https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

How Three Men Established India’s Largest Animal Trial Facility

• Retd. IAS BP Acharya facilitated the establishment of ICMR NARFBR • The facility was a vision of scientists, Prof. NK Ganguly and Dr. Suresh Pothani • It claims to be the only facility in the world with all possible testing for animals
Indian Masterminds Stories

With India becoming a pharmaceutical hub in the post-pandemic era, we bring to you the story of ICMR’s National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical Research (NARFBR), the one-stop shop for pharmaceutical companies, who no longer seek testing from multiple other countries.

This Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) project in Genome Valley, Hyderabad, critical for future drug and vaccine trials was recently felicitated for its state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The NARFBR is the “labour of love” that was born out of the vision of Prof. NK Ganguly, former DG, ICMR, the relentless pursuit of Dr Suresh Pothani, Founder Director, and the proactive facilitation of retired IAS officer BP Acharya.

It is the only facility that houses all types of testing animals, including rodents, lagomorphs, non-human primates, small ruminants, canines, porcines, and equines.

Besides supporting basic and pre-clinical animal research in developmental and reproductive biology, neuroscience, behavioural sciences, stem cell, molecular cell biology, immunology, and virology, it also breeds/creates/maintains Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) quality animals for study.

LONG ROAD

Before human trials, every drug or vaccine undergoes pre-clinical safety evaluation testing on small and large animals. While some pharmas have their own in-house small-scale trial centres, but in view of the mandatory requirement for testing on large animals, eventually all needed assistance from abroad.

“If India was to become a major player in the game, this constraint had to be weeded out,” Mr. Acharya shared with Indian Masterminds.

The idea first came up in the 2001 CEOs’ Conclave of the All-India Biotech Association in Hyderabad but took over two decades to materialise.

It was not until May 2022, after numerous hurdles trying to protect the land where NARFBR was to come up in future, that it finally turned into reality.

Dr Suresh (left) with IAS officer BP Acharya

THE VISION

When in 2001, Prof. Ganguly shared his vision of future NARFBR, Mr. Acharya was Secretary of Industries and Commerce. 

The officer realised he could set aside about 100 acres of land for it as he already was involved in developing the Genome Valley during that period. The then Andhra Pradesh chief minister also supported the concept.

Dr Suresh with great scientist & Former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam

THE KALAM ANGLE

What was really a boon for NARFBR, was Dr. Suresh meeting then-President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The Rocketman of India took very little time to decide.

In a bid to expedite the proposal submitted on 21 October 2004, Dr. Suresh wrote a letter in November 2006 to Dr. Kalam seeking a meeting with him. And met him on 1 Feb 2007.

“After discussing 35 minutes detailing every aspect of the facility, I asked APJ Sir how long the planning commission would need to make a judgment before handing him a copy of the EFC,” Dr Suresh recalls. 

“All that isn’t necessary,” he told me. “Just give me the name of the proposal and the present location of the file in a piece of paper,” the president said.

“Finally, on November 8, 2007, the in-principle approval came through!” Dr. Suresh shared with Indian Masterminds. 

Prof. Ganguly mentoring and inspiring Dr. Suresh with his vision

A DECADE LATER

And yet it took almost a decade, when in 2016, the newly elected government gave the small, hardworking team of three approval to proceed. 

Inaugurated on December 17, 2022, NARFBR is making the dream of addressing zoonotic concerns a reality.

What began as a three-person company is now a 120-strong workforce with Mr. Acharya as the advisor post his retirement in 2020. Every vaccine manufactured in the country is now shipped there for testing.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
UPSC Image IAS IPS IFS
UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024: Final Results Expected Soon; 1056 Vacancies at Stake - How to Check
tv-somanathan
Is India’s Bureaucracy Future-Ready? Cabinet Secy T.V. Somanathan Calls Reform Inevitable
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services (IAS)
2 IAS Officers Appointed to New Posts in Bihar, Krishna Kumar Named Joint Secy, Road Construction Dept
UP Government Uttar Pradesh Yogi
33 IAS, Including 11 District Collectors, Transferred in Uttar Pradesh; Satyendra Kumar Appointed as New DM of Varanasi
government-of-haryana
42 IPS & 13 HPS Officers Transferred in Haryana, Sibash Kabiraj Appointed Commissioner of Police, Panchkula
ED _Enforcement_Directorate
Govt Appoints 5 New Special Directors in ED, Fills All Top Posts - Full Details Inside
Civil Services Day 2025 Awards by PM Modi
Civil Services Day 25: 16 IAS Officers Honoured for Excellence in Public Administration - Know More About Them
Civil Services Day 2025 Awards IAS officers
Civil Services Day 25: Inspired by PM’s Vision - Awarded IAS Officers Share Stories of Grassroots Impact
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
E-Rickshaw Chaos, Waterlogging, Traffic Mess — Can Noida Fix Its Daily Chaos? | Exclusive with Dr Lokesh M, IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
This Collector Finds Happiness In Squeaks Of Children With Hearing Impairment Who Start Hearing After Surgery
UPSC Stories
images (14)
Utsav Anand, the UPSC Topper Who Chose Public Service Over a Plush Career
From IIT Bombay to the 2022 IAS batch (Haryana cadre), Utsav Anand’s journey is proof that sharp minds...
pushplata-yadav-ias
How IAS Pushp Lata’s Strategy and Spirit Took Her to AIR 80
From rural Haryana to IAS, Pushp Lata Yadav’s journey reflects focused planning, adaptation, and the...
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
IRS officer Padmapani Bora's 16-year career transcends typical bureaucracy. Discover his surprising journey...
Social Media
GozJlgrXYAAHoKv
Murals for Cleanliness: Thoothukudi District Launches Art-Inspired Sanitation Drive in Panchayats
Local artists add colour and messages to village walls, promoting hygiene and community pride
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Mr. Himanshu Nagpal is a 2019-batch IAS officer
IAS Vaishali Chopra
Young IAS Vaishali Chopra Takes a Stand Against Caste Bias During Field Training in Uttar Pradesh
While the issue itself may seem small, the post is resonating widely online for its honest reflection...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
UPSC Image IAS IPS IFS
UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024: Final Results Expected Soon; 1056 Vacancies at Stake - How to Check
Aniket Kokre
From Daily Wages to the Judge’s Bench: The Inspiring Journey of Aniket Kokre
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT