Lodha launches its Lifesciences Hub at Palava with Encube Ethicals as their first client.

Lodha, India’s No. 1* real estate developer, closed a deal with Encube Ethicals, an integrated pharmaceutical company dedicated to topical products, to develop ~100,000 sq. ft. flagship R&D ‘Centre of Excellence’ at Palava.

The project is part of the Lodha Lifesciences Hub, which is spread across 25 acres and is Mumbai’s first systematically developed life sciences cluster. Expected to complete by 2023, the project will entail the development of Encube Ethicals’ R&D Centre of Excellence. In lines with Lodha’s commitment to fostering growth and contributing towards the larger goal of nation building, this strategic partnership will further provide a host of job opportunities in the city.

This project will be carried out in two phases, with the first phase being delivered by next year. Encube Ethicals plans to have 250 R&D-related jobs in the first building itself.

Despite the presence of majority of Indian life sciences companies’ headquarters in Mumbai, the desired R&D ecosystem has not been developed yet in MMR, given the lack of quality and compliant spaces, and infrastructure. The Lodha Lifesciences Hub at Palava offers next-generation lab spaces. It is built on the core principles of ESG with a host of ecosystem benefits, 100% compliant spaces, and all requisite government approvals in place. It is centrally located with close proximity to the current hubs of Mahape, Taloja, Ambernath, and more than ~1000 R&D employees are already residing in Palava.

Mehul Shah, MD, Encube Ethicals, said, “Lodha Lifesciences Hub at Palava provides a unique value proposition for life sciences R&D centres – high quality development, 100% compliance, streamlined approval process and talent friendly ecosystem. Encube’s partnership with Lodha for its flagship R&D Center of Excellence is expected to spread across ~100,000 sq. ft. Encube’s focus of 24+ years in topicals research will be leveraged to expand its domestic and global product portfolio.”

Shaishav Dharia, CEO, Townships, and Rental Assets, Lodha, said, “With this association, we are elated to achieve the milestone of building Mumbai’s first systematically developed life sciences cluster. Partnerships like these further leverage Lodha’s pledge towards the nation’s economic growth and the development of the country at large. Understanding the specific requirements to set up an advanced R&D hub in a space like MMR, Lodha Lifesciences Hub at Palava with its plethora of benefits serves as a one-stop solution and similar deals like the one with Encube Ethicals will further help fortify pharma-centric developments in the area.”

Along with residential and commercial hubs for the residents, Palava is also evolving into a greater location that now comprises pharma and R&D spaces. Additionally, Palava Industrial and Logistics Parks recently inked a deal with Aptar Pharma, a US based global manufacturer of consumer dispensing packaging and drug delivery devices.