IIHMR Bangalore Successfully Hosted Pharma-Tech Converge 2026, Bringing Together Leaders Shaping the Future of Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
The healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors are witnessing one of the most transformative periods in modern history. Artificial intelligence, digital health ecosystems, biotechnology, predictive analytics, and patient-centric innovation are no longer futuristic concepts—they are actively redefining how healthcare is delivered, researched, and managed across the globe. Against this evolving backdrop, Pharma-Tech Converge 2026, hosted by Institute of Health Management Research Bangalore on April 25, 2026, at The Capitol Hotel, emerged as one of the most influential healthcare and pharmaceutical conferences of the year.
Centered around the theme “Augmented Intelligence, Transformative Therapies,” the conclave brought together pharmaceutical leaders, policymakers, academicians, healthcare professionals, researchers, and technology experts to discuss the future of healthcare and India’s expanding role in global pharmaceutical innovation.
The event witnessed the presence of distinguished leaders including Mr. Sudarshan Jain, Mr. Vikrant Shrotriya, Dr. S. D. Gupta, Prof. S. Sadagopan, Dr. C. S. Kedar, and Dr. Usha Manjunath. The conclave also saw active participation from leading organizations such as Novo Nordisk, Sandoz, Biocon, IQVIA, and Micro Labs, among others.
The conference commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Usha Manjunath, who emphasized the importance of collaboration, innovation, and interdisciplinary engagement in strengthening healthcare systems. Delivering the presidential remarks virtually, Dr. S. D. Gupta highlighted the growing need for stronger academia-industry convergence and stressed that educational curricula must evolve in line with industry requirements to create future-ready professionals.
One of the most compelling moments of the conference came during the keynote address by Mr. Sudarshan Jain. He outlined a visionary roadmap for India’s pharmaceutical sector in the journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047. He emphasized that India must move beyond being merely a generic manufacturing hub and transform into a high-value, innovation-led global healthcare powerhouse focused on research, discovery, and patient outcomes.
Complementing this vision, Mr. Vikrant Shrotriya stressed the increasing demand for hybrid talent—professionals capable of combining expertise in life sciences, analytics, digital technologies, and management. He noted that traditional discipline-based education models are no longer sufficient in an era where healthcare challenges are increasingly complex and chronic in nature.
A landmark moment of the conference was the formal launch of the two-year, full-time, AICTE-approved PGDM in Pharmaceutical Management by IIHMR Bangalore. Introduced as a strategic academic initiative to bridge the growing talent gap in India’s rapidly expanding pharmaceutical industry, the programme marked a significant milestone in the institution’s academic expansion and commitment to industry-oriented education.
Adding a memorable perspective to the discussions, Prof. S. Sadagopan remarked, “Take a tablet, think India,” emphasizing that India should aspire to build a global pharmaceutical identity similar to the way the world associates software with India. He described Bengaluru as uniquely positioned at the intersection of biotechnology and information technology, making it an ideal innovation hub for future healthcare solutions.
The conference also highlighted the growing urgency of preventive healthcare. Dr. C. S. Kedar noted that a significant proportion of patients visiting government hospitals suffer from preventable lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression. He emphasized the need for healthcare systems to transition from treatment-focused approaches to scalable preventive healthcare models powered by technology and awareness.
Three insightful panel discussions further enriched the conference. The sessions explored topics such as transitioning from traditional generics to transformative therapies, the evolution of India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs) into innovation hubs, and the changing expectations from future healthcare leaders. Industry experts emphasized that adaptability, interdisciplinary learning, curiosity, and data-driven decision-making are becoming essential leadership traits in modern healthcare organizations.
The conclave also featured expert talks by Rubal Sabharwal on emerging technologies impacting the pharmaceutical industry and Bhaskar Rajakumar on digital health, AI, and smart medical devices. These discussions reinforced a common message: technology is no longer a supporting element in healthcare—it is becoming the very foundation of future healthcare systems.
Pharma-Tech Converge 2026 was more than a conference; it was a reflection of the rapidly changing identity of healthcare and pharmaceuticals. The event showcased how the convergence of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, analytics, preventive healthcare, and interdisciplinary collaboration is shaping a smarter, more connected, and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem. Most importantly, the conclave reinforced India’s immense potential to emerge not only as the pharmacy of the world but also as a global leader in healthcare innovation and transformative therapies.
Centered around the theme “Augmented Intelligence, Transformative Therapies,” the conclave brought together pharmaceutical leaders, policymakers, academicians, healthcare professionals, researchers, and technology experts to discuss the future of healthcare and India’s expanding role in global pharmaceutical innovation.
The event witnessed the presence of distinguished leaders including Mr. Sudarshan Jain, Mr. Vikrant Shrotriya, Dr. S. D. Gupta, Prof. S. Sadagopan, Dr. C. S. Kedar, and Dr. Usha Manjunath. The conclave also saw active participation from leading organizations such as Novo Nordisk, Sandoz, Biocon, IQVIA, and Micro Labs, among others.
The conference commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Usha Manjunath, who emphasized the importance of collaboration, innovation, and interdisciplinary engagement in strengthening healthcare systems. Delivering the presidential remarks virtually, Dr. S. D. Gupta highlighted the growing need for stronger academia-industry convergence and stressed that educational curricula must evolve in line with industry requirements to create future-ready professionals.
One of the most compelling moments of the conference came during the keynote address by Mr. Sudarshan Jain. He outlined a visionary roadmap for India’s pharmaceutical sector in the journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047. He emphasized that India must move beyond being merely a generic manufacturing hub and transform into a high-value, innovation-led global healthcare powerhouse focused on research, discovery, and patient outcomes.
Complementing this vision, Mr. Vikrant Shrotriya stressed the increasing demand for hybrid talent—professionals capable of combining expertise in life sciences, analytics, digital technologies, and management. He noted that traditional discipline-based education models are no longer sufficient in an era where healthcare challenges are increasingly complex and chronic in nature.
A landmark moment of the conference was the formal launch of the two-year, full-time, AICTE-approved PGDM in Pharmaceutical Management by IIHMR Bangalore. Introduced as a strategic academic initiative to bridge the growing talent gap in India’s rapidly expanding pharmaceutical industry, the programme marked a significant milestone in the institution’s academic expansion and commitment to industry-oriented education.
Adding a memorable perspective to the discussions, Prof. S. Sadagopan remarked, “Take a tablet, think India,” emphasizing that India should aspire to build a global pharmaceutical identity similar to the way the world associates software with India. He described Bengaluru as uniquely positioned at the intersection of biotechnology and information technology, making it an ideal innovation hub for future healthcare solutions.
The conference also highlighted the growing urgency of preventive healthcare. Dr. C. S. Kedar noted that a significant proportion of patients visiting government hospitals suffer from preventable lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression. He emphasized the need for healthcare systems to transition from treatment-focused approaches to scalable preventive healthcare models powered by technology and awareness.
Three insightful panel discussions further enriched the conference. The sessions explored topics such as transitioning from traditional generics to transformative therapies, the evolution of India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs) into innovation hubs, and the changing expectations from future healthcare leaders. Industry experts emphasized that adaptability, interdisciplinary learning, curiosity, and data-driven decision-making are becoming essential leadership traits in modern healthcare organizations.
The conclave also featured expert talks by Rubal Sabharwal on emerging technologies impacting the pharmaceutical industry and Bhaskar Rajakumar on digital health, AI, and smart medical devices. These discussions reinforced a common message: technology is no longer a supporting element in healthcare—it is becoming the very foundation of future healthcare systems.
Pharma-Tech Converge 2026 was more than a conference; it was a reflection of the rapidly changing identity of healthcare and pharmaceuticals. The event showcased how the convergence of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, analytics, preventive healthcare, and interdisciplinary collaboration is shaping a smarter, more connected, and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem. Most importantly, the conclave reinforced India’s immense potential to emerge not only as the pharmacy of the world but also as a global leader in healthcare innovation and transformative therapies.
