Syngene Extends Major Research Collaboration with BMS

The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly shifting toward deeply integrated, multi-decade alliances to manage the complexities of the drug development lifecycle. On Jan. 19, 2026, Syngene International and Bristol Myers Squibb announced an extension of their strategic collaboration through 2035, a move that provides a 10-year arrangement for resource and infrastructure planning (1). This extension signifies a commitment to drug development from early-stage discovery to commercialization through a broad scope of services, including chemistry, biology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, and clinical trials.

How does a 10-year partnership influence development and manufacturing infrastructure?

The ability to plan with a decade-long perspective allows for the deliberate building of new capabilities and specialized facilities to meet future therapeutic demands. This long-term approach is intended to add strategic value by ensuring that operational reliability and scientific excellence remain consistent throughout the project lifecycle. By aligning infrastructure with a 10-year roadmap, organizations can better support a diverse pipeline across therapeutic areas such as fibrosis, cardiovascular, immunology, and oncology

"Our collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb, which now spans more than 25 years, is anchored in scientific excellence, operational reliability, and a shared commitment to advancing innovative therapies,” Peter Bains, managing director and CEO, Syngene International Ltd., commented in a Syngene press release (1). “The agreement to extend this partnership through 2035 enables us to plan together for the future in terms of building new capabilities and infrastructure with a decade long horizon. Taking a long-term perspective is a key feature of our partnership, which adds strategic value to both companies. We look forward to supporting BMS with their next wave of discovery, development, and manufacturing programs that have the potential to improve patient outcomes worldwide.”

In what ways do integrated services facilitate the progression from research to commercialization?

The integration of research, development, and manufacturing capabilities is designed to accelerate the delivery of transformative medicines while reducing overall development timelines and costs. A central element of this integration is the Biocon Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development Center (BBRC), which has evolved into a major strategic site supporting target identification, lead optimization, and clinical biomarkers. The BBRC houses approximately 700 scientists who function as an extension of the global research organization at Bristol Myers Squibb (1).

“At Bristol Myers Squibb, everything we do begins with patients. We greatly value our long-standing partnership with Syngene, which has been instrumental in advancing our scientific ambitions,” Payal Sheth, senior vice president, Therapeutic Discovery Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, stated in the press release (1). “This expanded collaboration reflects our commitment to advancing innovative science by effective integration of our research, development, and manufacturing capabilities to accelerate the delivery of transformative medicines and bring hope to patients around the world who are waiting for new treatment options.”

These collaborative efforts are supported by an extensive operational scale, featuring more than 2.5 million square feet of specialized facilities and a workforce of more than 8200 employees, including 5600 scientists (1). Since the inception of the BBRC, the facility has been pivotal in moving novel compounds from early discovery stages to first-in-human studies. These models demonstrate how long-standing partnerships can improve time-to-market and lower the inherent costs of innovation by maintaining a stable, integrated environment for scientific advancement.

How does this merger define Syngene’s long-term strategy?

Syngene International has announced strategic infrastructure upgrades that directly support the long-term, integrated partnership models exemplified by its recent extension with Bristol Myers Squibb. The investment features a dedicated peptide laboratory and advanced automation for Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) workflows. These enhancements reduce development timelines by weeks and improve DMPK operational efficiency by 30% (2). By integrating these specialized capabilities, Syngene provides the technical infrastructure necessary to navigate the drug lifecycle from discovery to manufacturing. This modernization aligns with a decade-long planning horizon, ensuring partners have access to high-throughput, automated research environments.

References

1. Syngene. Syngene International Extends Long-Term Research Collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb until 2035. Press Release. Jan. 19, 2026.
2. Syngene. Syngene International invests in dedicated peptide laboratory and advanced automation. Press Release. Oct. 15, 2025.