Research activities of CDRI are aimed at developing drugs, diagnostics and vaccines to cure and get rid of the ailments confronted by the mankind in general and indians in particular. With an aim to carry out focussed works in various disease areas, the R & D activities of CDRI have been categorised in various research areas. Each Research Area focusses on the design and development of drugs, diagnostics/vaccines related to the concerned disease group right from the synthesis of compounds upto regulatory studies and clinical trials. Scientists and technical manpower attached to a particular project area work in cohesion as per the
guidelines adopted by each project coordination group, even though they are administratively attched to their individual divisions

Quarterly project meetings of each area take stock of the progress in the area and wherever necessary, fresh guidelines are issued to overcome any hurdle that may have been faced.