Karunakar Sukuru is a distinguished leader in the pharmaceutical industry, with over three decades of expertise in Drug Product and Technology Development. At Catalent, he oversees the development of small molecule Rx products, guiding a team of over 800 scientists across 14 sites on four continents. His role involves managing a robust pipeline of several new molecules, utilizing diverse drug delivery technologies to support successful product launches. Karunakar has a proven track record in product development and technical oversight of numerous Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) globally. He is renowned for pioneering innovative controlled-release platform technologies in softgel dosage forms. He holds several granted patents and has over 20 pending patent applications, particularly in modified shell, fill technologies and lyophilization techniques for biologic products. Before joining Catalent in 2016, Karunakar held key positions at Endo Pharmaceuticals, Banner Pharmacaps (in India and USA), and Natco Pharma in India, demonstrating his extensive leadership in the field. He is actively involved in professional organizations, including the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), Controlled Release Society (CRS), Society for Pharmaceutical Dissolution Science (SPDS), and serves as an expert committee member at the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), for the last 10 years where he contributes to setting pharmaceutical standards. Karunakar obtained his M.Pharm., Ph.D., in Pharmaceutical Technology from Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, India and his B.Pharm. from Gulburga University, India. He is also a registered Pharmacist (R.Ph.) in Delaware, USA.