Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has invited AstraZeneca to collaborate with global universities, world-class academic institutions and centres of excellence in Mumbai to strengthen pharmaceutical research and innovation.
Speaking at the inauguration of AstraZeneca’s new headquarters in Mumbai, Fadnavis assured the company of the Maharashtra government’s support for its expansion plans and research initiatives.
Fadnavis said collaborations between AstraZeneca, universities and research institutions could help create a structured approach to innovation by leveraging the capabilities of young talent and bright minds working in the field.
“I would also like to tell you that in the state of Maharashtra, we are now bringing the global academia, world-class universities to Mumbai and you can partner with these universities and also our own institutions of excellence whereby this work of innovation can be carried out in a structured way and all the bright minds, young minds who are into the space of innovation can be leveraged through this collaboration,” Fadnavis said.
Maharashtra Assures Support for AstraZeneca’s Expansion
The Chief Minister assured AstraZeneca that the Maharashtra government would extend the necessary assistance to facilitate its business operations and future expansion in the state.
Describing Maharashtra as one of the most business-friendly governments, Fadnavis said the state wanted to facilitate businesses and work closely with companies, recognising that business growth contributes to the state’s development.
“We want to facilitate businesses. We want to work with the businesses because we understand that when businesses grow, we also grow together,” he said.
Fadnavis also encouraged AstraZeneca to expand its activities into additional areas where the company could contribute to healthcare and serve people more effectively.
“And that is why I would also like you to expand more to look at different areas whereby you’ll be able to serve the people and the humanity more. And in that endeavor, the government of Maharashtra will be always ready to provide,” he said.
“Should you require any policy support or any other support, we are always there. Our team is always ready and we’ll be very happy to partner with you,” Fadnavis said.
AstraZeneca’s Mumbai Headquarters to Support Innovation
Congratulating AstraZeneca on inaugurating its state-of-the-art headquarters in Mumbai, Fadnavis welcomed the company’s decision to locate its headquarters in the city, noting that it had previously been based in Bengaluru.
He expressed confidence that AstraZeneca’s presence in Mumbai would contribute to innovation and encourage other companies to consider the city for their operations.
Fadnavis highlighted the importance of innovation in the pharmaceutical industry, medical sector and medical technology, noting that advancements in these areas could help improve healthcare outcomes.
He said India had established its capabilities in pharmaceutical manufacturing, with Indian medicines and generic drugs performing well even in highly regulated markets such as the United States and Europe.
According to Fadnavis, the country now needs to focus more strongly on pharmaceutical innovation.
He also highlighted the importance of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government’s initiative to establish bulk drug parks in India, saying that the development of such parks would bring changes to the country’s pharmaceutical sector.
Innovation Key to Accessible and Affordable Healthcare
Referring to developments in oncology, Fadnavis said AstraZeneca was working to bring forward medicines that could improve cancer treatment outcomes.
“As you have rightly said, in oncology now AstraZeneca is trying to bring the drugs whereby it will cure cancer and death will be in the rarest of the rare case. That is what is needed today,” he said.
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