Sanofi India Limited (SIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NIPER Kolkata today, in the presence of President of India Pranab Mukherjee.

The collaboration with NIPER Kolkata, an autonomous body set up under the aegis of Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, will promote academic excellence and research in the areas of pharmaceuticals and consumer healthcare products, to cater to the current and future needs of the pharmaceutical industry.

Through this initiative, Sanofi India will participate in revision or formulation of curriculum for a Post-Graduate (M.S.)/Ph.D. Programme; Provide opportunities of internship or project work to NIPER Kolkata M.S./Ph.D. students at manufacturing sites; Ensure association of R&D heads with the dissertation work of NIPER Students; Provide career growth opportunities; and Undertake collaborative research activities in identified areas.

“The era of academia-industry collaboration to address the mammoth task of capacity building to meet our healthcare challenges has well and truly begun. Only a well-equipped and trained workforce can face future challenges and cater to the vast healthcare needs of the nation. We are proud to associate with NIPER Kolkata in this collaborative exercise to hone the students’ skill-sets, and empower them for future, based on our practical knowledge and research experience.” said Dr. Shailesh Ayyangar, managing director, Sanofi India Limited.

As per the MoU, the key deliverables for Sanofi India will be to assist NIPER Kolkata foster students with updated knowledge, and who are ready for the pharmaceutical industry. The collaboration will focus in the areas of NIPER Kolkata’s expertise like repurposing of existing pharmaceuticals; novel small molecules for anti-diabetics and drug resistant tuberculosis; API by synthetic biology/cell factory; phyto-pharmaceuticals and rare diseases of public health importance.

National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Kolkata was created in 2007 under the aegis of Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizer as a centre of excellence for higher education, research and development in pharmaceutical sciences. The institute was declared as an Institute of National importance by Government of India through Act of Parliament (NIPER Act 1998 & NIPER amendment Act 2007).