Poornaprajna Institute for Scientific Research - PPISR

What Poornaprajna Institute for Scientific Research - PPISR does

Poornaprajna Institute for Scientific Research (PPISR) is a private advanced research institute established in 1998 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India, under the governance of the Admar Mutt Education Foundation (AMEF), a nonprofit trust registered in 1993. The institute conducts basic and applied scientific research across three divisions — Biological Sciences (structural biology, protein chemistry, drug design, endophytic fungi), Materials Science & Catalysis (heterogeneous catalysis, biomass conversion, CO2 utilization, MOFs/COFs, photocatalysis), and Theoretical Sciences (quantum information, quantum cryptography, condensed matter physics) — plus a Center for Foundational Study bridging science with philosophy. Notable technical contributions include 25+ novel protein structures deposited in the WorldWide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB), co-inventorship on 3 US patents with HPCL, more than 470 publications in high-impact international journals, and 32 PhD theses submitted through the MAHE affiliation. The institute also operates the Poornaprajna Analytical Center as a shared facility supporting molecular biology, protein crystallization, and biochemical characterization.

PPISR serves four primary stakeholder groups: government science agencies (DST, DBT, BRNS, DAE, DRDO, VGST) funding basic research; industrial R&D partners (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, Shell Technology Centre, GTC Technology USA, Bristol Myers Squibb USA, Deepak Novochem Technologies) commissioning applied catalyst and drug design research; academic collaborators (IISc, IIT-Madras, JNCASR, Argonne National Laboratory, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine) participating in joint projects, MOUs, and visiting scholar programmes; and doctoral students/postdoctoral researchers pursuing PhDs through the MAHE-affiliated training programme and short-term certificate courses. The institute is recognized by DSIR (Government of India) as an official research institute and by MAHE as an R&D centre for PhD programs.

PPISR generates revenue through three streams: (1) government sponsored research grants with predefined objectives and timelines; (2) industry-sponsored applied research contracts for catalyst and process development; and (3) PhD program affiliation revenue via MAHE. The institute has executed 45+ sponsored projects cumulatively and holds 11 active MOUs. It does not publicly disclose pricing for research services, and revenue figures are not reported — primary funding originates from AMEF endowment support supplemented by project-based grants and industry contracts. Governance is led by H.H. Sri Eeshapriya Theertha Swamiji (Chairman) with Dr. Ananda K as Director, operating as part of the broader Poornaprajna Group of approximately 32 educational institutions.

Name

Poornaprajna Institute for Scientific Research - PPISR

Legal name

Poornaprajna Institute of Scientific Research

Website

https://ppisr.res.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PPISR is a private advanced research institute in Bengaluru, India, conducting basic and applied scientific research across Biological Sciences, Materials Science & Catalysis, and Theoretical Sciences. It is funded by Indian government grants and industry-sponsored research contracts with partners including HPCL, Shell, and Bristol Myers Squibb.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bengaluru

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Sponsored Research Grants: Funding from government agencies including DST, BRNS, DBT, UGC-DAE, DRDO, VGST for specific research projects with defined objectives and timelines
2. Industry Sponsored Research: Applied research contracts with industrial partners including HPCL, GTC Technology (USA), Shell Technology Centre, Deepak Novochem, Bristol Myers Squibb (USA) for catalyst development and process optimization
3. PhD Program Affiliation Revenue: Doctoral program affiliated with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) producing PhDs who contribute to research output

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PPISR is a private scientific research institute that conducts fundamental and applied research across three divisions: Biological Sciences, Materials Science & Catalysis, and Theoretical Sciences, plus the Center for Foundational Study. The institute delivers research through government-sponsored grants and industry-sponsored contracts, produces PhD researchers via its MAHE affiliation, offers analytical services through the Poornaprajna Analytical Center, and generates publications, patents, and trained scientific manpower.

Product overview

PPISR is a research institute organized into four research divisions (Biological Sciences, Materials Science & Catalysis, Theoretical Sciences, and Center for Foundational Study), supported by the Poornaprajna Analytical Center facility. The institute offers Ph.D. programs through MAHE recognition, along with certificate courses for aspiring researchers. Research spans from fundamental theoretical sciences to applied materials science and biological research, with a focus on translating discoveries through patents and industry collaborations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Biological Sciences Division Research division focused on structural and functional characterization of key enzymes from pathogenic bacteria, rational modification of immune checkpoint-blockade molecules, endophytic fungi research, and therapeutic protein modification. Conducts X-ray crystallography, protein structure determination, and drug design research.
• Materials Science & Catalysis Division (MSCD) Research division working on heterogeneous catalysis, shape-selective acid-base catalysis, biomass conversion, CO2 utilization, photocatalysis, 2D materials, MOFs/COFs/HOFs, and gas sensing applications. Conducts industry-sponsored catalyst and process development research.
• Theoretical Sciences Division Research division focused on many-body and mesoscopic physics, quantum information theory, quantum communication, cryptography, foundations of quantum mechanics, and astronomy/astrophysics.
• Center for Foundational Study (CFS) Interdisciplinary center bridging science and Vedantic philosophy, studying conceptual dynamics, consciousness, free will, causality, and conducting public outreach in science-philosophy dialogue.
• Poornaprajna Analytical Center (PAC) Analytical facility offering technical assistance and knowledge sharing among research networks, supporting molecular biology, protein crystallization, and biochemical studies.
• Certificate Courses Program Research training programs for aspiring research fellows and scientists, providing opportunities for short-term research projects and skill development.
• PhD Program Doctoral program affiliated with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) producing PhDs in Materials Science, Biological Sciences, and Theoretical Sciences. 32 PhDs have been awarded to date.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 470 research publications in high-impact international journals
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability13 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Argonne National Laboratory, ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research collaboration for advanced scientific research in materials science and related fields
• IIT-Madras, ChennaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research collaboration for joint projects and student exchanges
• Indo-Korea Science and Technology Center (IKST), BengalurucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral science and technology collaboration under India-Korea agreement
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhD program affiliation - students receive PhD degrees from MAHE in research areas of Materials Science, Biological Sciences, and Theoretical Sciences
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc), BengalurucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research collaboration with one of India's premier research institutions
• JNCASR, BengalurucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research
• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaborative research projects on catalyst development, CO2 hydrogenation, naphtha valorization; co-inventors in 3 US patents
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research collaboration; co-authored publications with Nobel Laureate Prof. James Allison
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, GermanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic research collaboration
• GTC Technology, USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple industry-sponsored projects for aromatics alkylation, isomerization of xylenes, natural gas conversion
• Shell Technology Centre, BengalurucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-sponsored research on post-synthesis modification and surface treatment of solid catalysts
• Bristol Myers Squibb, USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStructure-based rational design of PD1 mutants for cancer immunotherapy
• Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Govt. of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial recognition as a research institute by the Government of India

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS): Bengaluru-based institute focusing on biological and biophysical sciences. Comparable to PPISR's Biological Sciences division in protein structure research, X-ray crystallography, and structural biology methods.
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune: Government research institute combining research and PhD education in basic sciences, including chemistry, biology, and physics. Closely matches PPISR's hybrid research-plus-PhD training model.
• Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT): CSIR laboratory focused on chemical research including catalysis, process chemistry, and industrial contract research. Comparable to PPISR's catalysis division in offering applied research services to the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.
• Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR): Bengaluru-based autonomous research institute with similar mandate in fundamental sciences, materials chemistry, and theoretical physics. Listed as an active MOU partner, making it one of the closest comparable peers in mission and geography.
• National Chemical Laboratory (NCL): CSIR laboratory focused on chemistry and chemical engineering including heterogeneous catalysis, process development, and industrial research contracts. Highly comparable to PPISR's Materials Science & Catalysis division in offering contract research for industry.
• Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics: Kolkata-based research institute under Department of Atomic Energy with research spanning condensed matter physics, quantum information, and biological physics. Comparable to PPISR's Theoretical Sciences and biological physics research areas.

Broad incumbents

• RIKEN: Japan's flagship multidisciplinary research organization covering physical, chemical, biological, and theoretical sciences. Comparable as a peer institutional model for PPISR's multi-division research structure.
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc): India's premier research university with deep programs in biological sciences, materials science, and theoretical physics. Directly comparable as an academic R&D peer but operates at substantially larger scale and broader scope than PPISR.
• IIT Madras - Department of Chemistry / Biotechnology: Major Indian research university with strong catalysis and biological sciences programs. Listed as an MOU partner of PPISR and operates comparable contract research programs but with much larger faculty and infrastructure.
• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR): India's leading fundamental research institution with strong programs in theoretical physics, condensed matter, and quantum information — directly comparable to PPISR's Theoretical Sciences division but at vastly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ppisr-blr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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