Dr. Shilpa Gadgil on empowering women in India’s pharma industry

Dr Shilpa Gadgil’s journey in the pharmaceutical industry is a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of an inclusive work culture. As VP Head of Process and Analytical Development and Head of CDMO development at Enzene, she has navigated an industry that remains male-dominated at senior levels, breaking barriers while fostering environment that supports diversity and innovation.

Speaking to 24/7 BIOPHARMA ahead of World International Women’s Day, Dr Gadgil acknowledged the deep-rooted gender bias that exists not just in pharma but across industries. “It doesn’t matter where you work; gender bias is very real and deeply rooted,” she says. “Especially in India, there’s a longstanding societal perception that men are the breadwinners and women are homemakers.
This conditioning seeps into the workplace, affecting promotions, appraisals, and overall career growth.” Women in leadership often find themselves having to prove their capabilities repeatedly, navigating biases both inside and outside the office. Yet, at Enzene, she has found a culture that values talent above all else. “I won’t take credit for this alone our company culture is built on true equal opportunity. We ensure that talent and passion, rather than societal expectations, determine career growth.”

The company operates as an equal opportunity employer, ensuring that promotions and opportunities are based on merit rather than gender.
In fact, some of her team members have received promotions even while on maternity leave a powerful statement that career growth does not have to pause due to life’s milestones.

Dr. Gadgil understands first-hand the challenges of taking a career break. “You are talking to someone who has taken one,” she says. “I was fortunate to have the freedom to choose my career path, both before and after marriage. After my PhD, I took a break when I had my son,but I had tremendous support at home.” She credits one of her mentors, Dr. Gyongi Szabo, MD PhD at UMass Medical Center, for encouraging her return to the workforce. “She never made me feel like having a child was a professional limitation. Women need to support other women this is critical.”

She notes that during her early career, another mentor, her PhD advisor, Dr. Harry W Jarrett, PhD, gave her invaluable advice: “He told my husband and me that since we were both in the same profession, one of us might have to follow the other. He also specifically advised me that if I ever chose to take a break for family,I should remember that it’s just a small setback, not the end of my career.” Dr. Gadgil has carried this mindset forward into her leadership at Enzene, regularly advising her team members: “If you need to take a break, take it. But don’t let it be the end of your professional journey. Come back when you’re ready and continue to grow.”

Talking about some of her initiatives at Enzene, she says “Over 60% of my team comprises women, and we actively ensure that diversity remains a key priority.” We also have something called an ‘Idea Bubble’ a monthly forum where employees from across R&D and operations can pitch new concepts without the fear of being judged. I’ve seen more women participate in them than men. Some of their ideas have even turned into full-fledged projects.Enzene has been certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’,four years in a row in India reaffirming its dedication to build an inclusive workplace.

This has been the most rewarding for Dr Gadgil: the ability to create a workplace that truly supports and empowers women. “Seeing my team members thrive, innovate, and step into leadership roles without gender being a factor is a success,” she says. “A testament to this is our team’s advancements with EnzeneX™ 2.0, our Fully Connected Continuous Manufacturing™ platform for biologics. We are targeting 40-60 kg of mAb per batch, lowering production costs to $40 per gram and making biologics more accessible. Just last week, our Pune facility secured EU GMP certification, and our US manufacturing site is set to launch soon. I couldn’t be prouder of my team.” For young professionals just stepping into the pharmaceutical industry, she emphasizes the importance of passion. “There has to be a purpose.And if you have that, then the work is that much more enjoyable. Also understand the impact of your work it makes the grind worthwhile.” Science is a demanding field, requiring patience and perseverance, but the knowledge that one’s work contributes to life changing medicines makes it all worthwhile. On leadership, her advice is clear: “Be your own person. Women naturally have qualities like empathy, attention to detail, and resilience. Use those strengths. Don’t feel guilty about prioritizing your career at times and most importantly, don’t feel the need to ‘act like a man’ to be a strong leader. You can be a strong leader in your own way.”

Dr Shilpa Gadgil’s journey in the pharmaceutical industry is a testament to the power of mentorship and a strong company culture. By fostering a work environment where women are given equal opportunities, she is helping women in pharma join the industry’s workforce without the fear of being seen differently.

Her advice to the next generation of female scientists and leaders is both simple and profound: “Stay passionate, be yourself, and never apologize for your success.”

SHILPA GADGIL
VP Head of Process and Analytical Development and Head of CDMO development
Enzene

Source : https://247biopharma.com/