The first panel discussion at FDD Conclave 2025 was on ‘Accelerating OSD innovation: From R&D to Market’. It set the tone for a day focused on transformation, technology and translational impact in the formulation space.
Moderated by Dr Manikandan Ramalingam, Senior VP – Head Formulation R&D at Granules India, the expert panel also included Dr Sajeev Chandran , VPPharmaceutical R&D, Lupin India; Dr Manish Chawla, VP & Head (R&D), Lotus Pharmaceutical; Sachin Arora, VP & Delivery Manager- Formulation Development Oral Solids – US, EU, CA & Global Markets, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories; Dr Sandhya Shenoy, AVP – Formulation R&D, MSN Laboratories and Dr Khalid Akhter Ansari, Senior Director, Technical Operations, Rising Pharmaceuticals, each offering insights drawn from global and regional perspectives.
The discussion underscored a central theme: speed-to-market in OSD innovation must be balanced with scientific rigour, regulatory foresight, and patientcentricity. From formulation to commercial rollout, the panellists highlighted the importance of integrating emerging technologies with formulation science to accelerate timelines and elevate outcomes.
A key topic discussed was how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now being actively leveraged for rapid literature mining, predictive modeling of stability, and compatibility analysis of excipients. Digital transformation featured prominently in the conversation, with speakers emphasising the role of data structuring, modeling, and automation.
Digital tools are not just process enhancers; they’re quality enablers, noted the experts and informed that predictive models are helping us foresee impurities and proactively control deviations, reducing the risk of recalls and non-compliance. The need for cross-functional collaboration also emerged as a vital success factor. Computational modeling, for instance, holds tremendous potential but demands seamless collaboration between formulation experts and data scientists.
The panel also called for early engagement with regulatory authorities, especially for complex generics and novel delivery systems. The regulatory landscape is evolving alongside science. Proactive communication and early-stage dialogue can significantly reduce cycle times, pointed out the panelists.
The discussion also addressed cost, convenience, and compliance, the three pillars of patient-centric innovation. Whether it’s improving bioavailability, reducing pill burden, or innovating with taste-masking and extended-release formats, patient needs must drive design decisions. Closing the session, the panelists emphasised the human element of innovation. They pointed out how crucial it is to develop the right talent and skill set is critical for successfully integrating digital and scientific approaches in formulation.