Bangalore-based Lotus Labs, one of the leading contract research organizations in the country, has appointed Dr. Saral Thangam as its managing director, with effect from November 1, 2006. She will replace Sudhir Pai who will take over as director, commercial at Lotus Labs and also take up assignments for other companies on a part time basis.

Incidentally, Dr. Saral Thangam will be among the three women heads in the biotech sector in the country along with Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairman and managing director, Biocon Limited and Dr Villoo Morawala-Patell, Founder & CEO, Avestha Gengraine Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Dr Saral has been involved in the operations of the company since its inception in early 2001. She is armed with an MD in internal medicine and has a doctorate in physiology with vast experience in clinical trials.

Dr Saral has been instrumental in the growth of Lotus Labs and has served in various capacities beginning from chief of clinical, moving to Business Development and then quality affairs before she moved on be elevated as chief operating officer in June 2006. She was also responsible for setting up the clinical trial division of the Louts Labs.