Novotech, a globally recognised full-service biotech clinical research organisation (CRO), has announced the appointment of Dr. Anand Tharmaratnam as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 January 2026. Dr. Tharmaratnam will be based at Novotech’s newly established global headquarters in Singapore, reflecting the company’s increasingly international footprint.
Dr. Tharmaratnam brings nearly three decades of experience in the global CRO industry and has served as Chairman of Novotech since 2021. His appointment as Chairman and CEO follows a structured and well-considered leadership succession process.
The transition comes after Novotech’s former CEO, Dr. John Moller, informed employees in September 2025 of his decision to step down at the end of the year, following nine years in the role. This followed the successful completion of the company’s capital raise in March 2025, which saw GIC and Temasek join as investors alongside long-standing supporter TPG, a leading global asset management firm.
A critical care physician by training, Dr. Tharmaratnam previously spent 23 years at Quintiles and its successor organisation, IQVIA, where he held several senior leadership positions. Notably, he served for a decade on the global executive committees of both organisations as Head of Asia and Japan, a role he held until 2020.
As Chairman, Dr. Tharmaratnam has played a key role in supporting Novotech’s expansion into new markets and strengthening its innovative service capabilities in clinical research. With his leadership, and the continued support of TPG, GIC, and Temasek, Novotech is well positioned to further scale its operations as a global, biotech-focused full-service CRO.
Dr. Tharmaratnam said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to John for his leadership and commitment to Novotech over the past nine years, and through a remarkable period of growth. John and I have already been working closely together over the past months to ensure a seamless transition, and we also look forward to welcoming John back to Novotech in a board role later in 2026.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Tharmaratnam added: “It has been a privilege to be part of Novotech’s tremendous growth over the past four years as Chairman. As the company enters its next phase of growth, our reputation as the leading biotech CRO in Asia-Pacific will remain a clear differentiator. The company will expand its global footprint, strengthen its scientific capabilities, and leverage technology & data to support increasingly global and complex biotech programs. Novotech will continue to deliver impactful and innovative outcomes for clients to help advance future medicines.”
