Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Limited (SCDL), a leading Indian drug manufacturer, is also emerging as a global player in the field of Contract Research And Manufacturing (CRAM), thanks to its unique models for development like custom synthesis and Full Time Equivalent Programme (FTE).

Shasun, which offers contract research services for the North American market through AustinShasun LLC, a joint venture with Austin Chemical Co., USA, has also joined hands with Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited and Innovasynth Technologies (India) Limited to form Life Sciences Alliance, a research, development and manufacturing alliance to service the needs of the global life science companies in collaboration with Austin Chemical Company of USA. The alliance has evoked good response from global pharma companies, and it could contribute substantially for the growth of the company in future, feel Shasun sources.

Shasun offers its FTE programme option for clients who desire to outsource a substantial amount of research for competitive and economic reasons. In this a group of Shasun staff work on projects specified by the client, with all intellectual property generated during the course of the program belonging to the client. Depending on the needs of the client, Shasun offers to customize the structure of the group and the nature of the contract to ensure greatest value capture. Shasun has alliance managers for liaison works and project managers to ensure effective scheduling including the lead-time for procurement of raw materials, customs clearance, preparation of material safety data sheets, packaging requirements and dispatch logistics.

Shasun's FTE model hinges on advanced satellite labs with dedicated scientists and other R&D experts, flexible contracting options, GLP complainant SOPs, scale up to 20 L scale, performance measured against mutually agreed metric systems, project wise weekly analysis and monthly raw material accounting etc.

For clients requiring quick development support for initial clinical studies preparing for launch of new molecules or for the development of a competitive source of supply, Shasun recommends its custom synthesis model, as the company claims to have resources for the quick development of products that are environmentally friendly, economically viable, and through patent non-infringing processes.