Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association (IVMA)

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

Mr. Adar C. Poonawalla is the Chief Executive Officer of Serum Institute of India (SII), Pune, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume and one of the leading biotechnology companies globally. Since joining SII in 2001, he has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth, innovation, and global expansion, building on the strong foundation established by his father, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla. Under his leadership, SII has significantly enhanced its manufacturing capabilities and expanded its global footprint, supplying affordable, high-quality vaccines to more than 170 countries. The company now produces billions of doses of WHO-prequalified vaccines annually, playing a critical role in protecting millions of people worldwide against infectious diseases. Mr. Poonawalla is widely recognized for his contributions to public health, vaccine accessibility, and strengthening global immunization efforts.

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

Dr. Krishna M. Ella is the Executive Chairman and co-founder of Bharat Biotech International Limited, a leading global biotechnology company established in 1996. A renowned scientist, entrepreneur, and innovator, Dr. Ella has spearheaded the development of several pioneering vaccines and biotherapeutics that have significantly contributed to public health in India and across the world. Under his visionary leadership, Bharat Biotech has emerged as a global leader in vaccine innovation, with a strong focus on research-driven solutions for infectious diseases. He has played an influential role in shaping India’s biotechnology ecosystem through his participation in various national scientific and policy-making committees. Dr. Ella has received numerous accolades for his contributions to healthcare and biotechnology, including prestigious industry and national recognition for advancing vaccine innovation and public health.

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

Dr. Rajesh Jain is the Chairman and Managing Director of Panacea Biotec Limited, a leading Indian biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative and affordable healthcare solutions. An accomplished scientist, entrepreneur, and inventor, Dr. Jain has led Panacea Biotec’s growth into a globally recognized organization with a diversified portfolio spanning vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology products. He holds 31 granted patents and has several additional patent applications in the areas of vaccines, drug discovery, and drug delivery systems. Dr. Jain has actively contributed to the advancement of India’s healthcare and biotechnology sectors through leadership roles in prominent industry bodies, including the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). His efforts to enhance access to affordable vaccines and innovative healthcare solutions have been recognized by international organizations, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Through his leadership, Panacea Biotec continues to focus on improving global public health by making high-quality medical products accessible and affordable.

Dr. K. Anand Kumar
Committee Member
Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals Limited, Hyderabad

Dr. K. Anand Kumar is the Managing Director of Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) and a distinguished leader in the vaccine, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industry with over 33 years of experience. He holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the ICMR Centre, Puducherry, and has worked internationally with organizations such as Pfizer Global Manufacturing (Australia) and MSD Animal Health (New Zealand). He is a member of the CII National Biotechnology Committee, serves on the Indian Pharmacopoeia Expert Panel for Vaccine Analytical Methods, and previously contributed as an expert volunteer with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led IIL’s efforts to augment vaccine manufacturing capacity, resulting in the production and supply of 30 million vaccine doses, a contribution recognized by the Government of India. Under his leadership, IIL developed the world’s first Tapeworm vaccine, India’s first Hepatitis A and IBR vaccines, and several other important human and animal vaccines. Recognized among the Top 40 Influencers in the Indian Biopharmaceutical Industry by Terrapin, Dr. Kumar is a respected global expert and speaker who has visited more than 55 countries and continues to contribute significantly to public health and vaccine innovation.

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.