Chennai, India (CU)_ The 61,000 square feet institution comprises more than 250 scientists and professionals from a variety of scientific fields, including formulation scientists and pharmacists, analytical scientists specialized in process, analytical and formulation medicinal sciences, life Science specialists like microbiologists and biotechnologists, chemical engineers, data scientists, and programme managers.
Pfizer has established a global drug development unit at Chennai’s IIT Madras Research Park. The corporation has funded $20 million in the IIT Madras Research Park’s 61,000-square-feet research and technology facility. This center will be one among the global network of 12 centers, and is the first and only one that Pfizer is currently establishing in Asia.
Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished dosage forms (FDFs) of differentiated products like complex/value-added formulations, controlled-release dosage forms, device-combination products, lyophilised injections, powder-fill products, and ready-to-use formulations will be developed at the center. The center will develop and support goods in global markets as well as Pfizer’s global production hub.
Sridhar, country manager at Pfizer India, expressed confidence over the new facility. He said, “We are confident that it will allow for synergistic co-development of cutting-edge active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and finished dosage form (FDF) processes under the same roof. The world-class scientific, technology and innovation-driven Research Park campus provides an ideal setting for our work”.
Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmSci) and global technology and engineering (GT&E) Centre of Excellence are two critical operations of Pfizer Inc.’s export-focused projects that are incorporated within the center. PharmSci is committed to the development of anti-infectives, oncolytics, sterile injectables, anesthetic products, central nervous system (CNS) goods, and hospital products with distinctive differentiation. GT&E is a pioneer in future generation API process and production technology in order to provide medications to patients worldwide.
J Radhakrishnan, principal secretary at Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department, expressed delight over the investment. He said, “It is encouraging to see a company like Pfizer make a significant investment in R&D in India, and on this prestigious IIT Madras Research Park campus. This center will offer Indian scientists the opportunity to establish a global footprint in medical R&D. In the future, it will also allow for collaboration between industry and academia”.
V Kamakoti, director at IIT Madras, expressed optimism over the initiative. He said, “Drug Development is one of the most important activities wherein technology meets medicine. Aligning the process with regulatory conditions using technology will not only quicken but enhance the quality of the process of drug development”.
