Sharma told us his roadmap for the company will increase Piramal’s capabilities, as well as the volume of orders.
ADC expansion
The CEO plans more M&A in the near future, following the acquisition of Kentucky-based CDMO Coldstream for $30m in January this year. The purchase added HPAPI (highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredient) capabilities to Piramal’s capabilities.
“We don’t do HPAPI to the extent our customers area looking for […] and we were not able to provide our customers with fill-finish for ADCs [antibody drug conjugates]. Now we can do that with the Coldstream [facilities],” said Sharma.
And while the company is “strong” in injectables R&D, Sharma wants to increase its injectables manufacturing.
“We want to be number one for ADCs – with more integrated capabilities.”
Piramal will firmly remain a CDMO, looking for acquisitions in areas “that complement what we do – such as API,” said Sharma. “We are looking for significant growth in next 5 years – scale is important.”
Judges’ opinion
The CPhI Pharma Awards jury member Gil Roth, also president of the Pharma & Biopharma Outsourcing Association told this publication the committee picked Sharma for his wide-ranging achievements.
"Vivek Sharma did an outstanding job of achieving long- and short-term goals at two of Piramal's major business units last year, which cover projects and services.
“He pulled off the difficult feat of reducing costs while investing for growth. In addition, he stood out for his work in acquiring Coldstream Laboratories and integrating the CMO's sterile injectables capabilities into array of Piramal Pharma Solutions' offerings.”
Profile of a CEO
Runs Piramal’s global business from Boston, Massachusetts.
Joined the company in 2011, leading the Critical Care business. Focus on operational efficiency and geographic expansion. The inhalation anaesthetics biz is now the third largest globally.
Before Piramal, Sharma was MD of Boston-based private equity firm THL Partners. He has also worked in finance and operations at AMD & Motorola.
Training A chartered accountant with an MBA from Thunderbird School of Management, Arizona.