The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) has announced a strategic collaboration with the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hajipur, to promote outcome-oriented pharmaceutical research and strengthen industry–academia engagement.

 

Under the partnership, OPPI will award gold and silver scholarships to two meritorious research scholars in their third or fourth year at NIPER Hajipur. The scholarships will be extended as research grants to support ongoing projects with the potential to address real-world healthcare challenges and advance patient care.

 

The collaboration will also support the development of a ‘Professor of Practice’ framework, enabling experienced professionals from OPPI member companies to engage directly with students and researchers at NIPER Hajipur.

 

The partnership comes as NIPER Hajipur expands its focus on evidence-led healthcare research through its dedicated Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Health Technology Assessment (HTA). The centre provides a platform for research and capacity building in HTA, with a focus on understanding how health technologies can be evaluated to inform healthcare decision-making.

 

As part of the collaboration, OPPI is also conducting guest lectures and knowledge sessions covering HTA, Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR), and evidence-based healthcare decision-making.

 

Experts from OPPI member companies will conduct curated sessions, workshops and mentorship engagements for students, offering exposure to real-world industry challenges and evolving practices. The initiative is aimed at bridging the gap between academic research and industry requirements while helping students develop the practical skills needed to translate scientific research into healthcare solutions.

 

Anil Matai, Director General, OPPI, said, “India’s aspiration to emerge as a global pharmaceutical innovation hub will depend not only on the strength of our research ecosystem, but also on our ability to connect scientific talent, industry expertise and real-world healthcare needs. Our collaboration with NIPER Hajipur is an effort to strengthen this critical bridge. 

 

"By supporting promising researchers, facilitating exposure to industry perspectives and building capabilities in areas such as HTA and HEOR, we hope to encourage research that is both scientifically rigorous and relevant to the needs of patients and healthcare systems. 

 

"This initiative is also aligned with the Government’s continued focus on strengthening pharmaceutical education and research, including the recent push to establish three new NIPERs and upgrade seven existing institutions, as highlighted by the Department of Pharmaceuticals. This collaboration further builds on OPPI’s longstanding commitment to advancing research and development in India, with several member companies already partnering with NIPER institutions across the country to foster innovation and talent development.”

 

Prof. Ruckmani Kandasamy, Director, NIPER Hajipur, said, “NIPER Hajipur is delighted to collaborate with OPPI to strengthen industry–academia engagement and advance outcome-oriented pharmaceutical research. This partnership will provide our students and research scholars with valuable opportunities for research support, industry mentorship and meaningful exposure to real-world challenges and evolving industry practices. 

 

"The curated knowledge sessions and engagements in areas such as Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) will further strengthen their understanding of evidence-based healthcare decision-making and the translation of research into practical solutions. 

 

'The partnership will also complement and strengthen NIPER Hajipur’s HTAIn–DHR activities by bringing industry perspectives, expertise and real-world insights into HTA and HEOR. We look forward to building a sustained and mutually beneficial partnership that nurtures future-ready scientific talent, encourages innovation and contributes to research that can make a meaningful difference to patients and healthcare systems.”