Biocon Biologics promotes Shreehas Tambe as Deputy CEO
IMT News Desk
In another development, Biocon Biologics, Viatris get CHMP Nod for AbevmyBiocon Biologics announced that Shreehas Tambe has been promoted to the position of Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Biocon Biologics. A Biocon veteran, Tambe joined Biocon in 1997 and has, since then, taken on positions of increasing responsibility. He has over 20 years of leadership experience in operational and strategic roles and has led large, diverse teams at R&D, Manufacturing and Projects & Engineering during his tenure. Tambe began his professional journey at Biocon as a Management Trainee starting in the R&D department, where he led the design and development of a novel bioreactor, the PlaFractor, a unique solid-state bioreactor that got Biocon its first US patent and went on to win the National Award for the Best Technology of the Year in 2001.Before becoming the Deputy CEO, Shreehas was the Chief Operating Officer and a key member of the Executive Leadership Team at Biocon Biologics. Previously, as the Senior Vice President & Global Head of Biocon's Insulins business unit, he was responsible for the P&L and expanding the Insulins portfolio across several geographies. He led the development, approval and launch of Insulin analogues in Japan and later in the EU and the US. The insulins franchise showed strong performance in emerging markets led by sales in Mexico, Malaysia and Latin America.Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Biologics, said, "I am delighted to welcome Tambe in his new role as the Deputy CEO of Biocon Biologics. During his more than a two-decade-long career with Biocon, Shreehas has exhibited strong leadership in his diverse roles at R&D, Manufacturing and Projects & Engineering. Tambe has also worked closely with Dr Arun Chandavarkar, Managing Director, Biocon Biologics, on formulating business strategies and achieving operational excellence. I believe the combination of Chandavarkar and Tambe in their new roles along with the rest of the leadership team will enable Biocon Biologics to capitalize on the promising biosimilars opportunity to pursue its high growth trajectory."Dr Chandavarkar said, "I would like to congratulate Tambe for his new role as the Deputy CEO of Biocon Biologics. Tambe has played a critical role in shaping our biosimilars business over the years in different roles and more recently as the COO of Biocon Biologics. As a key member of the various committees looking at governance, investments and strategic collaborations, Tambe has leveraged his domain knowledge and technical and functional expertise to contribute towards making Biocon Biologics a global leader. Biocon Biologics is built on strong business fundamentals and I am confident Shreehas will use his expertise and leadership skills to enable his teams to deliver robust growth and reaffirm their commitment to impact millions of patients' lives globally."Tambe said, "I am deeply honoured to take on this role to drive Biocon Biologics towards becoming a global leader in affordable healthcare. I am humbled by the faith placed in me by Biocon Biologics' leadership and the Board members. Along with the leadership team, I am looking forward to realising the several opportunities that lie ahead of us and work collaboratively to address challenges. We have a proven track record of scientific credibility, global scale, highest standards of quality and governance, which give me the confidence that along with our partners and customers we will successfully deliver on our vision to make healthcare accessible to benefit millions of patients and their families across the world."It was under Tambe's leadership that Biocon made its first overseas investment in R&D and Manufacturing in 2015, building Asia's largest integrated insulins complex in Malaysia, which is approved by the US FDA and EMA among other regulatory agencies. Tambe was the Global Head of Projects & Engineering when he led the multi-million dollar investment in Malaysia, managing and providing strategic direction to the investment.He holds a Masters' degree in Bioprocess Technology from ICT (UDCT), University of Mumbai and has also studied Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology at the University of Pune. He was conferred the coveted Distinguished Alumnus Award (Professional) by his alma mater, the prestigious ICT, Mumbai, in 2020.In another development, Biocon Biologics announced that the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion recommending the marketing authorisation of their biosimilar Bevacizumab, co-developed with Viatris, to be marketed as Abevmy (injection bevacizumab 100mg and 400mg).Abevmy is a biosimilar to Roche’s Avastin, prescribed for all indications including metastatic colorectal carcinoma, metastatic breast cancer, non-small-cell lung carcinoma, glioblastoma, ovarian, cervical and renal cancer as part of a specific regimen.The decision of the European Commission (EC) is expected in May 2021, which, when approved, will grant marketing authorisation in the 27 European Union (EU) member countries and European Economic Area (EEA) member states of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.For the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency’s “reliance procedure” will be followed, and the UK marketing authorisation can be expected shortly after the EC decision.
