With an intention to build strategic alliance in a range of research areas for new drug development, the Chennai based drug manufacturing company, Sai Mirra Inopharm has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sri Ramachandra University, here.

The agreement will encourage academia-industry collaboration for pharmaceutical research and development. Students of pharmacies of the SRU will be educated and trained in researches in the facilities of the manufacturing firm, said J Jayaseelan, managing director of the company.

Sai Mirra Innopharm is a company engaged in the manufacture of a wide range of pharmaceutical and neutraceutical formulations for the international markets. The company has its sole manufacturing infrastructure facility at Ambattur Industrial Area, Chennai. The facility is well equipped to manufacture a wide range of tablets, capsules, liquids, creams & ointments, powders in sachets and soft gelatin capsules, sources informed.

Sai Mirra currently exports its products to Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Philippines, Nigeria, Kenya, Congo, Niger, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Mauritius, Russia and Fiji. It is a PICS approved company.

“The university’s ideas for new drug development can be realized in our lab facility through research and development. We will train the students for carrying out researches for product development. As per the MoU, we will use their hospital facilities for clinical trials. Their ideas will be developed into drug form in our facility”, said Jayaseelan.

The agreement was signed between Dr S P Thyagarajan, Dean Research at SRU and J Jayaseelan. While speaking on the occasion, Dr. Thyagarajan said the university will take up bright ideas along with the industrial collaborator for developing all kinds of drugs.

SRU is in joint research with CIPET (Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology) to develop indigenous dialysis membrane and non-touch bins for the disposal of highly toxic hospital wastes, Dr. Thyagarajan said.

Sai Mirra has also tied-up with JSS University in Ootty for research and development.