R&D leaders congregate at FDD Conclave 2017

The inaugural edition of FDD Conclave, an endeavour to encourage research and innovation in the rapidly evolving field of formulation development and drug delivery, was held at Novotel Airport, Hyderabad. Hosted by Express Pharma, the FDD conclave held on 16-17 June, 2017, saw attendance from over 100 leading scientists and R&D heads representing prominent pharma organisation and top biotech companies.

The event started off with a Welcome Address by Viveka Roychowdhury, Editor, Express Pharma. Welcoming the august audience, she said, "It is my honour to welcome all the stalwarts and champions in pharma research to the inaugural edition of FDD Conclave. Express Pharma has partnered the pharma sector lived through it many phases of evolution. Today, it is common knowledge that the sector, both globally and in the country, faced myriad pressures. Escalating R&D expenses. Government push to reduce prices. An increase in patient demand and expectations. I could go on but then, every challenge is also an opportunity. We believe that the journey that we start today, with the inaugural edition of the FDD Conclave, will put us firmly on the path to winning this race."

The Welcome Address was followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp followed by the unveiling of the FDD Leaders Handbook, featuring over 40 leading scientists in the field.

The Chief Guest, Ravi Uday Bhaskar, Director General, Pharmexcil, addressed the audience next. He lauded Express Pharma for creating such a platform and  and spoke on the need for it to drive progress in formulation development and drug delivery. He also said that Pharmexcil would like to collaborate with Express Pharma in organising such events to promote pharma exports as well.

The subsequent session was a Special Address by Dr Ajaz S Hussain, Former Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Science, US FDA, on formulating a program for formulation development of complex products. Through his video presentation he conveyed the measures needed to drive continuous product value and functionality. He examined strategies to cope with design complexities in pharma formulations while maintaining time to market and profitability. He also interacted with the audience over Skype and answered their queries.

Mike Easterbrook, CTO, Ideal Cures took stage next to give insights on the advances in film coating technology. Next, Dr Hongwei Wang, Applied Nutrition Manager, DuPont Nutrition & Health spoke on advances in the world of probiotics. He also briefed the audience on the role of gastrointestinal  microbiota  in  health  and  disease,  probiotics  and reported clinical  benefits, DuPont Danisco’s range  of  probiotic  strains  and  delivery  formats.

The first day of the FDD conclave also witnessed a panel discussion on a very pertinent issue: Expanding India’s talent pool in formulation development and drug delivery: Innovative approaches. In a session moderated by a doyen of formulation scientists in India, Dr Himadri Sen, Chairman, STEERLife India, an eminent panel comprising Vinod Kumar Arora, Principal Advisor, IGMPI; Dr Pawan Bhat, Executive VP, Technical Operations- R&D, Natco Pharma; Jaya Abraham, Head NCE, NDDS, Generic Formulation, Packaging, IP Development, Torrent Pharmaceuticals and Dr Mahesh Burande, Director, Skill Development and professor, RMDIPER highlighted and discussed pivotal aspects of talent management and the various challenges faced by the sector due to qualitative and quantitative paucity of talent. The expert panel recommended measures like finishing schools, better industry – academia collaborations, reform in educational curriculum etc. to improve talent management in this evolving segment.

Thus, there was knowledge sharing galore at the inaugural edition of the FDD Conclave with several insightful discussions on key issues in drug formulation and delivery. The conclave served an ideal platform for the attendees to meet and greet old colleagues and peers they had worked with in the course of their career. It was heartening to witness the eminent scientists revive old memories, swap stories and share experiences.

The first day of the conclave ended with FDD Leadership Awards, which honoured the achievements and significant contributions of some stalwarts in the arena of formulation development and drug delivery.