executive Officer of SPARC since April, 2014. In his role as CEO, Mr Raghavan sets SPARC’s strategic priorities and focuses on developing the portfolio prudently and driving long-term stockholder value.Mr. Raghavan is a senior Pharmaceutical Services executive with significant global exposure spanning business strategy and operations. Prior to joining SPARC in 2014, he served as the Managing Director of India and Sri Lanka business of Quintiles and has been an active member of their Asia Management Board. Under his watch, Quintiles India maintained strong double-digit revenue and operating surplus growth in a turbulent business environment. He spent the first half of his career in the Consulting Industry with leading firms such as Arthur Andersen, KPMG and Cambridge Technology Partners. He helped the leadership teams of several companies in developing/evaluating strategies and improving business performance. He has led/participated in several industry sector studies, working with business lobbies and industry associations to highlight sectoral opportunities and challenges. Mr. Raghavan is an Industrial Engineer with a deep interest in evolving science and technologies enabling pharmaceutical R&D and healthcare. His other interests include the New Media, Digital Photography and Carnatic Music.

Anup Rathi, CFO, joined SPARC in 2022 and heads Finance, Accounts, Taxation and Legal & Secretarial functions. Anup brings over 18 years of experience across a wide spectrum of finance functions. Prior to Joining SPARC, Anup was associated with NRB Bearings Ltd & KEC International Ltd (RPG Group Company) and has worked across multiple areas including Accounts, Finance, Treasury, Taxation, Investments, Banking Relationship, FOREX & Interest Rate Risk Management, Fund Raising, and Regulatory Compliance. Anup is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and a Company Secretary (CS). He is a Commerce Graduate (B.Com) and also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Law (LLB) from Mumbai University.

Dr. Mudgal Kothekar is MD in Pharmacology with an experience of more than 20 years in clinical development. He has been associated with SPARC since August 2017 and heads the Immunology Product Development Group as Vice President - Clinical Development.

In the past he has worked in companies like Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Piramal Life Sciences Limited, Daiichi Sankyo and Panacea Biotec Limited. He was heading the Clinical Development at Biocon Research Limited, Bangalore before joining SPARC. He has extensive experience in global clinical development of new chemical entities, new biological entities and biosimilars across different therapeutic areas including Oncology, Immunology, Dermatology and Diabetes. He worked on the clinical development of the first FDA approved biosimilars of Trastuzumab and Pegfilgrastim and contributed to the advancement of several compounds in the clinical development life-cycle.

Sandeep Inamdar is a licensed physician with over 20 years’ experience in the biopharmaceutical industry across all phases of clinical development. He has been with Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Limited (SPARC) since January 2020 and currently heads the Oncology Product Development Group as Vice-President of Clinical Development. Prior to joining SPARC, Sandeep led Early Clinical Development at Five Prime Therapeutics (acquired by Amgen Inc.), a San Francisco Bay Area based biotech company focused on immune-oncology therapies. He has held positions of increasing responsibility across industry in leading Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies such as Amgen and GlaxoSmithkline as well as small and mid-sized biotech organizations including Acerta Pharma (acquired by Astra-Zeneca Plc.) and Onyx Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Amgen Inc.) in the United States.  Sandeep started his career at Amgen Inc. where he was responsible for executing large scale clinical programs in supportive care oncology. He also worked on the NDA/EMA submission of Carfilzomib (Kyprolis) in multiple myeloma and on pivotal stage development of Acalabrutinib (Calquence) in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Sandeep earned his MBBS from Grant Medical College, Mumbai and has an MBA from University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).