Softgel Healthcare has appointed Surendra Kumar Polavarapu as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
“I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Chief Executive Officer at Softgel Healthcare Private Limited!” Polavarapu shared on LinkedIn in regards to his appointment with the pharmaceutical company.
Active in the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades, Polavarapu’s contributions to the field are commendable. Before his appointment with Softgel Healthcare, Polavarapu served as the Executive Vice President (EVP) and Head of Global Formulation Operations at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals from September 2023 to April 2025. Interestingly, he was the company’s Research and Development Officer from January 1996 to February 1997. Polavarapu was also the Global Manufacturing Head for Strides from August 2020 to September 2023.
Notably, Polavarapu worked for Zydus Group for six years, joining the company in August 2014 as the General Manager and Site Head. He rose through the ranks and was the Senior Vice President and Head of Manufacturing for Cadila Healthcare’s Cluster 1 in August 2020, when he left the company. Over the years, he has worked for numerous companies, including Mylan Laboratories, Dr Reddys Laboratories, STADA, Sun Pharma, and Abbot.
Over the course of his career, Polavarapu has spent a significant portion of his time in China and has gained immense knowledge about the ins and outs of the pharmaceutical industry. He has a Master of Pharmacy degree in pharmaceutical technology from Andhra University and a Master Diploma in Business Accounting (MDBA) from Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies in business administration and management.