Boehringer Ingelheim India Private Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Raebareli (NIPER Raebareli), including its Centre of Excellence for Novel Drug Delivery Systems (CoE-NDDS), marking a significant step toward strengthening industry-academia collaboration in India’s pharmaceutical sector.
The MoU was formalized at the Department of Pharmaceuticals in the presence of senior government officials, including Manoj Joshi, IAS, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals. Also attending the ceremony were Awadhesh Kumar Choudhary, Senior Economic Advisor, Department of Pharmaceuticals, and Anugraha P, Director, Department of Pharmaceuticals.
The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration across key areas such as pharmaceutical technologies, novel drug delivery systems, joint research initiatives, academic exchange, and capability-building programs. The partnership is expected to facilitate knowledge-sharing and promote innovation-driven research aligned with national healthcare priorities.
A notable component of the collaboration is Boehringer Ingelheim’s support in providing access to opnMe®, the company’s open science portal. Designed to connect researchers and institutions worldwide, the platform enables access to selected molecules and scientific resources to accelerate discovery and foster innovation. Through this initiative, researchers at NIPER Raebareli will gain opportunities to engage with global scientific networks and contribute to cutting-edge pharmaceutical research.
Beyond research collaboration, the MoU also outlines plans to explore symposia, conferences, short-term courses, and scholar engagement programs. These initiatives aim to strengthen academic learning, enhance research exposure, and build scientific capabilities among students and faculty members.
Meenal Gauri, Managing Director of Boehringer Ingelheim India, emphasized that India is transitioning from scale-led pharmaceutical growth to innovation-driven impact. She noted that meaningful progress in healthcare depends on closer cooperation between industry, academia, and public institutions. According to Gauri, the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to supporting scientific capability and advancing collaborations that improve health outcomes.
Prof. Shubhini A. Saraf, Director of NIPER Raebareli, said the MoU aligns with the institute’s vision to advance pharmaceutical education and research, particularly in emerging areas such as novel drug delivery systems and community health solutions. She highlighted the potential benefits for students and researchers in contributing to India’s expanding innovation ecosystem.
The collaboration comes at a time when the Government of India is actively promoting a shift from a volume-driven, generic-led pharmaceutical industry to a high-value, research-focused ecosystem under the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. By bridging academic research with industry expertise, the partnership seeks to nurture future-ready scientific talent and support the development of more accessible, effective, and patient-centric healthcare solutions.