Insights from Planning Committee Member Shirish Ingawale
As we anticipate the upcoming annual PDA Universe of Pre-Filled Syringes and Injection Devices Conference in Phoenix this 22-23 October, we caught up with a member of the planning committee to get a sneak preview. Shirish Ingawale, PhD, is also the Director of Device Development Leadership at Takeda and has two decades of expertise in the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of medical devices, drug delivery technologies, and drug/device combination products. Before joining Takeda in May 2023, Shirish worked at Amgen for a decade where he was accountable for the development, launch, and life-cycle management of combination products including reconstitution kits, pre-filled syringes, mechanical autoinjectors, and electro-mechanical autoinjectors and platforms.
Shirish holds a BS in Instrumentation Engineering from the University of Mumbai, India, and earned his MS and PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, USA. That more than qualifies him to share his perspectives on the value of this event for biomedical professionals and engineers like himself. He adds, “I am passionate about continuous learning which helps me gain diverse strengths from these experiences in my professional and personal life.”
Let’s face it, there are many professional conferences to choose from for inspiration, education, and meeting potential partners. Shirish says the PDA annual conference, now in its 21st year, is unique because it has a global perspective, is tightly focused, and offers a network of experienced, collegial professionals. He shares one of his top reasons to attend is to experience the different expo booths (more than 120 this year) to see products, technologies, and manufacturing equipment that will improve his job. “It’s all under one roof, and we can touch and feel these solutions dedicated to the field of drug delivery and devices.” He says this conference is invaluable to his work.
The Value of the PDA Universe of Pre-Filled Syringes and Injection Devices Conference
PDA stages the largest global conference on pre-filled syringes and injection devices bringing together key industry experts to discuss the breakthroughs that are propelling the industry forward. This platform delivers world-class content and knowledge exchanges with peer experts and contributes to enhancing global health within the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. Before and after the conference, specialized training courses and the Combination Products Workshop are filled with highly interactive, hands-on learning opportunities.
Shirish says that the content offered across the conference, training courses, and workshop focuses on fact-based problem solving. “The sessions identify the shared challenges and hurdles collectively faced by the industry. The content also drives alignment on pragmatic solutions to bring therapies to the patients (e.g., it deconstructs the ambiguity or absence of clear regulatory expectations and approaches in certain areas such as human factors, identifying the shared challenges faced by the industry).” The takeaway, he adds, is to “encourage the players in the industry – medical device and biotech/pharma – to share lessons (as much as practically possible) and create avenues for meaningful exchange.”
The speakers go beyond theory to tackle practical solutions with actionable learning about new trends, challenges, solutions, and opportunities in the drug delivery space.
The agenda is developed by peers for peers and covers critical topics, including sustainability, large-volume injections, digital health, and regulatory compliance. Shirish adds that the conference, training courses, and workshop create a “one-stop-shop for curious and innovative scientists, engineers, business leaders and literally anyone interested in prefilled syringes, drug delivery devices, and combination products.” He adds that he is looking forward to moderating the plenary session on “Drug Delivery Platforms – Compare and Contrast Device and Pharma Perspectives” as well as a concurrent session on “Integrated Approaches in Drug-Device Combination Products” on Wednesday, 23 October, during the conference.
Why Attend?
Shirish shares that the downside risk of skipping this conference is to “miss the unique opportunity to interact in person with a global community that is the best in the world!” Meeting and working in person with scientists, engineers, and business leaders at the top of their game is essential to career growth and to gain a deeper understanding of key industry issues. The high level of interactivity with poster presentations and networking is essential for every professional to become a more valuable asset to their organizations. He adds that he is “looking forward to presentations and discussions on several key areas of drug delivery devices and combination products – from formulation, container, and devices through development, launch and lifecycle management of combination products…and networking with the experts.”
Shirish urges PDA members to get involved. He believes volunteering for planning committees is a meaningful experience and members can make a significant difference in the industry as well as for their peers by shaping the content and strengthening the opportunity to make connections and develop partnerships.
As a final note to anyone sitting on the fence about attending, Shirish says, “If you’re interested in learning more about drug delivery technologies and combination products from the best in the business, or simply networking with the key players across the globe, do not miss this event!”
Visit pda.org/ups2024 to learn more about the conference, training courses, and workshop.