Solan, March 15
The School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Shoolini University celebrated National Pharmacy Education Day by organising ‘Pharma Anveshan 2026’, a conference aimed at strengthening collaboration within the pharmaceutical ecosystem. The event was supported by the EYUVA Centre (supported by BIRAC, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India) and iHUB Shoolini (supported by iHUB Divya Sampark, TIH, DST, Government of India and IIT Roorkee).
The conference provided a platform for students and faculty to gain meaningful insights into the pharmaceutical sector by fostering synergy among academia, industry, research institutions, regulatory bodies and clinical practice.
Dean, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chief Coordinator of the EYUVA Centre, Dr Deepak Kumar, highlighted the expanding ecosystem for innovation and translational research in the pharmaceutical sciences. On the occasion, he also paid tribute to Prof Mahadev Lal Schroff, regarded as the Father of Pharmacy Education in India, for his outstanding contributions to pharmaceutical education and professional pharmacy practice that continue to inspire generations of researchers and pharmacists.
Prof Ashish Khosla, President Innovation and Marketing at Shoolini University, addressed the gathering and spoke about the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in transforming the biotechnology and pharmaceutical pipeline. He explained how AI is increasingly being used to analyse genomic data and identify disease-causing genes and mutations, accelerating drug discovery and medical research.
A special message from Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) President Dr Montu M Patel was also played during the event. In his message, he emphasised the importance of strengthening the connection between academia and the pharmaceutical industry and highlighted the growing significance of patent research and innovation in the sector. He also described the Pharma Anveshan initiative as an important step towards promoting a strong research culture.
Professor from the Department of Pharmacology at PGIMER, Chandigarh, Dr Bikash Medhi, delivered a talk on navigating regulatory pathways in India. He discussed the structure of manufacturing units, licensing procedures and the role of regulatory agencies such as the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). His lecture also explained the rules and schedules governing drug import, manufacture and sale, helping students understand India’s complex regulatory framework.
A scientist from the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali, Dr Nitin Kumar Singhal, introduced an innovative approach to managing Type 2 diabetes using plant-derived exosomes tiny biological carriers that could transform drug delivery systems. He explained how these exosomes can be engineered into nano-formulations to improve treatment outcomes and also highlighted the role of biosensors and nutraceuticals in modern therapeutics.
Professor at the Department of Chemical Sciences, IISER Mohali, Dr Debashis Adhikari, discussed the potential of photochemistry, where light-driven chemical reactions are used to create new medicines and improve everyday materials such as soaps, textiles and cosmetics. He emphasised that these reactions are environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. His session also connected chemistry with advanced techniques such as RNA sequencing and tumor profiling.
Addressing the gathering, Pro-Chancellor Shoolini University, Prof Vishal Anand, spoke about India’s pressing healthcare challenges and the country’s increasing role in global vaccine innovation. Quoting philanthropist Bill Gates, he highlighted India’s potential to host large-scale vaccine manufacturing facilities to respond to future pandemics. He also stressed the importance of developing new technologies to strengthen public health infrastructure and pandemic preparedness.
Students from the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences actively participated in the conference through oral and poster presentations. Their research showcased innovative ideas and ongoing scientific work aimed at advancing the future pharmaceutical ecosystem.
