AstraZeneca Pharma India appoints Praveen Rao Akkinepally as managing director

Drug firm AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd on Monday (June 9) said its Managing Director Sanjeev Kumar Panchal has resigned from his position with effect from the close of business on June 30. He will be moving to a global role within the AstraZeneca Group, based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, US.

The company’s board has acknowledged his departure and placed on record its appreciation for his contributions during his tenure.

In the same meeting held on June 9, the board, following the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, approved the appointment of Praveen Rao Akkinepally as the company’s new MD. He will assume the role from 1 July for a term of three years.
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Akkinepally is a senior commercial leader with over two decades of experience across the US, global markets, and India, particularly in oncology and biopharmaceuticals. He has led several brand launches and driven global commercial strategies at AstraZeneca.

His previous role as oncology business unit head for India saw significant growth in the company’s market presence and a series of successful oncology product launches.

Beyond his corporate achievements, he has contributed to healthcare policy through his work with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s cancer round tables.

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Akkinepally holds an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and a master’s in public health from Johns Hopkins University.

Shares of Astrazeneca Pharma India Ltd ended at ₹10,035, up by ₹243.10, or 2.48%, on the BSE.