Dr. Ashok Kumar Patra Shares His Vision for the Future of Bioprocessing and Biosimilars in India

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India — In an in-depth and insightful conversation with Pharma Now, Dr. Ashok Kumar Patra, Director of Biologics Development at IMGENEX India Pvt. Ltd., shares his remarkable journey from his early education in Orissa to becoming one of India’s pioneering figures in biologics and bioprocessing. His story spans over two decades of scientific exploration, from academic research in India and the United States to leadership roles in the country’s rapidly growing biopharma sector. 

Dr. Patra reflects on his foundational experiences such as producing human growth hormone from microbial cultures and overcoming the challenges of inclusion body purification—and explains how these early research milestones shaped his industrial innovations in upstream and downstream processing, protein purification, and commercial-scale manufacturing.

Dr. Patra discusses the sharp contrasts between academia and industry, emphasizing that while academic research often focuses on proof-of-concept experiments under controlled conditions, industrial bioprocessing demands rigorous validation, reproducibility, and scalability to meet regulatory requirements. This understanding, he notes, is essential for aspiring scientists who aim to transition from research labs to commercial production environments. 

Highlighting India’s global leadership in biosimilars with nearly 100 approved products he points out the country’s strategic advantage, while also acknowledging the challenges of high capital investment and affordability. Government initiatives to provide shared infrastructure and accredited facilities, he says, are enabling smaller companies to enter the biosimilar market and compete internationally.

A strong advocate for innovation, Dr. Patra details how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation are revolutionizing biologics development. High-throughput screening platforms, AI-driven process modeling, and machine learning algorithms are now enabling faster optimization of culture conditions, reducing trial-and-error approaches, and minimizing human error. This technological leap, he explains, requires today’s researchers to develop skills in computational biology, data analytics, and process automation alongside traditional laboratory expertise.

Leadership and mentorship are at the heart of Dr. Patra’s approach. He believes that passion, perseverance, and an in-depth understanding of scientific processes are the keys to motivating research teams. By sharing detailed knowledge from buffer preparation to chromatography column packing he empowers his mentees to take ownership of their work and develop both technical mastery and scientific curiosity. Many of his mentees, he shares, have gone on to excel in their careers by embracing a culture of continuous learning and dedication.

Throughout his career, Dr. Patra has maintained that failures are not setbacks but stepping stones to innovation. His philosophy is that every unsuccessful experiment offers valuable insights, and persistence in the face of challenges is the defining factor in achieving breakthroughs. For young scientists entering the biopharma field, his advice is clear: embrace failures as part of the process, maintain consistency in learning, and keep upgrading skills especially in AI and emerging bioprocessing technologies to remain competitive in an industry that is evolving at unprecedented speed.

Looking ahead, Dr. Patra envisions a future where India’s biopharma sector not only leads in biosimilars but also makes significant contributions to novel biologics, advanced therapies, and globally competitive manufacturing practices. His journey stands as a testament to the power of resilience, technical depth, and visionary leadership in shaping both scientific progress and industry growth.

Watch the full podcast to unfold what India's future holds in the biosimilar industry. Click here:
Why India Leads in Biosimilars, But Still Isn’t Winning