The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali signed an agreement with Novartis Healthcare. The agreement was signed in the presence of Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

As part of the collaboration, a faculty member from NIPER Mohali has been selected as the recipient of the Development Pioneer Grant for NIPERs, an initiative supported by Novartis Healthcare. The grant aims to promote cutting-edge research and encourage innovation-driven partnerships between academia and industry.

Joshi stated that this is a good initiative and that expanding such efforts will significantly enhance the usefulness and impact of a researcher’s work in line with industry requirements. He stressed on the need to move beyond pilot stages and ensure that research efforts are effectively aligned with industry requirements, thereby strengthening the impact of industry-academia collaboration.

The Development Pioneer Grant provides a competitive platform for faculty members across all seven NIPERs to submit their research and development (R&D) proposals. The call for applications witnessed an overwhelming response, with a total of 42 proposals submitted by distinguished faculty members.

Following a rigorous and structured evaluation by an independent jury, one faculty member from NIPER Mohali was selected as the grant recipient. The Development Pioneer Grant for NIPERs is designed to align with the vision of DoP to nurture strong industry-academia linkages. It seeks to enhance academic research capabilities, support innovation, and drive pioneering advancements in healthcare in India. This collaboration is expected to further integrate NIPER into the broader pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem and reinforce the shared commitment to scientific excellence.