H.S. Shishodia : Steering Lemford Biotech Toward Excellence & Global Impact
H.S. Shishodia
CEO
Building a company that balances quality, innovation, and social responsibility is no small feat. Transforming this vision into reality is H.S. Shishodia, CEO of Lemford Biotech, who has been pioneering India’s pharmaceutical sector for over three decades. Today, Lemford Biotech delivers high-quality medicines by empowering its teams and driving sustainable growth while continuously innovating to meet the evolving healthcare needs of India.
Shishodia adds a unique blend of expertise and business sense to the pharmaceutical industry. Thanks to his first-hand experience and technical know-how. Before entering the pharmaceutical industry, he served as Principal at Sunways Public School, where he honed his leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities, qualities that later shaped his management approach in pharma.
He started his pharma career with Soul Pharmaceuticals in 1990. At AKC Pharmaceuticals, which he founded in 2010, he built a strong presence across nine states with a portfolio of 450 products and a field force of 60 representatives. Today, he guides Lemford Biotech into the future as a mission-based organization focused on innovation, quality and sustainable development. We are delighted to engage in an exclusive conversation with Shishodia, who walks us through his experience, leadership approach, and more.
Tell us about your entry into the pharma industry and the major challenges you have overcome in your pro - fessional journey.
I was inspired by a relative working as a medical representative, which led me to join Soul Pharmaceuticals. Over my 30-year journey, I faced and overcame many challenges, and now I mentor and motivate my teams based on this extensive experience.
When I started my career, I entered a large and competitive market as a newcomer. By consulting with doctors and customers and leveraging market
insights, I successfully launched products and achieved significant milestones with the support of my team and guidance from God.
How are you leveraging your experience to drive market success while overcoming key challenges?
Over the past 15 years, I have learned and applied numerous strategies in marketing and management. I mentor my team on market solutions and strategic planning. With a clear target of adding ₹100 crore in revenue by 2027, Lemford Biotech aligns its strategic plans, product launches, and team goals annually to ensure steady and sustainable growth.
The market presents many challenges, including the constant introduction of new products. We identify key gaps, study emerging molecules, educate our teams, and plan strategically to stay competitive and achieve our targets.
What digital tools has your company adopted for market digitization?
We are leveraging digital marketing channels like YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp to engage customers and promote our products. By sharing educational content and interviews with key prescribers, we ensure awareness of new molecules, driving sales growth. Adapting to digital trends is essential for both team and customer engagement.
How is your company championing sustainability and ESG? What methods are used to ensure these goals are met?
At Lemford Biotech, sustainability begins with consistent innovation and people-driven growth. We conduct monthly strategy meetings with managers to review market trends, identify emerging molecules, and plan targeted launches. Additionally, we promote sustainable growth through responsible business practices, continuous learning, and community oriented healthcare initiatives that align with our ESG goals.
What market opportunities are you planning to focus on?
We select market-ready products and implement customer-focused strategies, balancing product quality, pricing, and productivity. Our products are well received, consistently purchased, and this has been a significant achievement for our team and the company.
The pharmaceutical sector faces workforce challenges. Hence, we focus on developing and growing a disciplined, goal-oriented team and plan to
How are you leveraging your experience to drive market success while overcoming key challenges?
Over the past 15 years, I have learned and applied numerous strategies in marketing and management. I mentor my team on market solutions and strategic planning. With a clear target of adding ₹100 crore in revenue by 2027, Lemford Biotech aligns its strategic plans, product launches, and team goals annually to ensure steady and sustainable growth.
I rely on my own learning and problem-solving rather than external guidance
The market presents many challenges, including the constant introduction of new products. We identify key gaps, study emerging molecules, educate our teams, and plan strategically to stay competitive and achieve our targets.
What digital tools has your company adopted for market digitization?
We are leveraging digital marketing channels like YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp to engage customers and promote our products. By sharing educational content and interviews with key prescribers, we ensure awareness of new molecules, driving sales growth. Adapting to digital trends is essential for both team and customer engagement.
How is your company championing sustainability and ESG? What methods are used to ensure these goals are met?
At Lemford Biotech, sustainability begins with consistent innovation and people-driven growth. We conduct monthly strategy meetings with managers to review market trends, identify emerging molecules, and plan targeted launches. Additionally, we promote sustainable growth through responsible business practices, continuous learning, and community oriented healthcare initiatives that align with our ESG goals.
What market opportunities are you planning to focus on?
We select market-ready products and implement customer-focused strategies, balancing product quality, pricing, and productivity. Our products are well received, consistently purchased, and this has been a significant achievement for our team and the company.
The pharmaceutical sector faces workforce challenges. Hence, we focus on developing and growing a disciplined, goal-oriented team and plan to
develop new liver-disease treatments in collaboration with global partners.
What initiatives are you planning for your R&D department, and what criteria do you use when selecting partners from other organizations?
While working as a medical representative at Mesco Pharmaceuticals, I successfully promoted Hepamerz, a unique product developed in collaboration with a German company that covers tablets, syrups, and injections for hepatitis. Building on his successful experience with Mesco Pharma ceuticals and their collaboration on HepaMerz, I am now leading Lemford toward new partnerships with reputed German firms to strengthen R&D and introduce innovative liver-care solutions.
What key guidelines or methodo-logies define your leadership style?
A self-taught leader, I believe in learning through real-world challenges rather than external guidance. My leadership emphasizes market under- standing disciplined execution, and empowering teams to perform at their best. My expertise lies particularly in sales, strategic planning, and market execution. Having worked at senior levels, including as second-in command to the Managing Director, I have honed my skills in creating effective strategies and maximizing product reach to customers.
H.S. Shishodia, CEO, Lemford Biotech
With over three decades of leadership in India’s pharma - ceutical sector, H.S. Shishodia blends diverse experience in education and healthcare to drive innovation, quality, and sustainable growth at Lemford Biotech.
•Hobbies: Music, gym and walking
•Favorite Travel Destination: Rajasthan
Awards & Recognition:
•Recognized by Dainik Jagran for his remarkable contributions to the pharmaceutical sector in the state.
•Honored by Amar Ujala for his exceptional leadership and dedicated work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
•Featured in Hindustan Times among influential achievers shaping the future of Indian pharma.
•Awarded the UP Uttarakhand Icon for his outstanding contributions to healthcare innovation and community well-being.
•All-India Topper at Sol Pharmaceuti cals, acknowledged for excellence in performance and professional dedication.
•Recipient of the Ama Care Award for exceptional skills in detailing and examinations, demonstrating leader ship and expertise in the field.
What initiatives are you planning for your R&D department, and what criteria do you use when selecting partners from other organizations?
While working as a medical representative at Mesco Pharmaceuticals, I successfully promoted Hepamerz, a unique product developed in collaboration with a German company that covers tablets, syrups, and injections for hepatitis. Building on his successful experience with Mesco Pharma ceuticals and their collaboration on HepaMerz, I am now leading Lemford toward new partnerships with reputed German firms to strengthen R&D and introduce innovative liver-care solutions.
What key guidelines or methodo-logies define your leadership style?
A self-taught leader, I believe in learning through real-world challenges rather than external guidance. My leadership emphasizes market under- standing disciplined execution, and empowering teams to perform at their best. My expertise lies particularly in sales, strategic planning, and market execution. Having worked at senior levels, including as second-in command to the Managing Director, I have honed my skills in creating effective strategies and maximizing product reach to customers.
H.S. Shishodia, CEO, Lemford Biotech
With over three decades of leadership in India’s pharma - ceutical sector, H.S. Shishodia blends diverse experience in education and healthcare to drive innovation, quality, and sustainable growth at Lemford Biotech.
•Hobbies: Music, gym and walking
•Favorite Travel Destination: Rajasthan
Awards & Recognition:
•Recognized by Dainik Jagran for his remarkable contributions to the pharmaceutical sector in the state.
•Honored by Amar Ujala for his exceptional leadership and dedicated work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
•Featured in Hindustan Times among influential achievers shaping the future of Indian pharma.
•Awarded the UP Uttarakhand Icon for his outstanding contributions to healthcare innovation and community well-being.
•All-India Topper at Sol Pharmaceuti cals, acknowledged for excellence in performance and professional dedication.
•Recipient of the Ama Care Award for exceptional skills in detailing and examinations, demonstrating leader ship and expertise in the field.