Passion Over Profit: Dr. Pratima's Inspiring Journey in Pharma R&D

Mr. Ravindra: Dr. Pratima, welcome to Pharma Now. You are doing an incredible job in your current journey, as we discussed before this interview. I'd really like to have a quick overview of how you started this journey.

Dr. Pratima: Well, from the inception of my thought process, I wanted to be a scientist. I never wanted to be a doctor, an engineer, or anything considered a routine profession. So that was the start of my journey. I was very confident that I would become a scientist. After entering the best stream of science, biochemistry, and molecular biology, I got NET qualified, or you could say UGC qualified fellowships, and then I started my PhD.

During my PhD, I worked on innovative projects. I received the Insight Young Scientist Award and almost ten Young Scientist Awards, both national and international. This strengthened my desire to become a more prominent scientist and to stay in this field. My marriage, my parents, and my family members were all very supportive. I never had a single day where I doubted my path. So, it has been a continuous journey without any breaks.

Mr. Ravindra: That's very inspiring. Dr. Pratima, I think many of us had dreams of becoming scientists in childhood but ended up as engineers, doctors, or in other professions. What made you specifically want to be a scientist?

Dr. Pratima: As I mentioned, I always wanted to do something new, to think of and execute new ideas. That was my dream, and I believe my work aligns with my dreams. It’s not about money; it’s about passion and dreams, and fortunately, it also provides me with a living.

Mr. Ravindra: Wow, that's really interesting. But being a scientist and a vice president of one of the largest CROs in the country, how did this journey unfold?

Dr. Pratima: It's not an easy journey because, at a higher level, you need to look beyond science. You have to consider teamwork, stakeholders, profit and loss (P&L), and market dynamics. I’ve been fortunate to learn about all these aspects. I may not know my exact salary slip, but I understand the finances related to Aragen and the P&L. I know what innovations we need and how to differentiate ourselves from competitors. I think it’s going well.

Mr. Ravindra: That's interesting. I have two questions here. First, as a vice president, what are your key responsibilities? Second, for my audience, could you explain what a CRO is and how it is evolving?

Dr. Pratima: As a vice president, my role involves management as well as being a scientist. I need to wear multiple hats and be adaptable, like a juggler switching roles as needed. At higher levels, you must be extroverted, unlike many scientists who are introverted.

Regarding CROs (Contract Research Organizations), I have experience in academia at CDRI and in a large pharma company, Lupin Research Pharma, and for the past 11 years, I've been with Aragen, a CRO. CROs require understanding both scientific and business aspects because we deal with global clients and need to meet their specific needs. Quality, cost, and turnaround time are critical in CROs. We must excel in all three to lead in drug discovery and development.

Mr. Ravindra: Certainly. CROs are becoming a buzzword globally, and India has become a preferred destination. How do you see this development, and what are the opportunities for CROs?

Dr. Pratima: With the China-plus-one strategy, India has a significant opportunity in CROs. India has a vast and intellectual population, and English proficiency gives us an edge. US and European markets are looking towards us for expertise. However, we face challenges such as the lack of suppliers for raw materials and biomaterials, which increases costs and time. If we overcome this, we can be highly competitive.

Mr. Ravindra: In the last couple of decades, the percentage of people choosing R&D has decreased. Do you think this will change, and what actions are needed?

Dr. Pratima: It’s a good question. The problem is that monetary growth in R&D is not high, even though intellectual growth is. Most people equate growth with monetary gain. However, once people reach a certain stability, they seek intellectual growth, which R&D offers.

Mr. Ravindra: Very true. Nowadays, deep tech, AI, and ML are influencing R&D significantly. How are you adopting these technologies?

Dr. Pratima: We have to adopt them to stay competitive. AI and ML are excellent for data analytics but are not replacements for human innovation. They assist in handling large data sets quickly, which is beneficial. However, true innovation still requires human thought and creativity.

Mr. Ravindra: Certainly. Your passion for R&D is evident. What advice would you give the younger generation to inspire them to pursue R&D and the pharma industry?

Dr. Pratima: My advice is to view science and R&D as a calling. The recognition and satisfaction you get from discoveries and innovations are unmatched. Even after you're gone, your work will be remembered. While other professions might offer better salaries, the recognition and intellectual growth in R&D are invaluable.

Mr. Ravindra: That's wonderful, Dr. Pratima. Your journey is truly inspiring, and I believe your advice will motivate the younger generation to pursue R&D. Thank you for sharing your insights.

Dr. Pratima: Thank you.