Executive committee

Appointed: 2020

Nationality: German

Edgar is CFO of Axplora. He joined the company in 2000. He has a strong experience as CFO of +25 years in different companies such as Rodenstock Group (optical lenses), Müller Group (dairy), and Lekkerland (wholesale). He started his career as Consultant at McKinsey & Company in Munich, Buenos Aires, in 1992. Throughout his career, he held several Board seats, including stock listed companies.

At Axplora, Edgar’s area of responsibility is Finance and IT with responsibility for Controlling, Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Legal and IT. His vision is to increase the effectiveness, efficiency and visibility of Finance and IT by establishing these functions as true business partners for the Business Units.

Edgar holds a Master’s degree in industrial engineering from the Technical University of Karlsruhe and a PhD degree in Economics.

Edgar lives in Munich. He is passionate about sport (running, golf, skiing) and enjoys spending time with his family, especially since his three grown-up kids live in different cities/countries and do not see them that often. Travelling and living abroad (e.g. Argentina) has been very important to him, however, visiting Southern France or the North Sea in low season remains a favorite.

Appointed: 2023

Nationality: Spanish and Canadian

Pere joined Axplora on March 1^st, 2023, as COO. Chemist, he started his professional life in the fine chemical sector in Spain, always dealing with innovative and complex projects. Prior to his most recent role as Chief Quality & Technical Operations Officer at Centrient, Pere worked with Boehringer Ingelheim and Apotex, where he was President for Global API and Executive Vice President for Global API & Procurement.

During his tenure spanning three decades, he has gathered valuable experience in the API industry among others and has successfully led global operations efforts for major API industry players. Pere brings extensive international experience in technical operations and quality and has a strong track record of successfully leading significant improvement and transformation programs.

Pere is an alumnus of the University of Barcelona in Spain, from which he holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Chemistry and a PhD degree in Chemical Engineering. He holds an MBA from the ESADE Business School in Spain.

Pere is fluent in English, Spanish and Catalan, with notions of German and French. Pere likes to travel, and he practices golf.

Appointed: 2022

Nationality: German and English

Arul joined Axplora as CCO on July 18, 2022. Based in Raubling (Germany), Arul oversees the Global Marketing Strategy and Business Intelligence and has a global role bringing together the BU Marketing organizations to foster our business impact in close relations with the BU Presidents and the sales teams.

A Chartered Chemical Engineer from the UK with an MBA from INSEAD, Arul has a 25-year business career as a General Manager, Executive Coach and Commercial Negotiator. He led Commercial (Marketing & Sales) and Operational (Technical Operations & Supply Chain) organizations at Novartis, Baxalta & Shire in several countries and has also served as CEO of a Swiss Biologics CDMO. Most recently, he has been supporting a German Pharma major set up a global rare dermatology business.

Arul likes to being able to practice his six languages at our sites, while indulging in a conversation or two about the local region and sports, many of which he follows. Outside of work, he is an avid skier and hiker with his family.

Appointed: 2023

Nationality: German

Stephan joined Axplora in November 2023.  He has a 20+ years’ business career in the pharmaceutical industry where he held various management positions within global CDMOs such as Solvias, Lonza and Cambrex. Most recently, Stephan worked as President Drug Substance CDMO Commercial at Cambrex.

Stephan works closely with Operations to build the organization and drive its growth as a leading CDMO.

Stephan’s vision is based on 3 pillars: customer service, technological expertise, and manufacturing excellence. He wants to make Novasep CDMO BU recognized a CDMO leader providing the best customer service and manufacturing excellence, based on both a broad set of differentiating technologies, and on the scientific expertise of people.

Stephan’s core mission is to make Axplora a partner of choice for pharmaceutical companies, supporting them to bring medication to patients.

Stephan holds a PhD and Master in organic chemistry and a Bachelor of Science in economics.​

He likes hiking in the nearby black forest area and going to the opera.

Appointed: 2014

Nationality: Italian

Mario is both the Managing Director of our site in Italy and President of the Steroids & Highly Potent Products Business Unit. He has been with Axplora since 2014. Before that, he held various positions at Fabbrica Italiana Sintetici S.p.A, for 8 years started as Engineering Manager and ended up as Site Director. Then we worked at Erregierre S.p.A, an active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturer for both Human and Veterinary use for 6 years as Plan operations Manager. Mario has +20 years of industry experience in APIs.

Mario Heholds a Master’s degree in Industrial Chemical Engineering from the University of Bologna  and having specialized in Economics.

Mario said that the enthusiasm and passion exhibited across the company will ensure brilliant results over the coming years.

Mario likes walking in the woods in his spare time, especially in the mountains.

Appointed: 2007

Nationality: Indian

Anant is the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer in India as well as being Co-President of the Specialty Products BU at Axplora. He joined the Group in 2007 as Managing Director. He is Based in Andhra Pradesh in India.

Previously, Anant was Senior Director at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, a leading multinational pharmaceutical company based in India, for 5 years. He started his career at Gharda Chemicals in 1990 where he spent 12 years as Senior project manager. Anant has strong experience in the pharmaceutical industry and demonstrated and recognized skills in operational excellence, process optimization and Engineering, and R&D.

Anant is a chemical engineer from Laxminarayan Institute of Technology (India) & TQM certified from OSAKA university, Japan.

Anant is passionate about building a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team who can comfortably manage multidimensional challenges. In doing this Anant loves to share his technical experience and expertise with younger team members. Anant has a personal interest in Environment, Social and Governance issues (ESG) and spends his own time researching and understanding this important topic. In addition, Anant loves to write, read and public speaking.

Appointed: 2017

Nationality: Swiss

Stephan joined Axplora (in 2017. He is in Basel, Switzerland. He started in the company as Head of Marketing & sales for 5 years before taking over his current position of Specialty Products BU President in 2022.

He started his career in 1997 at Lonza as International Product Manager. He also worked at DePuy Synthes, the Orthopedics Company of Johnson & Johnson, for 3 years and at Siegfried, as Drug substance portfolio Manager and Head of Drug substances EMEA & Asia for 8 years. He gets +25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and live science industry.

Stephan got a bachelor Business from HEC Lausanne University. He is skilled in portfolio management, investment activities, new business development, M&A and change management.

Stephan likes to spend time with his family; he has two teenage daughters that still are not sick of their dad! An avid reader and follower of news and politics (formerly a town councilor in his hometown). And practice ski-touring.