The Pharma Manufacturing & Automation Excellence Awards 2024 - A Celebration of Innovation, Excellence, and Leadership

The Pharma Manufacturing & Automation Excellence Awards 2024, hosted by Eminence Business Media, witnessed an incredible night of celebration, innovation, and recognition, marking the maiden edition of what promises to become a hallmark event in the pharma in- dustry. The evening was a tribute to the leaders and trailblazers who are transforming the face of pharma manufacturing and automation.

The awards night, held at the elegant Hotel Westin Mindspace, Hyderabad, gathered the crème de la crème of the industry, celebrating those who have set new benchmarks of exce- llence. With over 100 industry influencers and top professionals in attendance, the atmosphere was charged with energy and anticipation.

The evening opened with a spectacular musical performance by Karan Musicals, whose Carnatic music rendition set the perfect tone for the awards, followed by a heartwarming welcome to all the attendees by the Managing Director of Eminence Group, Ms. Guneet Kaur Hayer. Highlighting the company’s vision of supporting tech intervention in the industry, she mentioned that it was evident in the award categories, which reverberated with the industry’s ongoing drive toward innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence. The Chief Guest, Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, a dynamic leader and Special Chief Secretary of Industries and IT Departments of the Telangana government, delivered an inspiring speech on the future of pharma manufacturing in India. His insights on Hyderabad as a pharma hub and its growth potential resonated deeply with the audience. The Guest of Honour, Dr. A. Ramkishan, shared valuable perspectives on innovation, further amplifying the significance of this grand event.

Introducing the theme of the awards, “Accelerating P.A.C.E² for Manufacturing & Automation Excellence”, Head of Research and Production, Ms. Vrushali Negandhi encapsulated the spirit of progress that the event aimed to celebrate where PACE², standing for Productivity, Automation, Compliance, Efficiency, and EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety), reflected the pillars that are shaping the future of pharma manufacturing.

The Jury, comprised of eminent figures from the pharma industry, played a pivotal role in selecting the winners. The jury members included Ms. Jyoti Sardesai, Dr. Sanjit Singh Lamba, Mr. Shirish Belapure, Mr. Sanjeev Dharwadkar, Prof Ratneesh Jain, and Dr. PV Appaji. Their vast experience, integrity, and dedication ensured that the awards process was fair, transparent, and unbiased,making the recognition all the more prestigious for the winners.

The night was a celebration of excellence, with several deserving companies and individuals taking home awards across 14 different categories.

1. The highlight of the night was the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to Mr. Davinder Singh, who was lauded for his extraordinary contributions to the pharmaceutical industry over nearly four decades. His leadership in global manufacturing and his efforts in building world-class skilling institutes have left an indelible mark on the industry.
2. The evening also saw Mr. Jayant Dwivedy, Executive Director & COO of USV, honored as the Manufacturing Leader of the Year 2024. His exceptional leadership, spanning over three decades, has driven operational excellence, innovation, and strategic growth within the pharma industry, making him a true visionary and deserving recipient of this prestigious accolade.
3. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd earned the title of the Company of the Year Award 2024 for its overall excellence and leadership. They also bagged for prestigious awards - Supply Chain Productivity Excellence Award 2024, Excellence in Lean Manufacturing Award 2024, Operational Excellence Award 2024, Manufacturing Productivity Excellence Award 2024.
4. Fastest Growing Company of the Year Award: Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Limited is celebrated for being the fastest-growing company in the industry.
5. Emerging Company of the Year Award: Aragen Life Sciences Limited is recognized as the emerging company making significant strides in the sector.
6. Icon in Pharma Manufacturing Award: Dr. V. Prasada Raju, CEO & MD of Cohance Lifesciences Limited, is recognized for his outstanding contributions to the industry.
7. Best Manufacturing Facility Award: Ajanta Pharma Ltd. receives recognition for having the best-in-class manufacturing facility for their Dahej plant.
8. Automation Excellence Award: Cipla Ltd. Goa I is acknowledged for its superior implementation of automation in pharma manufacturing.
9. Innovation in Training for Manufacturing Excellence Award: Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. is recognized for its innovative approaches to training in manufacturing.
10. Excellence in EHS Award: Micro Labs is acknowledged for its excellence in environment, health, and safety standards.

The Eminence Business Media team deserves special mention for orchestrating such a flawless and grand event. Their relentless efforts in curating this maiden edition ensured that every detail, from the jury selection to the awards presentation, was perfect. The team’s commitment to excellence was reflected in every aspect of the event, making the Pharma Manufacturing & Automation Excellence Awards 2024 a resounding success.

As the night concluded, the winners and attendees left with a sense of pride and accomplishment, already looking forward to next year’s edition. The Pharma Manufacturing & Automation Excellence Awards 2024 has firmly established itself as a platform that celebrates brilliance, innovation, and leadership in pharma manufacturing. Here’s to many more editions celebrating the industry’s finest!