Shridhar has more than 15 years of drug discovery and development experience in Indian pharmaceutical industry in various therapeutic areas. Shridhar holds a basic degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, a PhD in Pharmacology from Ohio State University, and has post-doctoral experience in Neuropharmacology at the University of California, Los Angeles. Shridhar has been the Executive Vice President-Discovery Biology and Drug Development at Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals. In this role, Shridhar has been responsible for the design and implementation of the scientific and business strategy for drug discovery and development across therapeutic areas, managing a team of scientists in biology, DMPK, safety pharmacology, and regulatory toxicology and clinical development. Most recently, Shridhar was appointed Vice President and Head of Innovative Science for the Infection Innovative Medicines group at AstraZeneca, India and was responsible for the discovery and development of 2 potential clinical candidates in TB and malaria.Throughout his career, Shridhar has overseen Discovery and Development of about 15 clinical candidates, the farthest being in Phase 3 clinical trials. He has also executed out-licensing deals with major pharma as well as in-licensing of candidates (NCE/NBE) which are in active development. This has generated revenues in excess of 100 million USD. Shridhar has been a member of joint research committees, academic and industry collaborations and has served as a Ph.D. guide.