Rajnish Rohatgi Takes Charge as Orchid Pharma’s Newly Appointed CEO

He will be responsible for setting up a new division focused on promoting the rational use of anti-infectives.

Orchid Pharma, a Chennai-based leading pharmaceutical company has named Rajnish Rohatgi as its new chief executive officer (CEO).

According to the company, he will be responsible for setting up a new division focused on promoting the rational use of anti-infectives.

Commenting on the appointment, Manish Dhanuka, MD, Orchid Pharma said, “Rajnish’s appointment as CEO marks an exciting new chapter for Orchid Pharma. His wealth of experience will come handily in driving our company towards the chosen path and eventual success. We are confident that under Rajnish's leadership, Orchid will continue to innovate, develop and grow within the competitive pharmaceutical business.”

Rohatgi’s Past Career Experience

Rohatgi is a seasoned executive with over 35 years of experience managing B2C and B2B enterprises across sectors such as consumer goods and healthcare. He has held key positions at major companies including Unilever, Max Hospital, and Becton Dickinson, where his leadership and entrepreneurial skills had a notable impact.

In 2022-23, Rohatgi worked with Orchid Pharma, where he played a crucial role in formulating a strategy and business plan to enter the domestic formulations market with a range of antibiotics.

Expressing delight, Rohatgi said, “I am delighted to join Orchid Pharma at this specific juncture in its lifecycle as Orchid is poised for remarkable growth in the pharmaceutical sector. I am looking forward to building and leading the team towards achieving new milestones and making meaningful contributions to healthcare in India.”

Further, sharing more on his new responsibilities, the CEO observed that the purpose will be to drive and promote rational use of antibiotics, thereby positively impacting anti-microbial resistance (AMR), a crucial aspect of Indian public health.

Founded in 1992, Orchid Pharma ranks among the top 50 pharmaceutical companies in India having a multi-therapeutic presence across segments such as anti-infectives, anti-inflammatory, central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular segment (CVS), nutraceuticals, and other oral and sterile products.

Last year, Switzerland's non-profit organization, the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP), and India's Orchid Pharma entered into a sublicense agreement to manufacture cefiderocol, an antibiotic to combat certain Gram-negative infections.

The newly inked agreement aims to accelerate antibiotic access for numerous patients dwelling in regions with the highest rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

This agreement aligns with an initiative led by Japan's Shionogi & Co., GARDP, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) to grant access to cefiderocol in predominantly low- and middle-income countries.

Currently, the pharmaceutical company has a presence in 40+ countries globally. In the years to come, Orchid aims to strengthen its position in the key domains of API and global generics, driven by a highly competent and motivated team.