FDD Leadership Awards spotlight FR&D excellence 

Continuing its tradition of recognising excellence, the FDD Leadership Awards 2026, held alongside the FDD Conclave 2026, celebrated scientists, innovators and organisations driving advances in formulation research and development (FR&D).  The evening opened with a welcome address by Viveka Roychowdhury, Editor, Express Pharma, Express Healthcare and Express Nutra, who spoke about the vision behind the awards and the need to celebrate the people shaping the future of pharmaceutical FR&D. The event also comprised a very interesting fireside chat, ‘The New Playbook: What will define winning FR&D teams in 2030?’, with jury members Suresh Pareek, Angel and Growth Investor (Pharma); Dr Sumedha Nadkar, Pharmaceutical Strategy and Technology Consultant; and Dr Manish Grover, Director, Healthcare Technologies, Mangrove Creations. The discussion explored the evolving FR&D landscape, emerging innovation priorities and the leadership needed to drive the next phase of pharmaceutical development.  Following the session, the jury members present at the conclave were felicitated for their contribution to the evaluation process. Roychowdhury also acknowledged the efforts of the entire jury in identifying this year’s winners.  The awards were then presented by the jury members and Roychowdhury, joined by Manish Jain, MD, Cilicant, and Vijay Doshi, MD, Pioma Chemicals, representing the presenting and co-presenting partners.  The honours were presented across four categories.  Rising Stars: The next generation of FR&D innovators  This category recognised emerging professionals making an early impact in pharma formulation research and development.  Dr Ankit Anand Kharia  Mr Anirudha Kute  Mr Arjunarao Panchada  Ms Chitra Varma  Dr Kashyap Nagariya  Dr Mukesh Kumar  Dr Nandkishore Yadav  Mr Pankaj Soni  Mr Prabhat Shrivastava  Dr Rajiv Khurana  Dr Shailesh Vishwanath Biradar  Leaders: Driving excellence through scientific leadership  This is a category that honored professionals whose vision and sustained contributions continue to strengthen pharma FR&D.  Dr Alagumurugan Alagarswamy  Dr Ravindra Agarwal  Mr Sandipan Roy  Mr Shrenik Kole  Dr Syed Shah Moinuddin Hussaini  Dr Tathagata Dutta  Entrepreneurs: Turning research into real-world impact  This Editor’s Choice category recognised scientist-entrepreneurs who have successfully translated research into impactful businesses.  Jayanta Kumar Mandal, CEO & MD, APDM Pharmaceuticals  Vijayendra Kumar Redasani, CEO & MD, DelNova Healthcare  Special Citation: Recognising breakthrough innovation  A Special Citation was presented to Team Wockhardt for the development of Zaynich, recognising the team’s breakthrough contribution to antibiotic innovation and the fight against antimicrobial resistance.  The ceremony was followed by a networking dinner and cocktails. Bringing together researchers, industry leaders and innovators, the FDD Leadership Awards 2026 once again underscored the importance of celebrating excellence and fostering innovation across India’s pharma FR&D ecosystem.    lakshmipriya.nair@expressindia.com laxmipriyanair@gmail.com  The post FDD Leadership Awards spotlight FR&D excellence  appeared first on Express Pharma.