Shilpa Medicare Limited is reshaping its Formulations leadership with the appointment of Dr. Vellaian Karuppiah as Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Formulations, effective 23 April 2026. The move, approved by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, signals the company’s intent to strengthen its Formulations operations with a seasoned operator at the helm.
Karuppiah, 52, brings over 33 years of deep cross-functional expertise across the pharmaceutical value chain. His background spans Formulation and Analytical R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing Science & Technology, Technology Transfer, Engineering & Projects, Quality Systems, EHS/ESG, Supply Chain Management, PPIC, and end-to-end Manufacturing Operations. He has held senior leadership and C-suite positions with a string of globally reputed pharmaceutical groups including Gland Pharma (Fosun Group), Strides, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Actavis (now Teva), and Orchid Healthcare (Hospira/Pfizer), among others, underscoring a track record of operational excellence and transformation.
In his recent roles as Chief Operating Officer at Acme Group and Immacule Lifesciences, Karuppiah has been instrumental in strengthening manufacturing efficiency, supply chain resilience, quality systems, and R&D integration—outcomes that the company says will significantly bolster Shilpa Medicare’s Formulation business and support long-term sustainable growth. He holds a postgraduate degree and a Doctorate in Pharmacy, along with Executive Management qualifications from premier Tier-1 institutions in India and abroad, equipping him with a strategic mindset and global perspective essential for driving execution in a complex manufacturing landscape.
The appointment reflects Shilpa Medicare’s focus on building leadership capability to propel growth, improve regulatory compliance, and scale operating performance across its Formulations vertical. As the industry continues to navigate a dynamic market and evolving quality and compliance expectations, Karuppiah’s leadership is anticipated to sharpen the company’s competitive edge and accelerate its journey toward higher efficiency and sustained value creation.