Harcharan Singh is the Founder, President, and CEO of Glopec International Inc., an Ontario-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) company.
Early Life and Academic Foundations of Harcharan Singh
The remarkable journey of Harcharan Singh began in India, where academic excellence laid the groundwork for leadership. In 1970, he graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. IIT Madras, known for producing problem-solvers and innovators, sharpened his analytical thinking and discipline.
Recognizing the power of managerial acumen to amplify technical knowledge, he pursued an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A), completing it in 1972. The IIT–IIM combination would later become a defining strength, enabling him to seamlessly integrate science, strategy, regulation, and global business.
Corporate Leadership: Learning the Industry from the Inside
Harcharan Singh began his professional career in 1972 as a Product Manager at Warner Lambert India, a role that immersed him in pharmaceutical marketing, product lifecycle management, and physician engagement. His ability to balance commercial insight with scientific rigor soon propelled him upward.
He went on to serve as General Manager at Tata Pharma, where he gained firsthand experience in large-scale pharmaceutical operations within India’s most respected corporate ecosystem. His most globally formative role followed as Director of Lederle International (India/USA), a multinational pharmaceutical company later acquired by Pfizer Inc.
During his tenure with Lederle, Harcharan Singh worked across India and New Jersey, USA, engaging directly with Pfizer’s corporate headquarters until 1989. This period exposed him to international regulatory frameworks, global quality standards, and the strategic importance of APIs—knowledge that would later define his entrepreneurial vision.
Harcharan Singh: The Entrepreneurial Leap – Founding Glopec International
In 1990, after an illustrious corporate career, Harcharan Singh made a defining decision. He founded Glopec International Inc. in Canada, stepping into entrepreneurship with a clear mission: to bridge Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing excellence with regulated global markets.
As a pharmaceutical entrepreneur, he identified a critical gap—Indian companies possessed scientific capability and cost efficiency but lacked regulatory navigation expertise for markets like the United States. Glopec International emerged as a strategic enabler, facilitating USFDA approvals, compliance readiness, and commercial entry.
Over the years, Glopec played a pivotal role in supporting dozens of Indian pharmaceutical companies, including Sun Pharma, Glenmark, Hetero Drugs, and others, as they successfully entered the North American market. The company became synonymous with credibility, regulatory precision, and long-term partnership.
Global Investments and Industry Building
The influence of Harcharan Singh extends far beyond a single enterprise. Across Canada, India, Ireland, and the United States, he has served as a founding director, strategic investor, mentor, and board leader in multiple pharmaceutical ventures.
Notable companies associated with his leadership include:
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Concord Biotech (India)
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RA Chem Pharma (India)
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Biophore India
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Eirgen Pharma (Ireland)
In each case, he contributed not only capital but governance expertise, regulatory insight, and access to global markets. Collectively, the enterprises he has helped build have created over 3,000 jobs and achieved an estimated cumulative valuation exceeding ₹7,500 crore, underscoring his role as a true ecosystem builder.
Boardroom Leadership and Governance Excellence
As of 2026, his leadership roles include:
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Governor, North York General Hospital, Ontario
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Non-Executive Director, Shorla Oncology
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Director, Sikh Foundation of Canada
Previously, he served nine years on the Board of St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, one of Canada’s leading healthcare institutions, and contributed to the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce in an advisory capacity.
These roles reflect his belief that business leadership must extend beyond profit to public service, healthcare access, and community wellbeing.
Philanthropy, Values, and Community Commitment
Beyond boardrooms and balance sheets, Harcharan Singh is deeply committed to social responsibility. His involvement with non-profit organizations reflects a life guided by service, ethics, and gratitude toward the communities that shaped him.
Through the Sikh Foundation of Canada and healthcare institutions, he has supported initiatives in education, patient care, and community development. His philanthropic philosophy is quiet but consistent—focused on building institutions rather than seeking recognition.
Harcharan Singh: Recognition
For his exceptional entrepreneurial achievements and global leadership, IIT Madras and its alumni community have formally recognized Harcharan Singh, celebrating him as a role model for future generations of technologists, managers, and entrepreneurs.