The first session of the conference commenced at 10:30 am. The Chairperson of the session was Dr C S Shastry, Principal, NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mangalore, and the speaker for the session was Dr Sunil Chiplunkar, Vice President-Business Development, Group Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Bengaluru. Dr  C S Shastry was accorded a warm welcome by the event's host, effectively setting the stage for an engrossing dialogue. Dr Shastry, in his introductory remarks, extended a gracious welcome to Dr Sunil Chiplunkar and outlined the session's overarching objectives.

Dr Chiplunkar's session focused on the theme “Blueprint for Product Development”. He opened the session with a captivating discussion on the profound significance of a simple smile in life, immediately engaging the audience. Throughout his presentation, he delved into several critical topics, including market dynamics in the pharmaceutical sector, strategies to enhance profitability, the realities of the pharmaceutical market, and guidelines for licensing. Providing a comprehensive overview of the pharmaceutical industry, Dr Chiplunkar highlighted the pivotal role of the Indian pharmaceutical sector on the global stage. He also shared insights on how Japan ascended to a position of global leadership in the pharmaceutical field. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to exploring the symbiotic relationship between academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Dr Chiplunkar shared intriguing anecdotes about groundbreaking inventions such as Rapamycin and underscored India's remarkable contributions to the pharmaceutical realm. These contributions spanned diverse areas such as ecosystem-based innovations, serendipitous discoveries, structural approaches, development processes, repurposing of drugs, generic pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. Dr Chiplunkar concluded his presentation by revisiting the theme of smiles, summarizing the key takeaways from the discussion, and inspiring students to think creatively about product development in the pharmaceutical industry. Following the presentation, the chairperson facilitated an interactive session, allowing for questions, sharing of perspectives, and lively discussions from the engaged audience.

Dr Sunil Chiplunkar was duly honored with a memento and certificate presented by Dr C S Shastry, reciprocated by a similar token of appreciation bestowed upon Dr C S Shastry by Dr C Mallikarjuna Rao. 

The second session of MPCON 2023 delved into the captivating realm of “New Trends in Pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing”. This enlightening session, under the stewardship of Dr Ramakrishna Shabaraya A, Principal, Srinivas College of Pharmacy, Valachil, Mangalore, unfolded with great promise. The session's objectives were outlined by the host, generating a palpable sense of anticipation. With a brief introduction about the speaker for the session Dr Venkat Ramana Naidu, Executive Vice President – R&D (T-CEM &BRaIN), Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Hyderabad Bengaluru was given by Dr Ramakrishna.

Dr Naidu's presentation delved into the realities of life within the pharmaceutical industry, providing valuable insights into its inner workings. He began by presenting compelling statistics illustrating the remarkable growth and significance of the pharmaceutical sector in India. The session encompassed an array of crucial topics, offering a comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical landscape. Dr Naidu discussed the evolution of Research and Development (R&D), emphasizing the pivotal role of formulation design in drug development. He highlighted emerging trends in formulation technology, personalized and precision medicine, injectable innovations, Oral Solid Dosage (OSD) technologies, and the importance of fostering collaborations between academia and industry in research and development endeavors. Dr Naidu also shed light on continuous manufacturing, electro-spun nanofibers, regulatory trends, and provided an insightful glimpse into the future prospects of the industry. The engaging session concluded with Dr Naidu actively involving the audience by inviting questions and fostering an interactive discussion.

The chairperson extended gratitude to Dr Naidu for his invaluable insights and encouraged students to explore promising careers in Research and Development (R&D) within the pharmaceutical industry. As tokens of appreciation, mementos were presented to Dr. Venkat Ramana Naidu by the chairman, Dr Ramakrishna Shabaraya and a memento along with a certificate were conferred upon the chairperson by Dr Sudheer Moorkoth, the Head of Department, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, MCOPS. This insightful session gracefully drew to a close, and participants adjourned for a well-deserved refreshment break. 

The third session was brought to the forefront a topic of significant relevance – “Quality assurance in Biotechnology Products”. Dr B Satish Rao, Director-Research, MAHE; Director – Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal who chaired this session, opened proceedings by introducing both the session's theme and the esteemed speaker, Dr Gopal K, Deputy Manager, Quality Assurance, Syngene International Ltd., Bengaluru. 

Dr Gopal initiated his presentation with a genuine expression of being overwhelmed by the opportunity to address the audience. He then embarked on a comprehensive exploration of various facets of quality assurance in the realm of biotechnological products. The session encompassed a diverse range of topics, offering profound insights into the importance of quality assurance. Dr Gopal introduced the field of biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals, emphasizing the critical distinctions between small molecules and biologics. He delved into the intricate world of biosimilars and elucidated the significance of master cell banks and working cell banks in bioprocessing. One of the focal points of the discussion was the production of biologics and the multifaceted challenges entailed in ensuring the highest standards of product quality. Dr Gopal elucidated the crucial roles of Quality Management Systems (QMS), Quality Assurance (QA), and Quality Control (QC) in maintaining these standards. He also expounded on the validation processes essential for upholding quality and elucidated the rules governing quality in biotechnological products. Quality evaluation and the identification of Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) were among the key subjects addressed during the session, shedding light on the meticulous processes involved in maintaining product integrity. Dr Gopal also discussed the requirements for QA audits and delineated the duties and responsibilities of QA personnel within the biotechnological industry. Dr Gopal concluded his presentation by succinctly summarizing the pivotal points discussed, leaving the audience with a consolidated understanding of the intricacies of quality assurance in biotechnological products. Dr Sathish Rao BS, the chairperson, delivered insightful closing remarks, sharing personal experiences and profound insights related to the topic, enriching the audience's perspective further.

The session concluded with an engaging Q&A session, allowing attendees to pose questions and engage in further discussion, fostering a dynamic exchange of knowledge. In recognition of their contributions, mementos and certificates were presented to the speaker, Dr Gopal K, by the chairman and Dr Sudheer Moorkoth, the Head of the Department at MCOPS, presented a memento and certificate to Dr Sathish Rao BS, the chairperson.

The fourth session started at 12:15 pm and this session brought to the participants was on topic “Selecting Discriminatory Dissolution Media”. With the host extending a warm welcome to the audience and introducing the distinguished chairperson, Dr Shivakumar Hugar, President APTI- Karnataka State Branch; Professor, ad Department Head, BLDE College of Pharmacy, Vijapur who chaired this session, introduced the esteemed speaker, Dr Ashok Raj, Director IVIVC, Cipla Ltd., Mumbai setting the stage for an informative session.

Dr Ashok Raj initiated the session by providing a comprehensive introduction to the dissolution test and its wide-ranging of applications in the pharmaceutical field. He emphasized its importance in API characterization, the development of new formulations, IVIVC, biowaivers, stability assessment, and the assurance of product quality, particularly in the context of Scale-Up and Post-Approval Changes (SUPAC). The presentation continued with a discussion on various dissolution methods, defining the methods used in USP-NF (United States Pharmacopeia-National Formulary) and EMA (European Medicines Agency). Dr Raj explained the contents and significance of dissolution method development reports, providing valuable insights into regulatory compliance and industry best practices. Dr Raj outlined the development process of dissolution tests and presented a compelling case study involving the drug etoricoxib, a project handled by his team. He detailed the methodology and results of their study, highlighting the challenges and complexities encountered in correlating in vitro dissolution data with in vivo data. One of the central themes of the presentation was the correlation of in vitro dissolution data with in vivo data. Dr Raj shared insights into the different scenarios his team encountered during their study of Etoricoxib, offering practical guidance on this essential aspect of pharmaceutical research. During the session, Dr Ashok Rai provided further valuable insights by mentioning software applications that can be effectively utilized for In Vitro-In Vivo Correlation (IVIVC) within academic settings. He highlighted the importance of these tools in facilitating research and development efforts. Specifically, Dr Raj mentioned two noteworthy software applications GASTRO Plus and PKSim for PBPK and PBBM modelling and simulation. Following Dr Raj's presentation, Dr Shivakumar Hugar, the chairperson, shared his thoughts on the topic, posed thought-provoking questions, and facilitated an interactive Q&A session with the engaged audience. The session provided a platform for participants to seek clarification and delve deeper into the subject matter.

In recognition of Dr Ashok Raj's expertise and contributions, he received a memento and certificate, presented by the chairman, Dr Shivakumar Hugar. The gesture of appreciation was reciprocated, as Dr Hugar was honoured with a memento and certificate by Dr Srinivas Mutalik, the Head of the Department of Pharmaceutics at MCOPS.

The afternoon session of MPCON 2023 started at 02:15 pm and this session brought to the forefront a topic of significant relevance – “Soft Skills”. Dr Vishwanath Swamy, principal, KLE College of Pharmacy, Hubballi who chaired this session, opened proceedings by introducing both the session's theme and the esteemed speaker, Mr Sachin R Chandra, Assistant Professor – Selection Grade, Department of Commerce, MAHE, Manipal.

Mr Sachin R Chandra captivated the audience by infusing the session with fun activities, riddles, and mind-bending questions. These interactive elements were thoughtfully designed to keep the participants active and attentive throughout the session. The seminar delved into a diverse array of topics, including Divergent Thinking, The 21-Day Habit Theory, Differentiating Soft Skills and Hard Skills, Stress Management, Emotional Intelligence, Hard Work and Effective Communication. Mr Chandra encouraged divergent thinking as a crucial component of soft skills development, fostering creativity and adaptability. He introduced the concept of the 21-day habit theory, highlighting its relevance in cultivating and honing soft skills. Mr Chandra elucidated the difference between soft skills and hard skills, emphasizing the former's pivotal role in interpersonal relationships and career success. Stress management techniques were discussed, offering valuable insights into maintaining mental well-being. The concept of emotional intelligence was explored, shedding light on its role in personal and professional growth. The importance of diligence and hard work in achieving goals was a central theme, motivating participants to strive for excellence. Effective Communication was addressed as a cornerstone of soft skills, with practical tips and strategies shared. Mr Chandra concluded the session with inspirational stories and recommended books to further enhance participants' soft skills. Dr Vishwanath Swamy, the chairperson, provided closing remarks, summarizing the key takeaways and expressing appreciation for the valuable insights shared by Mr Sachin R Chandra.

In recognition of his engaging presentation, Mr Sachin R Chandra received mementos and certificates, presented by the chairman. This gesture of gratitude was reciprocated, as Dr D Sreedhar, Head of the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs and Management Department, presented a memento and certificate to the chairman. The Soft Skills Seminar concluded at 3:15 PM, leaving participants enriched with practical knowledge and strategies to enhance their soft skills, both in their personal and professional lives.

After three days of engaging conference sessions, the event culminated in a cultural session. During this session, Ms Sai Lakshmi and Ms Vaishnavi delivered captivating vocal performances, followed by a mesmerizing Veena performance by Ms Jhanavi Shenoy, all of which were thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.

The Valedictory Ceremony of MPCON 2023 marked the successful conclusion of three days of insightful discussions, knowledge sharing, and networking. Hosted by the Departments of Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, and Pharmaceutical Regulatory & Management, the conference brought together participants from diverse fields and backgrounds. The event featured esteemed dignitaries, insightful presentations, and an atmosphere of learning and collaboration. Dr Ramya Ravi, Assistant Professor- Senior Scale, Department of Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs and Management was the master of valedictory ceremony. The Valedictory Ceremony was graced by esteemed guests, including Dr  Niti Nipun Sharma, Pro Vice Chancellor, Strategy and Planning, MAHE, Manipal; Dr C Mallikarjuna Rao, Principal; and Dr Krishnamurthy Bhat, Vice Principal, MCOPS. Their presence added prestige to the occasion. Dr Krishnamurthy Bhat extended a warm welcome to all attendees and expressed gratitude for their participation in MPCON 2023. Dr Srinivas Mutalik, HOD of the Department of Pharmaceutics, provided an overview of the conference and announced the winners of the poster presentations, recognizing their outstanding contributions. One of the key highlights of the program was the presentation of awards to the winners of the poster presentation. Out of over 180 poster participants, 20 were recognized as the best presenters, demonstrating their exceptional contributions to the conference. Three participants shared valuable feedback on the conference, highlighting the positive experiences and insights gained during the event. Dr Niti Nipun Sharma, the Chief Guest, delivered an enlightening address, sharing valuable insights and knowledge with the audience. Dr Mallikarjuna Rao, on behalf of the organizing committee, felicitated the Chief Guest, and Dr D Sreedhar, Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs and Management, expressed gratitude to all participants, sponsors, and organizers. MPCON 2023's Valedictory Ceremony served as a fitting end to a successful conference. It celebrated the spirit of learning, collaboration, and knowledge dissemination that characterized the entire event. The conference not only expanded the horizons of the participants' academic and professional knowledge but also facilitated networking and the formation of lasting connections. The Valedictory Ceremony concluded with a message of continued learning and exploration, emphasizing the importance of knowledge. The participants were wished a safe journey back to their destinations.

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