About Chandra

Chandra Ramanathan is a biopharmaceutical executive with extensive experience translating scientific ideas into treatment options and access for patients with high medical needs. He has led several initiatives across pharma, biotech, start-ups, and academia from early-stage discovery programs to launching new products. Chandra has deep subject matter expertise across various therapeutic areas and experience in different modalities from small molecules to complex biologics including cell and gene therapy.

Currently, he is the Global Head of Innovation Hubs at Danaher Corporation. He is responsible for building and executing on external innovation strategies, including the Danaher Beacons. He will also be developing a framework and operating model to landscape innovation ecosystems globally, enhance Danaher’s presence in the external scientific community, and enable access to breakthrough innovation.

Previously, Chandra held various leadership positions over twelve years at Bayer. Most recently, he was the Global Head of Pharma R&D Open Innovation at Bayer, where he led the Open Innovation Centers (OICs) around the world (US, Europe, Japan, China, and Singapore). The OICs focus on early access to breakthrough technologies, management of strategic alliances, and public-private partnerships. Key accomplishments include the establishment of a new innovation center and approval of a Cell & Gene Therapy Incubator in Cambridge, MA (Investment value: $200+ Million)

Chandra’s previous roles at Bayer include Head of Open Innovation Center North America-East, Global Program Lead for External Innovation/Life Sciences, Global Launch Team Leader (Aliqopa), and Head of Global Oncology Pipeline Marketing. Prior to joining Bayer, Chandra worked at Wyeth (Pfizer) and Bristol-Myers Squibb in various roles in Drug Discovery, Applied Genomics, and Business Development & Licensing.

Chandra earned an MBA from the Columbia Business School, a PhD in Genomics/ Bioinformatics, an MS in Medicinal Chemistry, and a BS in Pharmacy.

Chandra is an adjunct assistant professor at the Tufts School of Medicine and is on the Board of Directors of MassBIO, the Massachusetts Biotech Council. He is also an Innovation, Development & Entrepreneurial Advisory Board Member at the Johns Hopkins University. He is also advising start-ups in the therapeutics and cell & gene therapy technology space.