Hospira reappoints chief scientific officer

Lake Folrest’s Hospira, Inc. has reappointed Sumant Ramachandra, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president and chief scientific officer, effective May 17.

Ramachandra returns to Hospira after a brief departure earlier this year and will serve as a member of the company’s senior leadership team, led by F. Michael Ball, chief executive officer. He will resume responsibility for Hospira’s global research and development, regulatory and medical affairs organization.

“On behalf of our 16,000 employees, I’m thrilled to welcome Sumant back to the Hospira team,” said Ball. “Under Sumant’s leadership, Hospira has established one of the most robust biosimilars pipelines in the industry, expanded an already market-leading generic injectables portfolio and built a talented scientific, medical and regulatory organization to execute our vision for future success.

“While we had interviewed an exceptional slate of candidates for this role, we determined that Sumant remained not only the best fit, but also would be best positioned to seamlessly advance our R&D priorities,” he added

Ramachandra, 44, earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Rutgers University, graduating with high honors. He then pursued a combined M.D./Ph.D. degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry — New Jersey Medical School, receiving the University’s Medal of Excellence and subsequently conducting his residency at the Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. Ramachandra also earned a master’s of business administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

“I’m energized by the opportunity to return to Hospira — to rejoin the talented employees and exciting future that drew me to the company nearly five years ago. My short time away has reignited my passion for the tremendous opportunities ahead,” Ramachandra said.