Dr. Sandeep Kotharkar | Organic chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Embio Limioted-India

Author Profile

• Scopus Profile

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Dr. Sandeep Anilrao Kotharkar began his academic journey with a passion for chemistry, a field that would later define his professional endeavors. His early academic years were marked by rigorous study, culminating in the pursuit of a full-time Ph.D. in Chemical Research. With four years of dedicated research work during his doctoral studies at UDCT Aurangabad (M.S.), India, Dr. Kotharkar honed his expertise in synthetic organic chemistry. His experience as a Research Fellow from 2002 to 2006 laid a solid foundation for his career in the pharmaceutical industry. Throughout these formative years, his primary focus was on developing innovative methodologies that could be applied to industrial processes. This academic grounding has been a cornerstone for his future achievements in chemical R&D.

Professional Endeavors 🚀

With 25 years of professional experience in Chemical Research and Development, Dr. Kotharkar has built a robust career in the pharmaceutical sector. His journey spans several reputed pharmaceutical organizations, showcasing a steady progression from early roles to his current position as Head of Department – Synthetic R&D at Embio Limited. His professional timeline includes:

• Embio Limited (May 2022 – Present): As HOD, Dr. Kotharkar oversees multiple departments, including Synthetic R&D, Analytical R&D, QA, RA, and the Pilot Plant. His role is crucial in ensuring the smooth execution of synthetic reactions, process development, and scale-up troubleshooting activities. His leadership ensures seamless coordination between teams and ensures the delivery of high-quality APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) and control drug substances.
• Aarti Industries Ltd. (June 2019 – April 2022): Dr. Kotharkar served as Deputy General Manager (DGM), further developing his leadership and managerial expertise. During this tenure, he played a pivotal role in the optimization and validation of processes at lab scale and pilot plants, ensuring commercial viability.
• Emcure Pharmaceutical Ltd. (June 2007 – May 2019): His longest tenure, spanning 12 years, was marked by his work as a Senior Research Scientist (M-04). This period was instrumental in defining his research contributions, particularly in oncology projects and control drug substances.

His prior experience also includes a short tenure at Biostadt Ltd. Aurangabad as a Research Associate, and as a Lecturer at the Arts, Science & Commerce College in Badnapur, where he shared his expertise with the next generation of chemists.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Kotharkar’s expertise lies in synthetic organic chemistry and process development. He is well-versed in handling oncology projects, developing control drug substances, and optimizing synthetic routes for various APIs and customer demand molecules. Some of his key contributions include:

• Selection of Synthetic Routes: Dr. Kotharkar has been instrumental in selecting commercially viable synthetic routes for APIs, keeping in mind the cost-effectiveness, safety, and non-infringing pathways.
• Process Development and Scale-up: He has coordinated lab activities related to the execution of synthetic reactions and scale-up troubleshooting activities, ensuring that processes are optimized and validated before moving to commercial production.
• Technology Transfer: His work also involves the seamless technology transfer from R&D to pilot plant and eventually to full-scale production. He coordinates with various departments, including ADL/QC, QA, and EHS, to ensure the smooth transfer of technology.

Additionally, Dr. Kotharkar plays a key role in preparing Process Development Reports (PDRs), Technology Transfer Dossiers (TTD), and Quality by Design (QbD) data. His coordination with the IPM department for patent filings ensures that the intellectual property generated during product development is well-protected. This work has significant implications for both the pharmaceutical industry and broader chemical research.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Dr. Kotharkar’s professional journey is marked by numerous accolades, a reflection of his contributions to the pharmaceutical industry and his leadership in R&D. Throughout his career, his work on oncology projects, control drug substances, and process development has earned him recognition among peers and within the organizations he has served. He has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation, safety, and efficiency in chemical processes.

Impact and Influence 🌍

As a seasoned professional, Dr. Kotharkar has had a profound impact on the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the area of oncology and API development. His leadership has influenced the next generation of chemists and researchers, and his work in process optimization and technology transfer continues to streamline operations in pharmaceutical manufacturing. He is regarded as a key contributor to the field of chemical R&D, and his ability to manage multidisciplinary teams across Synthetic R&D, Analytical R&D, and pilot plants makes him an invaluable asset to the organizations he serves.

Legacy and Future Contributions ✨

Looking ahead, Dr. Kotharkar’s legacy will be defined by his dedication to excellence in chemical research and his contributions to process development in the pharmaceutical industry. His forward-thinking approach to synthetic route selection, process optimization, and technology transfer will continue to influence industry standards. Dr. Kotharkar is also likely to expand his contributions through further patent filings, ensuring that his innovative methods and findings remain at the forefront of pharmaceutical research.As he continues to lead teams at Embio Limited, his work will leave a lasting impact on both the pharmaceutical industry and the broader field of organic chemistry. Future chemists and researchers will benefit from the innovations and standards he has set, ensuring that his contributions will be felt for years to come.