Swaroopa Paratkar
About Swaroopa Paratkar
Swaroopa Paratkar is the Director of Cell Therapy Development and Operations at Bristol Myers Squibb, with extensive experience in biotherapeutics and regulatory affairs.
Title
Swaroopa Paratkar currently holds the position of Director, Cell Therapy Development and Operations at Bristol Myers Squibb.
Professional Background
Swaroopa Paratkar has a comprehensive background in biotherapeutics and cell therapy, demonstrated through her progressive roles at major pharmaceutical companies. Her career includes positions such as Associate Director, Cell Therapy Pipeline and Product Lifecycle Strategy at Bristol Myers Squibb (2021-2022), and Associate Director, Biotherapeutics Development at Johnson & Johnson (2019-2021). Before these roles, she worked at Merck in various capacities, including Associate Director Regulatory Affairs-CMC for Keytruda (2016-2019), and Associate Principal Scientist, Biotherapeutics Development (2015-2016).
Education and Expertise
Swaroopa Paratkar earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School-Rutgers (2005-2010). She also holds a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Mumbai, Institute of Chemical Technology (UICT), obtained between 2001 and 2005. Additionally, she has a RAC Certificate in Medical Devices, showing her understanding of international regulations for devices, biologics, and biosimilars.
Early Career and Training
Swaroopa Paratkar's early career and training include roles as an Intern at Rutgers Laboratory of Transdermal Drug Delivery (2006) and as a Graduate Research Assistant at Rutgers University (2005-2010). She also interned at Sandoz Pvt. Ltd. in Small Molecule Pre-formulation Development (2004). These roles formed the foundation of her expertise in pharmaceutical sciences and biotherapeutics.
Role at Bristol Myers Squibb
At Bristol Myers Squibb, Swaroopa Paratkar oversees Cell Therapy Development and Operations as the Director. She previously served as the Ad-Interim Technical Product Lead for Abecma, a CAR T-cell therapy product, highlighting her ability to lead large cross-functional teams and manage complex biotherapeutics and cell therapy development programs.