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Aragen Launches ‘ChemiSHE’, India’s First Women-Led Chemistry Synthesis LaboratoryCRDMO announces strategic diversity initiative to add 800 - 1,000 women employees across scientific and leadership roles over the next three years

Hyderabad, India: Aragen, a leading global Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) launched ChemiSHE, a first-of-its-kind chemistry synthesis laboratory in India, entirely operated and led by women scientists. The lab was inaugurated on 8 April 2026 at Aragen’s Mallapur campus in Hyderabad.

ChemiSHE is part of a broader strategic initiative to strengthen gender diversity across Aragen’s scientific workforce and create structured leadership pathways for women in pharmaceutical R&D. The lab will launch with an initial team of 12–14 scientists and is designed to provide greater ownership of research programmes, increase visibility of scientific contributions, and accelerate progression into decision-making roles.

Ms. Aparna Reddy, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and Former National President of FICCI FLO, who inaugurated the lab as chief guest, commented “ChemiSHE is a strong expression of the role women scientists play at Aragen and an important initiative to support the growth of women leaders. It creates an environment where women can work together, learn from one another, and grow under the mentorship of a woman leader.”

Speaking at the inauguration, Manni Kantipudi, Managing Director & CEO of Aragen, commented “ChemiSHE is designed in line with the International Women’s Day 2026 theme of ‘Give to Gain’ – and it reflects our conviction that investing in women’s leadership multiplies innovation and scientific excellence. Over the next three years, we plan to add 800–1,000 women employees across scientific, operational, and leadership functions as we build a more balanced and future-ready workforce.”

The lab will be led by Pragya Yadav, Scientific Manager, Discovery Chemistry Solutions, Aragen.

Aragen’s commitment to diversity complements its position as one of the world’s leading CRDMOs, powered by Digital & AI, serving over 450 global pharma and biotech customers across the drug discovery, development, and manufacturing continuum.

About Aragen:

Aragen Life Sciences is a globally renowned R&D and manufacturing solutions provider to the global life sciences industries. It offers a range of solutions across the drug discovery, development and manufacturing continuum to advance small and large-molecule programs.  The Company operates through a global network of eight sites with a team of 5000+ employees including 450+ PhDs.  Its expertise and experience have enabled over 450 customers to advance their research programs from early discovery through development and commercialization. Aragen’s innovative mindset, infrastructure, flexible business models, clear purpose, and proprietary project management platform have enabled it to effectively scale and service large pharma, biotech, agrochemical, and animal health industries globally. Visit www.aragen.com for more details.

Media Contacts:

Aragen: Hyderabad, India: Prasad Babu, prasad.babu@aragen.com; +91 91546 68768 

De Facto: London, UK: Dr. Nidhi Narain, n.narain@defacto.co.uk; +44 7769015043

Source : Express Pharma