Novotech has appointed Anand Tharmaratnam as chief executive officer, following his tenure as chairman of the global biotech-focused clinical research organisation. The leadership change comes as Novotech strengthens its international profile and expands its presence across Asia-Pacific and global markets.

Tharmaratnam brings nearly three decades of experience in the global contract research organisation (CRO) sector, including 23 years at Quintiles and its successor IQVIA, where he spent 10 years on the global executive committees leading Asia and Japan operations. He has served as Novotech chairman since 2021 and officially assumed the CEO role on 1 January 2026, based at the company’s new global headquarters in Singapore.

The appointment followed a planned transition after former CEO John Moller announced his intention to step down at the end of 2025, concluding nine years in the role. Tharmaratnam has been working closely with Moller to ensure continuity and will welcome him back to the board later in 2026.

Tharmaratnam reflected on the transition, saying: “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.”

During his time as chairman, Tharmaratnam supported Novotech’s expansion into new markets and the enhancement of its clinical research capabilities. He emphasised the company’s ongoing focus on delivering services to biotech clients through a combination of scientific expertise, technology, and data management.

Looking ahead, he said: “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 programmes. Novotech will continue to deliver impactful and innovative outcomes for clients to help advance future medicines.”

The leadership appointment comes after a period of strategic capital raising, with GIC and Temasek joining long-term investor TPG, further supporting Novotech’s growth plans and international expansion.