CEO Insights Magazine

Leaders in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors across Asia have consistently demonstrated innovation, resilience, and a commitment to addressing critical healthcare challenges. One inspiring leader whose journey exemplifies passion, perseverance, and vision is Rishikumar Nadarajah, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Celogen Lanka. With a foundation in Business Management from the prestigious London School of Economics and early experience in equity and capital market analysis, Rishikumar's foray into the pharmaceutical industry was fuelled by a commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and affordability. 

Under his leadership, Celogen Lanka has grown from humble beginnings into the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in the country, with a diverse product portfolio serving both local and international markets. His ability to balance stringent regulatory compliance with innovation has been central to the company’s success, while fostering a culture of growth has enabled Celogen Lanka to attract and retain top talent in the industry.

Let’s dive in to know more.

In what ways have your experiences equipped you to provide strategic insights and governance expertise to propel Celogen forward?

The diverse experiences I’ve accumulated throughout my academic and professional journey have played a crucial role in shaping my ability to provide strategic insights and governance expertise at Celogen Lanka. My Business Management degree from the London School of Economics laid the foundation for critical thinking, financial analysis, and strategic planning, all of which are essential in shaping the company’s long-term direction and governance practices.

Co-founding Celogen Lanka in 2016 was transformative, requiring me to build teams, navigate regulatory landscapes, and establish operational processes. These challenges sharpened my strategic thinking while emphasizing operational excellence.

I also recognized the significance of cultivating a strong organizational culture, which has been key to our success with a team of over 400 employees.

My MBA from the University of Cambridge enriched my leadership skills, expanding my global perspective and introducing innovative approaches to problem-solving and strategy. I applied these insights to Celogen’s expansion, ensuring compliance, ethics, and sustained growth.

Achieving EU GMP certification in 2024 was a milestone, showing the importance of aligning governance frameworks with strategic goals. Overall, my experiences have reinforced the need for visionary thinking, stakeholder collaboration, and long-term sustainability, guiding Celogen Lanka’s continued growth and success.

How do you ensure the company consistently and systematically enhances processes, quality, and product development?

At Celogen Lanka, our strategy is built on three main pillars, namely innovation, compliance, and collaboration. We are deeply committed to innovation. This commitment drives our constant investment in advanced manufacturing technologies and state-of-the-art facilities, helping us maintain high-quality standards and operational efficiency. Our R&D team plays a key role in identifying emerging healthcare needs and developing products to address these gaps.

We emphasize continuous process improvement through a data-driven approach. By applying lean manufacturing principles, automating processes, and optimizing resource use, we reduce waste and increase efficiency. Regular reviews and performance evaluations ensure our processes remain aligned with our goals and industry standards.

Lastly, we prioritize employee development and cross-department collaboration. Investing in training and fostering synergies ensures that our workforce remains motivated and aligned with our mission. We also value feedback from all stakeholders, using it to refine products and guide our R&D initiatives.

As a leader, what are the other areas you look to expand the product portfolio? What kinds of medicinal benefits do these areas hold?

At Celogen Lanka, we are constantly exploring new avenues to expand our product portfolio with the goal of addressing unmet healthcare needs and improving patient accessibility to advanced treatments. One of our focus areas is high-value niche therapeutics, such as orphan drugs for rare diseases, which can transform the lives of patients with conditions lacking effective treatments.

We are also focusing on preventive healthcare and wellness products, including vitamins and supplements for lifestyle-related conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Expanding our Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications range is another priority, enabling easy access to treatments for common ailments, which empowers individuals to take charge of their health. With our EU GMP certification, we are also targeting export-oriented products, aiming to reach international markets with generic and specialty drugs.

Looking ahead, we are focusing on biosimilars and biologics, as well as personalized medicine, which tailors treatments to individual genetic profiles. These initiatives are designed to improve patient outcomes and contribute to the advancement of healthcare both locally and globally. Through strategic portfolio expansion, we aim to drive growth and make a meaningful impact on global healthcare.

How do you foster a culture of growth in employees, as well as, the organization?

At Celogen Lanka, fostering a culture of growth is central to our success. I believe that the growth of our employees and the organization go hand in hand, and it’s crucial to create an environment where both can thrive. My approach focuses on empowering employees through continuous learning and development. We invest in training programs and offer opportunities for personal and professional growth, enabling our team to stay ahead in their fields.

Collaboration and inclusivity are fundamental values, promoting teamwork across departments and embracing diverse perspectives. We also recognize and reward excellence, boosting morale and reinforcing high performance. By fostering a purpose-driven mission and supporting work-life balance, we ensure a positive and dynamic workplace, guiding both employees and Celogen Lanka towards sustained growth.

Where do you picture yourself, going forward?

Looking ahead, I am committed to leading Celogen Lanka to new heights, both locally and globally. My focus is on expanding into new markets, product categories, and obtaining stricter regulatory certifications such as the US FDA and UK MHRA for our facilities. With a strong foundation and EU GMP certification, I’m confident we can address diverse healthcare needs. Personally, I aim to refine my leadership skills, stay ahead of industry trends, and advocate for policies that improve healthcare accessibility. I also plan to mentor the next generation of leaders at Celogen. Ultimately, my vision is to create a lasting impact, not only within our organization but also in the broader healthcare community.

Rishikumar Nadarajah, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Celogen

Rishikumar Nadarajah is the co-founder and Managing Director of Celogen Lanka, Sri Lanka’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer. After earning a degree in Business Management from the London School of Economics and working in equity research, he co-founded Celogen Lanka in 2015. Rishikumar holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge and leads the company to significant industry milestones.