PAG-led Sekhmet Pharmaventures Assigns Anil Khubchandani as MD & CEO

Anil Khubchandani has been appointed as managing director and CEO of Sekhmet Pharmaventures Pvt Ltd, an investment platform established to nurture and grow India's next generation of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) companies, by a private equity consortium led by PAG, a leading Asia-based investment firm. Anil Khubchandani is a seasoned executive with a background in strategic partnerships, global sales and marketing, operations management, and research and development.

He has a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU), Varanasi, as well as certificates in executive leadership from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and business management from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta. Sekhmet Pharmaventures is the India arm of Gamot API Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based platform established by PAG in collaboration with Indian private equity firms CX Partners and Samara Capital to acquire stakes in fast-growing pharmaceutical companies. In October 2020, the platform took control of Chennai-based Anjan Drug Pvt Ltd, and in September 2022, the Hyderabad-based Optimus Drugs group of companies. PAG owns a majority stake in Gamot API and has invested over USD 1.5 billion in India through its private equity and private debt businesses. Nikhil Srivastava, partner and managing director, head of India Private Equity for PAG, commented: "Anil is a seasoned executive who brings a demonstrated track record of excellence in the life sciences ingredients industry and a wide range of experience across technical, commercial, and managerial roles. We are excited to partner with him as we continue to build on Sekhmet's success."

"Sekhmet was founded with the mission of delivering high quality, affordable health products to customers in India and around the world," said Dr D Srinivas Reddy, founder of Optimus and member of the Sekhmet board of directors. Anil, in addition to being a hands-on leader with a comprehensive understanding of the business, shares our vision and values wholeheartedly, and I am delighted to welcome him to the Sekhmet team." Anil Khubchandani said, "I am honoured to join the Sekhmet platform and look forward to working with our companies' teams and executive leadership. I am excited by the opportunity to apply my diverse experience, enhance creativity and innovation, build a strong team, and help realize the growth vision aligned to value systems that PAG and its partners have established for this platform."