NEW DELHI (India CSR): In a world increasingly recognizing the profound connection between corporate success and societal well-being, companies are stepping up, not just as economic engines but as catalysts for positive change. Syngene International Limited, a global Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO), embodies this ethos, extending its pioneering spirit beyond scientific breakthroughs to foster a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable future for communities across India. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, Syngene’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts saw a substantial financial commitment, a testament to its belief that true progress is inclusive. While the company proudly channeled the vast majority of its mandated CSR funds into impactful programs, a small unspent portion highlights the diligent, multi-year nature of its social investments and a commitment to ensuring every rupee delivers maximum value.
Highlights: Syngene International Limited – FY 2025
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| CSR Obligation (FY25) | Rs 11.00 Crores |
| Total CSR Spent | Rs 10.74 Crores |
| Unspent CSR Amount | Rs 26 Lakhs (Transferred to Unspent CSR Account; earmarked for Biocon Foundation projects) |
| Unspent Fund Usage | Multi-year projects under Biocon Foundation |
| Main Focus Areas | Healthcare, Education & Research, Environmental Sustainability |
| Healthcare Initiatives | eLAJ Smart Clinics, CHAMPS, Bengaluru Police Parihar Support Centre |
| Health Impact Stats | 3,500+ distress cases supported, 1,000+ health screenings across 17 villages |
| Employee Well-being Investment | 0.35% of total revenue (excl. Rs 3.6 Lakhs in maternity bonus) |
| Science Education Reach | 5,300+ students via Mobile Science Labs; 2,400+ via Lab on Bikes |
| Women Mentored in STEM | 30 mentees, 21 women scientists as mentors |
| PhD Scholarships | 3 women students supported through SynRISE Program |
| Green Energy Use | 92% of total power; 96% at Bengaluru campus |
| CO₂ Emissions Reduced | 73,207 metric tonnes in FY25 |
| Waste Management | 95.47% of hazardous/non-hazardous waste recycled/co-processed |
| Water Reuse & Savings | 64% of water reused/recycled/harvested; 67 KLD/day reduction at Bengaluru campus |
| Afforestation Drive | 2,000 saplings planted (including Miyawaki forest in Mangaluru) |
| Public Infrastructure Contribution | Rs 9.80 Crore invested in Biocon-Hebbagodi Metro Station (Bengaluru) |
| Paper Sustainability | 100% recycled A4 paper usage at Hyderabad campus |
| Top Recognition | Ranked #1 pharma company for women (Fortune India); 26% women employees |
| ESG Ratings & Disclosures | EcoVadis Silver, MSCI ESG ‘A’, CDP Score ‘B’ (climate & water), BRSR Disclosures |
| SBTi Goals | 54.6% emission reduction by FY33; 81.6% suppliers to adopt targets by FY28 |
A Foundational Commitment to Responsible Business
Syngene’s CSR philosophy is intrinsically woven into its core values of integrity, excellence, and professionalism, guiding its every operation. The company operates under a Board-approved CSR Policy, which serves as a roadmap for creating enduring societal impact. Its focus areas are strategically chosen to align with its expertise and maximize positive outcomes: community health, environmental sustainability, science education, and research. This is not merely about compliance; it’s about embedding responsible business practices deep within its organizational culture, a commitment formalized through a robust ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) framework. Syngene often collaborates with experienced partners like the Biocon Foundation and Biocon Academy to ensure its initiatives are evidence-based, measurable, and self-sustaining.
Understanding the FY25 CSR Allocation: A Detailed Look
For the fiscal year 2025, Syngene’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligation was determined by its average net profit for the preceding three financial years. With an average net profit of Rs 550.10 Crores, the mandated two percent CSR allocation for FY25 stood at Rs 11 Crores.
Demonstrating its strong commitment to its social responsibilities, Syngene spent a substantial Rs 10.74 Crores on various CSR projects during this period. This diligent allocation ensures that a significant portion of its profits is reinvested directly into community development and environmental protection.
However, a small portion of the allocated funds, Rs 26 Lakh, remained unspent by the end of FY25. This unspent amount was not due to a lack of commitment but rather a strategic decision related to the nature of certain long-term projects. Specifically, this Rs 26 Lakh was contributed to the Biocon Foundation for multi-year ongoing projects that had not yet been fully utilized by March 31, 2025. As per the provisions of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, and its corresponding rules, this unspent balance was duly transferred to an Unspent CSR Account on April 25, 2025, to be utilized in subsequent years for the designated projects. This adherence to regulatory guidelines underscores Syngene’s transparent and responsible management of CSR funds.
Nurturing Health and Well-being: A Holistic Approach
Syngene’s commitment to community health is a cornerstone of its CSR initiatives. Its collaborations with partners like the Biocon Foundation are designed to bring quality healthcare to underserved populations. The eLAJ Smart Clinics, for instance, provide affordable and accessible medical care, primarily benefiting patients who are below the poverty line or possess Antyodaya cards, reflecting a deep understanding of socioeconomic needs. These clinics prioritize quality through standardized procedures, regular follow-ups, and high medication adherence, offering free diagnostic services to over 91% of patients.
Beyond clinical care, Syngene supports proactive community health. The CHAMPS (Child Health Activists Mentoring and Promoting Health in Society) program empowers government school students to screen adults for hypertension and promote healthy lifestyle habits, with 100 students screening over 1,000 individuals across 17 villages. Furthermore, the company’s support for the Bengaluru City Police’s Parihar program offers critical shelter, counseling, legal, and medical aid to women and children in distress. In FY25, over 3,500 new cases were supported, leading to the successful reconciliation of 48.4% of cases and resolution of 65% of child cases.
The company also places significant emphasis on the well-being of its own employees. The “Thrive360” program, launched in FY25, is a holistic initiative designed to support employees’ physical, emotional, social, financial, and professional health. This includes complimentary cancer screenings, global Employee Assistance Program (EAP) coverage, and financial literacy programs. The investment in employee well-being amounted to 0.35% of the total revenue in FY25, excluding additional maternity bonus payments of Rs 3.60 Lakh. Syngene’s dedication to its workforce also earned it recognition as the #1 pharma company for women employees in Fortune India’s top 10 list, with 26% women in its workforce.
Empowering Through Education and Research: Building Future Talent
Recognizing education as a powerful tool for social mobility, Syngene invests significantly in science education and research, particularly for underprivileged students. Initiatives like mobile science labs and the “Lab on Bikes” program bring experiential learning directly to government schools, fostering scientific curiosity and strengthening classroom engagement. Over 5,300 students have benefited from mobile science labs, and 2,400 from “Lab on Bikes” exposures.
To nurture future scientific talent, Syngene offers STEM scholarships and mentorship programs for women, with 21 scientists mentoring 30 women from the second cohort of these programs. The Syngene Research in Science Excellence (SynRISE) program further supports academic pursuits by offering PhD assistantships, providing crucial support to three women PhD students from underprivileged backgrounds at the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB) in its first year. Collaborations with the Biocon Academy also provide industry-aligned training, preparing science graduates for successful careers in the life sciences sector.
Pioneering Environmental Stewardship: A Sustainable Footprint
Syngene’s commitment to environmental sustainability is a core aspect of its operational strategy and culture. The company has made remarkable strides in reducing its environmental footprint, with 92% of its total power sourced from renewable energy in FY25, a significant increase from 82% in FY24. Its Bengaluru campus leads the way with 96% green energy usage, contributing to a reduction of 73,207 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Waste management is another key area of focus, with Syngene actively pursuing a “zero waste-to-landfill” goal. In FY25, an impressive 95.47% of hazardous and non-hazardous waste was recycled or co-processed, demonstrating effective waste repurposing as alternative fuel for industries like cement.
Water conservation efforts are equally robust, with 64% of total water use coming from reused, recycled, or harvested sources. The Bengaluru campus alone achieved a 67 KLD reduction in daily water use, with 73% of its water from recycled sources. The company operates zero-liquid discharge treatment systems at its Bengaluru and Mangaluru facilities, minimizing environmental impact.
Beyond its facilities, Syngene invests in urban afforestation, including the Miyawaki urban forest project in Mangaluru, covering 21,780 sq. ft. with 1,000 native saplings, and has planted another 1,000 saplings across its campuses for World Environment Day 2024. A substantial investment of Rs 9.80 Crores over five years in Bengaluru’s Biocon-Hebbagodi Metro Station promotes sustainable mobility and decongests traffic. The company also supports lake rejuvenation efforts and has transitioned to using 100% recycled A4 paper at its Hyderabad campus.
Governance, Transparency, and Future Outlook
Syngene’s commitment to social responsibility is underpinned by robust governance and transparency. Its ESG performance has received external recognition, with an improved EcoVadis rating from Bronze to Silver, an MSCI ESG rating rising to ‘A’ (leadership category), and CDP scores of ‘B’ for both climate change and water security. The company has also committed to Science Based Targets (SBTi) to reduce emissions by 54.6% by FY33 and ensure 81.6% of key suppliers adopt science-based targets by FY28. Its Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) provides comprehensive disclosures on its ESG strategy.
Looking ahead, Syngene is poised to deepen its impact, leveraging its integrated approach of scientific innovation, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship. The unspent CSR amount from FY25, carried forward for multi-year projects, exemplifies the company’s long-term vision and commitment to ensuring that every investment translates into meaningful and sustained positive change. By continuing to innovate for greater reach and delivering breakthroughs for its clients, Syngene remains steadfast in its ultimate goal of improving human health and fostering healthier, more equitable communities globally.
(India CSR)
