Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association (IVMA)

Mr. Ashok Kumar Sharma
Director General
Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association

Mr. Ashok Kumar Sharma is the Director General of the Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association (IVMA). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a specialization in Management with a focus on Marketing & Sales, and brings over four decades of extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and vaccine industry. Mr. Sharma has held senior leadership roles with global organizations including SmithKline Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline) and Sanofi Pasteur. In his most recent position, he served as Head of Public Market Business for India & Nepal at Sanofi Pasteur and Shantha Biotech, where he was also a member of the Management Committee. During his career, he has played a pivotal role in the introduction and expansion of key vaccines in India, including the oral polio vaccine (Sabin) and the Hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix-B) and many others. He brings deep expertise in public market procurement and has worked closely with major institutions such as the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW), the Indian Army, ESIC, and multiple state governments. In addition to his operational leadership, Mr. Sharma has been actively engaged in shaping policy, advocacy and stakeholder collaboration, contributing to vaccine access and public health initiatives in partnership with government bodies and institutional stakeholders.

Mr. Adar C. Poonawalla
Committee Member
Chief Executive Officer, Serum Institute of India, Pune

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Director of Serum Institute of India (SII), Adar has led the institute to become India’s largest vaccine manufacturer and one of the world’s leading biotech company. Since joining SII in 2001, Adar has been working relentlessly to push forward the company’s growth and operations in the healthcare industry, which was started by his father, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla. Notably, he has been instrumental in expanding SII’s capabilities and building mammoth assembly lines in meeting vaccine requirements of India and other low-and-middle income countries. Staying true to its commitment of providing affordable vaccines, since he taken over, the company’s supply chain has increased to 170 nations from 35 countries, manufacturing 1.5 billion doses of WHO pre-qualified, life-saving vaccines.

Dr. Krishna M. Ella
Committee Member
Executive Chairman, Bharat Biotech International Ltd, Hyderabad

Under Dr. Ella’s exemplary leadership, driven with the belief that innovative modern technology in vaccine development is of paramount importance to improve public healthcare system, Bharat Biotech has emerged a global leader in innovative vaccine, since its incorporation in 1996. As a member of various central committees, Dr. Ella has been instrumental in shaping a robust outline of India’s science education and policies. Several awards have been conferred on Dr. Ella including the ET Now Special Recognition for Healthcare Industry Award

Dr. Rajesh Jain
Committee Member
Chairman and Managing Director, Panacea Biotec, New Delhi

Dr. Rajesh Jain’s visionary leadership and passion for innovative solutions has enabled Panacea Biotec to explore new horizons and develop an diversified product pipeline for global public health impact through affordable new and innovative medical therapies. Dr. Jain also has 31 granted patents with another 33 under various stages of grant – in the field of vaccines, drug discovery and drug delivery. Dr. Jain is associated as the Vice-President of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association, Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s National Committee on Biotechnology, among other initiatives that enable holistic development of Indian Industry and Healthcare Infrastructure. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have recognised Rajesh Jain’s efforts towards producing affordable vaccines for mass population across the globe. We’re having fun making a difference. Ensuring that people can access high-quality medical treatment at an affordable price.