Bridging Research and Industry: Process Optimization and Scale-Up in Pharmaceuticals

Event Date and year: 30 August 2025

Event brief description

The Department of Chemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Galgotias University, organized an invited lecture on “Bridging Research and Industry: Process Optimization and Scale-Up in Pharmaceuticals” on 30th August 2025. The event was convened by Dr. Sakshi Singh and featured Mr. Sandeep Kanawade, Manager at Sun Pharma, Gurgaon, as the guest speaker. Mr. Kanawade, with nearly two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical sector, shared insights into generic API development, process optimization, salt and polymorph screening, troubleshooting plant operations, and DMF filing. He highlighted the critical process of scaling up laboratory research to commercial production under cGMP standards, emphasizing both the challenges and innovations involved. His examples from therapeutic areas such as anti-diabetic, anti-viral, and anti-malarial drugs offered students a clear view of industrial applications of chemistry. The lecture encouraged students to bridge theory with practice and think about career opportunities in pharmaceutical sciences. An interactive Q&A session allowed students to clarify doubts regarding industrial challenges, regulatory requirements, and innovation in drug manufacturing. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the convener. Aligning with SDG 3 and SDG 9, the lecture successfully connected academic learning with real-world industry practices and promoted the spirit of industry-academia collaboration.

Event Detailed Description

The Department of Chemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Galgotias University, successfully organized an invited lecture on “Bridging Research and Industry: Process Optimization and Scale-Up in Pharmaceuticals” on 30th August 2025. The event was held in Room B-116 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The distinguished guest speaker for the lecture was Mr. Sandeep Kanawade, Manager at Sun Pharma, Gurgaon, who brought with him nearly two decades of invaluable industrial experience in the field of generic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). 

The session began with a warm welcome to the guest by the convener, followed by a brief introduction of Mr. Kanawade, highlighting his professional journey and academic background. With an M.Sc. in Drug Chemistry from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Fergusson College, Pune, coupled with his long-standing association with Sun Pharma, Mr. Kanawade has built a remarkable career specializing in synthesis route screening, process optimization, salt and polymorph screening, troubleshooting plant operations, and DMF filing for regulatory submissions.

In his lecture, Mr. Kanawade emphasized the critical importance of bridging the gap between academic research and industrial practice. He explained how theoretical concepts studied in classrooms and research labs are transformed into real-world pharmaceutical products through systematic process development, optimization, and scale-up. Drawing from his extensive industrial experience, he shared examples of how initial laboratory synthesis routes are carefully screened, refined, and adapted for commercial production under cGMP guidelines. He further elaborated on the challenges of maintaining product quality, reproducibility, and cost-effectiveness during this transition. 

A key highlight of the lecture was his discussion on therapeutic areas such as anti-diabetic, anti-viral, and anti-malarial drugs, where process optimization plays a crucial role in ensuring global accessibility of affordable medicines. He also spoke about salt and polymorph screening, which are vital in ensuring the stability, efficacy, and bioavailability of pharmaceutical products. Additionally, Mr. Kanawade underlined the regulatory significance of DMF filings and the importance of collaborative efforts among researchers, process chemists, and regulatory professionals in meeting global standards.

The event was designed to not only impart knowledge but also inspire students to explore the vast opportunities in pharmaceutical sciences. The interactive nature of the session encouraged students to actively engage with the speaker. A lively question-and-answer round followed the lecture, where participants asked insightful questions about scaling challenges, industrial troubleshooting strategies, and the role of innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Mr. Kanawade’s thoughtful responses gave the audience a realistic view of industrial practices while motivating them to think critically about their own future roles as chemists and researchers.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the convener, Dr. Sakshi Singh, who expressed gratitude to the guest for sharing his expertise and to the students and faculty for their active participation. The lecture was particularly significant as it aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), by addressing the need for efficient and sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing practices.

Overall, the invited lecture was an enriching experience for all participants. It successfully provided a platform to connect academic learning with industry applications, enhanced the knowledge base of students, and strengthened the department’s vision of promoting industry-academia collaboration.

Department Name – Chemistry

Event Outcome: 

The event successfully provided a platform to connect academic learning with industry applications, enhanced the knowledge base of students, and strengthened the department’s vision of promoting industry-academia collaboration.

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