Two Hyderabad-based institutes, the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) and Symphony Pharma Training, set an example for several academic institutes engaged in the pharmaceutical research and training activities by floating separate companies.

According to industry sources, these institutes floated separate companies to generate revenue for their survival. Both these institutes have established laboratories, which enable them to offer Custom Research And Manufacturing Services (CRAMS). Industry sources added that many academic institutes in the country are expected to follow these two Hyderabad-based institutes and float their own entities in the future.

Commenting on the development, Dr M Venkata Reddy, an expert in the academic as well as industrial arena, said, “Many of the academic institutes engaged in the pharmaceutical training and research activities have established laboratories, and it is easy for them to enter into CRAMS sector, which can bring revenue for their survival.

Symphony Pharma Training, a training school for young scientists, ventured into custom research and manufacturing services in early 2008 by promoting a company called Symphony Life Sciences. The company is offering custom research and manufacturing services in both Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and formulations.

A senior official with the Symphony claimed that it is the first of its kind institute in the country to float a separate entity for providing CRAM services.