Fabales - the monthly newsletter of FABA
Volume 03, no. 3,4
In these transformative months, FABA has been at the nexus of pivotal developments—from launching groundbreaking educational initiatives to reshaping regulatory frameworks, from expanding our global footprint to assembling the leadership that will guide our community through 2027.
This special edition captures two months of remarkable momentum while unveiling an ambitious roadmap that positions FABA at the forefront of biotechnology innovation across Asia and beyond.
Fabales will keep you informed of all the events and activities happening at FABA and our International chapters.
Whether you're a researcher, a biotech entrepreneur, or simply interested in the field, FABA is dedicated to promoting and advancing the biotechnology industry in Asia.
Join us today to be a part of this exciting and dynamic community!
⚡ LEADERSHIP EVOLUTION: New Executive Council Takes Charge
The first Executive Committee meeting for the 2025-2027 term heralded a new era of visionary leadership for FABA. Hosted by Dr. Nalam Rao at the impressive Atal Incubation Centre - CCMB facility in Hyderabad, the gathering brought together distinguished leaders from across the biotechnology spectrum.
With fresh perspectives and renewed energy, our EC members mapped out bold initiatives for FABA's future:
Expanding our educational footprint with specialized training programs
Strengthening international partnerships across continents
Enhancing startup support mechanisms through Whale Tank and beyond
Creating new platforms for knowledge exchange among researchers
This remarkable leadership team—spanning expertise from molecular biology to revolutionary drug development, from agricultural innovation to cutting-edge medical diagnostics—brings together diverse insights with one shared vision: accelerating biotech innovation to address humanity's most pressing challenges.
The collaborative spirit displayed during this inaugural meeting signals an exciting road ahead for our biotech community. As FABA expands its footprint in multiple countries, this visionary team will spearhead initiatives that bridge research and commercialization, academia and industry, technological innovation and human need.
🌟 Major Initiatives: Bridging Critical Gaps
Industry-Ready Talent Pipeline: Finishing School Program Launches
Transforming Academic Knowledge into Professional Expertise
The collaborative Finishing School program from FABA, Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), and Agri Biotech Foundation officially launched—marking a significant milestone in addressing biotechnology's skills gap.
The opening ceremony featured inspiring addresses from key stakeholders who emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative:
Prof. Pallu Reddanna, Executive President of FABA and Vice President of Agri Biotech Foundation, emphasized the program's significance: "While FABA Academy has been conducting various programs like webinars, workshops, and conferences, this is the first time we have initiated a one-month course with infrastructure support from Agri Biotech Foundation and financing from Indian Immunologicals Limited."
Dr. K Anand Kumar, Managing Director of IIL, shared a powerful framework for professional growth during the inauguration: "A fulfilling career evolves through four distinct stages—first developing yourself, then contributing to your company, later advancing your industry, and ultimately serving society." He emphasized that this program represents the final, purpose-driven stage of societal contribution.
Dr. P. Ratnakar, Secretary General of FABA, highlighted how the program will make participants industry-ready, reducing the typical 3-6 month training period required by companies. He noted that participants from tier-2 backgrounds would particularly benefit from this opportunity.
The success of the inaugural batch has been remarkable, with participants gaining essential laboratory skills, technical expertise, and professional competencies required in the pharma and biopharma industries. This success has paved the way for the second batch, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in bridging the academia-industry gap. More details are provided below.
Reshaping Pharmaceutical Regulations: High-Level Roundtable
FABA led an exclusive roundtable titled "Reimagining Regulatory Frameworks for India's Pharmaceutical Future" on May 3rd at the University of Hyderabad. Chaired by Prof. Reddanna Pallu and Dr. Yogeswara Rao D, and moderated by Dr. Ratnakar Palakodeti, this impactful event brought together industry leaders, academic pioneers, and regulatory experts.
The focused discussions provided unprecedented clarity on regulatory challenges shaping India's pharmaceutical sector and helped chart a collaborative path forward for innovation. Key focus areas included:
Streamlining the multi-tiered approval ecosystem while upholding rigorous safety standards
Reimagining clinical trial frameworks to accelerate timelines for innovation
Developing cohesive central–state regulatory harmonization
Enhancing India's global competitiveness through alignment with international standards
"This roundtable represents a turning point in how industry and academia can collaborate to address regulatory bottlenecks. The concrete solutions proposed today will significantly impact India's pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem," noted Prof. Pallu Reddanna.
The roundtable culminated in robust action areas aimed at transforming the regulatory landscape. A comprehensive document collating all views and recommendations will be forwarded to concerned government agencies for favorable consideration.
Blueprint for Pharmaceutical Innovation: Fostering Academic-Industry Collaboration
Professor Reddanna delivered a compelling keynote presentation on "Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Academic Institutions: University of Hyderabad as a Case Study" at the SSCDS Research Committee event on May 13th.
Highlighting the critical need for innovative drug development in India, Prof. Reddanna noted that despite India's strong manufacturing capabilities, its share in the global healthcare market remains at only 0.64% ($638 billion out of a $10 trillion global market).
"This modest representation stems from the industry's predominant focus on generics and biosimilars—high-volume but low-value products," he explained, urging a strategic shift toward innovation-driven drug development.
The presentation showcased recent success stories in Indian pharmaceutical innovation, including indigenous COVID-19 vaccines (Covaxin, ZyCov-D, GEMCOVAC-OM), novel antibiotics (Exblifeb), biologics, and advanced cell therapies like CAR-T cell treatments developed by ImmunoAct and Laurus Labs.
Prof. Reddanna highlighted the University of Hyderabad's ASPIRE initiative as a model for fostering pharmaceutical innovation, having supported nearly 80 startups with 20 founded by faculty, students, and alumni. Through ASPIRE's three specialized incubation centers, entrepreneurs receive comprehensive support from ideation to commercialization, significantly reducing barriers to entry in drug development.
Dr. Nagarjuna Reddy Aculate presented the second lecture focusing on oral cancer management from an Indian population perspective. He provided a comprehensive overview of fundamentals while emphasizing the critical importance of biopsy in precancerous lesions for early diagnosis, potentially improving treatment outcomes significantly.
Dr. Jagadeesh Gandla, COO of FABA, delivered the third presentation on "Personal Branding and Soft Skills in the Modern Age," beginning with an introduction to FABA's mission of fostering innovation through biotech entrepreneurship, stakeholder unification, cross-border collaboration, and sector protection.
The event exemplified the productive collaboration between SSCDS Research Committee and FABA, showcasing how industry-academic partnerships can deliver multidimensional professional development combining insights on innovation ecosystems, clinical expertise, and essential soft skills for future healthcare professionals.
🌐 GLOBAL REACH: Building International Connections
FABA Welcomes New Institutional Members
FABA is delighted to announce that several prestigious institutions have joined our network as institutional members:
D Y Patil International University (DYPIU) - Located in Pune, Maharashtra, DYPIU is a prestigious state private university founded by the D Y Patil Group, offering diverse programs across Engineering, Design, Management, and other disciplines. The university is particularly renowned for its research focus in Biomedical Engineering, Nuclear Fusion, and Healthcare.
Sri Sai College of Dental Surgery (SSCDS) - A distinguished dental education institution committed to excellence in dental sciences and research.
Reva University - A progressive university known for its innovative approach to education and research across multiple disciplines.
Key highlights of these partnerships include:
Comprehensive biotechnology and bioinformatics programs
Underscore of Industry - Academy Collaborations
Strong emphasis on innovation through dedicated incubation centers
Interdisciplinary approach to addressing complex challenges in biotechnology
Commitment to sustainability and excellence in education
These partnerships create numerous collaborative opportunities for advancement in biotechnology, strengthening FABA's institutional network and expanding our reach across India.
FABA Nigeria Chapter Leads Critical Biosafety Training
The FABA Nigeria Chapter conducted an essential training program on "Risk-Based Approach to Biosafety Levels and Pathogen Risk Group Classification," a topic that aligns perfectly with the new resolution from the 77th World Health Assembly focusing on strengthening laboratory biorisk management.
Led by expert Dr. Claudio Mafra, the program established critical foundations for protecting health, advancing research, and maintaining high safety and efficiency standards in laboratory environments. This initiative demonstrates FABA's growing international influence and commitment to global biosafety standards.
🚀 COMING SOON: Mark Your Calendar
🚀 UPCOMING FLAGSHIP PROGRAMS
1. Finishing School: Transforming Academic Knowledge into Industrial Expertise
Second Batch Starting June 16, 2025 | Agri Biotech Foundation, Hyderabad
Following overwhelming response to our 1st batch of inaugural program, FABA, Indian Immunologicals Limited, and Agri Biotech Foundation proudly announce the second batch of our groundbreaking Finishing School initiative. This intensive one-month hands-on training program addresses the critical industry-academia skills gap that has long challenged the biotech sector.
What Sets This Program Apart:
Real-World Laboratory Mastery Gain hands-on experience with the exact equipment and protocols used in industry settings:
Western blotting and protein analysis workflows
Cell culture maintenance and experimental design
PCR setup, execution, and troubleshooting
Microbiology techniques essential for quality control
Documentation practices that meet industry standards
Career-Defining Professional Development
Communication techniques used by industry leaders
Project management frameworks for laboratory settings
Team dynamics and conflict resolution strategies
Interview preparation with practicing HR professionals
Personal branding for scientific careers
As Dr. Anand Kumar, Managing Director of IIL, explained: "This program is far more than skills training—it's a transformation of how scientists see themselves in the professional landscape."
Why This Program Is Different?
Industry-Designed Curriculum: Created by professionals who hire and train biotechnology talent
Small-Group Instruction: Limited to 20 participants to ensure personalized attention
Authentic Equipment Experience: Train on the actual instruments and systems used in pharmaceutical R&D
Placement Assistance: Network with industry partners looking for precisely your newly-acquired skillset
Tangible Portfolio: Complete projects that demonstrate your capabilities to potential employers
Limited seats available! Due to the hands-on nature of training, participation is strictly limited to ensure optimal learning outcomes.
2. Drug Discovery & Development Workshop 2025
August 28-31, 2025 | School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad
FABA's most prestigious educational event returns in-person with unprecedented global participation. For the first time since the pandemic, we're bringing together international speakers physically to Hyderabad for four intensive days exploring the complete journey from laboratory to market.
This Year's Special Focus: Cell & Gene Therapy, ADCs (Antibody-Drug Conjugates), and Bispecific Antibodies—the most transformative modalities reshaping modern medicine.
Why This Workshop Is Unmissable:
Unparalleled Faculty: Distinguished experts representing leading pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, regulatory bodies, and academic institutions
Comprehensive Coverage: Every stage of drug development from target identification to commercialization
Direct Networking: Face-to-face interactions with industry pioneers and potential collaborators
Panel Discussions: In-depth exploration of challenges and opportunities unique to the Asian biotechnology landscape
Program Highlights:
Day 1: Drug Discovery — Target identification, hit discovery, lead optimization, pharmacology
Day 2: Drug Development — Clinical trials, formulation, regulatory affairs
Day 3: IP and Commercialization — Patents, manufacturing, licensing, personalized medicine
Day 4: Special Topics — Cell & gene therapy, ADCs, bispecific antibodies
After four years of virtual workshops, this return to in-person format represents an unparalleled opportunity to directly engage with the brightest minds in drug discovery and development.
3. PROTAC ARCHITECT™: Computational Drug Discovery Masterclass
Starting June 28, 2025 | Online (6 weekends)
For decades, pharmaceutical discovery faced an insurmountable challenge: approximately 80% of disease-causing proteins remained "undruggable"—impossible to target with traditional small molecules or biologics.
Then came PROTACs (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras)—revolutionary molecules that don't just inhibit proteins, but completely eliminate them by hijacking the cell's own disposal system.
The result? A paradigm shift that's creating unprecedented career opportunities for those with the right skills.
Why This Masterclass Exists: Despite explosive growth, there's a critical shortage of professionals who understand both the computational methods and the biology behind PROTACs. Companies are desperately seeking talent that can navigate this interdisciplinary frontier.
FABA, in collaboration with Collaborative AI Research Labs (CAiRL), has created the definitive training program to fill this gap—the PROTAC ARCHITECT™ Masterclass.
Program Structure: Spanning 6 weekends (Saturdays & Sundays, 3 hours/day) from June 28 to August 3, this comprehensive virtual program builds from foundational concepts to advanced applications:
Week 1: Refresher Session — Python foundations and molecular biology concepts for computational drug discovery
Week 2: Foundations — Drug discovery pipeline and computational biology approaches
Week 3: PROTAC Fundamentals — Biology, chemistry, and deep learning applications
Week 4: Deep PROTAC — Model architecture and efficacy prediction
Week 5: DiffPROTAC — Diffusion models for linker generation
Week 6: De Novo Design — Generative models and emerging modalities
This program bridges computer science and biology, creating pathways for professionals from both domains to advance in the cutting-edge field of targeted protein degradation.
In just six weekends, gain skills that are opening doors to some of the most sought-after positions in pharmaceutical R&D.
Why FABA Membership Matters
After seeing our initiatives—from industry-ready training to regulatory roundtables with government officials, from cutting-edge workshops to direct connections with global pharmaceutical leaders—one thing becomes clear: FABA isn't just another professional association.
As a FABA member, you get:
First priority and discounted access to our flagship programs
Direct access to pharmaceutical executives and successful entrepreneurs
Career acceleration through placement assistance and mentorship connections
Investment opportunities via Whale Tank and our venture capital network
Insider knowledge on regulatory changes and market intelligence
Exceptional ROI - annual membership costs less than a single course elsewhere
Whether you're a student planning your career, a researcher seeking commercialization, or an entrepreneur navigating the biotech landscape—FABA membership connects you to the people and insights that matter.
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