Central Drug Research Institute

What Central Drug Research Institute does

CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) is a government-funded constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, operating under India's Ministry of Science and Technology since its founding on 17 February 1951. Headquartered in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, the institute conducts multi-disciplinary biomedical and pharmaceutical research spanning target identification, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, formulation development, and clinical pharmacology across eight therapeutic areas: cancer, metabolic disorders, microbial infections, parasitic diseases, viral infections, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal health, and reproductive health. CDRI maintains specialized infrastructure including an NGCMA-certified GLP toxicology facility, a CCSEA-registered National Laboratory Animal Centre with non-human primate capabilities, a Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility (SAIF), X-ray crystallography and SAXS instrumentation, electron microscopy, and Bio-Layer Interferometry platforms. Field stations at KGMU (Lucknow), Seth GS Medical College (Mumbai), and PGIMER (Chandigarh) support clinical pharmacology research.

The institute has developed and commercialized 12-13 drugs including Saheli (Centchroman, the world's first non-steroidal oral contraceptive licensed to HLL Lifecare in 1992), E-MAL (Arteether for cerebral malaria, licensed to Themis Chemicals in 1997), KeenMind (Bacopa extract for cognitive health, marketed by Soho Flordis Australia), Joint Fresh (osteoarthritis nano-formulation licensed to Pharmanza), and Reunion/Dalzbone (bone health from Dalbergia sissoo). An active pipeline spans small molecules, phytopharmaceuticals, and novel formulations targeting COVID-19, thrombosis, fracture healing, malaria, cancer, neuropathic pain, MDR-TB, and fungal keratitis. The patent portfolio includes 350+ Indian patents and 90 international patents, with 80-130+ indigenous technologies transferred to pharmaceutical industry.

CDRI's business model rests on four pillars: (1) government budget allocations from CSIR, ICMR, DBT, DST, and BIRAC; (2) technology licensing and royalty income from commercialized drugs and transferred process technologies; (3) contract research services including GLP toxicology, biological screening, formulation development, pharmacokinetics, crystallography, electron microscopy, and laboratory animal supply; and (4) training and academic programs via AcSIR including PhD, postdoctoral fellowships, skill development courses (₹5,000/month for postgraduates, ₹2,000-3,000/week for PhD/industry reskilling), and joint Cotutelle PhDs with Australian universities. The Common Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) extends CRO capabilities to MSMEs and startups, providing regulatory filing assistance for CDSCO, US FDA, EMA, ANVISA, and Rosdravnazor. The institute serves pharmaceutical and biotech companies (Cipla, Dr. Reddy's, Zydus, Themis Medicare), global health organizations (Gates Foundation, MMV, DNDi), CSR partners (CIPLA Foundation, Northern Coalfields), academic institutions (IITs, IISERs, NIPERs, AIIMS), and trains 1,000+ PhD scholars with alumni in global leadership positions.

Name

Central Drug Research Institute

Legal name

CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute

Website

https://cdri.res.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute is a government-funded biomedical research laboratory in Lucknow, India, conducting drug discovery, preclinical development, and toxicology across 8 therapeutic areas, with 12+ commercialized drugs, 350+ patents, and CRO services for pharmaceutical industry, MSMEs, and global health organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Research and Drug Discovery Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

CMC & Pharmaceutical Development (Formulation/Process/Analytical Development) (HLAIALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Central Laboratory Services (Core Lab Operations) (HLAGAEAA), Data Management, Reporting & Regulatory Submissions for Central Labs (HLAGAEAL), Clinical Research & Trial Central Laboratories (HLAFAMAL)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical drug discovery
• Preclinical contract research
• GLP toxicology services
• Technology licensing pharma
• Biomedical research institute

Headquarters

HQ city

Lucknow

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute is a government biomedical research institute that conducts drug discovery and preclinical development, licenses drug candidates and process technologies to pharmaceutical companies, and provides contract research services including GLP-certified toxicology, biological screening, formulation development, and pharmacokinetics. It also runs academic training programs (PhD via AcSIR, skill development, Cotutelle joint PhDs) and operates specialized instrumentation facilities (X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, BLI, animal facility).

Product overview

CSIR-CDRI is a premier biomedical research institute that develops drugs, diagnostics, and process technologies in disease areas of national relevance. The institute offers a portfolio of commercialized drugs including Reunion (bone health), E-MAL (malaria treatment), Saheli (contraceptive), Joint Fresh (osteoarthritis), and KeenMind (cognitive enhancement). Research pipeline spans small molecules, phytopharmaceuticals, and novel formulations across therapeutic areas including cancer, malaria, tuberculosis, and metabolic disorders. Core services include GLP-certified toxicology studies, biological screening, formulation development, pharmacokinetics, X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, bio-layer interferometry, and laboratory animal facilities. The Common Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) supports MSMEs and startups in pharmaceutical development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Reunion (Dalzbone) A herbal medication for bone health developed from Dalbergia sissoo (sheesham), containing the novel osteogenic compound CAFG that increases bone morphogenetic protein-2 production via the Wnt pathway. Commercialized drug product.
• E-MAL (Arteether) Semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin for cerebral malaria treatment, licensed to Themis Chemicals Ltd. in 1997. Fast-acting blood schizontocidal agent for chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum malaria including cerebral malaria.
• Saheli (Centchroman) World's first non-steroidal oral contraceptive pill, also indicated for uterine dysfunction, mastalgia, fibroadenoma, and as an emergency contraceptive. Licensed to HLL Lifecare Ltd. in 1992.
• Joint Fresh Standardized nano-formulation from Spinacia oleracea (Palak) for osteoarthritis treatment, licensed to Pharmanza Herbals Pvt. Ltd. Shows cartilage protective effects and reduces pain with improved walking ability.
• KeenMind (Bacopa Extract) Enriched Bacopa extract formulation (BESEB) clinically proven to improve memory, learning, and concentration, with antioxidant, anti-stress, and anti-anxiety properties. Marketed through Soho Flordis International, Sydney, Australia.
• Small Molecules Pipeline Pipeline of candidate small-molecule drugs including Umifenovir (COVID-19), S-007-867 (Thrombosis), S-007-1500 (Fracture healing), L-Ormeloxifene (Female contraceptive), S-011-1793 (Malaria), S-016-1348 (Cancer Smac mimetic), SB-CDRI4-105 (Neuropathic pain), GS/IICT 5/6 (Anti-angiogenic), and S-016-1271 (Complicated UTI).
• Phytopharmaceuticals Pipeline Phyto-lead pipeline including Picroliv (Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), NMITLI-118 AF1 (Stroke), Chebulinic Acid Enriched Fraction (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), and 1703F003 4-HIL (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).
• Novel Formulations Pipeline Novel formulation candidates including Centinhale (Dry powder formulation for MDR TB with Rifabutin and Isoniazid) and Amphotericin formulation (Ophthalmic formulation for Fungal keratitis).
• Biological Screening Services Comprehensive range of biological assays and screening protocols to study biological activity of compounds against various diseases including microbial, musculoskeletal, neurological, parasitic, and viral disease models. Offered to industry and academic clients.
• GLP Toxicity and Safety Studies NGCMA-certified GLP toxicology studies for NCEs and phytopharmaceuticals including acute toxicity, 28/90/180-day repeat dose toxicity, reproductive toxicology, safety pharmacology, genotoxicity, and hERG liability studies.
• Formulation Development and Pharmacokinetics Services Physicochemical analysis, formulation development, in vitro ADME, pharmacokinetic studies, method development and validation per FDA guidelines, and preclinical bioavailability/bioequivalence studies.
• Common Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) Assists MSMEs and startups in the pharmaceutical sector with formulation development, analytical/bioanalytical method development, QC/IPQC, pharmacokinetics, and regulatory consulting services (CDSCO, US FDA, EMA, ANVISA, Rosdravnazor).
• X-Ray Crystallography Facility Services State-of-the-art X-ray diffraction facility including single crystal X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) for structure elucidation and characterization, with access to synchrotron radiation sources.
• National Laboratory Animal Centre (NLAC) Services CCSEA-registered and GLP-accredited facility for breeding, production, and supply of laboratory animals with breeding units, GLP testing facility, non-human primate unit, and health/genetic monitoring.
• Electron Microscopy Services JEOL JEM1400 Transmission Electron Microscope and FEI Quanta 250 Scanning Electron Microscope for nano-characterization, negative staining, and ultra-structural studies of biological specimens.
• Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) Service Octet R8 BLI system for label-free detection of bio-molecular interactions using dip-and-read sensors, supporting binding kinetics, concentration analysis, and epitope binning for molecules from small (MW >150 Da) to virus-sized.
• Skill Development and Training Programs Structured training including PG Dissertation/SDP (₹5,000/month, 4–12 months) and Reskilling/Upskilling programs (₹2,000/week for PhD scholars; ₹3,000/week for academic/government staff; industry case-based) covering drug design, spectroscopy, formulation, lab animal management, electron microscopy, and pathological tools.
• AcSIR PhD Program and Joint Cotutelle PhDs PhD programs through Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) plus joint Cotutelle PhDs with RMIT (Melbourne), University of Western Australia (Perth), and Deakin University (Geelong) where students spend up to one year at partner university with monthly fellowship, return airfare, health insurance, and full tuition waiver, earning dual PhD degrees.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12 new drugs discovered and developed, including 4 currently marketed drugs (Saheli, E-mal, KeenMind, Joint Fresh)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partner for antimalarial drug discovery and development, leveraging CDRI's expertise in parasitic disease research and medicinal chemistry.
• Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for developing treatments for neglected tropical diseases, combining DNDi's global network with CDRI's drug discovery capabilities.
• BFI Biome Network (BFI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration supporting microbiome and biome-related research initiatives.
• Pharmanza (India) Pvt. Ltd.coreTechnology or IntegrationLicensed Joint Fresh technology — standardized nano-formulation from Spinacia oleracea for osteoarthritis. Active technology transfer partner.
• CiplacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor pharmaceutical industry partner for collaborative research and product development in areas of mutual interest.
• Dr. Reddy's LaboratoriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading Indian pharmaceutical company engaged in collaborative R&D partnerships with CDRI for drug discovery and development.
• Zydus Life SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical industry partner for collaborative research in drug development and technology transfer.
• Themis MedicarecoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for collaborative research, having previously licensed CDRI technologies for commercial development.
• King George's Medical University (KGMU), LucknowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical research partner with CDRI Clinical Pharmacology Unit co-located at KGMU for clinical studies and translational research.
• Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic-medical institution partner for collaborative clinical and translational research.
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier medical institution partner for collaborative research in clinical and biomedical sciences.
• Manipal Academy of Higher EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for collaborative research and training programs.
• IITs, IISERs, NIPERscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of premier Indian science and technology institutions collaborating with CDRI on joint research projects, faculty exchange, and student training.
• DRDO, DBT/DST institutionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment research ecosystem partners for collaborative projects in biotechnology, life sciences, and defense-related biomedical research.
• RMIT University, Melbourne, AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint PhD (Cotutelle) partner — CDRI-AcSIR PhD students spend up to one year at RMIT receiving monthly fellowship, return airfare, health insurance, and full tuition waiver. Students receive dual PhD degrees.
• University of Western Australia, Perth, AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint PhD (Cotutelle) partner — CDRI-AcSIR students spend up to one year at UWA with monthly fellowship, return airfare, health insurance, and full tuition waiver. Dual PhD degree upon completion.
• Deakin University, Geelong, AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint PhD (Cotutelle) partner — CDRI-AcSIR students spend up to one year at Deakin with monthly fellowship, return airfare, health insurance, and full tuition waiver. Dual PhD degree upon completion.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sai Life Sciences: India-based global CRO/CDMO offering drug discovery, development, and manufacturing services. Comparable to CDRI as a competing Indian CRO with a similar client base of pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors seeking preclinical research services.
• NIPER (National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research): India's premier public-sector pharmaceutical education and research institution, focused on pharmaceutical sciences education and drug discovery research. Comparable as a public-sector Indian pharmaceutical research institute with a strong training and contract research mandate.
• Jubilant Biosys: Indian CRO providing integrated drug discovery services from target validation through IND-enabling studies. Directly comparable to CDRI's preclinical CRO offerings with similar therapeutic area coverage including oncology, metabolic, and infectious diseases.
• Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services: India-headquartered CRO and CDMO offering drug discovery and development services. Comparable to CDRI in the contract research space with overlapping capabilities in medicinal chemistry, biology, and formulation development.
• Syngene International: India's largest listed CRO/CDMO offering integrated drug discovery, development, and manufacturing services to global pharma. Highly comparable as a domestic Indian contract research organization competing for similar CRO contracts, with broader commercial scale and private-sector agility than CDRI.
• Piramal Pharma Solutions: Global CRO/CDMO with significant operations in India offering drug discovery, formulation development, and analytical services. Directly comparable to CDRI's CRO service portfolio but with private capital backing and integrated commercial scale.
• Aragen Life Sciences (formerly GVK Bio): Leading Indian contract research organization offering drug discovery, development, and biologics services globally. Competes with CDRI in the contract research and preclinical services market, but operates with private-sector speed and investment.
• IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology): A sister CSIR laboratory under the same Council of Scientific and Industrial Research umbrella, focused on chemical and pharmaceutical R&D. Closest peer in terms of governance structure, mission, and operational model within the Indian government research ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• IISc Bangalore (Indian Institute of Science): India's premier public research university with strong chemistry, biology, and engineering programs. Comparable as a leading Indian government-funded research institution producing PhDs and patents, but with broader scope beyond pharmaceutical R&D.

Others

• ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research): India's apex body for biomedical research funding and policy under the Ministry of Health. Functions as both a major funding partner of CDRI and a peer organization in the Indian public-sector biomedical research ecosystem with overlapping mandate in translational health research.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CSIR_CDRI
• Facebookfacebook.com/people/CDRI-Academy/61568587666393

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Central Drug Research Institute