Last Updated on August 14, 2024
In the realm of pharmaceutical excipient innovation and development, few names echo as prominently as Rajendran Arunagiri. With a remarkable career that has spanned roles at Pfizer and Merck, to his current position as the Global Segment Market Manager for Pharma at Eastman Chemical Company, Arunagiri has consistently been at the forefront of pioneering developments in drug delivery.
As the driving force behind the development and commercialization of the revolutionary new excipient, BioSustane™, Arunagiri has not only showcased his unparalleled scientific acumen but also his ability to navigate complex scientific projects to successful completion. His diverse and robust technical background, merged with his business acumen gleaned from an MBA at UNC Chapel Hill, presents a rare blend of expertise that makes him a standard-setter in his industry.
This piece delves into his professional journey, the specific challenges he successfully addressed in drug delivery, and how he has left an indelible mark in the world of drug delivery science. Buckle up for an inside look into the mind that brought forth BioSustane™.
Global experience
Rajendran Arunagiri boasts an impressive fusion of in-depth pharmaceutical experience, and extensive education that paved the way for game-changing innovation in the field of drug formulation. His journey starts with a Bachelor of Science from Anna University, followed by an impressive MBA from UNC Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Arunagiri’s foray into the pharmaceutical world began when he served as a consultant for prominent pharma companies – Pfizer and Merck. The invaluable knowledge and exposure amassed over these years later helped him to navigate the intricate world of drug excipients effortlessly.
Joining Eastman Chemical Company exposed Arunagiri to the segment of chemical ingredients known as excipients, inactive chemicals indispensable for drug formulation. As the Global Segment Market Manager for the pharma business, Arunagiri’s role was to lead the development and commercialization of these new excipients.
Drawing on his quote, Arunagiri shares, “…I was made the product development leader for Eastman’s pharma business. My responsibility was to develop and launch a new excipient. After having worked with Eastman for a decade, my experience at the intersection of Pharma and Chemistry enabled me to identify critical problems and connect with the chemistry to develop BioSustane™.”
Arunagiri’s several years of global experience at the intersection of pharmaceuticals and chemistry, coupled with his robust educational background, steered him to pioneer BioSustane™. This embodiment of his expertise solidified his reputation as an authority in the world of drug delivery chemistry.
BioSustane™: Transforming poorly soluble APIs and redefining extended-release dosages
Rajendran Arunagiri’s pivotal role in the development and launch of BioSustane™, an innovative new excipient, has revolutionized pharmaceutical formulation. BioSustane™ aids in the formulation of poorly water-soluble API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients), extended-release dosages, and functions as an abuse deterrent, providing a solution to one of the most challenging problems faced by the industry – formulating poorly soluble APIs.
“Formulating poorly soluble APIs is not straightforward. It often involves complex and expensive techniques such as hot melt extrusion or spray drying, making it inaccessible for many companies and research labs,” says Arunagiri. Offering an effective simpler solution, BioSustane™ allows the use of wet granulation, a straightforward and common manufacturing technique, in formulating poorly soluble APIs. Furthermore, Arunagiri was named a patent holder for a revolutionary method of stabilizing the amorphous solid solutions and dispersions in pharmaceutical compositions, which uses BioSustane™.
The excipient’s application in extended-release dosages is ground breaking. BioSustane™ simplifies the formulation process, needing a minimal number of ingredients. Arunagiri sheds light on one such instance, “Take the case of an approved drug, it had only three ingredients in its formulation, thanks to BioSustane™.”
Another intriguing aspect of BioSustane™ is its role in abuse deterrent dosages. The prescription drug abuse problem is a significant societal challenge, and BioSustane™ offers a solution to this grave disorder. Arunagiri elaborates, “BioSustane™ is used in an approved drug that is not only an extended-release but also an abuse deterrent.”
From the development and launch to its application, each stage showcases Arunagiri’s ability to lead complex scientific projects and his dedication to transforming the pharmaceutical industry. Through BioSustane™, Arunagiri has crafted an innovative solution to a complex problem, thereby contributing remarkably to the field of drug delivery and development.
Pioneering advances in pharmaceutical technology
Distinguishing himself as an influential contributor to the pharmaceutical sector, Rajendran Arunagiri’s innovative intellect is captured in the development and launch of two ground-breaking tools that hold promise for myriad medical solutions. One particular notable contribution is the Eastman FastER, a unique tool to suggest starting formulations for drug coatings, which has essentially created a ripple of transformation in the drug industry.
In his words, “Currently, there are three approved drugs that use BioSustane™. There are numerous drugs in the research phase using BioSustane™. The cures enabled by BioSustane™ are life-saving. For instance, it has played a crucial part in a cancer drug’s development phase. This drug would not have been viable without BioSustane™. That’s just one example. The evidence today suggests that BioSustane™ is enabling the development of many poorly soluble APIs into viable drugs.”
Such testimonials underscore Arunagiri’s contributions to an evolution in pharmaceutical science, serving as a hallmark of his esteemed career. His landmark work portrays a solid foundation in scientific theory, matched with an instinctual grasp of practical application, guiding fundamental discoveries into transformative technology supporting pharmaceutical development.
From Pfizer to Merck: How experiences with industry leaders shaped a career at Eastman
In the pharmaceutical industry, influence comes not only from the innovative developments one makes but also from sharing these insights with the larger professional community. Rajendran Arunagiri, a respected leader at Eastman Chemical Company, understands this dynamic well and deftly navigates these platforms to elevate both his work and Eastman’s.
Regularly representing Eastman at pharmaceutical and drug delivery conferences worldwide, Arunagiri’s presentations are keenly anticipated. These sessions, often focused on drug delivery trends or new excipient development, highlight his proficiency in these measures and offer valuable insights to peers. His talks on the development and launch of BioSustane™ have generated significant interest. This amplifies his credibility, further cementing his position as an industry thought leader.
Notably, Arunagiri is also a prominent figure on digital platforms. Guest spots in pharmaceutical-focused webinars see him sharing his deep knowledge, while his contributions to technical journals build tangible value for the discipline. These writings, rich in analysis and expert understanding, strengthen his reputation as an authority figure.
“My experience with Pfizer and Merck,” Arunagiri states, “helped me find my passion for pharma. Unlike consumer electronics or fashion, the pharma industry has a long product development lifecycle requiring an understanding of the regulatory landscape in addition to product development acumen. This experience made me an expert in understanding the regulatory landscape.”
This blend of global visibility and advocacy for the innovative work completed at Eastman underlines Arunagiri’s influential standing within the industry. It’s evident that his leadership and revolutionary work – both within Eastman and on broader industry platforms – represents the next stage in pharmaceutical innovation.
The Everest Award and its impact on pharmaceutical industry work
In a scientific industry such as pharmaceuticals, recognition is often the result of years of in-depth research, collaboration, complex problem-solving, and above all, innovation. With several accolades to his name, Rajendran Arunagiri’s dedication to formulating solutions for the pharmaceutical industry is widely recognized, reflected most notably in his 2022 receipt of the Everest Award – an accolade bestowed to only the top 1% of Eastman’s organization.
The Everest Award is a testament to Arunagiri’s exceptional contributions to Eastman’s pharmaceutical endeavors, particularly his innovative work on the development of BioSustane™. He recalls, “The Everest Award is given to top performers in Eastman. It was humbling to receive such a recognition and a congratulatory note straight from the CEO of the company. I was given the award for the results I delivered for our pharma business.”
As the named inventor on the patent for BioSustane™, his achievement in pharmaceutical formulation is undeniable. BioSustane™ has significantly addressed one of the pharmaceutical industry’s biggest hurdles: poor API solubility.
In the wake of his Everest Award victory, Arunagiri remains relentless in his pursuit of innovation, “Such an award and encouragement only motivate me to do more,” he asserts. Currently, he is spearheading another project to develop a new excipient focused on further addressing the industry’s poor API solubility problem.
Arunagiri’s numerous accolades, however, do not signal the culmination of his scientific journey, but rather, his continued commitment to pioneering new solutions in pharmaceutical formulation. His relentless dedication to overcoming hurdles in drug delivery is what makes him both an esteemed innovator and a treasured asset in the industry. This only fortifies our expectation for further ground-breaking achievements and forward strides in the dynamically evolving world of pharmaceuticals.
A spotlight on achievements in company expansion
As the Global Segment Market Manager for the pharma business in Eastman Chemical Company, Arunagiri’s work involves far more than research. Arunagiri is also a shrewd strategist who understands the harsh realities of conducting business in a fiercely competitive landscape. This is highlighted by his role in helping shape strategic plans for a staggering $300+ million business which was under enormous competitive pressure.
The essence of Arunagiri’s aptitude for strategy can be captured in his own words: “In my current role, I lead a segment team comprised of seven people. My responsibility is to develop and launch new products, define strategic initiatives for the business, and execute them. I have led the team to make choices on which products to launch, which applications and markets to play in and how do we win in the markets we play in. As a result of my work, I have brought in value for my company that runs in millions.”
Unraveling the I2C product development framework
Rajendran Arunagiri is not just an innovator but a thought-leader in product development as well. If his invention of BioSustane™ showcases his knack for scientific innovation, his creation of the “I2C” framework highlights his profound understanding of product development strategy.
I2C, a unique product development framework, whose creation was led by Arunagiri, has been adapted by Eastman Chemical Company as a gold standard for early-stage innovation. The sheer genius of this framework lies in its design which drills deep into understanding the market demands and customer requirements at the inception. Simultaneously, it screens for industry strengths to maintain a competitive edge.
In Arunagiri’s own words, “About 85% of the product development project fails because of lack of deep understanding of the market and customer needs. Product development needs to start with customers or more specifically, with the individual whose problem the product aims to solve.”
He further explains that it’s not just about aligning product development with customer needs but also about leveraging the enduring competitive advantage of the company. That’s precisely the cornerstone of his I2C framework.
Arunagiri’s dedication to anchoring early-stage innovation deeply within customer satisfaction and competitive positioning emphasizes his long-term vision for product development. By addressing the two primary reasons behind most project failures – disjointed market understanding and lack of competitive advantage – Arunagiri’s I2C framework not just mitigates potential failure points but also helps to streamline the product development process.
Arunagiri’s strategic insight and inventive approach to product development, have proven to be instrumental in Eastman’s success. The brilliance of his I2C framework lies not just in its innovative design but also its implementation. It has redefined early-stage innovation at Eastman as a customer-centric, competitive process, and has positioned the company as a front runner in the industry.
Envisioning the future of product development in pharmaceuticals
Arunagiri’s role as a corporate trainer and mentor focuses on preparing emerging product development managers to grasp the evolving landscape of the industry. He emphatically states, “One of the most popular approaches to new product development is stage-gate project development… As a trainer and mentor, one of the things I encourage product developers to think about is ‘product+,’ that is, the product and the accompanying digital service.”
His emphasis on the convergence of advanced technologies and drug formulation is evidence of his foresight and aptitude, particularly in the development of progressive and innovative pharmaceutical solutions. This was manifested in his leadership role in the development of FastER, a starting formulation predictor for pharma coatings, an inventive tool that complements Eastman’s product offerings. His vision is clear when he adds, “The future I foresee is the intersection of chemistry and AI/ML.
His comment underscores his firm belief in the importance of bridging the gap between traditional chemical innovations and the revolutionary potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Arunagiri is not just training new team members for the roles they’re currently in, but challenging them to anticipate the future, understand the necessity of complementing product offerings with relevant technological advancements, and take a holistic approach to innovation.
His strategic mentorship and guidance are preparing the next generation of product development managers for the future of drug formulation and underscoring the importance of innovation in addressing real-world challenges. With Arunagiri at the helm, Eastman’s future leaders are surely in good hands.
