Department of Pharmacy of CUSB Hosts National Conference on Drug Discovery and Development (NCAD4-2025), April 23-25, 2025

The Central University of South Bihar (CUSB), Gaya, inaugurated its National Conference on “Advances in Drug Discovery, Development & Delivery: Challenges & Opportunities (NCAD4-2025)” on April 23. Organized by the Department of Pharmacy under the School of Health Science, the event aims to promote advancements in pharmaceutical sciences. The ceremony began at the Vivekananda Lecture complex with a Lamp Lighting and Saraswati Vandana. The session was inaugurated with an inspiring Presidential Address by Vice Chancellor Prof. Kameshwar Nath Singh, who extended his heartfelt blessings to all participants. In his address, Prof. Singh emphasized the significance of collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions to address the global challenges in drug discovery and development. Prof. Vivek Dave, Head of the Department of Pharmacy, welcomed the attendees. The inaugural session featured speeches from Prof. Subrat K. Bhattamisra, Dean of the School of Health Science, Prof. Deependra Singh, Chairman of the Education Regulation at PCI, and Dr. Rajesh Arora, Scientist at DIPAS-DRDO, New Delhi. The inaugural ceremony was graced by a distinguished gathering of Dean and HOD, including Prof. Asheesh Shanker, Prof. Amiya Priyam, Prof. Kiran Kumari, Prof. Ram Pratap Singh, and Prof. Venktesh Singh.

The conference proceeded with expert sessions, starting with Mr. Sumit Agarwal, Director of Sain Medicaments Pvt. Ltd., who spoke on “Local Manufacturing to Global Markets: The Rise of India Pharma 2.0.” This was followed by two talks: Prof. Arun Kumar Pandey’s lecture on “Growth and Opportunity in Pharma (India & International)” and Dr. Rajesh Arora’s session on “Harnessing Prophylo-Therapeutics for Mission-Critical Operations”. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. Arun Kumar, whose thoughtful remarks expressed gratitude to all the distinguished guests, speakers, and participants for their valuable contributions. Session-3 featured Poster Presentations from students across the country, showcasing innovative research. The first day saw vibrant participation from students, faculty, and industry professionals, fostering knowledge exchange and discussion. The conference will continue through April 25 with more expert sessions and interactions.

Second Day:-
The second day of the NCAD4-2025 conference was packed with enriching lectures and insightful sessions, offering valuable perspectives on the future of pharmaceutical sciences. The day began with Dr. Arti Singh, Associate Professor from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, who gave a fascinating talk on “The Role of Zebrafish in Drug Discovery and Development.” She highlighted the growing use of zebrafish as a model organism in drug discovery due to their genetic similarity to humans and transparent embryos. 

Next, Dr. Asis Bala, Associate Professor at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, presented his research on “Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) and its Role in Cancer Treatment,” focusing on its potential in treating skin melanoma. After lunch, the audience was treated to an engaging session by Dr. Rajnish Kumar, Associate Professor from IIT-BHU, on “AI-Enabled Discovery of Novel Theranostics for Alzheimer’s Disease.” His talk demonstrated the crucial role AI is playing in advancing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer’s. The day wrapped up with a vote of thanks by Dr. Gireesh Kumar Singh, followed by Session 6, where students presented their cutting-edge research in oral and poster formats, showcasing the brilliance of young minds in pharmaceutical sciences.

Third Day:-
On April 25th, the final day began with Dr. Charan Singh from HNB Garhwal University, who shared insights into the application of nanomedicine in treating neurological disorders. His talk illustrated how nanotechnology is shaping the future of brain health treatments. The event culminated in a Valedictory Ceremony, where esteemed guests were felicitated for their contributions. Prof. Vivek Dave expressed gratitude for the event’s success, emphasizing the importance of academic collaboration. Prof. Subrat K. Bhattamisra also addressed the gathering, inspiring future innovations in pharmaceutical sciences.

The ceremony ended with the Prize and Certificate Distribution. In the oral presentation category, Dr. Renu Bala from DIPAS-DRDO won the 1st prize, while the 2nd prize was jointly awarded to Mr. Gaurav Ranjan from the Central University of South Bihar and Ms. Ruchi Pandey from NIPER Hajipur, celebrating their exceptional contributions to the field. Janmejay Gupta was awarded the 1st prize in the poster presentation category. The day wrapped up with a vote of thanks by Dr. Bibhas Chandra Mohanta, who expressed deep appreciation for the speakers, guests, and participants, acknowledging the efforts of the organizing team and emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the conference. The NCAD4-2025 conference was a resounding success, with over 100 participants from universities across India. The event reinforced Central University of South Bihar’s position as a hub for innovative research, continuing its commitment to fostering knowledge in pharmaceutical sciences.