In the latest HealthTechQuity Spotlight, Sandeep Athalye, Global CEO of Kashiv Biosciences, shares his remarkable journey in drug development, his passion for affordable medicines, and his vision for the future of biotech. With 25 years of experience across the US, India, and Europe, Sandeep brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation about making healthcare more accessible globally.
From Medicine to Biotech
Sandeep’s career began with his training as a physician, but his curiosity about pharmaceutical and clinical research led him to pursue a Master's in Clinical Pharmacology in the US. After completing his education, he embarked on a career in early experimental drug development, eventually moving into late-phase drug development with large biotech and pharma companies. However, Sandeep’s focus shifted after witnessing the disparity in access to life-saving medicines across the world.
This realisation led him to move to India to work with Biocon Biologics, where he became passionate about making medicines accessible and affordable to patients who otherwise could not afford them. Over the last decade, he has worked extensively on biosimilars affordable alternatives to branded biologic drugs and has brought several biosimilars to the market.
Mission to Make Medicines Affordable
Sandeep's personal mission is to ensure that life-saving medicines are available to as many people as possible. He explains, “The more I understood, the more I realised that access to medicines isn’t just about availability, but about affordability.” His goal is to not only contribute to the development of new treatments but also ensure that these medicines reach patients across the globe, particularly in countries with limited access to healthcare due to financial constraints.
This focus on affordability aligns with his role at Kashiv Biopharma, where he is helping to build a vertically integrated company that combines innovation with cost-efficiency. By controlling the entire process from research and development to manufacturing and distribution Kashiv aims to deliver quality biosimilars that are both effective and affordable.
The Role of Innovation in Biotech’s Future
Sandeep is optimistic about the future of biotech, particularly the potential for innovation to make medicines more affordable at a large scale. He points to the transformative power of technology, such as AI, in accelerating drug discovery and reducing production costs. “Innovation can make things more affordable at a scale that we can’t even imagine yet,” he says. He likens it to how companies like SpaceX revolutionized rocket production, demonstrating that disruptive innovation can drastically reduce costs.
In five years, Sandeep sees more biotech companies emerging globally, with greater collaboration between technology and traditional biopharma. He also anticipates an increase in innovation from countries in the East, particularly India and China, where there is a growing ecosystem of talent and government support for biotech.
Tackling the Biggest Challenge: Escalating Drug Costs
One of the biggest challenges Sandeep highlights in the biotech market is the escalating cost of medicines. “Healthcare systems across the world are struggling to cope with these costs,” he explains. Despite the advances in drug development, the affordability of these treatments remains a significant issue, particularly in developing countries. Sandeep believes that while biosimilars are part of the solution, the entire healthcare ecosystem must be re-evaluated to reduce costs and ensure sustainability.
Looking Ahead
With a focus on patient outcomes, affordability, and innovation, Sandeep’s work at KASHIV Biopharma is shaping the future of biotech. His journey exemplifies the power of global collaboration and the drive to create accessible, life-saving treatments for people around the world.