Alkem and IIT Bombay Collaborate on Advanced Research Centre

Alkem Laboratories Ltd., through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, Alkem Foundation, has announced a strategic collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) to establish a research centre dedicated to immuno-therapeutics and regenerative medicines. This initiative represents a pioneering effort in India, focusing on advanced research and development in these fields. The centre will be located on the IIT Bombay campus and aims to address significant unmet medical needs through cutting-edge research.

The financial commitment from Alkem Foundation involves contributing a substantial 20-25% of its cumulative CSR obligations over a period of seven years to fund the establishment of the “Alkem Centre for Advanced Research and Development of Applied Immuno-Therapeutics and Regenerative Medicines.” This funding strategy underscores the foundation’s dedication to fostering research and innovation in complex disease areas through its CSR initiatives.

The operational scope of the research centre includes developing a comprehensive ecosystem that supports innovation, research, and skill development in underserved therapy areas. The centre will focus on bridging gaps in infrastructure, talent, and translational capability, particularly in high precision medicines. It will explore emerging areas such as gene editing and biomaterials, utilizing unique models based on advanced techniques for delivery and edition. The centre will also serve as a training and incubation hub for clinician-scientists and biotech entrepreneurs.

The timeline for the centre’s development spans seven years, during which Alkem Foundation will allocate a portion of its CSR budget annually. The collaboration aims to establish a sustainable model for industry-academia partnerships in India, advancing research in immuno-therapeutics and regenerative medicines.

The collaboration involves Alkem Foundation providing financial support and leveraging its pharmaceutical industry insights, while IIT Bombay contributes its expertise in biomedical engineering, biosciences, and translational research. The partnership will draw on IIT Bombay’s globally trained faculty and include mentors from both IIT Bombay and Alkem, as well as international experts from premier universities, to guide the research programmes.

This initiative is significant in the context of India’s healthcare landscape, as it represents the first industry-academia collaboration initiated through the CSR route in the field of immuno-therapeutics and regenerative medicines. The partnership aims to create a national model for such collaborations, advancing affordable and high-impact healthcare innovation, and positioning India as a leader in applied biotechnology.

IIT Bombay is recognized globally for its contributions to science and engineering education and research. The institute has a strong foundation in biotechnology, biomedical engineering, and regenerative sciences, which positions it to translate research into real-world healthcare solutions.

Alkem Laboratories Ltd. is a leading Indian pharmaceutical company with a 50-year legacy in providing high-quality medicines. It holds a dominant position in various therapy areas and has a growing portfolio in chronic therapies. The company operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and research and development centers in India and the US, focusing on developing generic formulations, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and biosimilars.