In News:

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has upgraded and renamed its Hyderabad-based National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical Research (NARFBR) as the National Institute for Pre-Clinical Research (NIPCR) to strengthen India’s capabilities in drug discovery and medical technology.

Key Highlights:

• Established in 2016 following approval by the Cabinet Committee (2015), the NIPCR is a flagship institute under ICMR, located in Genome Valley, Hyderabad. The renaming reflects a strategic shift from a specialised animal resource centre to a comprehensive hub for pre-clinical and translational research, acting as a critical bridge between laboratory research and human clinical trials.
• The institute provides advanced infrastructure for testing drugs, vaccines, biologicals, medical devices, and Cell and Gene Therapies (CGT). It adopts a dual research approach—combining advanced in vivo animal models with New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) such as Microphysiological Systems (MPS), cell-based assays, and organoid models. These technologies enhance accuracy, generate human-relevant data, and reduce reliance on traditional animal testing.
• NAMs enable applications like drug toxicity screening, disease modelling, high-throughput testing, and efficacy validation, thereby improving the quality and safety assessment of biomedical products. The institute also supports academia, industry, and startups by offering infrastructure, expertise, and validation platforms.
• Aligned with the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NIPCR is expected to play a key role in advancing “Made in India” healthcare solutions, strengthening India’s biomedical research ecosystem, and enhancing self-reliance in healthcare innovation.