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Bengaluru headquartered Syngene International Limited, a global contract research organization, has announced the commissioning of the first phase of its new R&D centre in Hyderabad.

Dr Mahesh Bhalgat, Chief Operation Officer, Syngene International Limited, Bengaluru

When fully commissioned by the end of this year at an investment of Rs 167 crore, the centre will cover a total of 94000 sq. ft. and house around 270 scientists. Located in Genome Valley, the R&D centre is fully digitised based on an internet-based, innovative, analytical laboratory solution. To find out more about the developments taking place at Syngene, BioSpectrum interacted with Dr Mahesh Bhalgat, Chief Operation Officer, Syngene. Edited excerpts;

What are the unique highlights of the new R&D centre at Hyderabad?

Syngene’s new R&D centre is located in MN Park at the heart of the Genome Valley. This is the company’s first operational research centre outside Bengaluru. The centre is completely paperless that has digitisation and automation features including electronic laboratory notebooks and analytical intelligence. Our equipment here is more digitally controlled and monitored that makes the entire process more convenient and comfortable. Also, the building benefits from environment-friendly measures such as energy conservation through the use of solar power and limited plastic use.

The safety features of the centre include laboratories built with fire-rated walls and panels, a dedicated flameproof area for storage of hazardous materials away from the laboratories and dedicated water lines for fire hydrant and sprinkler systems. This is how we have made things much better for our R&D centre as compared to our existing facility in Bengaluru. Initially, we will offer discovery chemistry services from this centre. In the next phase, other research services will move to this centre.