Rohit Agarwal

I began my journey in medicine with a deep commitment to provide and understand patient care and clinical management. To broaden my perspective, I pursued healthcare management and health economics—gaining critical insights into the systemic workings of the healthcare ecosystem.

With over 26 years of experience across medical practice, medical advisory & affairs, clinical research, public health, and hospital management, I’ve built a unique, cross-functional profile. My career started in public and private hospitals, where I practiced medicine and undertook healthcare management assignments. I later transitioned into the dynamic world of pharmaceutical research and drug development—where science meets strategy.

At Novartis, I was entrusted with a newly established role as Medical Lead for Clinical Research, during a period when India’s clinical trial landscape was still evolving. I took on the challenge of building trust in innovative drug development approaches among regulators and healthcare stakeholders. I led medical strategy across various public health–critical therapeutic areas, including leishmaniasis, dengue, malaria, and more.

Key highlights from my time at Novartis include:
- Medical Lead for the development of Secukinumab, a blockbuster biologic, from early-phase clinical trials to successful marketing in India.
- Successfully defended 47 clinical trial protocols (PoC, Phases 2–4) before the DCGI/CDSCO—an industry-leading record—resulting in fast-tracked approvals and trial initiations.
- Conducted app. 202 site visits for SSV, SIV, medical monitoring etc.
- Spearheaded trial strategy, program/protocol feasibilities (app. 161), vendor consolidation, and CRO management across India.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with regulatory, clinical operations, medical affairs, pharmacovigilance and QA teams.
- Mentored cross-functional stakeholders, led medical emergency training for employees, developed SOPs, and trained IIM and other management trainees on clinical research.
- Served as Therapeutic Area Lead for the AMEA region, reflecting my expertise at a global level.
- My work has been recognized through multiple accolades including 6 “Hats Off” Awards, a Annual Medical Excellence Award, and 3 CPO Excellence Awards.

Today, I remain passionate about leveraging my diverse experience to drive meaningful outcomes for patients and healthcare organizations. I’m open to senior roles in clinical development, medical affairs, healthcare strategy, public health leadership, or cross-sector healthcare collaborations where my expertise can continue to create impact.

My career began with active practice in both government and private hospitals. Transitioning to a medical lead role in innovative drug development allowed me to apply my clinical/healthcare knowledge to advance novel treatments. 

My 26+ years experience in patient care, medical advisory, clinical research, medical affairs, and hospital administration in diverse therapeutic/disease areas have provided me with a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape from ground level. This experience has enabled me to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders (public and private) including regulatory authorities and leverage various healthcare areas to achieve optimal outcomes.

Novo Nordisk India

Clinical Medical Manager                                                          May 2024 – Nov 2024

• Supported conduct of 7 Phase 2–3 trials in cardiology, diabetes, obesity, hepatology, and nephrology.
• Supported protocol feasibility, recruitment optimization, and patient screening.
• Conducted app. 36 site visits for SSV, SIV, medical monitoring etc.
• Built KOL network and trained sites, field and clinical teams on study protocols.

Novartis Healthcare Pvt Ltd                                                    Dec 2010 – May 2024

Associate Clinical Research Medical Director                      Nov 2020 – May 2021

• Led global trial document coordination and vendor oversight.

Medical Advisor – Clinical Research                                      Mar 2012 – May 2024

• Defended and secured approval for 47 Phase 2–4 clinical trial protocols at Indian drug regulator (CDSCO); maintained 100 % approval and accelerated trial initiation.
• Conducted a project “Reasons – Low AE reporting” to understand under reporting of AEs.
• Conducted app. 202  site visits for SSV, SIV, medical monitoring etc.
• Spearheaded trial strategy, program/protocol feasibilities (app. 161), vendor consolidation, and CRO management across India.
• Support for drug launch for blockbuster drug - Secukinumab.
• Mentored internal teams and management trainees and other interns in clinical research execution.
• Reviewed more than 61 SAEs.
• Therapeutic area lead for Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia; coordinated multinational teams.

Medical Scientific Liaison                                                           Dec 2010 – Feb 2012

• Drove scientific engagement through CME delivery, literature, and HCP education.

Wings Pharmaceuticals / Avitech Healthcare 

Medical Advisor (2 roles)                                                            May 2008-Nov 2008; Sep2009 – Nov 2010

• Led Phase 4 trials, product development, and market strategy.
• Interfaced with marketing teams and supported brand development and training.

Max Neeman Medical International

Lead Clinical Research Coordinator                                           Nov 2006 – Apr 2008

• Supervised operations at 4 Delhi sites; achieved 0 major audit findings.
• Trained 4 CRCs in GCP, raising compliance scores.

Government and private Hospitals (Safdarjung, RML, Max, NGOs etc.) - Resident Physician                                                                                                                                        Oct 1997 – Oct 2006

• Delivered acute and chronic care in medical/surgical settings.
• Coordinated hospital operations, emergency response, and mobile health outreach.
• Managed daily caseload of 50+ patients in OPD & emergency services.
• Organized 12 vaccination drives covering app. 4000 beneficiaries.

I studied medicine to understand patient care and management, then healthcare management and economics to understand functioning of healthcare sector comprehensively. It help me to leverage various areas of healthcare for better patient and system outcome.

• MD (Physician) – Kuban State Medical Academy, Russia, 1997
• MBA (Healthcare) – Sikkim Manipal University, 2007
• PG Diploma in Health Economics, healthcare finance & Policy – IIPH-Delhi, 2009