A fire at India-based Orchid Chemical and Pharmaceutical’s research centre in Chennai as destroyed lab equipment and computers.

The fire, which occurred in the morning of 25 September, raged for more than four hours before emergency services could enter the building.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

It is thought that the fire was started by an electrical short circuit.

Police confirmed that expensive lab equipment, computers, furniture and raw chemical materials were damaged in the fire, but no casualties were reported.

Pharmaceutical Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Pharmaceutical Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Awarded the 2025 Pharmaceutical Technology Excellence Award for Business Expansion in Integrated Manufacturing, Upperton Pharma Solutions is rapidly expanding its UK GMP and sterile manufacturing footprint. Find out how Upperton’s integrated CDMO model helps pharma companies move from early development to clinical and niche commercial supply with fewer handovers and faster timelines.

Discover the Impact