Bridging the Gap Since 2019 -
Narala's Journey So Far
Narala was born from a recurring industry problem that needed to be addressed systematically.
When Vish Narayanan joined a fast-growing biotech company, he observed a familiar pattern: brilliant science constrained by misaligned technology decisions. The company was advancing promising therapies and attracting investors, but its technology infrastructure was becoming a growth bottleneck.
Without strategic CIO guidance, well-intentioned IT choices created operational inefficiencies. Compliance gaps emerged as regulatory requirements intensified. Critical data lived in silos, slowing decision-making when speed mattered most.
This wasn't unique to one company; it was an industry-wide challenge. Small and mid-sized biotechs & pharmas often lack the IT leadership necessary to scale from promising research to commercial success. They need the same caliber of strategic technology guidance that large biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies have, but sized appropriately for their stage and budget.
Narala bridges this gap. Since 2019, we have provided stage-appropriate and cost-effective IT solutions that scale with small and medium biotech and pharma companies, ensuring that technology amplifies scientific innovation rather than constraining it.
A Founder Who’s Walked the Path - Vish Narayanan,
Principal, Narala
Vish Narayanan brings deep operational expertise from the front lines of biotech IT transformation. As former IT Head for Shared Services Functions at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (now part of AstraZeneca’s Rare Disease Business Unit), he guided technology strategy through the complete biotech lifecycle, from pre-clinical research to full-scale commercialization.
His experience spans the critical junctures where small and mid-sized biotechs and pharmas typically struggle: scaling systems for growth, ensuring compliance across regulatory phases, and making strategic technology investments that enable rather than constrain business objectives. At Alexion, he specialized in addressing operational inefficiencies arising from misaligned technology and data investments, exactly the challenges that inspired Narala’s founding.
Since launching Narala in 2019, Vish Narayanan has maintained a strategic, selective approach to client partnerships. His philosophy is straightforward: Biotechs and pharmas shouldn’t have to choose between scientific excellence and operational efficiency. The right IT partner makes both possible.
The Principles Behind Our Purpose - Our Vision, Mission & Values
Narala exists to reimagine how biotech and pharma companies experience IT – from foundational systems to strategic leadership.
These are the principles that guide us.
Our vision is to deliver the entire gamut of IT services for small and mid-sized biotechs and pharmas, not as external consultants, but as trusted partners who think and act like your internal IT team. We integrate ourselves into your organization's operations, laser-focused on your best interests and long-term success.
We exist to let biotechs and pharmas focus on their core competencies while we handle IT holistically. We free biotechs and pharmas to focus on science and clinical execution by managing IT with integrity and precision, ensuring every solution fuels growth without complexity.
We build our team around low-ego, high-capability professionals who embody four core attributes:
We achieve all this through our nuanced two-tiered engagement approach: Fractional CIO solutions and team-led services. Every team member brings foundational knowledge, structured thinking, and proven problem-solving skills.
More importantly, we hire people who can put themselves in our clients’ shoes, understand their world, recognize their pain points, and formulate solutions that genuinely serve their objectives.
Ready to Scale Your Operations with Confidence?
Why Biotechs and Pharmas Choose Narala
Strategic Expertise On Demand: Access C-suite IT leadership, including fractional CIO/CISO services, or targeted solutions like cybersecurity and data management, tailored to fill specific gaps in your organization.
Comprehensive IT Ownership: Choose end-to-end IT delivery, from systems implementation to ongoing infrastructure management, where we act as your complete IT department, seamlessly aligned with your growth.
Biotech Lifecycle Proficiency: From pre-clinical research through commercial launch, we’ve navigated every critical juncture where technology decisions shape your growth trajectory.
Robust Systems and Data Solutions: Deep expertise in systems implementation and support, including seamless data lake development and operation, all while ensuring GxP and SOX compliance without missing a beat.
Global Talent, Shared Value: We build our team with the best professionals regardless of geography, and when that includes talent from cost-effective regions, we pass those savings directly to our clients, never compromising on quality.
Client-First Thinking: Every decision we make starts with one question: “What serves our client’s long-term success?” We think like your internal team because we are your internal team.
Unwavering Integrity: We act as your strategic ally with complete transparency, prioritizing your objectives with honesty and relentless accountability, no hidden agendas, no corner-cutting, no vendor games.