Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra is slowly transforming itself into a cherished location for pharma and life sciences industries as well, thanks to its proximity to India's most vibrant commercial centre, Mumbai.
If the increasing presence of biopharmaceutical parks, biotech, pharma and ayurvedic industries are of any indication, the knowledge city of India is gradually turning into a sought after pharmaceutical and biotechnology hub within the state of Maharashtra. Apart, the city has a host of allied sector and quality pharmacy educational institutions, strengthening the concept of Pune as a center of pharma activities.
"Pune has always been a knowledge hub of not only Maharashtra but of the entire region with many renowned institutes and research centers to its credit. To name, National Chemical Laboratory is one of them. Apart, Pimpri, near Pune, also houses some of the pharma companies. Serum, Emcure and Bilcare, all headquartered in Pune, are the prominent names making their presence felt globally. Also, attracted by the talent pool and infrastructure, some of the pharma companies are looking to set up their R&D center at Pune," said, Mohan Bhandari, CMD, Bilcare Research.
"Pharma companies require a very cooperative and conducive environment. Hence, pharmaceutical companies are looking at Pune to set up their R & D bases, largely due to cost effective environment and availability of the concerned human capital. In fact, Lupin has chosen Pune to set up its research park, Lupin Research Park. The company's park sprawls across 19 acres with a built up area of 1,50,000 square feet. It houses 320 scientists and is the hub of all research initiatives undertaken by the company," said a spokesperson of Lupin.
Once known for its educational institutions, the prospects of Pune changed after the establishment of International Biotech Park (IBP) at Hinjewadi. A joint venture between Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and TCG urban Infrastructure Holdings Limited, a Chatterjee Group Company, the biotech park has attracted many multinational and foreign companies to jumpstart their operations in this knowledge city of India.
The introduction of biotech park has seen companies like GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Emcure, Dr Reddy's, Chembiotech, Advinus Discovery Labs, Centaur Pharma, Hikal Pharma, Omni-Actives and Kard Scientific establishing its base in Pune. Developing at a cost of about Rs 250 crore, this IBP is expected to generate employment opportunities for many. The biotech park features Genesis Square, Chrysalis enclave and a developed open space to cater to the needs of the biotechnology companies. While the Genesis Square with its 100,000 sq ft of bioscience labs will meet the requirements of small and medium caps, built in nine acre campus with 10,00,000 sq ft of research labs, the Chrysalis Enclave will provide services to the medium and big caps.
However, the city's growth into a hub of biotech and pharmaceutical activities was not an over-a-day's development. The beginning of pharma industry in Pune can be traced back to companies like Libra Drugs, Varma pharmacy and Eisen Pharmaceuticals. With Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd, first public sector antibiotic company, making its foray into the city's pharma scene, it was a time of steady growth for the industry in Pune. Now the city has become a base for many companies, including Bilcare Research, Emcure Laboratories Ltd, Twilight Litaka, Biostar Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd, Raj Biotech, Fresenius Kabi India Ltd and Nulife Pharmaceuticals. Even the Mumbai-based Lupin has opted Pune as its favourite destination to set up its research park.
The major attraction of the city is the presence of Serum Institute of India Ltd, a leading producer of measles and DTP group of vaccines. Founded in 1966 with an objective of manufacturing life saving immuno-biologics, Serum has established itself as a global player in the biotechnology field. The company has successfully introduced a couple of bacterial, viral, recombinant and combination vaccines, anti-cancer products and other pharma products globally. The company is expected to launch a vaccine for bacterial influenza this month. Presently, Serum is working on a new meningococcal conjugate vaccine.
The city also has Raj Biotech, an animal facility for contract research in its kitty. Some of the key services offered by the company include pharmacological studies, toxicological studies, drug safety testing, immunological studies and animal surgery related studies.
To match its status as the knowledge city of India, it has a number of pharmacy educational institutions like Poona College of Pharmacy, Allana College of Pharmacy, R. C. Patel College of Pharmacy and P. E. Society's Modern College of Pharmacy, shaping the scientists of tomorrow. Recently Bilcare Research has also made its foray into the academic arena by setting up Bilcare Research Academy. Bilcare's this academic center will offer postgraduate diploma in clinical trial management.
Referring to the quality of the pharmacy educational institutions in Pune, a spokesperson of Lupin said, "With its excellent academic and research institutions, Pune is also known as the 'Oxford of the East'. Pune being 'the Oxford of the East' has no dearth of a talent pool either. There are specialized education institutes in the city and a large base of scientists working on research and development."
Pune is also fast turning into a safe haven for ayurvedic industry with players like Ayurveda Rasashala, Best Southeast, Agasti Pharmaceuticals, Ayurvedic Sanjivani and Guru Ayurved Hospital and Research Center making it big in the city. This cultural capital of Maharashtra is also home to noted allied sectors like Alfa Laval and Technofour Electronics Pvt Ltd.