Lucknow is an amalgamation of the past and the present, the laid back attitude and cut throat competitiveness, the architectural beauty on the one hand and the avenues for modern education on the other. There are plenty of educational avenues in the city, from medical to engineering, fashion designing to software development, and traditional higher education to research.
The Central Drug Research Institute is among the best drug research institutes of India. The premier institute was inaugurated by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 17th February, 1951 at the Chattar Manzil complex on the banks of the river Gomti in Lucknow.
Pandit Nehru had a vision to build and promote the drug research field in the country. His farsighted belief and sincere efforts towards the development of drug research resulted in the evolution of the Central Drug Research Institute in Lucknow.
Origin of Central Drug Research Institute
The Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) is the 7th among the large-scale laboratories developed by the Government of India. It was established as the main laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. The acclaimed Dr. B. Mukerji, who was the Director of Biochemical Standardization Laboratory in Calcutta mentioned in the presidential address, the urgent need for an exclusive drug research institute in the country. The vision of Dr. B. Mukerji bore fruit when eminent scientists such as Dr. J.N. Mehta and Dr. S.S. Bhatnagar supported the establishment of an exclusive drug research institute in India.
The project was supported by the then Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. This resulted in the remarkable step towards the foundation of the premier CSIR-CDRI at a historical monument of the city, the renowned Chattar Manzil, a beautiful palace built by the Nawabs of Lucknow. The institute started with 5 R&D (Research and Development) divisions and a minimal staff of scientists, researchers and technicians.
Today, the institute has been transformed into a premier hub of research and development. It is regarded in high esteem by national and global R&D institutes for its immense contribution in the production of affordable drugs. Within a period of six decades, the Central Drug Research Institute has achieved tremendous accomplishments.The Central Drug Research Institute holds the distinction of incorporating all the latest infrastructural facilities for proper research and development of new drugs right from formation to the commercialization period including QSAR, SAR, combinatorial amalgamation, high screening, proteomics, bioinformatics,genomics, pharmacology,regulatory toxicology, pharmacokinetics and proficiency in implementing different clinical trials, etc.
Mission of Central Drug Research Institute
The mission of Central Drug Research Institute is to develop new drugs and latest diagnostics. The institute conducts molecular and cellular studies to comprehend different disease processes. It also conducts reproductive physiology trials to produce new drugs. Scientists develop contraceptive devices and agents for affordable healthcare. Researchers engage in systematic assessment of medicinal properties of different natural products. New strategies are implemented for the development of latest technology for biologicals, intermediates and drugs. The objective of the institute is to distribute detailed information and facts in the area of drug research, production and development for inexpensive healthcare.
Organizational Structure of Central Drug Research Institute
Research and Development
- Botany
- Biochemistry
- Experimental and Clinical Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Microbiology
- Medicinal and Process Chemistry
- Molecular and Structural Biology
- Pharmaceutics
- Parasitology
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacokinetics & Metabolism
- Toxicology
Technical Infrastructure/Divisions
- Academic Affairs Division
- Business Development
- Computer Center
- Laboratory Animals Facility
- Knowledge Resource Unit
- S&T Management
- Lab Services
- Laboratory Engineering Services
New Location of Central Drug Research Institute
Central Drug Research Institue has now been shifted to a new campus located at Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow. The institute continues to produce top quality drugs and conducts extensive researches in different fields to provide affordable healthcare for all.
Achievements of CDRI over the years
CDRI has made rapid advancements in the quest of its objective to develop new drugs and expertise for affordable healthcare. At the same time, the institute generates extensive knowledge base and fosters future research leaders. Currently, the institute has become a distinctive model for rationalized drug research in the country. It has everything under its research development program, right from synthesis, development examinations, screening, and procedure up-scaling to detailed clinical studies. All the researches at the institute are executed in accordance with internationally acceptable rules and GLP guidelines.
The unique accomplishments of this premier drug research institute include the discovery and production of twelve new medicines. It has transferred 130 original drug research expertise to pharmaceutical companies, a momentous contribution in the transformation of the Indian pharmaceutical sector.
The institute has more than 10,000 drug research articles published in various medical journals and magazines. In addition, it has acquired 350 Indian patents along with 90 international patents. Many scientists and researchers from the institute have occupied top positions in various national and global academic institutions, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries.
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