Sai Life Sciences has announced the groundbreaking for a new CMC Process R&D Centre at its integrated R&D campus in Hyderabad. Scheduled for completion by September 2026, the facility will double the company’s Process R&D capacity, while adding new capabilities in peptide development, oligo intermediates and linkers development, formulation development and early phase clinical supplies.

Speaking on the announcement, Krishna Kanumuri, CEO and Managing Director, Sai Life Sciences, said, “As our partners seek greater speed, flexibility, and scientific depth, we are scaling our capabilities to move programmes faster and more efficiently through the development continuum. In an environment where timelines are continually compressing, this new centre enhances our ability to combine scientific excellence with execution agility.”

The upcoming Process R&D Block will span a total built-up area of 100,000 sq. ft. (9300 sq.m.) across five floors, equipped with 140 process chemistry fume hoods and an integrated satellite analytical lab. It will feature dedicated laboratories for peptides and oligo intermediates and linkers, supported by a 25,000 sq. ft. centralised analytical laboratory. The facility will also include NCE formulation development and early-phase clinical supply capabilities, along with a kilo lab for early clinical manufacturing. Designed to ensure advanced safety and high containment standards down to OEL 4 (1 µg/m³), the infrastructure will additionally be developed as a sustainable, ‘Green Building’ to support environmentally responsible operations.

The new CMC Process R&D Centre represents a strategic investment in scale, sustainability, and specialisation. Designed to support both Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) and Dedicated Project Capacity (DPC) engagement models, it will enable flexible collaboration with global innovators—from early development to late-stage CMC programmes. This model further strengthens Sai Life Sciences’ position as a preferred partner for integrated drug development, aligned with the growing demand for end-to-end, partnership-driven solutions that deliver on both quality and timelines.

This investment is part of the company’s planned capital expenditure, reflecting a strong business momentum and expanding engagement with global pharmaceutical and biotech partners. The capex is guided by growing demand for larger clinical-scale programmes, a robust late-stage development pipeline, and the need for scalable capacity across CMC development and manufacturing.