Integrated research campuses: Future of Hyderabad's life sciences industry

Vishal Goel, MD, RX Propellant outlines how transitioning from isolated industrial clusters to integrated research campuses can drive collaboration, accelerate commercialisation, reduce infrastructure costs, and enhance sustainability

- Vishal Goel

Hyderabad leads in bulk drug manufacturing, advanced biopharma research, and vaccine innovation, serving as the base for renowned international players. The life sciences ecosystem in the city has expanded significantly to include contract research organisations (CROs), contract development and manufacturing organisations (CD-MOs), and medical device manufacturing. However, this growth is still fragmented. Specialised clusters like the Genome Valley and the Medical Devices Park have attracted investment and strengthened supply chains, but they function primarily as co-located industrial zones rather than fully integrated ecosystems where academia, startups, and industry interact seamlessly. Only 12 per cent of Genome Valley’s operations, 18 per cent in Patancheruvu, and 23 per cent in Uppal-Nacharam integrate both R&D and manufacturing, highlighting the need for more connected research environments. The lack of shared R&D infrastructure, real-time industry-academia collaboration, and integrated regulatory pathways lead to inefficiencies in translating research into commercial applications. Additionally, entrepreneurs face challenges in accessing capital while global competition for life sciences investments continues to intensify, making it imperative for Hyderabad to create a more cohesive and innovation-driven ecosystem.

Transitioning from cluster-based models to integrated research campuses could bridge these gaps. Unlike industrial clusters, which focus on sector-specific co-location, integrated campuses create a collaborative environment where research institutions, academia, and industry converge. These campuses foster a multi-disciplinary ecosystem where pharma and biotech firms engage with universities, leveraging shared research infrastructure, joint innovation programs, and industry-driven training to accelerate commercialisation and scientific breakthroughs.