Novo Nordisk Global Business Services (GBS) and the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) have expanded their long-standing collaboration to strengthen India's capabilities in pharmacometrics, a rapidly evolving scientific discipline that leverages data, mathematical modelling, and simulation to improve drug development and clinical decision-making.

As part of the expanded partnership, Novo Nordisk GBS will provide Rs. 1.75 crore in funding over the next five yearsto enhance research capacity, develop specialised talent, and establish advanced infrastructure for quantitative drug development. 

The initiative aims to address the growing demand for expertise in pharmacometrics as pharmaceutical research becomes increasingly data-driven and focused on precision medicine.

A major component of the collaboration is the establishment of an advanced pharmacometrics computing facility at MAHE. The facility will support cutting-edge research, specialised training, and scientific collaboration while serving as a hub for innovation in model-informed drug development.

The partnership will also fund one full-time PhD scholar and one post-doctoral fellow each year, helping create a sustainable talent pipeline in pharmacometrics, clinical pharmacology, and quantitative drug development.

To further strengthen academic capabilities, MAHE will introduce four to six specialised learning modules under the theme Innovation for Quantitative Drug Development. The curriculum will cover advanced areas such as Model-Informed Drug Development (MIDD), systems pharmacology, quantitative systems modelling, and translational frameworks for emerging therapeutic modalities, including cell and gene therapies and multispecific therapeutics.

John Dawber, Vice President and Managing Director, Novo Nordisk Global Business Services, said, “India has become an increasingly important part of Novo Nordisk's global value creation engine, and our GBS in Bengaluru continues to play an extensive role across our value chain. Through this collaboration with MAHE, we aim to build the next generation of specialised capabilities in pharmacometrics and quantitative sciences.”

Dr. Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, said, “This collaboration marks an important milestone in advancing research and education in one of the fastest-growing areas of pharmaceutical sciences. By combining academic excellence with industry expertise, we will strengthen India's capabilities in pharmacometrics, create opportunities for cutting-edge research, and prepare the next generation of scientists to contribute to global drug development.”

Henrik Agersø, Senior Director – Pharmacometrics, Novo Nordisk Global R&D, said,  "Through this initiative, we aim to develop reproducible modelling frameworks based on published evidence, generating valuable scientific insights while strengthening capabilities in model-informed research," he said.

Dr. Srinivas Mutalik, Principal, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS), and Dr. Surulivel Rajan, Head, Department of Pharmacy Practice, MCOPS, said, “By integrating academic expertise with industry insights, this collaboration will strengthen our research ecosystem and prepare highly skilled professionals capable of addressing emerging challenges in quantitative drug development while contributing to innovation in the global pharmaceutical industry," they said.