Advanced Formulation Technologies Streamlining Global Pharma Innovation

In an exclusive interaction with Thiruamuthan, Correspondent at India Pharma Outlook, Aditya Sharma, Head of Process Solutions, India Region, Merck Life Science, discusses how a dedicated formulation and technology centre addresses complex challenges in drug development, combining advanced tools and scientific expertise with collaboration to enhance scalability, ensure compliance, and drive innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing worldwide. Aditya Sharma, a seasoned life sciences leader with 24 years of experience, has held leadership roles at Ranbaxy, BD, 3M, Kimberly-Clark, and Merck, specializing in pharmaceutical manufacturing, bioprocessing, strategy, compliance, and driving sustainable business growth globally.

How does the Formulation and Technology Centre address challenges in complex drug formulation and delivery?

The Indian pharmaceutical industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by advances in therapeutics, cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, and the growing adoption of AI.

However, formulating the ideal pharmaceutical product comes with a set of complex challenges, starting from with active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) unique properties, right excipient to support drug delivery, a well-established manufacturing process, and stringent quality controls throughout the production cycle. Compounding these difficulties are hurdles such as patent constraints, variability in raw material quality, scalability issues in production, and limited access to next-generation technologies.

For example, we at Merck’s Formulation and Technology Centre have designed it to overcome these challenges. Equipped with state-of-the-art tools to optimize drug formulation, overcome complex challenges, and accelerate time-to-market across India, APAC, the Middle East, LATAM, and Africa. It works as a collaborative space where researchers, manufacturers, and industry experts come together to create high-quality formulations that meet strict quality, regulatory, and therapeutic standards. In addition, the centre also offers technical consultations, hands-on training, and tailored solutions to support the development of scalable and resilient formulations.

Given that complex drug formulation and delivery involve strict regulatory and technical demands, how is the centre developing practical solutions to overcome these challenges across diverse global markets?

The global pharmaceutical industry faces increasing complexity in drug formulation and delivery, due to evolving stricter regulatory demands, technical challenges, and a growing need for greater efficiency and innovation. There is a high demand to bring high-quality therapies to market faster, while ensuring compliance, scalability, and patient safety.

Our formulation and technology centre resolves these challenges by functioning as a hands-on experience hub for customers, young pharmacists, and academicians, bringing our innovative technologies and excipients to life. The centre helps achieve this balance through tailored training, export consultations, and support in formulation development, scale-up, and troubleshooting. It provides direct access to subject matter experts and Merck’s diverse excipient portfolio, helping customers confidently meet global regulatory standards and technical demands. The centre continues to support customers by fostering long-term collaboration and offering cutting-edge tools and expertise not only in India but across APAC, the Middle East, LATAM, and Africa.

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Considering the centre’s role as a technology storefront for pharma, how is it tailoring advanced formulation and delivery solutions to meet evolving customer requirements and market expectations?

To align with evolving customer needs and shifting market expectations, businesses are adopting futuristic methods and in this case Merck’s Formulation and Technology Centre offers future-forward manufacturing processes and therapeutic innovation, along with access to state-of-the-art technologies for customers.

The lab features advanced technologies such as spray drying, Wurster coating, and hot melt extrusion, fluidized bed processor, along with research tools like Melt Prep, NIR spectroscopy, particle size analyzers, rheometers, and predictive formulation tools to expedite drug discovery and formulation research. These capabilities empower formulation scientists to address patent challenges, explore novel excipients, and accelerate the development of high-quality generics with improved speed and efficiency.

By integrating scientific innovation with practical application, the centre supports pharmaceutical companies in strengthening formulation integrity, optimizing drug delivery systems, and enhancing process efficiency. This support helps clients navigate complex development pathways, meet stringent regulatory requirements, and accelerate the launch of safe, effective, and patient-ready therapies.

Since the centre supports varied markets across India, APAC, the Middle East, and Africa, how is it strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation capabilities across these regions?

The pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is rapidly evolving across India, APAC, the Middle East, and Africa, with increasing focus on innovation, advanced formulation technologies, and faster delivery of high-quality, affordable therapies to patients.

Supporting this momentum, Merck’s Formulation & Technology Centre is a state-of-the-art facility that anchors the company’s global R&D network. Acting as a bridge between research and commercialization, the centre combines international know-how with domestic market understanding to drive smarter, more efficient drug development.

Built to streamline formulation processes and overcome complex challenges, it accelerates time-to-market for therapies across India, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. With a strong foundation in scientific excellence, collaboration, and customer-focused innovation, it has become an essential partner for pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide.

By working closely with industry players, Merck provides tailored raw materials, APIs, and advanced formulation solutions that meet evolving needs, enabling faster innovation, addressing development hurdles, and ensuring the quicker delivery of better medicines to patients.

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As the pharmaceutical sector advances toward more personalized and complex drug formulations, how is the centre preparing for future trends and shaping the global formulation and delivery landscape?

With drug development becoming increasingly complex and personalized, the pharmaceutical sector is prioritizing cutting-edge formulation technologies, sustainable excipients, and advanced delivery systems to meet evolving healthcare needs worldwide. Our centre stands at the core of the company’s healthcare and Life Science R&D initiatives, playing a pivotal role in advancing scientific excellence, fostering customer-driven innovation, and strengthening industry partnerships. By bridging research and commercialization, the centre is shaping the future of drug formulation and delivery, merging global expertise with local insights to develop smarter, more agile development strategies. Through close collaboration with pharmaceutical companies, it accelerates innovation, addresses complex formulation and delivery challenges, and helps bring better therapies to market faster.

Our impact extends well beyond India, reaching across the continent, reinforcing its global commitment to advancing the future of drug development. At the forefront of this mission, the centre is driving innovation in sustainable excipients and next-generation formulation technologies, redefining how medicines are developed and delivered.

With a strong focus on enhancing patient care and improving global health outcomes, the centre is actively shaping the future of pharmaceutical development.