Pharma Manufacturing & Automation Excellence Awards 2025

The Pharma Manufacturing & Automation Excellence Awards 2025, co-located with the 7th Annual Pharma Manufacturing & Automation Convention 2025, concluded on October 9th, 2025 at Hotel Novotel HICC, Hyderabad, in the presence of leading dignitaries, industry veterans, and innovators. The evening brought together over 100 senior executives, solution providers, and achievers for a celebration of transformation, excellence, and innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The award ceremony was graced by our respected Guests of Honour, Mr. BhalChandraSinh RaoRane, Chairman of Federation of Industries of India FII and Dr. V Kalaiselvan- Secretary-cum-Scientific Director of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and other eminent dignitaries. Their presence added gravitas to the evening and reinforced the importance of recognizing the pharmaceutical industry’s contributions to India’s global leadership.

The 2025 edition embraced the theme ‘F.A.S.T.’ Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Guneet Hayer, Managing Director, Eminence Group, emphasized that F.A.S.T. reflects the industry’s journey of accelerating progress through agility, innovation, sustainability, and people-first strategies, “F.A.S.T. is more than a theme, it is a mindset for the pharmaceutical industry. Future-ready manufacturing, automation and AI, sustainability, and talent transformation are not optional anymore, they are essentials. Through these Awards, we wanted to celebrate those who are not only excelling today but are also preparing the industry for tomorrow.”

The Awards followed a rigorous evidence-based evaluation process, overseen by an eminent jury of senior industry leaders, academicians, and technical experts. Each nomination was carefully reviewed, with only the most impactful initiatives being recognized by jury of 6 strong veracious voices. Out of a strong pool of nominations, 25 winners were honoured, representing the best of India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing and automation ecosystem.

• Excellence in Future Ready Leadership: Bhavesh V Agarwal; Plasmagen Biosciences

• Automation Champion of the Year: Srilaxmi Rao; Glaxosmithkline Pharmaceuticals

• Sustainability Advocate Award: Zakir Allisaheb Nadaf; Plasmagen Biosciences

• Workforce Upskilling Evangelist: Dr. Parthasarathy Sampathkumar; Biocon Group

• Emerging Leader in Pharma Manufacturing: Madhu Sundar MS; Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories

• Icon of Pharma Manufacturing Award: Prashant Sharma; Zydus Group

Out of 118 nominations, the jury selected 23 winners across various individual and organisational categories. The organisational award winners for the year are:

• Supply Chain Productivity Excellence (Below INR 1000 Cr. Category): Chieron Active Ingredients Pvt. Ltd.

• Operational Excellence Award (Below INR 1000 Cr. Category): Orchid Pharma- A Dhanuka Company

• Supply Chain Productivity Excellence (Above INR 2000 Cr. Category): Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd

• Operational Excellence Award (Above INR 2000 Cr. Category): Ajanta Pharma Limited

• Excellence in Change Management: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd

• Excellence in Strategic Automation (Below INR 1000 Cr. Category): Orchid Pharma- A Dhanuka Company

• Sustainable Manufacturing Excellence (Below INR 1000 Cr. Category): Glaxosmithkline Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

• Smart Factory of the Year (Below INR 1000 Cr. Category): Chieron Active Ingredients Pvt. Ltd.

• Excellence in Strategic Automation (Between INR 1000 Cr. – 2000 Cr. Category): Encube Ethicals Pvt. Ltd.

• Smart Factory of the Year (Between INR 1000 Cr. – 2000 Cr. Category): Encube Ethicals Pvt. Ltd.

• Sustainable Manufacturing Excellence (Above INR 2000 Cr. Category): Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

• Excellence in Strategic Automation (Above INR 2000 Cr. Category) Granules India Ltd.

• Smart Factory of the Year (Above INR 2000 Cr. Category): Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

• Talent Development Powerhouse (Above INR 2000 Cr. Category): Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

• Company of the Year (Below INR 1000 Cr. Category): Plasmagen Biosciences

• Company of the Year (Between INR 1000 Cr. – 2000 Cr. Category): Encube Ethicals Pvt. Ltd.

• Company of the Year: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

Jury’s Selection Awards

The most prestigious moments of the evening were reserved for the Jury’s Selection Awards, designed to honour stalwarts whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the pharmaceutical industry. These awards are not based on nominations but are a recognition bestowed by the jury itself, acknowledging leaders whose legacy, impact, and vision continue to inspire generations.

This year, the Pharma Manufacturing Leader Award was conferred upon Mr. Satish Agrawal, in recognition of his pioneering role in shaping the manufacturing landscape and driving operational excellence across the sector. The Life’s Achievement Award was presented to Mr. Shirish Belapure, honouring his decades-long service, leadership, and dedication to elevating India’s pharmaceutical industry onto the global stage.

Their recognition stood as a highlight of the evening, reminding the audience that excellence is not only about present achievements but also about the enduring influence of those who have dedicated their lives to advancing the industry.

The event was supported by leading partners Veeva and ThermoFisher Scientific, whose contributions played a pivotal role in making the Awards impactful. Their work in advancing digitalization, automation, and lab excellence underscores the importance of technology providers in enabling the F.A.S.T. journey for pharma.

The Pharma Manufacturing & Automation Excellence Awards 2025 was more than an evening of recognition, it was a celebration of the innovation, resilience, and leadership shaping the future of Indian pharma. With eminent guests, an expert jury, valued partners, and 25 distinguished winners, the event reinforced the belief that true excellence is a culture of continuous transformation.

The Eminence Group thanks all participants, partners, and attendees for making the 2025 edition a resounding success and looks forward to carrying the momentum into the future.