By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : April 14, 2026 5:47 pm
CRDMO plans to add 800–1,000 women across scientific and leadership roles over three years
Aragen, a global Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO), has launched ‘ChemiSHE’, a first-of-its-kind chemistry synthesis laboratory in India entirely operated and led by women scientists, marking a significant step in advancing gender diversity in pharmaceutical R&D.
The lab was inaugurated on 8 April 2026 at Aragen’s Mallapur campus in Hyderabad and forms part of the company’s broader strategic initiative to strengthen women’s representation across scientific, operational, and leadership functions.
Designed as a structured platform to build leadership pathways for women in drug discovery and pharmaceutical research, ChemiSHE will begin with an initial team of 12–14 scientists. The model aims to give women scientists greater ownership of research programmes, stronger visibility of scientific contributions, and faster progression into decision-making roles.
The facility was inaugurated by Aparna Reddy, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former national president of FICCI FLO, who said: “ChemiSHE is a strong expression of the role women scientists play at Aragen and an important initiative to support the growth of women leaders. It creates an environment where women can work together, learn from one another, and grow under the mentorship of a woman leader.”
Speaking at the launch, Manni Kantipudi, Managing Director and CEO, Aragen, said the initiative reflects the organisation’s long-term commitment to building a future-ready and innovation-led workforce. “ChemiSHE is designed in line with the International Women’s Day 2026 theme of ‘Give to Gain’—and it reflects our conviction that investing in women’s leadership multiplies innovation and scientific excellence.”
He added that over the next three years, Aragen plans to add 800–1,000 women employees across scientific, operational, and leadership roles as part of its diversity roadmap.
The new laboratory will be led by Pragya Yadav, Scientific Manager, Discovery Chemistry Solutions, Aragen, and is expected to serve as a model for creating more inclusive and leadership-oriented research environments within India’s CRDMO ecosystem.
The launch comes at a time when the pharmaceutical R&D and CRDMO sectors are placing increasing emphasis on talent diversity, scientific leadership development, and inclusive innovation cultures, especially as India strengthens its position as a global research and development hub.