2025-12-30

Raag Mevada, Domestic Sales Manager, Ambica Pharma Machines, speaks to Pharma Industrial India about the company’s latest advancements in injectable manufacturing, from high-speed filling technologies to automation and AI integration. He also sheds light on the company’s commitment to quality and sustainability, while outlining its expansion plans and vision for the future of pharma production.

Q. Tell us about Ambica Pharma Machines and the solutions that you are providing to the manufacturers.

Currently, we are providing them a solution where the injectables are coming in place. Initially, we used to provide them solutions where the dry syrup filling was involved.

Right now, our core product is completely into injectables. So, for these injectables, we have complete filling lines of vials, ampoules, pre-filled syringes and even dental cartridges. So, we have a complete solution all the way from washing, filling, sealing, inspection and labelling.

Q. Do you have any products that you introduced at CPhI India 2025?

At CPhI India 2025, we introduced a new high-speed combi ampoule and vial-filling machine capable of reaching a practical output of 320 ampoules per minute, for 1 ml, 2 ml, and 3 ml ampoule sizes and for 2ml vial size, offering enhanced efficiency across multiple formats.

Apart from that, we have a new development that we are not showcasing here yet. The system is for Pre-Filled Syringes (PFS) and dental cartridges. A combi filling machine capable of handling powder-plus-liquid or liquid-plus-liquid combinations of filling within the same PFS and/ or cartridges, offering greater flexibility in complex injectable formulations.

Often, the doctors need to keep different media separated until the moment of administration, combining them only just before injection. Our new machine is specifically designed to support this requirement. We also recognize that India is transitioning from being primarily a producer of generic medicines to emerging as a pharmacy innovation hub, with injectables becoming an important focus area. Although many industrial professionals acknowledge that India is still in the early stages of innovation, the momentum is strong and the opportunities are rapidly expanding.

Q. So, how would you like to introduce your product in this shift towards this transition?

We have been giving machines for injectables for powder and liquid from a very long time. So, for us, it has been a long time and not only for us, there are various other companies who are our competitors. They have been in this field for 20 to 30 years, whereas, we have been delivering solutions from past 50 years of various kinds.

We have extensive experience working with a wide range of customers, including those operating under stringent US FDA requirements and European regulatory norms. Our production lines are built to comply with WHO guidelines and fully meet both American and European standards.

In terms of our positioning, we are able to provide companies across the world with high-quality equipment supported by complete and compliant documentation. At this point, we are well beyond the initial stage—our systems and certifications are solid and in place. The only challenge, perhaps, is that the new manufacturing companies are focused on merely supplying the equipment, regardless the evaluation of the quality they are delivering to the clients. We on the other hand, are performing strongly in the quality aspect.

Q. You mentioned the differences between US and Indian standards. Could you briefly explain where we currently stand and how Indian standards differ from those in the US?

If I have to be really blunt and upfront, I don't think a unified standard will be possible because every country has its own political reasons.

To bring our systems on par with global standards, the approach is straightforward: manufacturers must be able to fully justify the machines they build—what they deliver, how they perform, and to meet the promises made to the customer. One of the biggest challenges Indian manufacturers face is the tendency to cut costs by compromising on quality. Eliminating this practice and maintaining the consistency, high-quality output is essential for achieving parity with the US standards.

They compensate on the service. So, these parameters are the most important parameters which we lack. Otherwise, I don't think it's such a big deal to comply to these standards for us.

It is essential to justify and deliver the promised equipment and the quality to the customer.  Beyond that, there isn’t a major difference. When it comes to quality, we’re all aware that contamination issues are still reported, which highlights the need for stricter adherence to standards and processes.

Q. In terms of injectables, where are the challenges?

When we talk about contamination, there are essentially three categories under which these lines or machines operate at a customer’s facility. The first is open RABS, where air is drawn directly from the room or from their HVACs and managed through laminar flow units to maintain a low-contamination environment. The second is closed RABS, which involves complete air recirculation and tighter control mechanisms. The third level is isolators, which provide the highest level of containment. Without going into too much of technical details, the core principle is simple: if you adhere to quality standards—ensuring proper sealing and consistently using the materials you promise—you naturally achieve the desired output.

India often doesn’t prioritize quality. So, how do we convince customers to choose our products? One major factor is the trust we’ve built over the years—we’ve been operating successfully for a long time, and that reputation speaks for itself. Secondly, we manufacture every component in-house except for electronics. Because of this, we invite clients to visit our facility and see the machines being built firsthand. When they witness our production standards, the trust follows naturally. We don’t compromise on quality, and that transparency is one of our strongest advantages.

Q. In terms of sustainability, pharma industry is moving toward greener operations, and sustainability is increasingly becoming a key expectation under GMP practices. How is Ambica contributing to this shift?

We receive a wide range of requirements from different regions and clients, and to stay competitive—or even exceed market expectations—we must continually upgrade ourselves. This includes strengthening our team when needed, investing in ongoing R&D, and refining our designs to align with evolving standards. We make it a priority to stay well-informed about new industry requirements and adapt accordingly.

To support this, we have a dedicated research and development team that works continuously to monitor market trends, evaluate competitor advancements, and identify ways we can offer superior solutions. Our goal is to ensure that customers experience uninterrupted production. Ultimately, customer satisfaction is what keeps us strong in the market, and that’s what we consistently thrive for.

Q. Automation is another major focus today, with companies adopting it for greater speed, efficiency and error reduction. So, what kind of automation have you implemented in your company?

We recently implemented SAP to strengthen our internal processes. Earlier, we were using a basic ERP system, but SAP—though more complex—offers far greater efficiency. It ensures continuity of work even if an employee leaves or transitions to another role, because the entire workflow is clearly structured and accessible. This helps new team members quickly understand processes without any disruption.

In terms of automation within our equipment, we have integrated robotic-based systems where bots now perform tasks over traditionally handled by operators. This not only enhances precision, but also reduces manpower requirements for both our customers and our own operations. In this way, we’re steadily expanding automation across our processes and machinery.

Q. What would be your expansion plan in the next year?

For next year, we’re planning expansion in two key ways. The first is economic—we aim to reach more markets and serve a larger customer base. The second, equally important, is strengthening our relationship with the existing clients so they don’t feel the need to turn to competitors.

To support this growth, we’re introducing several new technologies: newly developed PFS filling lines, IV bag filling machines, and dental cartridge filling lines. These are areas we haven’t worked in before, but they’re now part of our pipeline and will soon be launched. We’re optimistic that these additions will further enhance our offerings and position us well for the coming year.

Q. What are the pharma trends that we can expect in the next five years according to you?

That’s a broad question, so I’ll provide an overview. One major trend is the decreasing reliance on manual labour, with automation and AI increasingly taking over the center stage. We plan to incorporate AI-based models in the near future, focusing not just on programmable systems, but on adaptive learning. Each experiment we conduct will feed data into these AI networks, enabling the models to improve over time—resulting in greater precision and more reliable solutions for our clients.

I believe AI will extend far beyond our field; as we’ve already seen in daily life, it is becoming an integral part of virtually every industry.

Q. AI and automation have led to some job displacement in the industry. How would you address or justify this impact?

I don’t think there’s a way to fully justify it, because jobs are indeed being replaced in several areas. However, AI is also a tool that gives people access to new opportunities. While one role may be lost, many new doors open in other areas. The key is for individuals to broaden their focus and adapt. By updating their skills and embracing these new possibilities, they can often achieve more than they were doing before.