Hitesh Upreti

Empowering Africa’s Pharma Industry | Expert in Operations, Projects & Manufacturing | Championing Growth & Innovation {Posts & Comments - Solely in my Personal Capacity}

Kampala, Central Region, Uganda

About

With over 3 decades of leadership in the pharmaceutical sector across Sub-Saharan Africa and India, I have consistently delivered large-scale transformation by combining strategic foresight, operational rigor, and deep market understanding. My work is rooted in creating value not just within organizations, but across healthcare systems, human capital, regulatory frameworks, and public-private partnerships that shape the pharmaceutical landscape in emerging economies. Having held various professional positions in reputed pharmaceutical enterprises like Zydus (erstwhile Cadila Laboratories Limited), Ranbaxy, Novartis, IPCA, Aurobindo, Aspen, and Zenufa. I’ve led end-to-end business restructuring, plant setups, cross-border expansions, and policy-level engagements. My approach is both execution-focused and impact-driven, enabling companies to thrive in complex regulatory and economic environments. At Zenufa Laboratories (Tanzania), I spearheaded a complete turnaround, elevating the company’s EBITDA from –4% to +14% within three years. This transformation earned four consecutive Presidential Awards for Best Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, a national recognition backed by the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI). Today, as CEO at DEI Biopharma (Uganda), I’m driving a $2.3 billion investment into BioPharma manufacturing which is Africa’s most ambitious pharma project to date. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞: —> Full-spectrum P&L and multi-country operations leadership, with strong expertise in branded generics and specialty drug commercialization —> Greenfield and brownfield facility development, including technology transfer, ERP automation, and localization of GMP standards —> Regulatory harmonization and public health policy, with active contributions to the techno-commercial working groups at EAC, COMESA, SADC, AU, UNDP etc. —> Cross-border joint ventures and Africa trade corridors, facilitating pharma access through regional integration. —> Product lifecycle and access strategy, having launched 50+ brands (Branded Generics) across EAC, SADC and ECOWAS regions. Beyond the boardroom, I’m a staunch advocate of healthy living, sustainability, and endurance-based fitness. Completed my first full marathon post-50, cycling across terrains, and living a healthy lifestyle reflect the same discipline and resilience I bring into leadership measurable, mission-led, and purposefully consistent.

Experience