As part of the ongoing Sādhana Saptah 2026, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, organised a webinar today on “AI and Emerging Technologies in Pharmaceuticals and Regulations”.

The webinar highlighted the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the pharmaceutical value chain, spanning drug discovery, development, and regulatory science. The session was addressed by Prof. Manoj Kumar, Professor, Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali. Officers and staff of the Department actively participated in the session.

The session provided a comprehensive overview of the pharmaceutical lifecycle, emphasizing the catalytic role AI can play at various stages:

• Research & Development Phase: Target identification and lead optimization
• Pre-clinical Studies: In vitro and in vivo modelling using AI-enabled simulations
• Clinical Trials: Improved trial design, patient stratification, and advanced data analytics
• Regulatory Review & Approval: Enhanced evidence generation and AI-enabled decision support systems

Prof. Kumar elaborated on the growing integration of AI in drug discovery, highlighting key advancements such as prediction of 3D protein structures and drug–target interactions, AI-driven drug design and de novo molecule generation, and the application of AI in polypharmacology and multi-target drug development.

He further discussed the use of AI in chemical synthesis and retrosynthetic pathway prediction, identification of therapeutic targets, and drug repurposing opportunities. Additionally, AI-based prediction of toxicity, bioactivity, and physicochemical properties is significantly improving early-stage research outcomes.

Prof. Kumar also explained how AI tools are enabling faster and more efficient screening of compounds, thereby substantially reducing the time and cost associated with early-stage drug discovery.

The webinar emphasized the need for capacity building within government systems to effectively leverage AI for:

• Evidence-based regulatory decision-making
• Accelerated approval pathways
• Enhanced monitoring of drug safety and post-market surveillance
• Strengthening India’s position as a global pharmaceutical leader

The initiative reflects the Department’s continued commitment to fostering innovation, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and promoting the adoption of emerging technologies to enhance the efficiency and global competitiveness of India’s pharmaceutical sector.

Strengthening Adaptive Development and Humane Aptitude for National Advancement (Sādhana) Saptah 2026, being organised from 2 to 8 April 2026, is among the largest collaborative capacity-building initiatives in India aimed at fostering skills for citizen-centric governance. Spearheaded by the Department of Personnel and Training, the Capacity Building Commission, and Karmayogi Bharat, the initiative brings together Central Ministries, States, Union Territories, and training institutions on a common platform to promote responsive and accountable governance. With the tagline “Ham Bane Karmayogi”, the initiative also commemorates the Foundation Day of the Capacity Building Commission and marks five years of Mission Karmayogi, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to building a future-ready civil service.

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