Chandra Rao

Chandra is a Senior Adviser focusing on helping Ciesco clients navigate complex landscapes within healthcare by offering strategic insights. He works primarily in the Healthcare, Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences sectors.

Chandra’s experience is grounded with over 20 years of cross-functional senior management expertise across the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry in multiple functions at country, regional and global levels. Most recently having worked at Global Blood Therpaeutics as their Regional Head of Marketing prior to its acquistion by Pfizer for $5.4bn.

His expertise seamlessly integrates life sciences and scientific understanding with commercial and financial acumen. At MSD (Merck & Co in the US), Chandra held the position of Global Marketing Director for the rare disease franchise, overseeing strategic alliances and early-stage asset assessments in specialty therapy areas. Additionally, he served as the Regional Market Access Lead at MSD, responsible for the primary care and women’s health portfolio across the region.

Throughout his career, Chandra has held pivotal operational roles, including Head of Strategic and Operational Planning, leading initiatives in sales force excellence, M&A integration, and policy development. He has also served as a turnaround lead within the NHS and contributed to commercial due diligence for mid-market buy-outs within the healthcare sector.

He recently completed his Certificate of Management Excellence from Harvard Business School. He graduated from Kings College London with a BSc in pharmacology (transferred from medicine) and completed an Executive MBA from Cass Business School, London.

Chandra has a keen interest in general aviation and has a private pilots licence. Outside of this he enjoys reading, exercise and cooking.