The 3rd National Conference on Nanomedicine and Medical Devices in Healthcare was recently organised by the Apeejay Stya Univesity in support of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), DST, Government of India.

The conference witnessed eminent scientists and experts from the field of nanomedicine and medical devices technologies across the country, who put forward their perspectives on various aspects of the industry along with advocating the consolidation of the sector. 

The conference was also a platform for many faculty members, PhD scholars including postgraduate and undergraduate students to exhibit their valuable research/review through scientific poster presentations on various aspects related to the theme. 

Prof Alok R Ray (Ex-Consultant Professor, School of International Biodesign, All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi), said: “Most of the polymers that are used in medical devices are made in India. But we do not produce the final product because people from various fields like pharmaceutical, hardware, bioelectronics, nanodevices, etc, do not work together so much."

Prof Raj S Dhankar, Vice-Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University (ASU) highlighted the facts how India played a vital role during the last covid waves and contributed effectively in quality medicine and vaccines to address the domestic as well as global demand. 

Dr Vivekanandan Kalaiselvan, Senior Principal Scientific Officer, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ghaziabad, spoke about “Materiovigilance Programme of India: Roles and responsibilities of Pharmacy professionals” while elaborating on the role of Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission that obtains scientific data, analyses and communicates it to the regulating authority. 

Dr Manish Diwan, Head-Strategy Partnership & Entrepreneurship, Development BIRAC, Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India spoke about the growing startup ecosystem of the country. 

Dr Arvind Bansal, Professor of Pharmaceutics, NIPER, Mohali, Chandigarh, spoke on nanocrystals—the approaches used for its generation and its various applications. 

Dr Dhiraj Kumar Chopra, Vice President & Head Sterile R&D, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, spoke on the key factors considered in polymer selection for drug delivery system, the importance of managing the rate of polymer degradation, use of polymers for depot injections that are non-toxic, controlled erosion and biocompatible, among others. 

Prof Bansi D Malhotra, DST-SERB (Science & Engineering Research Board, Govt of India) Distinguished Fellow & Adjunct Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (DTU), spoke about how nanomaterials-based conducting paper can be helpful in the development of biomolecular electronic devices like biosensors for cancer detection.