Aniruddha Parmar

Deputy Managing Director

The pharmaceutical design market in India is witnessing significant growth, primarily driven by advancements in the biopharma sector, including vaccines, recombinant therapies, and monoclonal antibodies. This surge is evident through increased project inquiries and the expansion of established Indian players, alongside the emergence of new startups in the biopharma landscape. Further, the API sector has gained momentum post-pandemic, bolstered by government support and policies aimed at reducing dependency on imports, especially for key starting materials (KSMs), traditionally sourced from China. These trends underscore India's growing role in pharmaceutical facility design and manufacturing.

Spectrum Pharma Tech, founded in 1995, is one of the leading engineering and project design firms specializing in end-toend solutions for the pharmaceutical sectors. With a robust presence in over 28 countries across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, Spectrum is recognized for delivering innovative, scalable project designs that meet global standards. The company has built a strong reputation in the industry by supporting clients through every project phase from initial site planning to full-scale plant construction. Its strong market position is bolstered by its commitment to innovative, modular design approaches that allow clients the flexibility to expand their operations efficiently, adapting to the dynamic needs of the pharmaceutical industry.

Spectrum Pharma Tech provides its expertise in a range of services comprising of Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Validation, for pharmaceutical and related industries. With an in-house team across all four domains, the company’s expertise lies in robust concept design, which is crucial for project success. This engineering expertise ensures compliance with GMP standards, containment requirements, and product efficacy as per international regulatory guidelines. By deeply understanding client processes, the company delivers tailored, high-quality solutions, maximizing both project reliability and client confidence.

“Our strength lies in our deep understanding of process engineering, backed by team members who have firsthand experience on the client side. This insight allows us to address real requirements and pain points during implementation, ensuring our designs are practical and effective. Additionally, we leverage advanced technology, utilizing cutting-edge software for precise project designs. Lastly, our expertise in GMP process engineering ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, which is evident in our collaborations with leading names in the pharmaceutical industry”, emphasizes Aniruddha Parmar, Deputy Managing Director, Spectrum Pharma Tech.

Project Excellence, a Notch Above All

Spectrum Pharma Tech stands out as a leader in establishing biopharmaceutical and high-potent projects owing to its highly experienced team and comprehensive, customized solutions. With over 100 projects completed in this segment, its experts excel at tailoring solutions to specific client needs, rather than offering one-size-fits-all models. The inhouse team manages every stage, from capacity planning and concept design to regulatory validation, ensuring seamless execution. Advanced digital tools including 3D modeling enable precise, real-time project visualization, optimizing design accuracy and project control for Civil, HVAC, Equipment, Piping, and Electrical elements. This expertise and precision make Spectrum Pharma Tech a trusted partner for leading brands worldwide.

With a portfolio of over 500 completed projects, Spectrum Pharma Tech has demonstrated its ability to handle complex, large-scale pharmaceutical projects. Notably, Spectrum partnered with a leading Indian company in Hyderabad to establish a high-capacity, vertical-flow oral solid dosage facility, utilizing gravity flow to optimize production. This project presented unique challenges, including equipment selection and structural design to accommodate vertical | 19 |NOVEMBER 2024 processing. Spectrum has also designed facilities for critical injectable projects, meeting stringent requirements for new, complex molecules. Additionally, the company’s work with leading Biopharmaceutical companies in setting up monoclonal antibody production facilities underscores its capabilities in handling complex process requirements. Spectrum Pharma Tech is also setting up a Biosafety Level 3 containment facility for a leading Indian Vaccine manufacturer, which will be India’s largest vaccine plant for footand- mouth disease (FMD) vaccines, marking a significant achievement in vaccine production infrastructure.

Spectrum Pharma Tech integrates regulatory compliance into every project design to meet the specific market requirements of each client, whether targeting highly regulated markets like the U.S., Europe, & Japan or focusing on regions with specific guidelines, such as Africa or Southeast Asia. The team includes GMP experts with extensive experience in regulatory inspections, ensuring compliance is addressed from the initial concept phase. By involving these specialists early in the project, Spectrum Pharma Tech provides clients with robust, regulatory auditready facilities. To date, over 100 of their projects have received approval from stringent regulatory bodies such as the USFDA and the EU, underscoring their expertise in regulatory-compliant design and engineering.

“At Spectrum Pharma Tech, we pride ourselves on being leaders in setting up biopharmaceutical and high-potency projects, owing to our skilled team and fully integrated in-house services. We provide end-to-end solutions, from conceptual design through to regulatory approval, ensuring quality and compliance at every stage. With extensive experience in handling complex projects, we focus on delivering customized solutions that ensure quality and compliance at every stage. By leveraging digital tools and precise project controls, we maintain high efficiency and accuracy, meeting stringent international standards and regulatory requirements”, adds Aniruddha Parmar.

Innovation and Sustainability in Engineering Design Excellence

Incorporating new technologies into engineering solutions is an evolving process that requires continuous learning and adaptation. The team at Spectrum Pharma Tech stays updated with the latest advancements, especially in sustainability and automation, which are driving their engineering strategies. Clients today are increasingly focused on environmental support, and its solutions address these needs through technologies like water recycling, solar panels, and energyefficient motors, all aimed at reducing energy consumption.

Sustainability is integrated across all engineering aspects, from sustainable design models to contour retention and soil erosion prevention. The firm is involved in projects targeting zero carbon emissions, with some focused on achieving green certifications that prioritize sustainability. Automation also plays a significant role, particularly in material handling, which reduces manual touchpoints and optimizes operational efficiency.

Innovations like Process Analytical Tools (PAT) have transformed our quality control (QC) processes, enabling real-time testing without interrupting production. These advancements streamline the process, reducing downtime and enhancing productivity. Additionally, regulatory-driven developments focus on automating documentation and monitoring systems, ensuring compliance and efficiency in facility design. Through these innovations, Spectrum Pharma Tech engineering solutions prioritize safety, regulatory compliance, and sustainable practices, aligning with modern project demands.

Looking ahead, Spectrum Pharma Tech aims for a 25-30 percent growth rate over the next three to five years, with several initiatives underway to achieve this goal. A key focus is enhancing their technically reliable workforce, particularly in process engineering and biologicals, to meet increasing demand. Additionally, the company plans to expand into new segments, including food, beverages, cosmetics, and green energy, thereby broadening its footprint beyond pharmaceuticals, and positioning itself for future growth in these emerging industries.