Novartis Consumer Health Inc has opened its third global research and development centre for the over the counter products in Mumbai.
This is the first research facility in India and the third in the world. Two more centres are in the US and Switzerland. Jorge Insuasty, senior vice president, global R&D of Novartis Consumer Health, said the company decided to set up this R&D centre in India due to high availability of skilled manpower.
"The centre is expected to enhance our existing in-house research and development resources," he added.
The Indian R&D centre will offer new products to the company's US as well as European markets. The centre would mainly work on various conventional as well as innovative dosage forms, particularly in the areas of cough and cold, allergies, smoking cessation, gastrointestinal disorders, dermal infections and nutritional supplements.
Company sources said that the new Indian R&D centre will have about 38 people in the scientific team. He did not disclose the investment in the centre.
