Bridging the gap between academic research and commercial viability, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Shoolini University recently hosted a landmark day-long symposium to celebrate National Science Day. Titled ‘Bio-Innovation and Startups: Transforming Natural Products into Healthcare Solutions’, the event was organised in collaboration with the EYUVA Centre (supported by DBT-BIRAC) and iHUB Shoolini (supported by DST and IIT Roorkee). The gathering was a melting pot for students, researchers, and faculty to explore the burgeoning ecosystem of bio-entrepreneurship and the untapped potential of natural products in modern medicine.
Addressing a packed audience, Vice Chancellor Prof Atul Khosla emphasised the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in reshaping the landscape of research and healthcare innovation. He urged the student community to fully utilise Shoolini University’s advanced infrastructure and world-class research facilities to drive the next wave of startups. This vision was echoed by Founder-Chancellor Prof PK Khosla, who motivated young scholars and faculty members to sharpen their academic focus. He stressed that the ultimate goal of research should be high standards and meaningful contributions that address real-world societal challenges.
Prof Deepak Kumar, Dean of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and EYUVA Centre Chief Coordinator, further elaborated on the vital funding support provided by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT-BIRAC) and iHUB DivyaSampark at IIT Roorkee. He highlighted how this support was creating a robust environment for translational research, allowing laboratory discoveries to evolve into scalable healthcare solutions. He also paid tribute to Sir CV Raman, noting that his scientific legacy continued to provide foundational inspiration for generations of Indian researchers.
Expert Insights and Technical Excellence
The technical sessions provided a deep dive into the practical application of medicinal science. Dr Rakesh Maurya, former Chief Scientist at CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, discussed the critical role of medicinal plants in managing modern lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. This was complemented by Dr Pallab K Haldar from Jadavpur University, who explained how traditional Indian medicinal plants were being scientifically validated to control metabolic disorders and enhance overall public health.
Adding a perspective on the business of science, Dr Rajat Sandhir, Director of PI-RAHI at Panjab University, spoke about India’s rapidly growing startup culture. He encouraged students to stop viewing their ideas as mere academic exercises and instead see them as potential enterprises. The scientific narrative continued with Dr Kapil Dev from CSIR-CIMAP, who detailed the development of plant-based compounds for heart ailments and pain management, while Dr Atul Gupta of AcSIR delivered an insightful lecture on the precision design of safer, more effective drug molecules within the laboratory setting.
The symposium also served as a platform to celebrate student achievement, with certificates being distributed to those who qualified for the National Zonal Championship at IIT Delhi. The day concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Abhishek Singh, who expressed gratitude to the university leadership and guest speakers for providing a roadmap for the future of bio-innovation at Shoolini.
Solan, February 28