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as the pharma industry is navigating through rapid scientific and regulatory shifts, the 74th edition of the Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC) is set to spotlight innovation, collaboration, and business growth within the country’s drug manufacturing sector.
Bringing together industry leaders, regulators, and academia, researchers and other related professionals, the event aims to address emerging challenges while showcasing transformative advances that can shape the future of the industry. With a strong focus on technology, policy, and global competitiveness, this year’s Congress is to set new benchmarks for India’s evolving pharma ecosystem.
The 74th IPC, which serves as a pivotal platform for meaningful dialogue and strategic partnerships, will feature expert sessions, exhibitions, and interactive forums designed to foster knowledge exchange and encourage collaborative problem-solving.
By bringing diverse stakeholders together, the event seeks to accelerate research breakthroughs, strengthen manufacturing capabilities, and drive sustainable business opportunities that support India’s ambition to emerge as a global pharma hub.
Event to propel innovation and growth
Jatish N Sheth, president, KDPMA, member of the Local Organizing Committee heading the IPC 2025 Expo committee and director Srushti Pharma said, this edition of the mega event positioned as the mother of all pharma events in the country, will propel innovation and growth in manufacture, research and marketing which are core to pharma operations. It is a gathering of professionals across the board, spanning pharmacy education, academy, which is the generator of qualified human talent accelerating the growth engine of the future. Innovation means academia and industry working together for it.
For the Indian pharmaceutical industry, innovation is not limited to the creation of entirely new products—it also encompasses incremental improvements to existing formulations and technologies. The event’s strong emphasis on technology paves the way for deeper integration of artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools in drug development, manufacturing, and patient care. Over the three-day Congress, interactions among diverse pharmacy professionals are expected to spark fresh ideas and collaborations, ultimately driving the next wave of progress within the sector, added Sheth
Dilip Surana, chairman and managing director, Micro Labs said “Bengaluru has long been a hub for innovation, talent, and academic excellence, making it the ideal setting for IPC 2025. This platform brings together pharmaceutical professionals, researchers, and industry leaders, fostering dialogue that can translate into real-world solutions.
With macroeconomic factors presenting both tailwinds and headwinds, it is critical to have such forums where we can deliberate, share insights, and collectively chart a path for sustainable growth.
The theme of this year’s Congress— ‘AI and Technology in Pharma: Educate, Innovate, empower’—is particularly relevant, as it highlights the transformative role of AI, automation, and other emerging technologies in driving efficiency, accelerating drug development, and creating new opportunities for the Indian pharmaceutical sector.
IPC 2025 offers a unique opportunity for all stakeholders—industry leaders, innovators, researchers, and educators—to come together on a single platform, said the Micro Labs chief.
According to M. Chandrashekhar, founder and managing director, Ce-Chem Pharmaceuticals, “Indian Pharma Congress 2025 is likely to act as a real catalyst for pushing this industry towards a more technology-driven, innovation-led growth, especially in areas like AI-enabled R&D, automated manufacturing, digital quality systems, and smarter supply chains. It will put pharma, biotech, med-tech, and health-tech players in the same room with regulators, investors, and technology providers, which should naturally trigger new pilots, partnerships, and scale-up ideas.”
On the collaboration side, IPC 2025 should be most valuable for structured B2B meetings, informal networking around the exhibition stalls, and focused panel discussions where companies can sound out potential CDMO/CMO (contract development manufacturing organisation/contract manufacturing organisation) deals, tech-transfer opportunities, digital transformation projects, and even early-stage M&A conversations in a low-risk, high-information environment, said the Ce Chem chief.
Showcase of cutting-edge technologies
Manoj Palrecha, former president, Karnataka Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers Association and managing director, Lake Chem said the IPC 2025 will not only showcase cutting-edge technologies but also foster a high-value ecosystem of collaboration. It will help industries modernize, innovate faster, build stronger supply chains, and align with global standards, ultimately driving long-term growth of India’s advanced manufacturing sector. It also would be creating opportunities for joint ventures, technology transfers, and supplier partnerships.
To this end, the various workshops and technical sessions will equip professionals with the latest knowledge in design, quality systems, and emerging manufacturing practices, ensuring talent readiness for future industry demands, said Palrecha.
Suresh Khanna, past president and chairman, KDPMA, past national honorary secretary, Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) and designated partner, Dossier Solutions & Services LLP, said, manufacturing companies can get opportunities to ascertain the scope of outsourcing to bag contracts orders in production.
The services providing companies like quality control Labs, clinical study labs, documentation etc can interact with manufacturing companies for opportunities to widen their scope of business, headed. ?The students of various colleges can get recruitment opportunities. They can gather a lot of knowledge in AI (artificial Intelligence) and how this can be used in pharma industry in future, said Khanna.
According to Dr Kaushik Devaraju, president, Karnataka Registered Pharmacists Association, “This prestigious gathering stands as one of the most influential platforms for the pharmaceutical fraternity, bringing together leading professionals, researchers, academicians, policymakers, and industry innovators from across the country.
The IPC in Bengaluru is especially significant this year, as it comes at a time when India’s pharmaceutical landscape is rapidly evolving. The congress will play a crucial role in shaping conversations around drug innovation, regulatory reforms, quality standards, digital health advancements, and the future of affordable healthcare. Its discussions and expert sessions are expected to provide a strategic direction that will strengthen India’s position as the ‘Pharmacy of the World’.
Unmatched networking opportunities
One of the greatest strengths of IPC is the unmatched networking opportunity it provides. By connecting senior industry leaders with emerging professionals and start-ups, the event acts as a bridge for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Such interactions often lead to breakthrough ideas, partnerships, and initiatives that can significantly impact the health ecosystem.
For the industry, the congress serves as a catalyst, encouraging innovation, fostering academic–industry alignment, and offering a common platform to address key challenges and explore new opportunities. Bengaluru, with its strong ecosystem of pharma research, biotechnology, and healthcare technology, is the ideal host city to drive such impactful discussions.
Overall, the IPC promises to contribute meaningfully to the growth and global competitiveness of the sector. I look forward to the rich insights, valuable connections, and collaborative spirit it will inspire among all participants, said Dr Devaraju.
Bold ideas to address healthcare issues
Siddharth Mittal, Managing Director and CEO, Biocon Ltd said, “The theme for IPC 2025 is centred on Artificial Intelligence and Technology, which are the most critical factors shaping the future of industry today. As such, it provides a great platform for industry leaders to unlock new possibilities across manufacturing, healthcare, mobility and sustainability. The event will spark bold ideas to address pressing healthcare issues the world faces today, that can deliver the most efficacious outcomes for patients.”
Prof. B Ramesh, secretary, IPA-KSB (Indian Pharmaceutical Association- Karnataka State Branch), Dean, Academics & Accreditation, Adichunchanagiri University, said IPC 2025, with its theme ‘AI & Technology In Pharma: Educate, Innovate, Empower,’ is positioned to drive innovation and growth by serving as a national hub for dialogue, technology demonstration, and partnerships across the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. The congress is slated to attract 10,000+ attendees, over 300 exhibitors from 10+countries, and industry leaders, offering a unique convergence of multiple industry stakeholders for business development and technology transfer.
The platform will drive innovation reinstating Bengaluru’s broader innovation ecosystem which is home to 53 unicorns, rich deep-tech talent, and leading centres of excellence in biotech, medical devices, and electronics, all of which will amplify cross-industry learning and foster scalable innovation.
Dedicated to pharma machinery, biotechnology, diagnostics, and smart manufacturing, it will feature technology showcases, thought-leadership sessions, and research pitching forums to support industry growth and adoption of future-ready solutions.
The congress will provide an industry-academia platform, enhancing research partnerships, knowledge transfer, and skill development initiatives between universities, research organizations, and leading pharma companies, said Prof. Ramesh.
Attendees will benefit from structured networking, global delegation connects, and expo partnerships, fostering collaborations that can extend into joint ventures, pilot projects, or talent recruitment, he said.
The event will serve as a launch-pad for start-ups, MSMEs, and innovators to engage with large firms, international bodies, and policy makers, enabling business matchmaking and deal making at scale, said Prof. Ramesh.
IPC 2025 will significantly catalyse innovation through its focus on AI, new drug technologies, and digital health, leveraging Bengaluru’s advanced ecosystem as a multiplier for industry growth. Industries can expect direct opportunities for partnership, talent sourcing, and cross-industry alliances, backed by world-class infrastructure, global participation, and structured, high-impact networking, said Prof. Ramesh.
Event set to define future of industry
The Congress encourages meaningful networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas that can lead to joint initiatives and partnerships. With global pharmaceutical companies increasingly establishing Global Capability Centres in India and leveraging AI and automation services, the country is not only cementing its position as the pharmacy of the world but is also emerging as a leader in technology-driven healthcare solutions. Events like IPC 2025 are essential to harness these opportunities and build collaborations that will define the future of the industry, noted Surana.
According to Shailesh Siroya, managing director, Bal Pharma, the 74th IPC comes at a pivotal moment for pharma industry. Hosting it in India’s Silicon Valley is symbolic it brings together the best of pharma science and cutting-edge technology. The theme AI & Technology in Pharma Educate, Innovate, Empower truly reflects the direction our sector must take to stay globally competitive.
IPC 2025 will be a catalyst for innovation showcasing how digitalisation, AI and automation can transform every stage of pharma, from R&D to manufacturing and quality systems. Bengaluru’s vibrant tech ecosystem offers the ideal setting for such transformation, he added.
Equally important the congress will open unmatched opportunities for collaboration and networking uniting industry leaders, start-ups, academia and regulators on one platform. It will help spark partnerships that extend beyond pharma into biotech, digital health and medical devices, said the Bal Pharma managing director.
“I see IPC 2025 not just as an event, but as a movement one that will strengthen Karnataka’s leadership as a life-sciences and technology hub and reinforce India’s journey from being the pharmacy of the world to a true innovation powerhouse,” said Siroya.
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