Dr. Anish Bhatnagar

Biography

• Dr. Anish Bhatnagar, a physician by training and an experienced orphan drug developer, was the Chief Executive Officer of Soleno Therapeutics since its creation in 2017 until its acquisition by Neurocrine Biosciences for $2.9B.
• With nearly three decades in the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries, Dr. Bhatnagar’s experience spans development of biologics, drugs, drug-device combinations and diagnostic as well as therapeutic medical devices across numerous therapeutic areas including rare diseases, oncology, hematology, neurology, psychiatry, cardiovascular, allergy/immunology and pediatrics/neonatology.
• At Soleno, Dr. Bhatnagar led the team responsible for developing and commercializing VYKAT XR, the first FDA-approved therapy for hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome.
• His passion for delivering meaningful solutions for those impacted by rare diseases has been recognized with TIME Magazine naming him one of the 100 Most Influential People in Health for 2025, and his invited testimony to the United States Senate’s Special Committee on Aging where he testified on “Unlocking Hope: Access to Therapies for People with Rare, Progressive and Serious Diseases.”
• He was also awarded the “Champion of Hope” award from the Foundation of Prader Willi Research in 2025.