Suven Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has officially announced the appointment of Vivek Sharma as the new Executive Chairman, effective September 20, 2024. This transition comes as Vaidheesh Annaswamy steps down from the Board to take on the role of Vice-Chair of Suven’s Advisory Council, marking a significant shift in leadership for the company.

#### Leadership Transition

Vivek Sharma, a seasoned leader in the Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) sector, brings a wealth of experience to his new position. His impressive career includes notable roles such as CEO of Piramal Pharma Solutions from 2014 to 2019 and Chairman & CEO of Adare Pharma Solutions from 2020 to 2022. Sharma also served as CEO of Decision Resources Group, a healthcare analytics company, and most recently led Saama, an AI-driven clinical analytics firm, from 2022 to 2024. His outstanding contributions to the industry earned him the title of ‘Global CEO of the Year’ at the CPhI Pharma Awards in 2015.

Based in Boston, Sharma is poised to leverage the strong foundation laid by Annaswamy to enhance customer connections and further drive Suven’s global expansion efforts. He holds an Executive MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and is both a Chartered Accountant and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

#### Board Insights and Vision

Pankaj Patwari, Non-Executive Director of Suven and Managing Director of Advent International, expressed enthusiasm for Sharma’s appointment. “On behalf of the entire Suven board, I am delighted to welcome Vivek to the Suven family. We are confident that the business will immensely benefit from Vivek’s many years of CDMO and leadership experience, which will enable us to unlock many future growth opportunities,” he stated. Patwari also extended gratitude to Annaswamy for his contributions during his tenure as Executive Chairman.

Sharma shared his excitement about the new role, highlighting the current opportunities within the CDMO industry, particularly for Indian players. “This is an exciting time for the CDMO industry and especially for Indian players. Suven, with its track record and technology capabilities, is well placed to capture market tailwinds,” he noted. He expressed eagerness to contribute to Suven’s growth journey through innovation and collaboration, with a focus on making a meaningful impact on patient lives.

#### Vaidheesh Annaswamy’s Legacy

Annaswamy’s leadership has been pivotal in steering Suven through a transformative period. His tenure included overseeing a management transition, building a professional team, and spearheading the development of a comprehensive five-year strategy. He also initiated the ongoing merger of Cohance Lifesciences into Suven and successfully led the acquisition of Sapala Organics. In announcing his transition to an advisory role, Annaswamy expressed confidence in Sharma’s ability to continue the initiatives he set in motion. “I am glad to have Vivek as my successor. He brings tremendous industry experience and will continue the efforts I had initiated to make Suven one of the leading tech-led diversified CDMOs,” he remarked.

#### Looking Ahead

As Suven Pharmaceuticals embarks on this new chapter, the appointment of Vivek Sharma as Executive Chairman signals a strategic focus on leveraging technological advancements and enhancing customer engagement to drive growth in the global CDMO market. With Sharma’s extensive background and visionary leadership, Suven is well-positioned to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the ever-evolving pharmaceutical landscape.

The board and stakeholders are optimistic that under Sharma’s leadership, Suven will continue to thrive and make a lasting impact on the industry while enhancing its commitment to patient care and innovation.