Chithkala (Ck) Harinarayan
About Chithkala (Ck) Harinarayan
Chithkala (Ck) Harinarayan serves as the Senior Director of Clinical Quality at Kite Pharma, where she leads strategies for clinical manufacturing. She has extensive experience in the biotech sector, having held various roles at Genentech and Kite Pharma over her career.
Current Role at Kite Pharma
Chithkala Harinarayan serves as the Senior Director of Clinical Quality at Kite Pharma, a position she has held since 2020. In this role, she is responsible for the global release of raw materials in clinical manufacturing. Additionally, she leads the implementation of phase-appropriate strategies for clinical manufacturing, ensuring that quality standards are met throughout the process. Her expertise contributes to the advancement of Kite Pharma's clinical programs.
Previous Experience at Genentech
Before joining Kite Pharma, Chithkala Harinarayan worked at Genentech for over a decade. She held various positions, including Program Head of Process Validation from 2008 to 2014, Group Leader of Process Development from 2004 to 2008, and Associate to Senior Engineer in Process Development from 1999 to 2004. Additionally, she served as Site Risk Manager from 2014 to 2017. Her roles involved significant responsibilities in process validation and development, contributing to Genentech's operational success.
Education and Academic Background
Chithkala Harinarayan earned her Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Colorado State University, where she studied from 1994 to 1996. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, from 1990 to 1994. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her technical expertise in the biotech industry.
Career Progression at Kite Pharma
Chithkala Harinarayan has held multiple roles at Kite Pharma since joining the organization. She served as Director of Quality Systems (Clinical) from 2017 to 2018 and as Director of QA Operations (Commercial) from 2018 to 2020. Her career progression within Kite Pharma reflects her growing responsibilities in quality assurance and clinical operations, showcasing her commitment to maintaining high standards in the biotech field.
Technical Expertise in Biotech Industry
Chithkala Harinarayan possesses strong technical expertise in both development and quality organizations within the biotech industry. Her extensive experience across various roles has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in clinical manufacturing and quality assurance. This expertise is critical in her current role at Kite Pharma, where she ensures compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.