Roche Pharma India has appointed Rajwinder (Rajji) Mehdwan as its new country general manager, effective April 1, 2025. She will also join the CEETRIS (Central Eastern Europe, Turkey, Russia and Indian Subcontinent) regional leadership team, reporting to Francois du Toit, area head of CEETRIS at Roche Pharmaceuticals.
The appointment comes as Roche strengthens its presence in India by expanding into new therapy areas through innovative product launches, strategic partnerships, and investments.
Extensive Experience in Healthcare
With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Rajji has held key leadership positions at Roche and Johnson & Johnson.
She joined Roche in 2010 as associate director for the virology and specialty care business at Genentech.
Since then, she has played a pivotal role in Roche’s success. She has held various leadership positions, including portfolio operations leader for bio-oncology, portfolio strategy director for Denmark, and general manager for Roche Pharma Norway.
Rajji most recently led the People & Culture division for Roche’s Pharma International Business. She oversaw 100+ markets and was a member of the Roche Pharma International Leadership Team.
During her tenure in Norway, she served as chairwoman and board member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Norway. She was also a board member of the Norway Pharmaceutical Industry Association.
Commitment to Growth and Innovation
Francois du Toit expressed confidence in Rajji’s leadership. He emphasized her ability to drive meaningful outcomes for patients, healthcare ecosystems, and Roche’s global business.
He stated, “Rajji is an inspirational and inclusive leader with a strong focus on delivering impactful outcomes. Her appointment underscores our commitment to strengthening our partnership with India’s healthcare sector, addressing critical challenges, and driving sustainable growth for Roche. Her global experience in diverse health systems, strategic thinking, and business acumen make her an excellent fit for this role.”
Departure of V Simpson Emmanuel
Roche Pharma India also announced that V Simpson Emmanuel, who has served as general manager since 2020, will step down due to personal reasons.
As reported by pharmabiz.com, his contributions have been instrumental in Roche’s growth and success in India over the past years.
