Adoption of AI for Early Drug Discovery: Challenges and Opportunities for CROs

Dr. Subhendu Kumar Mohanty is Vice President and Head of Chemistry at Syngene International, and a seasoned leader in drug discovery with over 18 years of continuous experience. A long-standing contributor to Syngene’s growth, he has held key leadership roles including Head of Medicinal Chemistry, Head of SynVent Operations, and Head of Alliance Management for discovery services. His expertise spans synthetic and medicinal chemistry, with a strong track record across multiple drug discovery modalities. Known for his strategic thinking and collaborative leadership, he has played a pivotal role in advancing integrated research programs. Dr. Mohanty holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from IIT Madras and completed postdoctoral research in Biophysical Sciences at NCBS, Bangalore.

Dr. Achintya Das is a seasoned expert in AI and computational drug discovery, bringing over 25 years of experience in driving innovation across science and industry. As Vice President and Head of Computational & Data Sciences at Syngene International, he leads the development of advanced, data-driven solutions and digital transformation initiatives. His expertise spans AI, multiscale modelling, and R&D informatics, with a strong track record in building impactful, technology-led research programs. Prior to Syngene, he served as Director of Computational Sciences at Strand Life Sciences and established the Supercomputing Centre for Bioinformatics & Computational Biology at IIT Delhi. Dr. Das holds a robust academic background from IIT Delhi, with specialization in Physics, Computer Applications, and Molecular Simulations. A respected leader, he continues to shape the future of data-driven R&D and computational sciences.

Santoshkumar N. Patil (SNP) is AVP and Section head of scientific ladder, Medicinal Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry division at Syngene International, with over two decades of experience across pharma and CRO environments. A medicinal chemist with deep expertise in integrated drug discovery, he has collaborated extensively with global pharma, biotech companies, and academic partners. He has a strong track record of advancing programs to preclinical development, including candidates progressing into clinical trials. His diverse background across academia, pharma, and contract research provides him with a well-rounded perspective on innovation in drug discovery. Dr. Patil is also actively driving the adoption of AI in drug discovery and is a recognized speaker at global forums, including keynote presentations on AI in drug discovery. He holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia and an M.S. Pharm from NIPER Mohali, India with postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge, UK.

Raj Patra is Vice President and Head of Digital IT – Research Services at Syngene International, where he leads digital transformation across Discovery Chemistry, Discovery Biology, and Translational Research. He drives modernization of scientific data platforms and champions AI-enabled workflows across the Design–Make–Test–Analyze (DMTA) cycle. With over two decades of experience spanning pharma, biotech, and consumer healthcare including leadership roles at Reckitt and GSK, he brings deep expertise in translating digital and AI strategies into scalable, real-world applications. His work focuses on solving critical industry challenges such as data fragmentation, workflow integration, governance, and regulatory compliance. Raj is widely recognized for his ability to bridge science and technology while ensuring robust scientific oversight in AI-driven decision-making. A respected thought leader, he is a frequent speaker on digital transformation and AI adoption in life sciences.