NIPER Raebareli and Roche Pharma Unite to Elevate Pharmaceutical Education and Research in India
In a significant move to bolster India's pharmaceutical sector, Roche Pharma India has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Raebareli. This strategic partnership aims to foster academic-industry collaboration, strengthening pharmaceutical education and research capabilities across the nation. The MoU signing ceremony took place at the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) in New Delhi on March 19, 2026, with key officials in attendance.
Key Officials and Vision for the Collaboration
The event was graced by Shri Manoj Joshi, IAS, Secretary of the DoP, who emphasized the urgent need for India to develop capabilities in regulatory sciences, biologics, and artificial intelligence (AI) in pharma. He stated that such collaborations are critical for India to achieve a sustained global competitive advantage. Also present were Shri Awadesh Kumar Choudhary, Senior Economic Advisor at DoP, and Ms. Anugraha P, Director of DoP, highlighting the government's support for this initiative.
Rajwinder (Rajji) Mehdwan, Managing Director & CEO of Roche Pharma India, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, aligning it with Roche's vision to be a pioneering partner in strengthening India's healthcare ecosystem. He noted that this collaboration supports the Viksit Bharat vision through mission Biopharma Shakti, aiming to transition India from volume-led to value-led innovation in the biopharma sector.
Initiatives Under the MoU
The partnership will focus on bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world industry practices. Key engagements include:
- A certificate program in regulatory affairs for students and industry professionals, enhancing skills in compliance and drug approval processes.
- Guest lecture series by industry experts on emerging trends in AI for pharmaceutical research, drug development, and healthcare innovation.
- Scholarship-cum-industry exposure opportunities for NIPER Raebareli students through Roche's LEAP program, providing hands-on experience.
- Faculty immersion programs to update educators on current industry standards and practices.
Prof. Shubhini A. Saraf, Director of NIPER Raebareli, highlighted that this partnership is a crucial step in strengthening academic excellence and industry relevance, preparing students to tackle global healthcare challenges and contribute to India's leadership in biopharmaceuticals.
Broader Impact and Previous Collaborations
Officials at the event underscored the importance of such collaborations in positioning India as a global hub for biopharmaceutical innovation. By building a skilled workforce and encouraging research in advanced technologies, this initiative aims to create a resilient healthcare system.
This MoU follows a similar agreement signed by Roche Pharma with NIPER Mohali in February 2026, which focused on curriculum design, student mentorship, and industry-relevant courses. Together, these partnerships aim to establish a collaborative industry-academia ecosystem that nurtures talent, drives innovation, and develops future-ready professionals for India's rapidly evolving biopharmaceutical sector.
About Roche Pharma India
Roche Products (India) Private Limited, incorporated in 1994, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. As the world's largest biotech company, Roche specializes in differentiated medicines across oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, and central nervous system disorders. For more information, visit www.rocheindia.com.
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