Aruna Dontabhaktuni: Winner of the 2024 Great Companies International Women Entrepreneur Award

Name: Aruna Dontabhaktuni, Ph.D. 

Business Name: PharmaPRO Consulting 

Location: Hillsborough, NJ, US 

Establishment (Year): 2015 

Category: Pharma-AI and Consulting 

Profession/ Specialty: Clinical Pharmacology and Regulatory for Pharma and Biotech Website: https://pharmaproconsulting.com/ 

Social Media: LinkedIn

Company Detail:

PharmaPRO Consulting Inc. was founded by Dr. Aruna Dontabhaktuni, a seasoned expert in the pharmaceutical industry. At PharmaPRO, they've developed an award-winning AI-powered Regulatory search engine called RegKEY. In addition to their cutting-edge technology, PharmaPRO Consulting is a premier pharmaceutical consulting company, specializing in partnering with pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms to expedite the journey of new medicines from development to approval.

For over eight years, they've been dedicated to providing top-tier experts and consultancy services tailored to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Their areas of expertise include:

• Clinical Pharmacology Services

• Pharmacometrics Services

• Regulatory Affairs and CMC Regulatory

• Medical and Manuscript Writing

• Strategic Advice

• Data Management

At PharmaPRO, mathematical modeling is integrated into drug development processes, leveraging their team of world-class Pharma Experts to significantly reduce timelines and costs. Their commitment lies in driving positive change in the industry by effectively navigating IND, NDA, BLA, and ANDA regulatory pathways.

Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage:

At PharmaPRO Consulting, they specialize in providing high-quality research and consultancy services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies, with a singular focus on rapidly advancing new agents from the Investigational New Drug (IND) stage to New Drug Application (NDA) approval.

Their competitive advantage lies in their ability to leverage mathematical modeling and a team of world-class Pharma Experts including experts from ex-FDA. By integrating these advanced techniques and expertise, they optimize drug development timelines and significantly reduce costs for their clients.

Furthermore, at PharmaPRO, they've developed an award-winning AI-powered Regulatory search engine called RegKEY. This innovative tool simplifies complex regulatory processes, enhancing their ability to expedite approval. With RegKEY, they cut FDA preparation time by 90%, facilitating faster market entry of life-saving drugs and vaccines.

At PharmaPRO Consulting, they are dedicated to streamlining the regulatory pathway and driving efficiency and innovation for their clients.

Challenges Faced During the Journey:

Throughout the journey as a minority woman entrepreneur, PharmaPRO Consulting encountered significant financial downturns, resulting in negative revenue. However, these challenges became catalysts for resilience, innovative thinking, and unwavering determination. Despite the obstacles, Dr. Dontabhaktuni remained steadfast in her commitment to navigating through difficult times.

With the support of like-minded individuals and their dedicated team, they embraced these challenges as opportunities for growth. Their collective efforts allowed them to emerge stronger and more focused on their mission to drive positive change in the pharmaceutical consulting industry.

This experience taught them invaluable lessons in adaptability and perseverance, reinforcing their belief in their ability to overcome obstacles. By leveraging these lessons, they not only navigated through adversity but also achieved sustainable growth.

Today, as a minority woman-led company, PharmaPRO Consulting stands as a testament to the power of resilience and determination. They are ready to tackle any challenge that comes their way, championing diversity and innovation for the betterment of their clients and the industry at large.

Advice for Women Entrepreneurs:

As living examples of resilience, grit, and hard work, Dr. Aruna Dontabhaktuni has navigated the challenging landscape of entrepreneurship with determination and passion. Her journey has taught her invaluable lessons that she wholeheartedly shares with aspiring women entrepreneurs.

First and foremost, she advises women to embrace their uniqueness. Recognize the strengths and qualities that set them apart and leverage them as their competitive advantage. Identify market gaps and be proactive in addressing them; innovation often stems from recognizing opportunities where others see challenges.

She encourages women to surround themselves with a supportive network of mentors and advisors who can offer guidance, wisdom, and encouragement along their entrepreneurial path. Their insights and experiences can be invaluable as they navigate the complexities of building and scaling their business.

She emphasizes the importance of staying committed to continuous learning, as the entrepreneurial journey is filled with twists and turns, and the ability to adapt and evolve is essential for success. Whether it's attending workshops, seeking out educational resources, or learning from their own experiences, she believes in the power of knowledge in propelling their business forward.

Above all, she stresses the importance of resilience and perseverance. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but it's how they respond to them that defines their success. Dr. Dontabhaktuni urges women entrepreneurs to stay focused on their goals, remain steadfast in their determination, and believe in their ability to overcome any obstacle that stands in their way.

To all the women entrepreneurs out there, she reminds them that their journey is unique, and their potential is limitless. Embrace the adventure, seize every opportunity, and dare to dream big. The world is waiting for their brilliance, and she can't wait to see where their entrepreneurial spirit takes them.