Tracking Innovation with LODAAT Pharma: CPHI Frankfurt Track Interview

CPHI Frankfurt, to be held at Messe Frankfurt from October 28–⁠30, 2025, will once again bring the pharmaceutical industry together for 3 days of collaboration and innovation. Our interview series sits down with some of our conference track sponsors and speakers to discuss key themes and trends impacting the industry.

Are you excited to be a part of the new track on Clinical Innovation at CPHI Frankfurt this year?

Yes, CPHI Worldwide in Frankfurt is one of the most well organised and crucial exhibitions for the Pharma and Life Science industry.  And this new track focusing on Clinical Innovation is just what the industry needs. Lodaat and our funding arm LIFE SCIENCES ADVISORS LLC or LSA is excited to be a central part of the CPHI buzz. We are making investments up to US$500 million and partnering with firms that want to be a part of the new frontier of clinical innovation in biosimilars and biologics.

As you know, Clinical innovation is a fundamental driver in the pharmaceutical industry. When companies are spending US$100 million and more per molecule, the portfolio pipeline for firms can be severely hindered. That’s where LSA come in; helping to fund these investments.  Clinical trials are the biggest investment in the drug development process, it is paramount that industry harnesses technology and innovation to make them more efficient without compromising on quality or safety, especially in an ever-changing regulatory landscape. Lodaat and LSA are proud to provide the necessary investment and funding for these innovations.   

What impact do decentralised trials and digital innovations have on patient-centric approaches in clinical research?

We at LSA realise that digital innovations and decentralised trials are indispensable as we build more patient-centric models. Investments become more efficient as tools such as wearables drastically broaden our capacity to collect data. We are no longer limited to visit-based, episodic data. Researchers can get a continuous stream of real-world evidence through monitoring of key vitals like heart rate and blood sugar. At the same time, decentralised trials are allowing us to expand the reach of clinicals. Incorporating telehealth options and remote monitoring significantly decreases patient burden, improving access to underrepresented populations, and enhanced patient retention. Not only does this reduce patient burden and increase diversity and inclusivity of clinical data, it also decreases capital and time investment for sponsors without compromising on safety and quality. 

Why are strong partnerships between CROs and end users becoming increasingly important in today’s clinical research landscape?

LSA’s partnerships are crucial. As clinical innovation evolves, strong partnerships between CROs and sponsors have become essential in delivering trials effectively and efficiently. Today’s trials have the capacity to be global and more complex than ever, reaching more people and gathering more data. Whether the trial involves biosimilars or natural supplements, CROs and sponsors need to operate as integrated teams rather than separate entities. Collaboration enables shared accountability for patient safety, data protection, and regulatory compliance, especially as new challenges arise such as data protection in a world of AI. At the heart of this is trust: only by building transparent, enduring partnerships can CROs and sponsors maximise innovation while responsibly managing risk.

What are the main advantages of decentralised trials and manufacturing for Cell & Gene therapies?

Cell and Gene therapies are a key strategic area for LODAAT. One of the major challenges with Cell & Gene Therapy trials is patient recruitment, especially in rare diseases where eligible patients can be relatively few and often geographically dispersed. Decentralised trials and point of care manufacturing allows us to bring the trial and the ground-breaking treatment to the patient, reducing the need for extensive travel and opening access to patients who may have been excluded otherwise. With CGT specifically, the logistics of manufacturing and transport are critical risks. Centralised manufacturing lends itself to longer vein-to-vein times, cold chain disruptions, and potential product loss. Together, these innovations not only expand patient access, but also strengthen trial reliability and propel the path towards transformative therapies.   

How can technology and collaboration improve clinical trial infrastructure across different continents where there are different needs?

LSA is on the cutting-edge of AI and technology. Technology to streamline global trials is an exciting frontier, and its success depends on targeted collaboration between CROs, sponsors, and local authorities. Even seemingly simple innovations such as multilingual eConsent platforms or telehealth systems that function on smartphones as well as laptops, can make a decisive difference in enabling patient participation across various regions. 

Why is addressing gender disparities in healthcare critical for the pharmaceutical industry? 

Addressing gender disparities and representation in clinical trials continues to be a priority for the pharmaceutical industry. Failing to incorporate sex and gender into our scientific thinking introduces significant gaps in our understanding, given how fundamentally these factors influence disease prevalence, pharmacokinetics, and safety profiles. From a business perspective, it is more strategic to incorporate a diverse population from the outset than to risk late-stage or even post-market surprises.  Gender equity only makes science more valid while also strengthening patient trust and improving outcomes in patient populations.  

How is increased investment shaping the future of clinical innovation and clinical trials, particularly in terms of accelerating advancements and improving outcomes?

The benefit of LODAAT and LSA’s business model is that we are at a transformative moment. Our partners want to be on the cutting-edge and first to file in any therapeutic area. Our investment in AI and digital technologies is directly reshaping drug discovery and making clinical trials more efficient. We started our investment arm, Life Sciences Advisors with the strategic purpose of catalysing innovation. We are investing in a high-value therapies; NCEs, ADCs, GLP-1s, biosimilars, and gene therapies. Pairing technology-driven discoveries with technology-driven trials is redefining what’s possible in medicine.

What are you most looking forward to from the Clinical Innovation track? 

I am really excited about showcasing LODAAT’s pivotal platform for highlighting the newest developments in research and innovation. What we are most looking forward to is the opportunity to engage with passionate, science-driven partners and to forge strategic collaborations around promising clinical assets. Beyond showcasing innovation, this track creates an environment that lends itself to meaningful dialogue and long-term partnerships that can accelerate therapies to patients worldwide. 

To see the full Clinical Innovation track agenda at CPHI Frankfurt this October, see here.

Rajiv is an accomplished leader in the Life Sciences; specifically pharmaceutical and consumer health sectors. He has authored several published patents, and written peer papers for major journals. Under his leadership, LODAAT has become a global force for investments in novel therapeutics, biosimilars, rare disease and orphan drugs. Rajiv also leads LODAAT's consumer health division for nutraceutical and natural wellness ingredients. As Managing Director, his companies have been awarded INC 500 status (fastest growing, US privately held firms). LODAAT was awarded BEST EXPORTER from the State of Illinois, and NASBITE best Exporter.