Leadership Team

PRATIBHA PILGAONKAR

Co-founder, Managing Director, Board of Directors

Pratibha Pilgaonkar is the guiding light that has steered Rubicon Research from the beginning. Under her leadership the company has grown from being India’s first independent product development company to a specialty generic company with a focus on regulated markets.

Prior to starting Rubicon Research, she led R&D teams at Burroughs Wellcome (now GSK), Ciba Geigy (now Novartis), and Sun Pharma. She has over 43 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, conceptualizing, establishing and spearheading research groups of qualified scientists in leading Indian and multinational organizations. As VP - R&D, Sun Pharma, she played a pivotal role in the acquisition of Caraco Pharmaceuticals as well as the turnaround of the generic business. She has numerous patents and publications to her credit and has developed platform technologies for various applications in the pharmaceutical Industry.

She graduated in Chemical Technology from the University Institute of Chemical Technology (UICT) and in Chemistry from the University of Mumbai.

PARAG SANCHETI

Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors

With a strong background in finance and strategy, Parag Sancheti provides organizational leadership and leads the effort in creating an environment where the company and its employees can thrive to achieve goals. He has been instrumental in formulating and executing the growth strategy for the company. Under his leadership, Rubicon Research has pivoted from a purely services-oriented company to a specialty pharmaceutical product-oriented company. He has extensive experience in management consulting, venture capital, and private equity domains, where he was involved in deal sourcing, execution and portfolio company support, including board participation. He also has experience in investing across varied sectors like Agriculture, Education, Healthcare, Financial Services, and Payment Technologies.

Parag is a CFA charter holder from the CFA Institute, US, and holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, and a Bachelors in Commerce from Symbiosis International University.

SURABHI SANCHETI

Senior Vice President, Business Development and Project Management

Responsible for Business Development, Licensing, and Project Management, Surabhi Sancheti has pioneered technology partnerships at Rubicon Research, and has till date inked several partnerships with leading global organizations worldwide. She is also responsible for driving value creation ideas, and acquiring assets from global companies to expand product lines and re-launch them through strong marketing and distribution capabilities. She also plays an instrumental role in launching and establishing Rubicon Consumer Healthcare, the company’s latest venture in the OTC and wellness space. Additionally, Surabhi executes numerous service contracts (both in product development and supply chain) with leading pharmaceutical companies. She has also established robust project management practices ensuring on-time project delivery.

Surabhi holds a Master of Business Administration (Finance and Business Strategy) from Case Western University, US, a Master’s Degree in Economics from Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts (Statistics and Economics) from Mumbai University.

SUDHIR PILGAONKAR

Co-founder, Chief Commercial Officer

Sudhir Pilgaonkar’s experience and expertise in managing technical operations and manufacturing value-added specialty pharmaceutical products were instrumental in establishing Rubicon Research, inculcating a culture of excellence, with high standards of governance. In his career spanning over 43 years, he has acquired a range of diverse techno-commercial skill sets spanning fine chemicals to finished formulations. During his stint at Hoechst (Sanofi Aventis), he headed the inventory control function for Pharma and Agro Divisions in India and achieved high process excellence in streamlining inventory management systems for both SBUs. The skills he honed at Hoechst spurred on his entrepreneurial venture—Galentic Pharma, a sterile products and specialty manufacturing unit, which he successfully set up and operated as a Greenfield project.

He has a degree in Chemical Technology from the University Institute of Chemical Technology (UICT) and a degree in Chemistry from the University of Mumbai.