TechOps, Biopharma 4.0, and the Future of Indian Biomanufacturing: Insights from Sanjay Shah
Pre-event Interview Series for the 10th Annual CBT Course Series 2025
Host: Virender Singh, Founder of BioPatrika
Guest: Sanjay Shah, Principal Consultant, XenPharm Services
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/lJXUqxzVwEk
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 flagship program brings together experts from academia, industry, and regulatory agencies, offering a unique platform for skill development, dialogue, and collaboration across the biopharmaceutical ecosystem.
✨ Secure your spot now — 10% off till 15th Nov 2025!
📄 Brochure: CBT Brochure 2025
Attendees from industry and academia are welcome to participate.
Interview with Sanjay Shah, Principal Consultant, XenPharm Services
About the Speaker
Sanjay Shah is the Principal Consultant at XenPharm Services, with nearly 30 years of diverse experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, specializing in technical operations (TechOps), process engineering, facility lifecycle management, and biomanufacturing operations.
He began his career in the United States, spending over 16 years with major global biopharma companies such as Eli Lilly, Amgen, and Pfizer, before moving to India in 2010. In India, he has held key leadership positions at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (Biologics), Syngene (Biocon), and Intas Pharmaceuticals, where he led GMP operations, site engineering, and biopharma manufacturing.
Shah is a chemical engineer by training and has been instrumental in advancing TechOps functions, process automation, and global engineering strategies across organizations. Through his consulting work at XenPharm Services, he now advises companies on scaling biopharma operations, improving compliance, and achieving commercial efficiency.
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/lJXUqxzVwEk
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?
Sanjay Shah: As I said in my introduction, I am part of the tech ops side — which, in my opinion, is a little bit underrepresented in India. A lot of focus in India is on the development side—process analytical formulation and biosimilars—but when it comes to operations and manufacturing, the scale and maturity are still evolving.
There is a lot of room for development on the tech ops side, and Indian companies are slowly moving up the value chain. I think this event gives the right platform to discuss how processes need to be scaled up so they are commercially efficient, compliant, and contemporary.
I have been associated with global companies like Eli Lilly, Amgen, and Pfizer, and I’ve seen how the tech ops function adds value. So, for me, this is the right forum to share those learnings and highlight why strengthening tech ops is the need of the hour for the Indian biopharma ecosystem.
Virender Singh: The CBT Course Series brings together experts from academia, industry, and regulation. What unique perspective will you be contributing to this year’s discussions?
Sanjay Shah: My focus will be entirely from the industry side, particularly from large-scale biopharma operations. I’m not from academia, and while regulatory aspects are always intertwined with operations, I bring the perspective of facility lifecycle management, tech transfer, commercial operations, and cost optimization — especially relevant to the biosimilar business.
I plan to bring that large-scale biopharma flavor to the event and emphasize the importance of efficient, compliant, and globally competitive manufacturing operations.”
Virender Singh: How do you think events like the CBT Course Series help bridge the gap between scientific research and biopharma industry applications?
Sanjay Shah: I think what CBT and IIT Delhi are doing is truly pioneering. There’s nothing quite like this that I’m aware of.
Most industry events are short and transactional—an hour here or there—but this course goes deeper. It’s a multi-day, multi-track deep dive into biopharma manufacturing, led by people who understand both academia and industry.
Dr. Anurag Rathore himself has that rare blend of academic and industry experience, and many of the speakers share that perspective. So, this kind of engagement truly bridges the gap — it’s not superficial, but immersive, and that’s what makes it valuable to professionals and researchers alike.”
Virender Singh: This year’s theme covers Biopharma 4.0, Advanced Manufacturing, TechOps, and Regulatory Frameworks. Why do you think these topics are especially relevant right now?
Sanjay Shah: Biopharma 4.0 is a buzzword these days — everyone talks about digitalization and AI, which of course have tremendous value. But what’s often missing is an understanding of the core domain — what these tools actually mean for manufacturing and process efficiency.
It’s good that CBT is taking a holistic approach to this topic, examining how Biopharma 4.0 integrates with TechOps and regulatory frameworks.
India is often called the ‘pharmacy of the world,’ but that primarily applies to small-molecule generics. Biopharma is still emerging here. If India wants to reach global biotech standards — or match progress made by some of our Asian counterparts like Korea or China — we need to focus on topics like TechOps, Biopharma 4.0, and advanced manufacturing.
The modules selected for CBT 2025 are extremely apt for where the Indian industry stands today.
Virender Singh: What message or advice would you like to share with young researchers and professionals planning to attend this event?
Sanjay Shah: I would say come with an open mind — there’s a lot to learn. Many of us in the industry are busy, but this course is worth making time for. It’s an excellent opportunity to interact with experts and understand how your specific function fits into the bigger picture.
For instance, someone from upstream development will get to understand downstream, regulatory, and TechOps aspects in a way they normally wouldn’t in their day-to-day work.
So, I would highly encourage young professionals to speak with their managers, carve out time, and attend. The exposure and insights gained here will broaden their understanding of the biopharma value chain and its real-world challenges.”
Closing Note
Thank you, Sanjay Shah, for sharing your perspectives on the evolving role of TechOps and advanced manufacturing in India’s biopharma landscape. Your insights set the stage for valuable discussions at the CBT Course Series 2025.
📅 Event Dates: December 8–10, 2025
📍 Venue: IIT Delhi
✨ Register now and get 10% off till 15th November 2025!
🔗 CBT Brochure 2025
Also check: CBT Course 2025 – Expert Insights: Dr. Narendra Chirmule
