Encube R&D Centre Opens at Palava: A Game-Changer for the Life Sciences Industry

March 27, 2025

~ With an investment of ₹1 billion in this state-of-the-art R&D facility, Encube Ethicals is driving innovation in pharmaceutical research ~

Mumbai, March 27, 2025: A milestone moment unfolds at the Lodha Lifesciences Hub as Encube Ethicals officially opens its flagship research and development centre of excellence. With this launch, Palava strengthens its position as Mumbai’s premier life sciences destination, offering an unmatched blend of cutting-edge research facilities and a thriving, well-planned ecosystem.

Encube Ethicals, a leading integrated pharmaceutical company specializing in topical products, envisioned this centre as a beacon of excellence in research and development. The state-of-the-art 200,000 sq. ft. facility—the world’s largest R&D hub for topical formulations—was developed in record time, with Phase 1 completed in just 18 months. This milestone marks the beginning of a new era, not just for Encube but for the entire Indian pharmaceutical sector.

Encube’s R&D Centre will generate over 250 high-quality R&D jobs, providing an unparalleled opportunity for researchers and scientists. Beyond employment, this facility is expected to attract more pharmaceutical giants to Palava, transforming the region into a powerhouse of scientific innovation. The decision to establish this centre at the Lodha Lifesciences Hub underscores the growing demand for world-class infrastructure that supports both research and work-life balance.

But Encube is not alone in recognizing Palava’s potential. Leading corporations like HDFC, Axis Bank, AWS (Amazon Web Services), DHL, DP World, and Zomato have
already established their presence in Palava, leveraging its infrastructure to support various commercial aspects of their businesses. With companies spanning diverse industries choosing Palava as their hub, this not only strengthens job avenues but also enhances the overall attractiveness of the city. Combined with upcoming connectivity upgrades, Palava is rapidly evolving into a major hotspot for commercial and residential investments, reinforcing its position as a thriving business and lifestyle destination.

 

An Ecosystem Designed for Growth and Innovation

Palava was meticulously designed to support thriving industries while ensuring a high quality of life for its residents. The Lodha Lifesciences Hub, spanning 25 acres, offers:

• 100% compliant R&D facilities
• Dedicated storage units and infrastructure
•  ESG-focused design with all regulatory approvals

What truly sets Palava apart is its holistic “Live-Work-Learn-Play” ecosystem, built on the 5-10-15-minute principle. Scientists and researchers at Encube can walk to work, have schools for their children within 5 minutes, entertainment venues within 10 minutes, and essential services like hospitals and offices within 15 minutes. This seamless integration of work and life fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation.

Shaishav Dharia, Director - Lodha Green Digital Infrastructure and CEO - Townships, Thane & Rental Assets, said:

"Encube Ethicals has exemplified how business success is driven by placing people at the heart of innovation, where their well-being translates into groundbreaking ideas. By embracing ‘walk to work’ and ‘high-quality living,’ they have created an ecosystem where talent flourishes, ideas thrive, and innovation becomes second nature. Palava was designed to enable this seamless integration of work and life, and seeing Encube's state-
of-the-art R&D centre come to fruition at the emerging life sciences hub reinforces our belief that when people have the space to think, collaborate, and grow, businesses reach new heights."

 

Seamless Connectivity for a Thriving Future

Palava’s strategic location ensures that businesses and residents remain seamlessly connected. With upcoming infrastructure upgrades, including:

• Metro Lines 5, 12, and 14 (Kalyan-Taloja-Ambarnath-Vikhroli) – Providing easy access to key Mumbai hubs
• Airoli-Katai Naka Freeway (Opening in 2025) – Cutting travel time to Airoli (20 mins) and Mulund (30 mins)
• Navi Mumbai International Airport (30 mins travel distance) – Enabling global reach
• Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train (Operational by 2028) – Ensuring rapid transit
• Kharghar Turbhe Link Road and DP Road – Enhancing connectivity to Vashi (Navi Mumbai) in 30 minutes

With these advancements, Palava is set to become one of MMR’s best-connected business hubs, making it an even more attractive destination for professionals, businesses, and investors alike.

 

A Holistic Ecosystem for Unparalleled Growth

Palava has made tremendous strides in building a self-sustaining ecosystem that enhances the well-being of its residents and professionals:

• Mall & High Street Retail – Home to leading brands like H&M, Pantaloons, Decathlon, Trends, U.S. Polo, Candere, Haldirams, and PVR
• 5 Operational Schools + 1 Upcoming – Includes The Shri Ram Universal School and Lodha World School, offering ICSE, CBSE & SSC boards
• Grade-A Offices – 3 Mn. sq. ft. of planned international business district—the only supply of its kind in the KDMC region
• MMR’s Largest Industrial & Warehousing Hub – A rapidly expanding business destination, with 250 acres delivered and 200 acres ongoing, hosting 25+ global giants like Skechers, DHL, DP World, Schlumberger, Owens Corning, and Yusen Logistics, creating thousands of job opportunities
• R&D Cluster – Lodha Life Sciences Hub – Mumbai’s first systematically designed R&D innovation hub (Dedicated 25-acre park)
• Data Center Park – A high-demand location for hyperscalers and colocation players, with two major deals already completed
• Upcoming 500-Bed Jupiter Hospital – Set to open by 2026, ensuring world-class healthcare for residents and professionals

As the doors of Encube’s R&D Centre open, Palava takes a giant leap toward becoming India’s Silicon Valley for Life Sciences—where innovation meets infrastructure, and science meets sustainability.

 

A Vision for the Future

The opening of Encube’s R&D Centre is just the beginning. With Palava now home to Mumbai’s first systematically designed life sciences cluster, more pharmaceutical companies are expected to follow. Lodha’s vision is clear—to create a self-sustaining innovation hub where businesses can thrive and talent can flourish.

With ₹1 billion invested in this cutting-edge R&D facility, Encube Ethicals is paving the way for breakthroughs in pharmaceutical research. By choosing Palava, the company has prioritized scientific excellence, employee well-being, and industry growth—all while reinforcing Palava as a premier destination for both business and lifestyle.

 

About Lodha

Lodha, India's No. 1 real estate developer is driven with the passion of building world's finest developments across its residential, commercial and digital infrastructure portfolio. The company has delivered ~100 million square feet of real estate and is currently developing more than 110 million square feet under its on-going and planned portfolio. The company's vision of Building a Better Life extends across geographies, markets, prices points and consumer segments. Lodha creates developments with self-contained eco-systems, great outdoor spaces, & robust infrastructure and brings every facility, convenience and near commerce to the doorstep through its integrated digital platform Bellevie, transforming lives of its residents. The company is committed to becoming a net-zero carbon emissions company by 2050, leading the real estate industry's low- carbon transition and acting in the larger interest of the environment and society. In more ways than one, Lodha is dedicated to Building a Better Life. The company also has a growing Digital Infrastructure business where, it has scaled up and made its mark in a short span of time.