Aurobindo Pharma Research Centre is in Bachupally, a north-western suburb of Hyderabad often called the city’s pharmaceutical hub because several major drug companies run research centres there.
The centre belongs to Aurobindo Pharma Limited, a Hyderabad-based multinational founded in 1986 that grew into one of India’s largest makers of generic medicines. Its research work, which the company describes as spread over more than 13,000 square metres with a multidisciplinary team of hundreds of scientists, covers organic synthesis, analytical research, dosage form development, pharmacology, bioequivalence studies, and drug delivery systems.
The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) recognises Aurobindo’s in-house R&D units, including the Bachupally centre and a second research centre at Kandi in Sangareddy district.
| Quick Facts | Details |
| Name | APL Research Centre (Aurobindo Pharma Ltd.) |
| Bachupally address | Survey No. 313 & 314, Bachupally Village, Bachupally Mandal, Medchal-Malkajgiri District, Hyderabad, Telangana 500090, India |
| Second R&D centre | Survey No. 71 & 72, Indrakaran Village, Kandi Mandal, Sangareddy District, Telangana 502203 |
| Corporate office | Galaxy, Floor 22, Plot No. 1, Survey No. 83/1, Hyderabad Knowledge City, Raidurg Panmaktha, Hyderabad |
| Registered office | Plot No. 2, Maitri Vihar, Ameerpet, Hyderabad 500038 |
| Parent company | Aurobindo Pharma Limited (listed on NSE and BSE) |
| Company founded | 1986 |
| Founders | V. Ramprasad Reddy and K. Nityananda Reddy |
| R&D recognition | DSIR-recognised in-house R&D units (recognition valid to 31 March 2028) |
| R&D area (as described) | Over 13,000 sq m |
| Research areas | Organic synthesis, analytical research, dosage form development, pharmacology, bioequivalence studies, drug delivery systems |
| Quality standard | Meets cGLP (current Good Laboratory Practice) requirements |
| Company scale (FY2025) | Revenue of about ₹31,724 crore |
| US headquarters | East Windsor, New Jersey |
| Registered office phone | 040-2373 6370 / 040-2374 7340 |
| Public access | Corporate research facility, visits by appointment only |
| Nearest metro | Miyapur (Red Line), a short drive away |
| Nearest airport | Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, roughly 45–55 km |
| Time zone | IST, UTC+5:30 (no daylight saving) |
| Company website | aurobindo.com |
Aurobindo Pharma in Brief
Aurobindo Pharma was founded in 1986 by V. Ramprasad Reddy and K. Nityananda Reddy. It has grown into a multinational company with products that include:
- Generic prescription medicines
- Over-the-counter (OTC) products
- Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)
- Vaccines, diagnostics, contact lenses, and animal health products
The company’s head office is in Hyderabad’s HITEC City, and its US headquarters is in East Windsor, New Jersey. Much of its growth has come from selling generic medicines in regulated markets such as the United States and Europe, which depends heavily on strong research and quality systems.
Two DSIR-Recognised R&D Campuses
| Campus | Location | Notes |
| APL Research Centre (Bachupally) | Bachupally Village, Medchal-Malkajgiri District | Located in Hyderabad’s pharma R&D belt |
| APL Research Centre-II (Kandi) | Indrakaran Village, Kandi Mandal, Sangareddy District | Near the IIT Hyderabad area, west of the city |
DSIR recognition means the Government of India has reviewed and approved these as genuine in-house research centres. This recognition can qualify companies for certain government research-related benefits.
Research Disciplines
According to the company, its research centre focuses on:
Organic Synthesis
Developing efficient, cost-effective chemical routes to make active drug substances. The company says its strengths include developing non-infringing processes, meaning ways of making a medicine that don’t violate existing patents, and solving complex chemistry problems.
Analytical Research
- Complete impurity profiling for products under development
- Developing analytical methods and specifications, from raw materials to finished products
- In-house synthesis of special reagents for analysis
- Accelerated and real-time stability studies, to show how long a product stays within specification
Dosage Form Development
Designing tablets, capsules, injections, and other finished products. The company says a team of several hundred scientists works on generic formulations.
Pharmacology and Bioequivalence
Studies to show how a generic medicine behaves compared with the original. Bioequivalence studies confirm that a generic releases the active drug into the bloodstream at a comparable rate and extent.
Drug Delivery Systems
Developing new drug delivery systems and new dosage formulations, such as extended-release and specialty products.
What “First-to-File” Means
Aurobindo highlights that many of its generic formulations are “first-to-file” in the United States. In simple terms:
- When a generic company believes a brand-name drug’s patent is invalid or won’t be infringed, it can file an application to sell a generic version before the patent expires, along with a legal certification to that effect.
- The first company to file such an application may be eligible for a period of market exclusivity, often 180 days, during which other generics can’t enter.
- This can be very valuable commercially, but it depends on successful research, regulatory approval, and often patent litigation.
Being first-to-file needs fast, high-quality R&D, including developing the product, proving bioequivalence, and preparing regulatory dossiers ahead of competitors.
Quality and Compliance
- cGLP compliance: The centre meets current Good Laboratory Practice requirements, which govern how laboratory studies are planned, performed, recorded, and reported.
- Regulatory submissions: Research data supports filings to regulators in India and overseas, such as the US FDA and European agencies.
- Impurity control: Detailed impurity profiling is a key part of making safe generic medicines.
- Stability testing: Products are tested under controlled conditions to set shelf life and storage instructions.
Bachupally: Hyderabad’s Pharma R&D Belt
Bachupally lies in north-western Hyderabad, near Miyapur, Nizampet, and the Outer Ring Road. It has become home to the research centres of several leading pharmaceutical companies, along with growing residential areas.
- By metro: Miyapur station, at the end of the Red Line, is a short cab ride away.
- From HITEC City: Roughly 15–20 km, depending on route and traffic.
- By road: The Outer Ring Road and the new Bachupally flyover have improved access.
- From the airport: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is roughly 45–55 km away via the ORR.
- Visiting: This is a corporate research facility. Visits are only for business partners, interview candidates, and invited guests, by appointment.
Careers at Aurobindo Research
Aurobindo’s R&D centres employ:
- Chemists for process development and scale-up
- Analytical scientists for method development, validation, and stability testing
- Formulation scientists for dosage form development
- Pharmacologists and clinical research staff
- Regulatory affairs and intellectual property professionals
- Quality assurance and documentation specialists
Tips for applicants:
- Apply through Aurobindo’s official careers channels or verified job portals.
- Highlight lab skills such as HPLC, GC, LC-MS, dissolution testing, and knowledge of GMP and GLP.
- Be wary of fake job offers. Genuine companies don’t charge fees for interviews or appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Where is Aurobindo Pharma Research Centre located?
A. It is located at Survey No. 313 & 314, Bachupally Village, Bachupally Mandal, Medchal-Malkajgiri District, Hyderabad 500090.
Q2. Does Aurobindo have another research centre?
A. Yes. APL Research Centre-II is located at Indrakaran Village, Kandi Mandal, Sangareddy District.
Q3. When was Aurobindo Pharma founded?
A. Aurobindo Pharma was founded in 1986.
Q4. Who founded Aurobindo Pharma?
A. Aurobindo Pharma was founded by V. Ramprasad Reddy and K. Nityananda Reddy.
Q5. Is Aurobindo’s research centre recognised by the government?
A. Yes. Its in-house R&D units are recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Q6. What research is done at Aurobindo Research Centre?
A. Research activities include organic synthesis, analytical research, dosage form development, pharmacology, bioequivalence studies, and drug delivery systems.
Q7. What does “first-to-file” mean?
A. It refers to being the first generic company to file a US application challenging a brand’s patent, which can bring a period of market exclusivity.
Q8. Where is Aurobindo Pharma’s head office?
A. Aurobindo Pharma’s head office is in Hyderabad’s HITEC City, at the Galaxy building in Hyderabad Knowledge City, Raidurg.
Q9. Can the public visit Aurobindo Pharma Research Centre?
A. No. It is a corporate facility, and visits are by appointment only.
Q10. Which metro station is near Aurobindo Research Centre Bachupally?
A. Miyapur Metro Station on the Red Line is nearby and can be reached by a short drive.
