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Game Of Pharma Podcast

Game Of Pharma Podcast

Written by: Lokesh Sharma
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Welcome to Game of Pharma, one of the top podcasts in the pharmaceutical industry with a community of over 25,000 pharma professionals! We've introduced two engaging series: The MED Talk and 21 Min. Pharma Edge, brings expert insights, industry trends, and innovations shaping the future of healthcare. Join us as we explore the evolving world of pharma through captivating discussions. Stay ahead in the Game of Pharma!

Copyright 2021 Lokesh Sharma Biological Sciences Economics Science Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • How do you build a ₹200 Crore Pharma brand from scratch in 5Yrs I Ft. Rakesh Maitre, Senior VP Celagenex I Ep61

    How do you build a ₹200 Crore Pharma brand from scratch in 5Yrs I Ft. Rakesh Maitre, Senior VP Celagenex I Ep61
    Sep 18 2026
    97% of pharmaceutical companies rely on "me too" generic molecules to survive. How do you skip the generic trap and build a ₹200 Crore patent led powerhouse from scratch, starting just 10 days before a nationwide lockdown?In this episode of Game of Pharma, host Lokesh Sharma sits down with Rakesh Maitre, Senior Vice President at Celagenex and a 30 year pharmaceutical industry veteran (ex Ranbaxy, ex Piramal, ex Abbott), to unpack how scientific differentiation and a people first culture can disrupt the healthcare market.While most pharma startups struggle with field force attrition and crowded molecule spaces, Celagenex built three ₹30 Crore+ brands by focusing entirely on patented, endogenous molecules in gap area therapies like child neurology, stroke rehabilitation, and anti aging sirtuins. Rakesh sir reveals the exact blueprint behind recruiting 100 employees in 20 days without an existing sales pipeline, maintaining zero salary cuts during the pandemic, earning government recognition on Kartavya Path under Atmanirbhar Bharat Yojana, and developing an exclusive endogenous GLP 1 therapy designed for weight loss without muscle loss.Discover what it takes to transition from entry level field sales to top corporate leadership, how to manage customer psychology in medical detailing, and the core operational principles for scaling a high growth pharma company in India.Subscribe to Game of Pharma for more deep dive conversations with global healthcare and pharmaceutical leaders!If you found value in this episode, LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT your key takeaway below!What We Cover in This EpisodeThe COVID 19 Lockdown Survival Playbook: Joining as Employee #1, hiring 100 people in 20 days, and executing hospital sanitization strategies to gain doctor access during peak lockdown.Escaping the "Me Too" Generic Trap: Why 97% of pharma companies fail to innovate and how Celagenex pivoted to a 100% patent driven, endogenous molecule strategy.Exclusive GLP 1 Industry Reveal: Celagenex's revolutionary endogenous GLP 1 therapy designed for weight loss without muscle degradation.Niche Therapeutic Breakthroughs: Commercializing first in class treatments for Autism/ADHD, neurodevelopmental delays (NDD), sirtuin based cardiology, and male/female infertility.The "R&D" Growth Blueprint: How US based R&D (80+ filed patents, 60+ clinical trials, DMF approved APIs) paired with a high trust culture built a ₹200 Cr enterprise.The People First Retention Engine: Why promoting 65% of field force members internally (from Medical Rep to National Sales Manager) creates long term organizational sustainability.National Recognition: The story behind being honored on Kartavya Path under Atmanirbhar Bharat Yojana and recognized publicly by Union Minister Piyush Goyal.Connect & Follow UsHost & Guest Profiles:Guest (Rakesh Maitre) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rakesh-maitre-2101ab17/Host - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lokesh-sharma-7250a71a9/Game of Pharma Socials:Website - https://gameofpharma.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/game-of-pharma/posts/?feedView=all Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gameofpharma/ Newsletter - https://game-of-pharma.beehiiv.com/ Listen to the Audio Podcast:Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4EDgDoeQ8psKel9aZ8CC2F Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/game-of-pharma-podcast/id1825092913?l=pt-BR
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    26 mins
  • Should Pharma Build, Buy, or Partner for AI Capabilities I Ft. Jonathon Thompson I Ep60

    Should Pharma Build, Buy, or Partner for AI Capabilities I Ft. Jonathon Thompson I Ep60
    Sep 4 2026

    Pharma companies are spending billions on AI and automation, yet most projects remain trapped in "pilot purgatory". Why is digital transformation so difficult to scale on the manufacturing floor?


    In this episode of Game of Pharma, host Lokesh Sharma sits down with Jonathon Thompson, Global Director of the Digital Center of Excellence at CAI. Drawing from a 25-year career arc,starting as a bench chemist on Eli Lilly's insulin line in 1999 to leading global automation strategies at Baxter, Avivia, and CAI—Jonathon reveals what it actually takes to move beyond AI hype into scalable operational value.


    Key Topics Covered:

    • From Bench Chemist to IT Leader: The LIMS & EBR Transition

    • Why Pharma Under-Invests in Manufacturing AI vs. R&D

    • Root Causes of "Pilot Purgatory" & How to Break Free

    • Boardroom Expectations vs. Plant-Floor Operational Reality

    • Big Pharma Tech Debt vs. Agile Biotech Startups

    • The Hidden AI Opportunity in Tech Transfer & Scale-Up

    • Micro-AI Solutions vs. Big-Bang Software Implementations

    • Build, Buy, or Partner? Navigating AI Vendor Selection

    • AI Founder vs. Pharma Founder Startup Models


    Connect with Guest & Host:

    Jonathon Thompson (CAI)

    / jonathon-thompson-1052906


    Lokesh Sharma (Game of Pharma)

    / lokesh-sharma-7250a71a9

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    51 mins
  • Why Medical Devices Are India's Next $1B Opportunity I Ft. Tarun Bansal I Ep59

    Why Medical Devices Are India's Next $1B Opportunity I Ft. Tarun Bansal I Ep59
    Sep 1 2026

    10,000 amputations happen every single day in India due to chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers, a silent epidemic hiding in plain sight.


    In this episode of Game of Pharma, host Lokesh Sharma sits down with Tarun Bansal, Co-founder of MedVital and former key leader at Pristyn Care and EY, to unpack how advanced medical devices can solve India's massive healthcare white spaces.


    While India has proven its dominance in global pharma, the medical device sector remains drastically underpenetrated. Tarun breaks down how MedVital is disrupting wound care through accessible Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), chitosan-based liquid bandages made from seafood waste, and sheep tissue-derived extracellular matrices to drive complete skin restoration.


    Discover why medical devices are poised to follow pharma's high-growth trajectory, the realities of scaling a B2B MedTech startup, and how to change doctor adoption behavior on the ground.


    Subscribe to Game of Pharma for more deep-dive conversations with global healthcare and pharmaceutical leaders!


    Subscribe for Elite Business & Pharma Insights: / @gameofpharma-podcast


    Connect with Tarun Bansal on LinkedIn: / tarun-bansal-6a61b3a


    LISTEN ON PODCAST:

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EDgDoe...

    Website: https://gameofpharma.com/


    GAME OF PHARMA NEWSLETTER:

    Weekly pharma insights delivered to your inbox

    Subscribe: https://game-of-pharma.beehiiv.com


    CONNECT WITH HOST - LOKESH SHARMA

    LinkedIn: / lokesh-sharma-7250a71a9


    FOLLOW GAME OF PHARMA:

    LinkedIn: / game-of-pharma-podcast

    Instagram: / gameofpharma

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    52 mins
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