IT meets BT: Dr. Narendra Chirmule on Collaboration, Innovation, and the Future of Biopharma
Pre-event Interview Series for the 10th Annual CBT Course Series 2025
Host: Virender Singh, Founder of BioPatrika
Guest: Dr. Narendra Chirmule, Founder & CEO, SymphonyTech Biologics
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/tOJLVtCs4oI
About the CBT Course Series 2025
The Center of Excellence for Biopharmaceutical Technology (COE-CBT) is organizing its annual training event — the 10th Annual CBT Course Series 2025, taking place from 8th–10th December 2025 at IIT Delhi.
This event brings together global experts from academia, industry, and regulatory agencies, offering a unique platform for interactive learning, technical exchange, and professional growth in the biopharmaceutical domain.
✨ Secure your spot now — 10% off till 15th Nov 2025!
📄 Brochure: CBT Brochure 2025
Modules Overview:
Day 1 – December 8, 2025
M1: Commercial Biopharma Manufacturing – Best Practices for Process and Facility Operation
M3: Drug Development: Concepts and Frameworks
M6: Design of Experiments for Bioprocess Experimentation
M9: New Age Biotherapeutics: ADCs, AAVs & VLPs
M14: Computational Drug Design
Day 2 – December 9, 2025
M2: Commercial Biopharma Manufacturing – Best Practices
M4: Regulatory Framework for Lifecycle Management of Biotherapeutic Products
M7: Process Development and Optimization for Upstream Bioprocessing
M10: Critical Quality Attributes of Biotherapeutic Products
M12: Advanced Manufacturing Approaches for Downstream Bioprocessing
M15: Machine Learning Fundamentals for Bioprocess Engineers
Day 3 – December 10, 2025
M5: Immunogenicity and Other Safety Concerns Related to Biotherapeutic Products
M8: Advanced Manufacturing Approaches for Upstream Bioprocessing
M11: Role of Spectroscopy in Characterization of Biotherapeutic Products
M13: Continuous Bioprocessing: Design, Integration, Monitoring, and Control
M16: Biopharma 4.0: Path Towards Next Generation Biomanufacturing
Attendees from industry and academia are welcome to participate.
Interview with Dr. Narendra Chirmule, Founder & CEO, SymphonyTech Biologics
About the Speaker
Dr. Narendra Chirmule is an immunologist with decades of experience in the development of biologics and vaccines. He is the Co-founder of SymphonyTech Biologics, a company he started with his colleague Dr. Ravi Khare, where they explore the intersection of biology, data analytics, and engineering.
Dr. Chirmule teaches at the University of Pennsylvania, IIT Bombay, and IIT Delhi, among other institutions. Over the course of his career, he has contributed extensively to advancing translational immunology and biopharma development.
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/tOJLVtCs4oI
Virender Singh: What inspired you to be part of the 10th Annual CBT Course Series 2025, and what aspects of this event are you most looking forward to?
Dr. Naren Chirmule: I have known Professor Anurag Rathore for close to 20 years now, and he has been organizing these events at IIT Delhi for more than a decade. They are an incredible resource for learning about every aspect of drug development, with a strong focus on process development and manufacturing—naturally aligned with IIT Delhi’s engineering roots.
One of the great things about this conference is its location in Delhi, which enables meaningful interactions between academia, industry, and regulators. A lot of regulatory professionals attend this event, creating an incredible opportunity for networking.
I would also like to mention a new highlight this year—Day 3 will feature a special symposium on immunogenicity of biologics, coordinated by Dr. Vibha Jawa from Epivax in Boston. It will focus on risk assessment and immunogenicity, and I think that will be a major attraction for attendees.
Virender Singh: The CBT Course Series brings together academia, industry, and regulators. What unique perspective will you be contributing to this year’s discussions?
Dr. Naren Chirmule: One unique aspect of this event is that senior professionals from all three areas—academia, industry, and regulatory—come together not only to present but also to participate in the discussions. This leads to open, classroom-style conversations that address real challenges faced by the biopharma community.
It reminds me of the famous Gordon Conferences in the U.S., where experts gather in small college environments to have deep, informal scientific exchanges. Similarly, the CBT Course Series provides a collegial setting that allows for personal interactions and meaningful dialogue, which makes it so valuable.”
Virender Singh: How do you think the CBT Course Series helps bridge the gap between scientific research and advancements in the biopharma industry?
Dr. Naren Chirmule: That’s a very important aspect. Scientific discussions often happen in academic settings, while industrial application is another story altogether. What makes this conference special is that it brings both worlds together.
When you have researchers, engineers, and industry professionals in the same room, ideas that begin as academic discussions can quickly translate into practical applications in manufacturing or drug development. This translational element is one of the strongest aspects of the CBT Course Series.”
Virender Singh: This year’s theme includes Biopharma 4.0, advanced manufacturing, and regulatory frameworks. Why do you think these topics are especially important right now?
Dr. Naren Chirmule: Every decade in the last 40 years has been transformative for India—starting from genetics to biosimilars to biologics, and now to cell and gene therapies. We’re at an inflection point where several powerful trends are converging.
The education system in India has developed significantly, and the government has been very proactive in supporting biotechnology entrepreneurship. Moreover, the IT and biotech sectors are now intersecting—companies like Infosys and Wipro are collaborating with biotech firms, merging data science and biology.
This synergy—of IT and biotech, or ‘IT meets BT’—represents the next frontier. It’s a perfect convergence of technology, funding, and talent, and it’s the right time for India to accelerate innovation in this space.”
Virender Singh: Finally, what message or advice would you like to share with young researchers and professionals planning to attend the CBT Course Series 2025?
Dr. Naren Chirmule: It’s really important to attend conferences like this—not just to learn what’s happening in the field, but also for your own professional growth. I often talk about two kinds of eminence: internal eminence, which is your own knowledge and expertise, and external eminence, which comes from engaging with others so that people know who you are.
Events like CBT are perfect for building both. They offer a chance to network, learn, and observe. I understand that companies sometimes have limitations in sending employees, but young professionals should try to discuss this with their managers or professors and make the case for attending.
These conferences are crucial for networking and for understanding how your work fits into the broader biopharma landscape.
Closing Note
Thank you, Dr. Naren Chirmule, for sharing your insights on innovation, collaboration, and the evolving intersection of biotechnology and data science. Your perspective beautifully captures the spirit of the CBT Course Series 2025—a space where ideas, disciplines, and people come together to shape the future of biopharma.
📅 Event Dates: December 8–10, 2025
📍 Venue: IIT Delhi
✨ Register now and get 10% off till 15th November 2025!
🔗 CBT Brochure 2025
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