In a move aimed at strengthening the bridge between academic research and industrial application, Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., one of India’s leading contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMOs), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sharda University, Agra. The partnership seeks to foster long-term collaboration in pharmaceutical research, technology transfer and skill development, while preparing industry-ready talent for the fast-evolving healthcare sector.

The MoU lays out a comprehensive framework covering joint research, innovation, training and industry exposure. By bringing together Sharda University’s academic expertise and Akums’ strong manufacturing and R&D ecosystem, the collaboration aims to accelerate the development of next-generation pharmaceutical solutions and enhance employability among students.

A major focus of the partnership will be collaborative research in emerging and advanced areas, including next-generation molecules and novel drug delivery technologies. The agreement also emphasizes technology transfer, enabling promising academic research to be translated into commercially viable pharmaceutical products.

As part of the collaboration, students from Sharda University will gain access to structured internship programmes at Akums’ manufacturing facilities. These internships are designed to provide hands-on exposure to real-world pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality systems, regulatory practices and research and development processes. In addition, industrial visits will be organised to familiarise students with large-scale operations and industry best practices.

The MoU also provides for jointly organised seminars and technical training programmes aimed at strengthening practical knowledge, industry readiness and technical competencies. These initiatives are expected to significantly improve students’ career prospects in the pharmaceutical and allied sectors.

Both institutions will further work together on joint project development initiatives focused on translating academic innovations into market-ready healthcare solutions. Such projects are expected to encourage applied research, promote innovation-driven problem-solving and address unmet needs in healthcare.

Commenting on the partnership, Arushi Jain, Director, Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., said that strong industry–academia linkages are essential for sustainable innovation. “At Akums, we firmly believe that meaningful collaboration with academic institutions is critical for building a future-ready pharmaceutical ecosystem. This MoU with Sharda University reflects our commitment to nurturing talent, accelerating translational research and providing young minds with real-world industry exposure,” she said.

Welcoming the collaboration, Prof. (Dr.) Jayanthi Ranjan, Vice Chancellor, Sharda University, Agra, highlighted its academic and societal significance. “This partnership marks an important step towards strengthening experiential learning and applied research for our students and faculty. It will open new avenues for internships, skill development and collaborative research, while ensuring that academic innovations find pathways to real-world application,” he said.

The collaboration further reinforces Akums’ position as a trusted pharmaceutical manufacturing partner and a strong proponent of industry-led knowledge sharing, while supporting Sharda University’s mission to deliver industry-relevant education and research excellence.