Life sciences companies which have dedicated human resource (HR) departments have teamed up to form a National HR Life Science Forum (NHRLSF). The Forum is a representation of HR professionals from biotechnology, bio pharmaceuticals, generics-formulation companies, clinical research organizations and contract research and manufacturing service providers, agro chemical units, healthcare and research & development organizations.

HR professionals from Dr Reddys, Dupont Research ,GVK Bio Sciences, Syngene, Quintiles, Advinus Therapeutics and Jubilant, have come together to take the initial step. George Selvam, a senior HR professional and a management consultant facilitated the formation of this group.

There are initiatives planned for industry- academic interface and Reward & Recognition for organizations with best practices.

The key objective of the Forum is to encourage the HR professionals in the life sciences space to share their best practices keeping in mind the exponential growth of the sector. It will also help to create job opportunities, right talent development and corporate social responsibilities, stated Thomas Putti, president, NHRLSF and Head HR, Advinus Therapeutics.

Membership to this Forum will be restricted to registered companies with minimum 50 full time employees. There is a formal process of application which needs to be proposed and seconded by existing members. An approved member organization is admitted on nominal fee.

The founder members include PSN Murthy, Sujiv Nair, associate vice president, Dupont Knowledge Centre, Niranjan Reddy, vice president - HR, GVK Bio Sciences Ltd., Ronald Mascrenhas, head - HR, Syngene, M.A Mukund, director, HR, Quintiles Research (India) and PC Pandian, head HR & OD, Jubilant Chemsys Ltd., Noida.

"The formation of the NHRLSF is a pioneering initiative in the country. For the first time, HR professionals belonging to the life sciences industry are coming together under one umbrella to collaborate in the HR fraternity at an industry level. The move augurs well for the industry which is facing challenges of talent development, a highly mobile workforce and rising personnel costs in a highly competitive business environment. The forum will help address these challenges at a broader level and help achieve synergies, stated M.A. Mukund, director - HR, Quintiles Research (India).