EVP, Chief Technology Officer, and Head of Research & Development at Convatec

Modern biotechnology starting with rDNA technology and manufacture of human insulin in 1982, is now 40+ years old. Since then, we have witnessed major research advances that led to monoclonal antibodies, synthetic peptides, DNA and RNA based biopharmaceutical therapies. These advances were enabled by a rapid evolution of manufacturing processes from very cost intensive bespoke or dedicated (product specific) manufacturing facilities to common standardized & modular manufacturing platforms. We have also moved from biopharmaceutical products which started off as injectables in a glass vial to medicine now consisting of drug -delivery device combinations. With the advent of genetic medicine as a result of the Human Genome project in early 2000s, we are now witnessing a situation where modular clean room facilities next to the hospital beds serve as today’s manufacturing platform, with the human body serving as the de facto medicine factory with DNA and RNA therapy. In the near future, we will witness an exponential ramp-up in innovation in areas ranging from chemical synthesis of biopharmaceuticals, cost effective & scalable ways of enabling genetic medicines, improved ways of delivering DNA and RNA into cells as well as biopharmaceuticals produced in-situ as orally ingestible medicine vs todays injectables- common themes being cost effectiveness, accessibility of health care and sustainability. In this seminar, I will share implications for chemical engineering research and education. I will also be sharing my lessons learnt over ~ 25+ years starting with graduate research work at Penn State, Eli Lilly, Cook Pharmica, Moderna and to the present day at Convatec where my team and I are helping pioneer trusted medical solutions for the lives we touch.

Divakar serves as EVP, Chief Technology Officer, and Head of R&D at Convatec plc, which is a global medical products and technologies company focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, with leading market positions in advanced wound care, ostomy care, continence care and infusion care.  He joined Convatec in 2020, where he and his team have helped launch 8 significant new products in the last 3 years. Prior to this, he was Chief Digital Officer and Vice President for Eli Lilly’s Drug Delivery, Device and Digital Health groups, where he led a global R&D team focused on developing innovative and digitally-enabled devices to improve patient care. Divakar’s career in healthcare spans more than 25 years. He also served as Eli Lilly’s Vice President of Manufacturing Science and Technology as well as Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain of Eli Lilly’s Animal Health Business Unit as well as in Moderna where he was SVP of Process Development, Manufacturing and Quality.

Divakar holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Technology degree in Chemical Engineering from AC Tech, Anna University in India. He also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.