Sartorius PI Forum India 2026 — It's time to intensify.
June 03–04, 2026 | Hyderabad, India
The Sartorius PI Forum India 2026 will convene leading experts and innovators from across India and the broader Asia region for two immersive days dedicated to advancing process intensification (PI) for proteins and emerging modalities. This exclusive gathering will focus on the latest developments shaping biomanufacturing—from flexible and scalable production models to digitalization, automation, and sustainable process strategies, including next‑generation PI solutions such as the Pionic® Platform.
Participants will engage in data‑driven presentations designed to address end‑to‑end implementation, cost‑of‑goods optimization, and key regulatory considerations relevant to the rapidly evolving biopharma landscape in Asia. Complementing these insights, the PI Forum will also feature interactive workshops and thought‑provoking panel discussions that encourage open dialogue, practical learning, and collaborative problem‑solving.
Small‑group breakout sessions, expert‑led workshops, and dynamic panel formats will provide ample opportunities to exchange ideas, benchmark best practices, and shape the future direction of process intensification within the region’s bioprocessing community.
This event is by invitation only
Speakers
Meet our Confirmed Speakers
Dr. Rhonda Duffy
Chief Operations Officer | Biocon Ltd.
Rhonda Anne Duffy is Chief Operating Officer at Biocon, leading global Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality, and Projects. Former COO of Biocon Biologics, she brings over 30 years of leadership experience in regulated manufacturing. Before Biocon, she held senior roles at LEO Pharma. Rhonda is a qualified pharmacist with a PhD in Pharmacognosy from Trinity College, Dublin.
Hemanth Kaligotla
Director of External Innovation | Lonza Biopharma
Hemanth Kaligotla is Director of External Innovation at Lonza Biopharma, leading strategic technology initiatives aligned with business strategy. With 18+ years in biomanufacturing and commercial development, he previously held senior roles at Sartorius, led chromatography applications and product launches, and commercialized biologics and technology transfers at Shire Biopharma successfully globally.
Dr. Shilpa Gadgil
Vice President | Head of Bioprocess development & CDMO development | Enzene Biosciences Ltd.
Dr. Shilpa Gadgil is VP, Head of CDMO Project Initiatives at Enzene Biosciences, leading end to end development from clone to drug product and multiple biosimilars for EU and US markets. Formerly Head of QC at Intas Pharmaceuticals, she led GMP audits from global regulatory authorities. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry and has over 30 publications, with expertise in diabetes and autoimmune diseases.
Kandarp N. Raval
Associate Vice President Manufacturing | Kashiv Biosciences LLC
Kandarp Raval is Associate Vice President and Head of Manufacturing Operations at Kashiv Biosciences, USA. With over 19 years of experience in biologics manufacturing across India and the United States, he specializes in Drug Substance and Drug Product monoclonal antibodies and cytokines production. His expertise includes process scale-up, technology transfer, facility start-ups, and regulatory compliance, supporting successful global biologics commercialization.
Karthik Jayapal
Director, Biologics Process Development | Merck, Sharp & Dohme
As Director in biologics process development at MSD, Karthik Jayapal drives development of complex biotherapeutics, including adoption of process intensification strategies for late-stage assets. Previously, he led biologics development at Johnson & Johnson, Sanofi and Bayer, with emphasis on process innovation, data-rich experimentation and platform evolution for cell culture process. Dr. Jayapal holds a B.Tech. in ChemE from IIT Madras, and a doctorate in ChemE from the University of Minnesota.
Sanjeev Gupta
Sr. Vice President & Head Biosimilar | Advanced Biotech Lab, IPCA Laboratories
Sanjeev Gupta, PhD, is Senior Vice President and BU Head, Biosimilars (R&D, Manufacturing and Business) at Ipca Laboratories, Mumbai. With 26 years’ experience, he has developed 15 recombinant molecules, launched nine biosimilars, led global regulatory submissions, published extensively, and speaks widely at international conferences, and holds an honorary professorship award.
Ankur Bhatnagar
Vice President & Head of R&D CMC | Biocon Biologics Limited
Ankur Bhatnagar has over 25 years of biopharmaceutical experience spanning small molecules, insulins, biosimilars, and monoclonal antibodies, leading CMC strategy and end‑to‑end development—including technology transfer and scale‑up—while supporting global regulatory approvals. He has played a key role in building high‑performing scientific teams, technical capabilities, and R&D infrastructure.
Abijar Bhori
Associate Vice President (AVP) | Enzene Biosciences Ltd. Pune
Abijar Bhori is Associate Vice President, R&D at Enzene Biosciences, Pune, with over 23 years of experience in biosimilar development. He leads Process (upstream, downstream & drug product) and peptide & automation development team, and has played a pivotal role in Enzene’s patented FCCM® continuous manufacturing process platform, multiple biosimilar launches in India, and global development and CDMO programs.
Dr. Rahul Sharad Bhambure
Principal Scientist, Chemical Engineering & Process Development Department, Biochemical Engineering Division | National Chemical Laboratory
Dr. Rahul Sharad Bhambure leads the Bioprocess Technology group in the Chemical Engineering and Process Development Division at CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory, Pune. His research spans experimental and theoretical bioprocess development for biopharmaceuticals, with fifteen years’ experience in recombinant protein and nucleic acid therapeutics, and a focus on protein biophysics applications.
Dr. Eunice Leong
Senior Scientist | A*STAR Bioprocessing Technology Institute
Eunice Leong, Ph.D. is a Senior Scientist at Singapore’s A*STAR Bioprocessing Technology Institute. Her background is in Chemical Engineering with research interests in therapeutics. Currently, she specializes in upstream bioprocessing and is actively exploring the integration of process analytical technologies for process automation.
Dr. Ling Wu
President & Co-Founder | ChemT Biotechnology
Dr. Ling Wu is President and Co-founder of ChemT Biotechnology, an AI-powered biomanufacturing company that uses AI to build virtual cells, design drugs for cells, and enable precise, tunable cellular control, which is critical for biopharmaceutical production. Dr. Wu has over 15 years of experience in biomedical research. He is an advisor to the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) and Prestige magazine’s 2026 Asia-Pacific 40 Under 40. Before founding ChemT, he served as Principal Investigator at BeOne Medicine, where he led the cell and gene therapy research team.
Vijay Sudalaimuthu
Vice President & Head of DS Biosimilars manufacturing | Biocon Biologics Limited
Vijay holds an M.Tech in Industrial Biotechnology and brings over 22 years of experience with Biocon, reflecting remarkable commitment, consistency, and leadership growth within one of India’s leading biopharmaceutical organizations. Having been part of Biocon’s journey from its growth phase to becoming a global biopharmaceutical company, his own professional journey has evolved alongside the organization’s success.
Over the years, he has played a key role in the development and global regulatory approvals of multiple biosimilar products across the US and European markets.
Sandeep Majumdar
Site Head & Associate Executive, Vice President | Intas Pharmaceuticals
Sandeep Majumdar is a distinguished biopharmaceutical industry leader from Intas Pharmaceuticals with deep expertise in biologics manufacturing, process intensification, and large-scale manufacturing operations. As Site Head, he leads the Operations and MSAT functions, spearheading manufacturing excellence, technology transfer, process optimization, and scalable biopharmaceutical manufacturing strategies focused on operational efficiency, quality, and cost optimization.
Yatindra Tirunagari
Associate Vice President, CDMO Biologics | BE BIOSOL Pvt Ltd.
Yatindra currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Biologics CDMO at Biological E. Limited. He brings over 23 years of global experience in advanced therapies mainly in Cell and Gene therapy field. He held leadership roles at organizations such as GSK, Rentschler Biopharma, Charles River, BioReliance, UK Government’s initiative CGT Catapult and Intas Biopharma. He has contributed across the entire product development lifecycle with expertise in platform development and CMC by consistently working on technology integration, innovation, and collaborative partnerships between academia and industry. Yatindra holds an Executive MBA from the London School of Business, an MSc in Biotechnology from the University of Dundee (UK), and an MSc in Biochemistry from Kakatiya University, India.
Kumaran S. V.
Fuctional Leader (Upstream) | Biocon Biologics Limited
Kumaran is an upstream process development expert with over 12 years of experience in cell culture process design, development, and scale‑up for biologics. He has led upstream CMC teams across the product lifecycle, enabling robust technology transfer and regulatory approvals through data‑driven, risk‑based development. Kumaran holds an M.Tech. from IIT Guwahati and an EngD from TU Delft.
Arvind Kukrety
Deputy Drug Controller | CDSCO, HQ, New Delhi
Expert in biologics regulation, GMP inspections, and clinical trial approvals. Led CDSCO’s first foreign facility audits. Serves on IPC expert group for Biologicals/rDNA. Drives regulatory modernization and industry engagement for innovative technologies and quality compliance.
Arpit Jain
Vice president - Bio Bulk Manufacturing | Intas Pharmaceutical- Biopharma Division
Arpit Jain holds a Master’s degree from Northwestern University and brings over 18 years of experience in biologics manufacturing and operational excellence. At Intas Pharmaceuticals, he leads manufacturing operations from upstream processing through drug substance manufacturing across both microbial and mammalian platforms.
He is recognized for his strong focus on operational excellence, COGS optimization, and the adoption of innovative manufacturing technologies. He has contributed to products approved in highly regulated markets, including the US and European markets.
Esmond Lee Yan Zhao
Senior Scientist, Bioprocessing, Technology Institute, | A*Star Singapore
Dr. Esmond Lee is a Senior Scientist at the Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI), A*STAR, Singapore, with over eight years of experience in FOXP3 regulatory T cell (Treg) biology spanning academia and industry. He trained under pioneers in the field at Stanford University, and subsequently at Sonoma Biotherapeutics alongside Nobel laureate Fred Ramsdell. His research has advanced understanding of IPEX syndrome, pioneered CRISPR-based gene correction of FOXP3, and applied Design of Experiments frameworks to cell therapy manufacturing.
Highlights
VR Session
Explore true‑to‑life facility models
Step inside our mixed reality exhibition — the modern way to experience the benefits of PI. Explore true‑to‑life facility models built on the latest PI strategies, where end‑to‑end process flows become instantly clear. From upstream suites to downstream purification, you’ll see exactly how Pionic® platform integrates into an intensified process to simplify complexity, accelerate progress, and bring modern, sustainable manufacturing to life.
Pionic® Platform
Next-generation downstream processing
Join us for a session about Pionic® platform, a program showcasing next-generation downstream processing. Pionic® platform delivers integrated solutions that combine multi-column chromatography, virus inactivation, single-pass TFF, and crossflow filtration into connected, intensified downstream processes. Participants will discover how modular design and smart integration enable higher productivity, reduced footprint, and scalable bioprocessing performance.
The Boardroom Playbook
Making the case for PI to leadership
Biomanufacturing faces rising pressure from capital intensity, biosimilars, and global uncertainty. This session opens with a brief outlook on market forces driving next‑generation, intensified, and continuous manufacturing. Participants will engage in an interactive economic analysis application workshop using scenario modeling, Monte Carlo simulation, and risk‑adjusted cash‑flow tools to explore resilient, capital‑efficient investment strategies.
Day 1: Plenary Sessions & Intelligent Bioprocessing
Plenary: Breaking the Barriers to Next-generation Biomanufacturing Through PI
Morning Session
PI is transforming biomanufacturing by enabling smaller facility footprints, reducing the costs of goods, and increasing operational flexibility. Through examples of real‑world implementation, industry leaders from Lonza Biopharma, Kashiv Biosciences LLC, Enzene Biosciences Ltd and others will share practical lessons that span technical execution, organizational change, and scale‑up considerations. The discussion will also highlight regulatory perspectives that are shaping the adoption of intensified and continuous manufacturing approaches. Attendees will gain a clear, science‑driven understanding of how PI is overcoming long‑standing barriers and accelerating the shift toward more efficient, agile manufacturing platforms.
Intelligent Bioprocessing: Building PI Business Case, AI‑Enabled Discovery and Smart Design
Afternoon Session
Explore how AI, data analytics, and next‑generation modalities are reshaping the future of bioprocessing. This session examines the industry’s shift from classical batch operations toward more intensified, efficient, and flexible bioprocessing strategies and outlines how to build a compelling business case for Process Intensification by understanding cost drivers, market pressures, and facility design implications. Participants will also hear how AI is accelerating drug discovery timelines and how advanced analytics are enabling smarter, data‑driven decision‑making across upstream and downstream workflows.
Day 2: Upstream and Downstream Tracks
Track A - Upstream and advanced process control
PI requires the development of advanced process control strategies earlier in the journey of a molecule, especially when considering perfusion bioreactors that continuously feed a connected downstream processing (DSP) train.
To minimize tech transfer into commercial manufacturing, process orchestration, digital workflows, gathering data and preparing the way for predictive process control needs to start in process development or in the clinic. This session of resentations by industry experts from Biocon and others will share real-world examples of how to bring theory into practice.
Track B - Downstream Intensification for Next‑Gen Bioprocessing
Downstream processing (DSP) is rapidly transforming as developments in membrane chromatography, continuous purification, and integrated filtration enable intensified bioprocessing. High-throughput membranes, single-use flow paths, and continuous polishing technologies are driving compact, scalable DSP platforms aligned with end-to-end intensification. Featuring presentations by industry leaders from Enzene, NCL, and others, this session will illustrate real-world implementation and evolving downstream intensification strategies, and show how these innovations reduce COGS, simplify facility design, and position manufacturers for flexible, high-productivity next-generation operations.
Event Details
Register Here
ITC Kohenur, a Luxury Collection Hotel | Hyderabad, India
Visit the Webpage: ITC Kohenur
For international and domestic travelers arriving at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), the hotel is approximately 32 km away and typically takes 40–50 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions.
Guests may conveniently reach the venue via app-based taxi services (such as Uber or Ola), airport taxis, or hotel-arranged transfers. The most direct route from the airport is via the Outer Ring Road (ORR) towards HITECH City, offering a smooth and efficient drive to the hotel.
Upon reaching HITECH City, ITC Kohenur is easily accessible and located close to major landmarks including Mindspace, Cyber Towers, and the Financial District.
Contact Information
In case you have questions regarding the Sartorius PI Forum India, please contact:
Previous Events
Feedback From Previous Event Attendees
Kandarp N Raval
It was indeed a power-packed three-day session, full of insights on process intensification and practical approaches to implementation. Sartorius truly stands out as a one-stop solution for biologics manufacturing. This has been one of the best conferences I have attended in the United States over the past three years.
Senior Scientist, Sanofi US (attendee)
I found the Process Intensification Forum for biopharma scientists to be highly valuable. The event showcased innovative technologies and practical implementations, providing clear examples of how these approaches can improve efficiency of manufacturing processes. The diverse scientific perspectives and practical applications presented were very interesting. While the forum was well-structured overall, additional interactive discussion opportunities further enhanced knowledge exchange between attendees. Thank you for organizing this informative event that will help inform our continuous improvement initiatives.
Ashley Reeder
It was a true pleasure to participate in the Sartorius PI Forum! It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with others in the industry passionate about PI and see first-hand how they approach the challenges associated with intensification from bench to commercial scale across a range of modalities. It was equally exciting to see the novel tools and equipment from Sartorius which reinforce their commitment to and partnership with companies in this space!
Frequently Asked Questions
C‑suite executives, VPs and directors of manufacturing in process development, digital/automation, quality, or strategy, bioprocess senior scientists, senior engineers, digital/automation leaders from CDMOs, biosimilar manufacturers, and innovators exploring intensified, connected, and data‑driven bioprocessing.
The event will be conducted in English
The recommended clothing is business casual.
Photography as well as videography will be taking place at this event. The photos and videos taken will be used within the scope of the Sartorius Group’s internal and external communication measures. If you prefer not to be photographed or recorded, please inform the Sartorius team on-site, the photographer directly, or send an email to advocacy_events@sartorius.com
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We truly look forward to welcoming you to the Sartorius PI Forum India and hope you will be able to join us for this event.
However, if your plans change and you are unable to attend, we kindly request that you inform us at the earliest so that we can update our records accordingly.
To cancel your registration, please contact: advocacy_events@sartorius.com
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
