Invasive fungal infections have emerged as a significant public health challenge in India, with the rapid rise of antifungal resistance further constraining an already limited therapeutic arsenal. Despite ongoing advances in antifungal research, including novel chemistries and therapeutic modalities, next‑generation diagnostics, and enhanced understanding of fungal pathogenesis, the translation of these innovations into routine clinical practice remains markedly restricted. As a result, scientific progress often lags behind the urgent needs of clinicians across intensive care units, transplant wards, and hospitals.
Organized by the Foundation for Neglected Disease Research, the University of Aberdeen, and Brigid Bio, with funding support from FAILSAFE, this one‑day, invitation‑only stakeholder conference aims to overcome barriers in translating antifungal innovations to clinical practice. The day features three focused sessions: (i) the clinical landscape of invasive fungal infections in India (ii) emerging therapies and diagnostics targeting antifungal resistance, and (iii) the translational framework for research, approvals, access and adoption. The event will close with a roundtable to discuss national priorities to strengthen India's response to fungal diseases and antifungal resistance.
Morning tea will begin at 8:30 AM at Krishna Hall, Shangri-La.
Buffet lunch and refreshments will be provided.
The conference is free of charge for attendees.
Attendance to this conference is by invitation.
AGENDA
8.30 AM Tea
9 AM Welcome
Welcome Address
Prof. Carol Munro,
Professor, University of Aberdeen, UK
Dr. Shridhar Narayanan,
Chairman, Foundation for Neglected Disease Research
Mr. Angus Urquhart,
Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter
Mr. Owen Richards
Deputy Head of Mission, British Deputy High Commission Bengaluru
9.15 AM Session 1 - Clinical Landscape & AMR
9.15 AM Changing epidemiology of fungal infections in the Indian perspective
Prof. Arunaloke Chakrabarti,
Director, Doodhadhari Burfani Hospital & Research Institute, Haridwar
9.45 AM Antifungal Resistance in India: The ICMR Surveillance Picture
Dr. Kamini Walia,
Scientist G & Head, Division of Descriptive Research, Indian Council of Medical Research
10.00 AM Invasive Fungal Infections associated with Viral Pandemics, Cancers and Immunosuppression
Dr. Gifty Immanuel,
Director, Center for AIDS & Antiviral Research, Bengaluru
10.20 AM Mucormycosis in India: beyond the COVID surge, the present-day clinical picture
Prof. Shivaprakash M. Rudramurthy,
Professor, Medical Mycology, Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
10.40 AM Candida infections and C. auris in Indian ICUs: outbreak, tracking, AMR signals, and clinical management
Prof. Anuradha Chowdhary,
Professor, Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi
11.00 AM Moderated Q&A: Clinical Landscape and Antifungal Resistance in India
Prof. Carol Munro,
Professor, University of Aberdeen, UK
11.15 AM Tea
11.45 AM Session 2 - Biology & Solutions
11.45 AM Beyond Efflux Pumps: Emerging Mechanisms and Targets of Antifungal Resistance and Their Implications for New Antifungal Chemistry
Prof. Rajendra Prasad,
Dean, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology
Director, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University
12.15 PM Novel antifungal drugs: The global pipeline and what's next after azoles and echinocandins
Dr. R K Shandil
Director & Chief Clinical Officer, Foundation for Neglected Disease Research
12.35 PM Novel approaches: monoclonal antibodies, host-directed therapy, and immunotherapy in fungal disease
Prof. Carol Munro, Professor, University of Aberdeen, UK
Dr. Soumya Palliyil, CEO, Brigid Bio
12.55 PM Diagnostics for fungal disease: current platforms, novel approaches, and designing for LMIC settings
Dr. Chandrasekhar Nair,
Co-founder and CTO, Molbio Diagnostics
1.15 PM Moderated Q&A: Targets, Therapeutics, and Diagnostics for Fungal Diseases
Dr. Maneesh Paul S,
CEO, Microvioma
1.30 PM Lunch
2.30 PM Session 3 - Translational Framework
2.30 PM Innovative solutions for fungal diseases and AMR in India: ICMR's initiatives
Dr. Taruna Madan Gupta,
Scientist G & Head, Division of Development Research, Indian Council of Medical Research
Dr. Madhuchhanda Das,
Scientist E, Division of Development Research, Indian Council of Medical Research
3.00 PM Indian generics and antifungals: a manufacturing legacy, new antifungals and the road ahead for patient supply
Dr. Jaideep Gogtay
Global Chief Medical Officer, Cipla Ltd.
3.20 PM From clinical trials to getting novel antifungals to patients in India
Dr. Saiprasad Patil
Senior General Manager, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd
3.40 PM Panel: Fungal Diseases & AMR in India - Closing the translational gap from Discovery to Access
Moderator: Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed,
Director and CEO, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bangalore
Panellists:
Prof. Arunaloke Chakrabarti,
Director, Doodhadhari Burfani Hospital & Research Institute, Haridwar
Dr. Taruna Madan Gupta,
Scientist G & Head, Division of Development Research, Indian Council of Medical Research
Dr. Jaideep Gogtay
Global Chief Medical Officer, Cipla Ltd.
Dr. Soumya Palliyil,
CEO, Brigid Bio
Dr. Himanshu M,
Program Lead, Advanced HIV Disease & AMR Program, Médecins Sans Frontières, India
4.30 PM Closing Remarks and Tea
Prof. Carol Munro,
Professor, University of Aberdeen, UK
Dr. Shridhar Narayanan,
Chairman, Foundation for Neglected Disease Research
Mr. Angus Urquhart,
Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter