"How Two Indian-Origin Visionaries Revolutionized the Global Peptide Industry"

Two Indian-origin entrepreneurs in the United States, Dr. Rao Makineni and Mr. Nitin Shah, played instrumental roles in advancing the global peptide industry during the 1980s.

Dr. Rao Makineni

Born in Andhra, India, Dr. Makineni completed his undergraduate studies at Christian College before earning his doctorate from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. His career in peptide chemistry began with positions at Shakman Laboratories and the Pasadena Foundation for Medical Research, followed by a role at Cyclo Chemical Company. In 1967, he co-founded Fox Chemical Company, specializing in peptides, and later partnered with Peter Grogg to establish Bachem, with laboratories in Switzerland and California.

Under Dr. Makineni’s leadership, Bachem became a significant player in pharmaceutical peptides. Eventually, Fox Chemical and Bachem parted ways, achieving independent success. Dr. Makineni served as President of Bachem California until his retirement in 1996, when Bachem AG acquired the California branch.

To honor his contributions, the Rao Makineni Lectureship was established in 2003 by PolyPeptide Laboratories and Murray and Zelda Goodman. Presented at the biennial American Peptide Symposia, the award recognizes recent groundbreaking contributions to peptide research, emphasizing singular discoveries over lifetime achievements.

Nitin Shah

Nitin Shah, born in Mumbai, began his career in chemical trading before founding Chem-Impex International, Inc. in Chicago in 1981. His vision and commitment to advancing peptide science revolutionised the field by making rare and modified amino acids and reagents accessible to researchers. This strategic support enabled significant progress in peptide research.

Known affectionately as "Nick" in business circles, Shah is also recognized for funding Eastern European universities to foster innovative chemistry and the development of novel compounds for the peptide industry. Today, Chem-Impex boasts an inventory of over 30,000 reagents, resins, and amino acids, directly supporting peptide research worldwide. Shah’s leadership and foresight continue to drive advancements in the peptide sciences, solidifying his legacy in the industry.

I am proud to bring representation of both the companies in India under TechnoConcept in late Nineties.

Both pioneers exemplify how vision and innovation can transform a burgeoning field into a global powerhouse, leaving a lasting impact on scientific progress.