Seminar: Unlocking Opportunities in the EU–India Life Sciences and Pharma Ecosystem
Date & Time: 6th August 2025 | 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Venue: The Helipad Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Context:

This seminar was organised on the sidelines of the 20th Edition of PharmaTech & LabTech Expo 2025, one of India’s largest platforms showcasing advancements in the pharmaceutical and laboratory industries.

Organisers

  • EU Chambers of Commerce in India
  • In partnership with PharmaTech Expo & LabTech Expo

Moderator:

  • Mr. Robin Banerjee, Senior Vice President, EU Chambers; Chairman, Nucleon Research Pvt. Ltd.

Leadership Present:

  • Mr. Siladitya Sarangi, Vice President
  • Dr. Renu Shome, Director
  • Mr. Aarjav Shah, CEO, PharmaTechnologyIndex.com Pvt. Ltd.

Opening & Context

The session was organized by the EU Chambers of Commerce in India in association with PharmaTech Expo & LabTech Expo 2025.
Mr. Robin Banerjee, Senior Vice President of EU Chambers, welcomed participants and set the context: the life sciences and pharma sectors are at a pivotal stage, with India playing an increasingly important role in global R&D, manufacturing, and supply chains. He emphasized that EU–India collaboration offers immense scope for innovation, clinical research, technology transfer, and policy harmonization.

Speaker Contributions

Mr. Parag Swadia

CEO, Otsuka Pharmaceutical India Pvt. Ltd.

  • Spoke about his dual perspective as a finance professional (CMA) and a leader of a global pharma company operating in over 60 countries.
  • Compared India’s pharma ecosystem with international markets:
    • India is strong in manufacturing compliance and scalability, with large production capacity and skilled manpower.
    • However, India must strengthen innovation and R&D to reach global leadership.
  • Highlighted Otsuka’s experience in India, noting that the country is not only a market but also a hub for R&D and cost-efficient manufacturing.
  • Saw great opportunities in co-innovation between Indian firms and Japanese/international partners, particularly in advanced therapies, digital health, and patient-centric solutions.

Dr. Abhigyan Upadhyay

Managing Director, Nucleon Research Pvt. Ltd.

  • Drew from his global experience in clinical trials and healthcare innovation.
  • Recalled his involvement in COVID-19 vaccine trials and explained how such global collaborations accelerated solutions.
  • Outlined key opportunities for EU–India collaboration:
    • Joint clinical trials for vaccines and biologics.
    • Data sharing and harmonization for faster approvals.
    • Strengthening research infrastructure to global standards.
  • Pointed out gaps that need addressing:
    • Regulatory processes in India remain slower compared to EU norms.
    • Logistics and cold chain systems for clinical materials need improvement.
  • Emphasized his role in mentoring startups and teaching future leaders, stressing that India’s young innovators, if connected with EU partners, can build globally relevant solutions.

Mr. Jean-Christian Hartemann

Head – Business Development India, SFE Process (France)

  • Introduced supercritical CO₂ technology, widely used in Europe for pharma and biotech manufacturing.
  • Explained its relevance to India:
    • Provides eco-friendly and solvent-free extraction.
    • Reduces environmental footprint of pharma production.
    • Aligns with India’s green chemistry goals.
  • Shared that adoption in India is still in early stages:
    • Requires pilot projects and awareness-building.
    • Many Indian companies remain cautious about deep-tech investments.
  • Cited examples of successful EU–India collaborations in technology transfer.
  • Expressed optimism that India’s focus on sustainability and export competitiveness will drive wider adoption in coming years.

Mr. Devang Vyas

GM & Global Head – Logistics, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

  • Shared his leadership role in transforming global pharma logistics.
  • Highlighted the Slip Sheet project, which:
    • Reduced dependence on wooden pallets.
    • Lowered shipping costs.
    • Improved sustainability by reducing waste.
  • Discussed challenges in cross-border logistics:
    • Maintaining temperature integrity of sensitive products.
    • Complex customs regulations across EU and India.
    • Rising freight costs and shortage of specialized cold chain capacity.
  • Emphasized the need for strategic partnerships with airlines, shipping companies, and global warehouses to ensure smooth pharma flows.
  • Positioned logistics not as a cost center but as a strategic enabler for India–EU pharma collaboration.

Dr. Manish Rachchh

Director (R&D), CEO – Accuprec Research Labs Pvt. Ltd.

  • Focused on regulatory and intellectual property (IPR) challenges Indian innovators face when approaching EU markets.
  • Identified hurdles such as:
    • Lengthy EU approval procedures.
    • Limited understanding of EU IPR frameworks among Indian SMEs.
    • Difficulty in patent protection for novel molecules.
  • Recommended strengthening academia–industry collaboration in India to create globally competitive life sciences IP.
  • Urged policy reforms to simplify processes and support startups with legal/IPR advisory for EU entry.
  • Concluded that India’s vast research talent, if guided properly, can be a strong partner for Europe in developing next-generation medicines.

Panel Discussion Highlights

  • IPR & Regulations: Consensus that harmonization and knowledge-sharing between regulators in India and the EU is crucial.
  • Innovation & Startups: Startups need mentoring, funding, and legal support to engage effectively with EU partners.
  • Technology Transfer: Green and sustainable pharma technologies (like supercritical CO₂) are promising areas for EU–India partnerships.
  • Supply Chains: Collaborative logistics strategies can resolve bottlenecks in cold chain and compliance-heavy pharma exports.
  • Global Competitiveness: Stronger clinical trials infrastructure and academia–industry partnerships will position India as a global hub.

Outcomes

  • EU Chambers reaffirmed its role as a facilitator of EU–India partnerships.
  • Participants agreed that the future of life sciences lies in co-innovation, sustainable technologies, efficient logistics, and harmonized regulation.
  • The session ended with a strong commitment to expand EU–India cooperation in pharma, biotech, and healthcare innovation.

 

Closing Remarks

At the conclusion of the seminar, Mr. Robin Banerjee, Moderator of the session, invited Mr. Siladitya Sarangi, Vice President of EU Chambers, to deliver the closing remarks.

Mr. Sarangi warmly thanked all the distinguished speakers, panelists, and participants for their valuable insights and active engagement.

On behalf of the EU Chambers, Mr. Sarangi reiterated the Chamber’s commitment to serving as a bridge between European stakeholders and India’s life sciences ecosystem, and expressed confidence that the seminar would pave the way for new partnerships, investment opportunities, and joint innovations.

The session concluded with a vote of thanks, leaving participants with a strong sense of optimism and collaboration for the future of EU–India relations in life sciences and pharma.

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