In future, pharma product development to involve digital simulations: Dr KVS Ram Rao

By Rashmi Mabiyan Kaur & Siddharth Mala

Hyderabad: The three main aspects of addressing the challenges of digitisation involve laboratory research and development (R&D), analysis and engineering excellence said Dr KVS Ram Rao, CEO & Joint MD, Granules India at the Next-Gen Labcon Summit organised by ETPharma recently.

The discussion themed "Talking best future practices from lab to the factory" with Dr Rao was taken forward by Vikas Dandekar, Editor, Pharma & Healthcare, ETPrime.

While sharing his experience on the substantial time taken for a product to reach the market, he stated that in the pharmaceutical industry what is being worked on today may not come to fruition for about seven years. Typically four to five years are required for a product to reach the market, which reflects the industry's lengthy gestation period.

While elucidating on the advancements bringing in a change in enzyme technology, Dr Rao mentioned his experience working with enzymes in 2004. "Back then, it would take around two years to discover a functional enzyme. However, with the advent of advanced algorithms and simulations, nowadays, within just three months, it's possible to identify enzymes that work effectively," he added.

Looking ahead, the future of product development in the pharmaceutical field is anticipated to heavily involve digital simulations. Professionals in chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences are set to play a significant collaborative role in this digital simulation landscape.

Dr Rao discussed the concept of FOMO (Fully Automated Manually Operated). He said, "The central idea is that people invest substantial time, effort, resources, and attention into achieving automation, even in situations where automation is prevalent but still rely on manual control.

Looking ahead at the industry's path in the next ten years, Dr Rao foresees a transition towards more automated manufacturing processes that are unbiased and do not discriminate based on gender.

An essential goal is to minimise the necessity of manual interventions, especially for safety reasons. He expressed that the aim is to avoid potential harm by reducing human presence during operations.

In his concluding statements, Dr Rao highlighted the global and long-standing nature of discussions on sustainability, particularly centered around attaining carbon neutrality. He pointed out that rather than being a guaranteed outcome, carbon neutrality should be viewed as a prerequisite.

Dr Rao advocated for a collective shift in perspective and strategies, coining it as "self-reinvention," which he believed should originate from leadership roles. His conviction lay in the idea that business survival hinges on the acceptance of sustainability, barring exceptional circumstances such as major pandemics.