Indian Pharma Inc needs stringent solutions for sustainable labs: Jayesh Ranjan

Jayesh Ranjan, Secretary, Information Technology (IT), Government of Telangana, was the Chief Guest for the first edition of ETPharma’s Next-Gen Labcon. He emphasised the significance of sustainability alongside digitalisation in laboratories.
Delivering his address Ranjan expressed his appreciation towards ETPharma for arranging the Next-Gen Labcon event in Hyderabad. He said, “The Indian pharmaceutical industry is going to see a huge amount of regulatory pressures completely from a sustainability point of view.”
Mentioning that he took part in several webinars where he had discussions with regulators from European nations, Ranjan stated that during these interactions, he learned that unless Indian companies in the manufacturing sector adopt and enhance sustainable practices, there is a possibility that procurement will be halted. The regulators are serious about this and are looking for more than just adhering to good manufacturing practices (GMP). If there is no proof of sustainable manufacturing, it could lead to a restriction on procurement from India.
Centring his attention on two projects, Ranjan highlighted the first project which involves flow chemistry technology. Further, he stated that although many laboratories have adopted this technology, the shift from lab-based implementation to practical manufacturing sites has been sluggish.
The second endeavour emphasised by the IT Secretary was the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) focused on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This initiative has garnered significant international attention, as a global community is dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by AMR. Collaborating with numerous partners including academia, industry, and various global institutions, the CoE is being established to facilitate the sharing of the best practices and conducting extensive research. This research will primarily revolve around enhancing manufacturing processes to effectively manage the issue of AMR.
Speaking about digital transformation, he mentioned, “In the past two years, four out of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies have chosen to establish their digital transformation hubs in Hyderabad. One of the key factors behind this preference for Hyderabad is its rich technological history, which dates back to the mid-1990s. The city has been home to several prominent figures in the tech industry, and their presence has continued to shape its technological landscape to the present day. During the early 1990s, the emphasis was primarily on back-office data and upgrading projects. However, there has been a shift in perception, and people now recognise that India’s skilled workforce can contribute to much more than just back-office tasks. This has led to a significant increase in product development activities.”
In the contemporary era, there remains a significant push toward digital transformation, but its scope has expanded beyond traditional corporate processes. A multitude of companies, numbering in the thousands, now have the potential to partake in the extraordinary revolution that has transpired over the past seven to eight years, spanning nearly a decade. This period has also witnessed the remarkable ingenuity and drive of youthful innovators and entrepreneurs, collectively termed ‘start-ups’. Their efforts have led to groundbreaking advancements, often involving cutting-edge technologies.
Furthermore, Ranjan elucidated the highly anticipated Hyderabad Pharma City and how it is imminent for the Indian pharma sector, he said, “This industrial park is exclusively designed for the lifesciences sector. Within this complex, a specialised area will be allocated for the production of fine chemicals for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The insights and knowledge being cultivated in the central trading hub will be strongly encouraged to be applied and showcased in real-world manufacturing processes within the Pharma City.”
In his closing statement, he informed that a decision had been made to establish a prestigious lifesciences university aimed at providing top-tier education. A collaboration with King’s College London has been formed with the objective of investigating the contributing factors and enlisting their faculty to participate. One of the initial courses, expected to commence around April of the following year, will focus on the field of digital lifesciences.
Source: IndiaTimes