M.j. Acharya

Biography

Mahen (Mike) Acharya is the founder, Chairman and CEO of SteriMax Pharmaceuticals Inc. Mr. Acharya was born in Nairobi, Kenya where he completed his Secondary education at the Duke of Gloucester School and obtained a degree in Bachelors of Pharmacy at the University of Bath, one of UK’s leading teaching universities. Since his graduation in 1973 and subsequent immigration to Canada, Mr. Acharya has been a leading entrepreneur in the Canadian pharmaceutical industry for over three decades-first as the founder and operator of a successful chain of retail pharmacies in Ontario under the banner Super Discount Drugs, which were subsequently divested to Shoppers Drug Mart in the 80’s. He then recognized an unsatisfied need in the drug distribution business for a regional wholesaler who could provide drug products and other services to local independent pharmacies inadequately serviced by the large national wholesalers. He started Trent Drug (Wholesale) Ltd. with a philosophy to provide pharmacies, small and large a high-value, low-cost individualized service. Over the next 20 years, the company grew from the basement of a pharmacy to become the 3rd largest National drug wholesaler in Canada, operating 7 distribution centres from coast to coast. As head of Trent Drug (Wholesale) Ltd., Mr. Acharya worked closely with generic and branded companies to facilitate their sales process and product initiatives and pioneered many innovative concepts in distribution logistics including the introduction of prompt payment discounts to good customers. During this period Mr. Acharya actively served on the Board of Directors of Canadian Association for Pharmacy Distribution Management (CAPDM) responsible for 80% of all distribution of pharmaceuticals in Canada and became its longest serving Board member. In 2005, Mr. Acharya divested Trent Drug (Wholesale) Ltd. to AmerisourceBergen, a top Fortune “50” company with revenues of over $50 billion and one of the largest pharmaceutical distribution companies in the world. In the 90’s, while Trent was still operating, Mr. Acharya, once again recognized an unmet need for a pharmaceutical company that can specialize in the production, marketing and distribution of niche, small volume parenteral products with a strong focus on customer service. Through a series of strategic alliances, he was able to gain a foothold in the Canadian hospital market, initially distributing an injectable product line as well as a small oral dosage line. In 2004, SteriMax solidified its position in the marketplace by acquiring 5 branded products from Novartis. Under Mr. Acharya’s vision and leadership SteriMax is poised for continued growth and success with a robust product pipeline, an in-house management team with expertise in research and development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, business development and sales and distribution and a mission to become Canada’s premier pharmaceutical company for evidence-based medicines to hospital and retail pharmacies. When not pursuing his passionate vision of SteriMax, Mr. Acharya is an avid golfer and tennis player and belongs to four golf clubs in Canada and the USA. He is also a philanthropist and has been a longstanding supporter of the Kingston General Hospital as well as strong supporter of the Grand Theatre (one of the main cultural venues in the greater Kingston region) and many other charitable foundations during his tenure in Kingston.

Research Interest

Pharmacy