Post Conference Highlights: Peptides & Complex Generics Symposium 2025

Day 1 Breakdown

The #PCG2025 Symposium commenced on an inspiring note, setting the stage for two days of insightful discussions, collaborations, and knowledge exchange.

Opening Session

Dr. Ratnesh Jain, Founder & Director, Mumbai Cluster, delivered the inaugural address, sharing his vision of bringing together pharma professionals, R&D experts, CXOs, and academicians to accelerate advancements in peptides and complex generics.

Following this, Mr. Ajit Singh, Chairman, IPEC India, highlighted critical insights into the Indian pharmaceutical landscape. The session also featured a brief introductory note by Mr. Dharmesh Shah, Chairman & Managing Director, BDR Pharmaceuticals Internationals Pvt. Ltd.

Plenary Panel 1

Topic: Rapid Rise of GLP-1 Drugs: Weight Loss, Wellness & Beyond
The panel featured an esteemed lineup:

• Mr. Vikrant Shrotriya, Corporate VP & MD, Novo Nordisk
  
• Mr. Siddharth Mittal, CEO & MD, Biocon Ltd.
  
• Mr. Winselow Tucker, President, Eli Lilly & Co (India) Pvt. Ltd
  
• Dr. Subramanian Narayanaswami, Head – Delivery, Parenteral Injectables IPDO, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
  
• Mr. Jatin Vimal, Director, Levim Lifetech Pvt. Ltd.
  

The discussion underscored the meteoric rise of GLP-1 therapies, their role in metabolic health, and the broader implications for wellness and chronic disease management.

Plenary Panel 2

Topic: Reimagining India’s Pharma Leadership – Driving Innovation, Access & Growth
Speakers included:

• Mr. Ajit Singh, Chairman, IPEC India
  
• Mr. Bhushan Akshikar, President, OPPI
  
• Mr. Namit Joshi, Chairman, Pharmexcil
  
• Mr. Mehul Shah, VP – Western Region, IDMA
  
• Dr. Rajiv Desai, Sr. Technical Advisor (Regulatory), IPA
  

The session emphasized India’s potential to transition from being the pharmacy of the world to a global innovation hub, through regulatory reforms, R&D investments, and robust collaborations.

Talk Sessions

Focused discussions followed on:

• Regulatory Pathways: Dr. Santosh V. Indraksha, Dr. Sandra Suarez-Sharp, Mr. Imtiyaz Basade, Mr. Darshan Aigal, Dr. Priyanka Pawar, Mr. Abhishek Sinha
  
• Manufacturing & Scale-Up: Dr. Vasantha Kumar Ramu, Prof. Nandita Madhavan, Dr. Ganesh Sangle, Dr. Manoj Muthyala
  
• Functional Bioassays for Complex Biotherapeutics: Dr. Rishit Zalawadia, Dr. Ravish Patel, Mr. Saurabh Nagpal
  

Closed Room Session | Key Highlights

A high-level closed-door discussion featured:

• Mr. Ajit Singh, IPEC India
  
• Darshan Aigal, Cipla Ltd.
  
• Dr. Annu Uppal, US Pharmacopeia
  
• Dr. Arijit Das, Cipla Ltd.
  
• Dr. Priyanka Pawar, Amneal Pharmaceuticals
  
• Sandra Suarez-Sharp, Simulations Plus, Inc.
  

Key Discussion Points:

• Regulatory reforms and robust clinical trial data to accelerate peptides & complex generics
  
• Tackling ecosystem challenges: talent training & retention gaps
  
• Advancing self-reliance by reducing dependence on API imports (especially from China)
  
• Reinforcing GMP practices to meet global standards
  

Day 2 Breakdown

Day 2 delved deeper into technology-driven transformations shaping the future of pharma, with a focus on automation, bioanalytical characterization, and formulation innovation.

Key Panel Discussions

Industry 5.0: AI/ML & Computational Tools in Drug Discovery & Development
Experts from Certara, Centella AI Therapeutics, Aarth Software Pvt. Ltd, Simulations Plus, Inc. and Mankind Research Centre shared how AI/ML tools are streamlining drug discovery pipelines and accelerating development timelines.

Evolving Approaches in Bioanalytical Characterization
Leaders from NIPER Ahmedabad, Mettler-Toledo India Pvt Ltd , Agilent Technologies, Inc., Sandoz India Pvt. Ltd., Eugia Pharma Specialities Ltd., Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd., and SCIEX, Danaher Corporation showcased advanced analytical technologies ensuring precision, reliability, and compliance in complex molecules.

Innovations in Formulation Development & Novel Drug Delivery Systems
Speakers from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., Cipla Ltd, and Piramal Pharma Solutions presented strategies for next-gen formulations and drug delivery innovations to enhance patient outcomes.

The discussions reaffirmed the symposium’s role as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and global competitiveness.

Closed Door Session | Oligonucleotides & Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs)

This session spotlighted oligonucleotides as the next frontier in therapeutics, with participation from academia and industry leaders.

Key Speakers

• Prof. Surajit Sinha, School of Applied & Interdisciplinary Sciences
  
• Dr. Pradeep Kumar, IIT Bombay
  
• Dr. Kiran Gore, IIT Kharagpur
  
• Dr. Tathagata Dutta, Jodas Expoim Pvt. Ltd.
  
• Dr. Mahesh Pavar, Cipla Ltd.
  
• Moderator: Dr. Neelima Khairatkar-Joshi, Founder & President, Promethean Drug Ideas
  

Key Takeaways

• Out of ~80 approved oligonucleotides, 7 are ASOs
  
• Global oligonucleotide market projected to reach $30B by 2030
  
• Challenges: high costs, raw material dependency, supply chain gaps, and limited skilled talent
  
• Opportunities:
  
  • Strengthening regulatory frameworks in India
    
  • Advancing siRNA, CRISPR, and ASO technologies
    
  • Building India’s role in the global oligonucleotide ecosystem
    
• China maintains an edge with strong infrastructure, raw material access, and talent pool
  

Roadmap to Success for the Indian Pharma Industry

1. Address CDMO challenges
   
2. Invest in talent training & retention
   
3. Reduce raw material dependency
   
4. Drive affordable therapeutic innovation in India
   

The session emphasized the need for academic-industry-regulator collaboration to accelerate India’s progress in this high-potential therapeutic space.

Molecule to Market Expo

The Expo served as a vibrant platform to spotlight cutting-edge technologies from leading players such as Mettler Toledo India Pvt. Ltd., Danaher Corporation, and Agilent Technologies India Pvt. Ltd. It not only provided a showcase of innovations but also fostered meaningful networking opportunities among industry leaders.

The poster sessions highlighted over 20 pioneering research projects spanning peptides, GLP-1 analogues, complex injectables, oligonucleotides, and simulation-driven drug modelling. Outstanding contributions were honored with prestigious awards, celebrating innovation and excellence in advancing the pharma landscape.

Overall, the PCG 2025 Symposium reinforced India’s role in shaping the future of advanced therapeutics through collaboration, innovation, and strategic leadership.

Related Post: Peptides & Complex Generics Symposium | Sep 25-26, 2025 | Mumbai, India