Dr. Vasant Narasimhan is an American physician currently serving as the CEO of Novartis, a multinational pharmaceutical giant. He is known for his focus on innovation and access to medicines, particularly in developing countries.  After graduating from Harvard, Narasimhan joined McKinsey & Company as a consultant and engagement manager for two years, focusing on healthcare and pharmaceutical consulting.

As the CEO, Narasimhan led Novartis through a strategic shift to focus on innovative medicines with significant patient impact. He was also subsequently elected to the US National Academy of Medicine in recognition of his contributions to global health. In 2025, Narasimhan was named to the TIME100 Health list, recognizing him as one of the 100 most influential people driving the future of global health.

Narasimhan envisions Novartis as a company at the forefront of medical innovation, using new technologies and ensuring affordability to improve access to medicines worldwide.  Outside of the medical field, Narasimhan is known to practice yoga and meditation. Indiaspora is proud to have Dr. Vasant Narasimhan  on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.