PI-RAHI Launches ‘Syn-Pharma’ to Power Pharma Innovation in Northern India

Chandigarh, June 9, 2025: The Northern Region Science & Technology Cluster, PI-RAHI, today launched its flagship initiative ‘Syn-Pharma’ at Panjab University, Chandigarh. The platform is designed to catalyse pharmaceutical and MedTech innovation across Northern India through collaborative research, regulatory alignment, and industry-academia partnerships. The launch event was inaugurated by Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India, who commended the initiative and addressed the gathering of stakeholders from academia, industry, and policy bodies.

In his keynote address, Dr. Raghuvanshi emphasised the need for innovation to be rooted in quality. “Innovation must serve the purpose of improving drug quality. Quality value should be in the driver’s seat, not profit. Value must be important instead of volume,” he said. Highlighting India’s unique position in the global pharmaceutical landscape, he added, “The country is at an interesting crossroads, and the next six years will be crucial. The world is watching and waiting for India to deliver quality medicines at affordable prices.” He also appreciated the significant volume of drugs taking place in the Chandigarh region and encouraged sustained collaboration between scientific institutions and industry.

Delivering the presidential address, PU Vice Chancellor and Chairperson of PI-RAHI, Prof. Renu Vig reiterated the critical role of academic institutions in bridging the gap with industry. “Academia has always been keen to bridge the gap between research and industry. I am heartened by the enthusiastic participation of pharmaceutical companies in Syn-Pharma,” she said. Prof. Vig called for novel approaches and meaningful research that provides direct solutions to industrial challenges, particularly in areas where no existing cures are available.

Nodal Officer for the PI-RAHI cluster from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, Dr. Vishal Chaoudhary; Joint Director of NABL, Dr. Pankaj Goyal, and former PU VC, Prof. Arun Grover, also addressed the function.

At the event, PI-RAHI unveiled two major initiatives under the Syn-Pharma banner. The first is a Call for Proposals offering funding of up to ₹10 lakhs for collaborative R&D projects between research institutions and the pharmaceutical or MedTech industry. The second is an Industry-Oriented PhD Program led by NIPER Mohali, aimed at enabling faculty–industry partnerships that drive industrial innovation and product development.

Three startups mentored by PI-RAHI under the PSCST’s SHE 3.0 initiative were also felicitated for their pioneering work. DACH Biotech Pvt. Ltd. received a grant of ₹3 lakhs for advancements in cancer diagnostics; Nanokem Innovations was awarded ₹1.5 lakhs for its work in nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems; and Herbspark Nutraceuticals Pvt. Ltd. received ₹2 lakhs for innovation in herbal therapeutic delivery.

Syn-Pharma is led by PI-RAHI under the aegis of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, in collaboration with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and supported by the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). Its key institutional partners include the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Panjab University, and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali. The Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST) serves as an ecosystem partner to support industry engagement and outreach.