Hyderabad, Telangana, India, April 2026 — Dr. Vellaian Karuppiah has joined Shilpa Medicare Limited as Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Formulations, where he will lead end-to-end operations for the formulations business, driving manufacturing excellence, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and overall business performance.
In his new role, Dr. Vellaian Karuppiah will focus on strengthening operational excellence across manufacturing, quality, and supply chain while enhancing compliance, productivity, and sustainable growth. He will also work towards building robust systems, fostering high-performance teams, and ensuring consistent delivery of quality and patient-centric outcomes. His responsibilities include overseeing global regulatory adherence (USFDA, EU GMP), improving operational efficiency, leading supply chain execution, and supporting new product introductions and technology transfers.
Prior to this, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Immacule Lifesciences, where he led operations across multiple group companies, driving performance and operational alignment. Earlier, he was associated with Gland Pharma Limited as Head of Operations, where he was part of the C-suite leadership team, overseeing large-scale pharmaceutical operations.
He also held the role of Global Head – Manufacturing Science & Technology (MS&T) and Operations at Strides Pharma Science Limited, where he led global manufacturing operations, technology transfer, and lifecycle management across multiple sites, playing a key role in scaling new product development and commercial launches.
In his earlier career, Dr. Vellaian Karuppiah spent significant time at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, where he held multiple leadership roles including Head – Process Development and Tech Operations and Site Head, managing operations, project management, and packaging development. He also worked with Teva Pharmaceuticals, Wockhardt Ltd., and Pfizer, building deep expertise in process development, technology transfer, and global pharmaceutical operations.
Shilpa Medicare Limited (SML) is a globally recognized pharmaceutical company that began its journey in 1987 as an API manufacturer in Raichur, Karnataka. With commercial production starting in 1989, the company has grown into a global brand in the manufacturing and supply of affordable APIs and formulations across regulated markets.
With a strong focus on quality, innovation, and accessibility, Shilpa Medicare continues to expand its global footprint, delivering pharmaceutical solutions that meet international standards and patient needs.
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