1. Tell us about the journey of ACG over the decades? How has ACG evolved in the last few years specifically in technological advancement under your able leadership?
Response : ACG has been serving the pharmaceutical industry for over 60 years. With a presence in 138 countries on six continents, ACG is now the world’s largest integrated supplier of solid dosage products and services – providing hard-shell capsules, film and foil barrier solutions, track and trace systems, and process, packing and inspection equipment. These are facilitated through 25 manufacturing sites world over.
As a pharmaceutical integrated solutions provider, we have played a significant role in enabling cutting edge advance manufacturing in the pharmaceutical ecosystem. Embracing the Industry 4.0 principles, integrating automation, data analytics, and IoT technologies into our machinery ensuring precision, efficiency, and real-time monitoring of production processes. We help pharmaceutical companies transition from traditional manufacturing to smart, connected production environments.
2. Could you elaborate on the role of ACG Group in driving technological advancements within the pharmaceutical and machinery industry (with 1-2 examples)? How does your participation in Pharma Pro&Pack Expo align with this mission?
Response : ACG is guided by an unwavering dedication to innovation and a resolute commitment to delivering the most cutting-edge solutions to the pharmaceutical ecosystem. From introducing world’s first 2 in 1 capsule formula such as the Side-by-Side technology to providing the most innovative machines that enable global benchmarking standards, access to best practices of operations and compliance ; our mission is not only providing state-of-the-art technological advancements but also sharing valuable insights and expertise. We firmly believe that collaboration, knowledge exchange, and collective efforts are the driving forces propelling the pharmaceutical industry into the future.
This year, we are at the epicentre of progress ; #biggerthanever with Pharma Pro & Pack, we are proud to display products that are meticulously crafted to uphold the highest standards of quality and compliance : 1. VERISHIELD CS17 for Quality Assurance and 2. GPCG 1.1 Granulation System. The products exemplify cutting-edge techniques that not only guarantee authenticity but also enhance operational efficiency and flexibility, thereby facilitating a seamless and agile manufacturing process. The time has come to transition to sustainable strategies – centred around inclusion, innovation, and integratio
3. India is well on its way to establish itself as the “Pharma Manufacturing Epicentre”, what steps you & your organization are taking in contributing to the growth of Indian Pharma Manufacturing Industry?
Response : India has emerged as a global leader in the production of high-quality generic medicines and vaccines, serving not only the domestic market but also providing affordable healthcare solutions to the world. To consolidate this momentum as a dependable supplier of safe, affordable and effective life-saving medicines to the world, our industry would need to build on its fundamental strengths while making a quantum leap towards innovation.
The route for India’s success as the Manufacturing Epicentre is three-fold: Firstly, after establishing ground in generics space, the industry is ready to build its R&D and innovation capability and adopt advanced manufacturing technologies to remain competitive in the global scenario. Secondly, we must embrace USFDA benchmarks, regarded as the highest standards operating procedures for manufacturing, to improve our current levels of quality and compliance. Thirdly, despite a vast skilled population and deep expertise in healthcare, we lack the infrastructure and foundation such as – hospitals, availability of latest medical technologies, amongst others ; strengthen collaborations and build solutions for such challenges.
4. Can you tell us about the key innovations that ACG Group is showcasing at Pharma Pro&Pack Expo this year? How do these innovations address current challenges in the pharmaceutical and machinery sector?
Response : Our innovations showcased at Pharma Pro&Pack Expo 2023 are committed to advancing industry standards, ensuring regulatory compliance, enhancing product quality, and promoting cost-effective and efficient manufacturing processes. These pioneering solutions include 1. VERISHIELD CS17 for Quality Assurance and 2. GPCG 1.1 Granulation System. These processes not only enable manufacturers to establish product authenticity, traceability, and combat counterfeit medications but also address the crucial aspects of operational flexibility, efficiency, and resource management.
As we stand at the cusp of becoming a global epicenter for pharmaceuticals and the G20 presidency presents us with opportunities to collaborate with global economies, we must recognize the importance of establishing the right standards of operation and governance to seamlessly integrate global solutions. Our commitment to excellence, innovation, and compliance will undoubtedly propel the Indian pharmaceutical sector into a leadership position, setting the stage for a transformative era in healthcare.
5. Networking and collaboration are essential in industry events. How does ACG Group plan to leverage its participation in Pharma Pro&Pack Expo to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships particularly in the Pharma Hub of India - Hyderabad?
Response : Networking and collaboration hold paramount importance in industry events, and ACG recognizes the significance of such engagements. At Pharma Pro&Pack Expo, we are strategically focusing on cultivating new partnerships while reinforcing existing relationships within the thriving ecosystem at the Pharma Pro&Pack Expo. Our approach to this event is holistic, as we strive to create immersive experiences that benefit the entire ecosystem. To achieve this, we've collaborated with partners such as the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance and the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations.
This year, our presence at the ACG exhibition is nothing short of spectacular. We aim to foster dialogue and knowledge exchange in three pivotal areas: 1. Role of AI in analytical instrumentation 2. Transitioning from batch to continuous manufacturing and 3. Ways to enhance productivity and minimise error. Our participation in Pharma Pro&Pack Expo is not just about showcasing our capabilities but also about contributing to the progress and collaboration within the healthcare industry.
6. As a thought leader in the pharmaceutical and machinery sector, what insights do you believe ACG Group can share with attendees through one-to-one interaction during Pharma Pro&Pack Expo?
Response : The pharmaceutical ecosystem has shown great resilience and strength during challenging times such as the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the clear lessons learnt from the experience in the past few years was on the importance of building and strengthening health emergency preparedness and responsiveness to future epidemics and shocks.
For the manufacturing and machinery industry, now is the time for new sites to adopt and implement new technologies and to transform pharma manufacturing from being reliant on costly legacy processes. Digital technology will speed up processes by enabling early detection of wear and tear on machinery lines. It will also help to reduce wastage and recalls by effectively tracking defective batches, allowing for timely interventions. Adopting Industry 4.0 technology and new delivery models can help build a more self- reliant and robust pharmaceutical supply chain to keep up with changing and increasingly complex healthcare needs.
Our focus is on creating high-performing and quality driven manufacturing units that can support smart, connected, and intelligent systems. Reams of data converts into actionable intelligence, improving several supply chain aspects such as inventory management, trend analysis, forecasting and predictive equipment maintenance.
