PAG-led Sekhmet Pharmaventures announces hiring of Anil Khubchandani as MD and CEO

Accomplished industry executive to lead platform on next stage of growth 

Mumbai, May 29, 2023: A private equity consortium led by PAG, a leading Asia-based investment firm, has hired Anil Khubchandani as Managing Director and CEO of Sekhmet Pharmaventures Pvt Ltd, an investment platform established to nurture and grow India’s next generation of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) companies.

Mr. Anil Khubchandani is an accomplished leader with over 30 years of experience in strategic partnerships, global sales & marketing, operations management, and research & development. In his most recent role, he served as Co-CEO and Whole-time Director of Jubilant Ingrevia Ltd., a globally integrated provider of life science ingredients and specialty chemicals, where he focused on business transformation and growth strategy implementation. Over his 20-year career at Jubilant Ingrevia, Mr. Anil Khubchandani also served as a strategic business leader, developed high-performing teams, and oversaw solutions and offerings for pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and other industrial clients. He has spearheaded several global CDMO assignments and new business initiatives for pharmaceutical innovator companies. 

Sekhmet Pharmaventures is the India arm of Gamot API Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based platform launched by PAG along with Indian private equity firms CX Partners and Samara Capital to buy stakes in fast-growing pharma companies. The platform acquired control of Chennai-based Anjan Drug Pvt. Ltd. in October 2020 and the Hyderabad-based Optimus Drugs group of companies in September 2022. Gamot API is majority owned by PAG, which has invested over USD1.5 billion in India across its private equity and private debt businesses. 

Nikhil Srivastava, Partner and Managing Director, Head of India Private Equity for PAG, commented: “Anil is a seasoned executive who brings a demonstrated track record of excellence in the life sciences ingredients industry and a wide range of experience across technical, commercial, and managerial roles. We are excited to partner with him as we continue to build on Sekhmet’s success.” 

Dr. D. Srinivas Reddy, founder of Optimus and member of the Sekhmet board of directors, said: “Sekhmet was founded with the mission to deliver high quality, affordable health products to customers in India and around the world. In addition to being a hands-on leader with an end-to-end understanding of the business, Anil wholeheartedly shares our vision and values, and I am very pleased to welcome him to the Sekhmet team.” 

Mr. Anil Khubchandani said, “I am honored to join the Sekhmet platform and look forward to working with our companies’ teams and executive leadership. I am excited by the opportunity to apply my diverse experience, enhance creativity and innovation, build a strong team, and help realize the growth vision aligned to value systems that PAG and its partners have established for this platform.”

Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)