ABOUT US

AN OVERVIEW

Foundation for Neglected Disease Research (FNDR) is a not-for-profit biotech R&D organization dedicated to discovering and developing novel therapeutics, diagnostics, and devices for diseases with a high socio-economic impact.

Since its inception in 2014, FNDR has generated a portfolio of therapeutics in tuberculosis, nontuberculous mycobacteria, malaria, dengue, leishmania, serious bacterial infections, fungal infections, COVID-19 and RSV, spanning over early-stage discovery to late-stage clinical trials. FNDR's R&D Centre, which includes state-of-the-art BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories for both in vitro and in vivo research, is located in Bengaluru, India. FNDR also performs preclinical infectious disease studies under a fee-for-service mode.

Under the One Health model, FNDR is working on antimicrobial resistance, pandemic preparedness and other areas of public health concerns.

Relevance

Infectious diseases like Tuberculosis, Malaria, and Neglected Tropical Diseases are major public health problems. India represents 25% of the global TB burden with 2.7 million new cases and more than 0.4 million deaths every year (Global TB Report 2020, WHO). Mosquito borne infectious diseases like Malaria, Dengue and Chikungunya affect more than 10 million per year in India (Global Malaria Report 2020, WHO).

Traditionally, these diseases have been overlooked or under-resourced compared to other higher mortality diseases and, as a result, afflicted patients have been under-diagnosed and undertreated. There are medicines to ﬁght these diseases, but many of them don’t work anymore due to improper treatment and misuse, that has led to antimicrobial resistance. Hence there is an urgent medical need to develop new medicines treat these indications and diagnostic tools for mitigation.

UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3 states "By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases". FNDR aims to contribute through development of new treatments, diagnostics and devices for these infectious diseases.

How we work

FNDR undertakes research and development projects in infectious diseases drug discovery and development, therapeutics, or diagnostics, either solely or in a collaborations with partners. We also provide services and consulting in our areas of expertise - drug discovery and diagnostics.

Funding

As a not-for-profit organization, FNDR is funded mainly through grants and donations. Past funders and grantors include AstraZeneca, Department of Biotechnology (India), BIRAC (India) and Medicine for Malaria Ventures (MMV). There are various ways to give to FNDR. Click here to know more.

Collaborations

FNDR has partnered with over a hundred companies, academic and governmental institutions, consortiums and alliances from across the globe to deliver innovative research in infectious diseases drug discovery at both preclinical and clinical stages. To partner with FNDR, please contact us.

R&D CENTRE AND BSL-3 LABS

FNDR’s state of the art R&D Centre is located in Bangalore, India. It is a compact 10,000 sq ft building which houses laboratories for microbiology, cell culture, animal studies, biochemistry, molecular biology, DMPK and bioanalytical studies, and chemistry facilities for small scale synthesis. The R&D Centre has Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) and Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) facilities for both in vitro and animal studies. Key instrumentation available are FACS, LC-MS/MS, RT-PCR, Fluorescent and Bright field Microscopes, GlasCol Chamber, Class A2 Biosafety Cabinets, and Animal Biocontainment Units. To arrange a site visit, please contact us.

PEOPLE

Our team consists of 20+ scientists from diverse academic and professional backgrounds such as microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, virology, veterinary sciences, medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.

Leadership

Dr. Shridhar Narayanan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Co-founder

Dr. Shridhar Narayanan, holds a basic degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, a PhD in Pharmacology from Ohio State University, and has post-doctoral experience in Neuro-pharmacology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Throughout his career, Shridhar has contributed to the Discovery and Development of 18 clinical candidates. He has also executed out-licensing deals with major pharma as well as in-licensing of candidates (NCE/NBE) which are in active development. This has generated revenues in excess of 100 million USD over his 20 year career. Shridhar has been a member of joint research committees, academic and industry collaborations and has served as a Ph.D. guide. Shridhar is a scientific consultant and advisor to biotech companies and Research Institutions and holds Adjunct faculty position at Transdisciplinary University, Bangalore.

Advisory Board

FNDR has a scientific advisory board of leaders in infectious diseases research to ensure that the overall deliverables of FNDR are in line with the global objectives for combating these diseases.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Awareness

FNDR has established a multi-faceted “Community Connect Program”, to spread awareness of infectious diseases in rural communities. In the 2019 program “My Health – School Health Awareness Program”, FNDR partnered with local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to deliver information about infectious diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, dengue, rabies, chikungunya and snake bite to 1500+ school children in 25 schools in rural districts in Karnataka, India. FNDR also conducted a program to spread the awareness of COVID-19 and address the vaccine hesitance amongst industrial workers in rural Bangalore.

Skill Building

FNDR periodically conducts workshops for graduate and post graduate students biotechnology related courses in skills related to biosafety and drug discovery for career enhancement.

Educational Visits

FNDR hosts educational visits for students and teachers from high schools and colleges with the aim of introducing them to the drug discovery field, laboratories and related theory areas. To arrange a visit to our R&D centre, please contact us here.

COMPLIANCE

Financial and Legal Compliance

FNDR is incorporated as a “Not for Profit” company under section 8 of the Indian Companies Act, 2013 bearing CIN - U73200KA2014NPL076126.
FNDR is registered as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) under the NGO-DARPAN platform by NITI Aayog, Government of India.
FNDR is registered as a Charitable organization under Section 12AA of the Income Tax Act 1961, India (Registration Number AACCF4518PE20206).
FNDR is eligible to receive tax-exempt donations by Indian citizens and Indian corporations under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961, India (Registration Number AACCF4518PF20172).
FNDR is eligible to receive donations and grants from non-Indian sources through FCRA permanent registration (No. 094421817) granted by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
FNDR's Goods and Services Tax (GST) Registration number is 29AACCF4518P1Z5.

Operational and Scientific Compliance

FNDR is recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology.
FNDR’s Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC) is registered with the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
FNDR’s Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) is registered with the Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
FNDR has been provided Consent for Operation & compliance with National Bio Medical Waste Management Rules – 2016 by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).
FNDR's Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) facilities have been certified by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

FCRA Compliance

Annual financial reports for the past financial years can be found here - 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24. FNDR's Annual Returns Form MGT-7 can be found here - 2022, 2023, 2024.
FNDR was granted FCRA prior permission to receive funds from outside India in 2016. The historical compliance report can be found here.
FNDR was granted FCRA permament registration to receive funds from outside India in 2021. FCRA Quarterly reports can be found here - FY2021-22 Q2, Q3 and Q4; FY2022-23 Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4; FY2023-24 Q1, Q2.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

For latest job openings, internship and training opportunities, please write to FNDR Human Resources Email.