Title Page
విజ్ఞాన శాస్త్ర సాంకేతిక పరిశోధనా సంస్థ / विज्ञान शास्त्र प्रौद्योगिकी और परिशोधन संगठन
Events
Guest Lecture
Global Pharmaceutical Industry
Nov
22
Saturday
02:00
PM
- 03:00
PM
Summary
The modern pharmaceutical industry is a product of centuries of scientific inquiry, medical practice, and industrial innovation. Its evolution reflects the interplay of traditional remedies, scientific discovery, industrial production, and regulatory oversight. Understanding this historical trajectory helps contextualize today s global pharmaceutical landscape and the challenges and opportunities faced by Big Pharma. Origins in Apothecaries and Herbal Remedies Prior to the 19th century, medicine was largely the domain of apothecaries and herbalists who prepared compounds from plants, minerals, and animal-derived substances. Remedies were often empirical in nature, based on tradition and observation rather than systematic experimentation. Key herbal medicines included willow bark for pain relief (precursor to aspirin) and cinchona bark for malaria treatment (source of quinine). The industrial revolution and advances in chemistry gradually transformed these small-scale operations into the foundation for modern pharmaceutical production. The 19th Century: Emergence of Scientific-Based Industry Merck (Germany), founded in 1668 as a pharmacy, transitioned to industrial-scale production of purified compounds in the mid-1800s. This marked a shift from artisanal medicine to science-based manufacturing. Similarly, Pfizer was established in 1849 in the United States, initially producing chemicals such as tartaric acid and citric acid. These compounds served the growing food and pharmaceutical sectors. In the United Kingdom, companies that would become GlaxoSmithKline started as small sugar and dairy businesses in 1859, eventually diversifying into pharmaceutical manufacturing. The rise of industrial chemistry enabled consistent production of medicinal compounds, improving safety, efficacy, and standardization. The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed major scientific discoveries: Isolation of morphine and codeine from opium. Development of aspirin from acetylsalicylic acid by Bayer in 1899. Identification of antiseptics (Lister, 1867) and vaccines (Pasteur, late 1800s). These discoveries prompted pharmaceutical firms to expand research capabilities and invest in laboratory-based innovation. Early pharmaceutical R&D focused on isolating active compounds, understanding mechanisms of action, and creating reproducible manufacturing processes.
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About Guest Lecture
1. Dr. Korla Someswara Rao Head, clinical Development, MSN Laboratories Private Limited., R&D, Hyderabad. Dr. Korla Someswara Rao holds a Ph.D. and M. Pharm in Pharmacology from Andhra University. He completed his B. Pharm from Acharya Nagarjuna University. He has over 20 years of experience in clinical research and pharmacology. He currently serves as Head of Clinical Development (Small & Large Molecules) at MSN Laboratories. He has worked with leading organizations like Ranbaxy, Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s, Emcure, AXIS Clinicals, and Jeevan Scientific. His expertise covers clinical pharmacology, biopharmaceutics, PK studies, BA/BE studies, and medical writing. He has led end-to-end clinical trials across Phases 1. He is skilled in protocol development, SAPs, CRFs, EDC platforms, and regulatory documentation. He ensures GCP/GLP compliance and provides guidance on trial design and data interpretation. He also manages project planning, cross-functional teams, and talent development in clinical research. 2. Dr. Venkata Siva Gopi Raju Sarikonda Patient Safety Associate – II, Pharmacovigilance Officer, Hyderabad. Passionate Pharmacovigilance professional with 2+ years of experience spanning Pharmacovigilance Case Processing and Quality Assurance (PVQA). Skilled in deviations, CAPA management, SDEA oversight, training programs, and regulatory compliance to ensure robust global drug safety systems. I have worked across pharmaceutical company and CROs, supporting both operational case processing (ICSRs, safety data review, literature monitoring) and quality oversight functions (audit readiness, compliance monitoring, deviation investigations, and QPPV support). My focus is on building strong pharmacovigilance governance frameworks that comply with EMA, FDA, MHRA, and global PV regulations. The pharmaceutical industry has evolved from traditional apothecaries to a global, science-driven enterprise. Advances in chemistry, biotechnology, and industrial production, coupled with regulatory frameworks and global collaborations, have shaped todays Big Pharma landscape. Understanding this historical evolution highlights the continuous interplay of innovation, public health, and commercial strategy in delivering medicines worldwide.

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Venue
Seminar Hall, First Floor, Pharmacy Block
Dept.of Pharmaceutical Sciences
About Speakers
Dr. Korla Someswara Rao
Head, clinical Development, MSN Laboratories Private Limited., R&D, Hyderabad.
Dr. Venkata Siva Gopi Raju Sarikonda
Patient Safety Associate – II, Pharmacovigilance Officer, Hyderabad.
Event Coordinator
Dr. M. Surya Prabha
Assistant Professor Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences VFSTR, Vadlamudi, Guntur
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