The Hyderabad-based Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), a joint venture of Andhra Pradesh government, University of Hyderabad and Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd, is planning to set up two centres of excellence, it is learnt.

According to the institute, among the two centres of excellence, one will be dedicated for drug discovery and the other to promote entrepreneurship. The centre of excellence for drug discovery will carry out preclinical, clinical and toxicology studies. The centre of excellence for entrepreneurs is with a view to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among the young and it will be developed as an incubation centre for the entrepreneurs.

Speaking to Pharmabiz, Javed Iqbal, director, Institute of Life Sciences, said, "The institute is following a unique growth model and the first of its kind in India. We are also planning to set up two centre of excellence in the future. One will be dedicated for drug discovery and the other to promote entrepreneurship". However, he has not mentioned any specific time period for the same.

The institute, which is expected complete development of infrastructural facilities by next year, is planning to raise the headcount from current 60 to 200 in another two years. The institute, which has recently entered research collaboration with the Australia-based Barker Heart Research Institute, is looking for similar kind of collaborations and is expected to draw ink agreements with a few companies in another few months.

According to the institute, as per the research collaboration with the Barker Heart Research Institute, it will work with the Australian institute for the development of drugs for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The molecules, which would be developed under the collaboration, are planning to out license to the domestic as well as overseas firms. The Institute of Life Sciences has research collaborations with the US-based Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi also.