Mumbai, India | April 23, 2026 – The Pharmaceutical Academy for Global Excellence (PAGE), an initiative of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), today announced a strategic partnership with 8chili Inc. to launch India’s first AI and VR powered training platform for pharmaceutical manufacturing. The collaboration aims to address the industry’s shortage of job-ready talent in quality, production, and regulatory roles as India targets USD 130 billion in pharmaceutical growth by 2030.

The initiative also reflects a broader shift in the industry toward technology-enabled workforce development, as global regulators place increasing emphasis on demonstrable shop-floor competence, training rigor, and data integrity. By introducing immersive and AI-driven training at scale, PAGE and 8chili aim to establish a new benchmark for industry-led pharma education in India.

8chili Inc. is a pioneer in digital workforce development solutions for regulated manufacturing. By integrating 8chili’s HintVR immersive learning library with the SkillsForge AI platform, PAGE will move from classroom-based instruction to a continuous, industry-grade capability model. Learners will be able to interact with intelligent digital twins of real machines, SOPs, and manufacturing processes, enabling hands-on experience before entering a live plant.

What the PAGE - 8chili platform entails: Immersive Technology for Global Standards

The platform combines immersive VR simulations with AI-driven coaching to create an end-to-end learn–practice–perform model for pharmaceutical manufacturing roles.

HintVR: Immersive training built for real-world pharma operations

Through HintVR, PAGE learners access a library built from real SOPs, real machine geometries, and real regulatory content.

• Provides over 200 virtual reality simulations, which act as ‘Digital Twins’ of real machines and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Coverage of critical processes, including granulation, compression, coating, encapsulation, aseptic filling, visual inspection, and cleaning operations
• Hands-on practice in a risk-free environment where learners can safely make and correct mistakes

SkillsForge AI: Personalized AI coaching at scale

An artificial intelligence operating system that complements the VR simulations with AI-powered learning, coaching, and continuous capability assessment.

• 1:1 scenario-based AI coaching with adaptive learning and quizzes
• Short-form modules on GMP, quality culture, documentation, and data integrity
• Learn → Practice → Perform → Audit workflow
• A continuous capability loop that captures every click, decision giving PAGE and its partner companies an auditable, behaviour-level view of true readiness.

“India’s pharmaceutical industry is entering a decade of unprecedented global responsibility. We cannot build a USD 130 billion industry on textbook training alone. Our partnership with 8chili ensures that every PAGE learner, whether a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional, steps onto the shop floor having already operated machines, followed SOPs, and handled real-world scenarios. This is the next generation of pharma training: immersive, AI-coached, measurable, and globally benchmarked.” — Amitava Saha, CEO, Pharmaceutical Academy for Global Excellence (PAGE)

“8chili’s vision is to transform workforce capability in regulated manufacturing by digitizing every SOP, machine, and process. PAGE is the ideal partner to scale this vision in India. With more than 200 HintVR simulations and AI-driven coaching through SkillsForge, PAGE learners will enter the industry hands-on, audit-ready, and globally competitive.”— Aravind Upadhyaya, Founder & CEO, 8chili Inc.

The platform will support PAGE’s flagship programs for both fresh graduates and practising professionals. Deployment begins immediately, and the technologies will form a core component of PAGE’s upcoming state-of-the-art training facility in Ahmedabad, scheduled to open in 2027.