Qualified scientific and technical staff is at the core of institute's scientific and technical expertise in the two broader stages of drug R&D;, i.e. 'Drug Discovery' and 'Drug Development'.

Drug Discovery strength lies in programmes covering natural product and synthetic chemistry, QSAR, combinatorial chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, structural biology and HTS. The research focus is on basic biological and chemical studies directed at search for novel molecular structures, screening targets, mechanism of action studies, host parasite relationship, molecular pathophysiology of disease, cell and tissue structure elucidation and function, structure and function relationship of novel molecules, etc.

The available expertise for 'Drug Development' comprise the entire spectrum of development work covering quality control and standardisation, regulatory studies (pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicology and clinical studies) and process technology development/upscaling.

The institute has a sanctioned staff strength of 234 scientists with entry level positions starting at Scientist B which move upwards with promotions to Scientists C, E I, EII, F and G levels in that order. In most cases recruitments are encouraged at entry level, but positions requiring greater degree of expertise and experience may be filled up at higher positions at any level Scientist C, EI, II & F.

The institute's R&D; backbone comprise Scientists most of which possess post graduate qualifications in relevant disciplines, viz. Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Botany, Pharmaceutics, Veterinary Science, Zoology, etc.. The Departments requiring erxpertise in clinical disciplines viz. Clinical & Experimental Medicine and Toxicology are headed by medically qualified senior staff holding M.D. degree.

In addition, highly skilled and qualified technical staff (330 technical officers/staff) support the 'Drug Discovery' and 'Drug Development' activities.