NIPER Raebareli, AstraZeneca India partner to expand clinical trial sites across India
The collaboration will assess and support 25 clinical trial sites across emerging research geographies, with training, mentoring and site-readiness measures
The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Raebareli, and AstraZeneca India have partnered to extend clinical trial capabilities beyond metropolitan centres, build a trained workforce and prepare sites for inspections across 25 emerging research geographies in India.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. The collaboration supports the vision of Biopharma SHAKTI, the Government of India’s initiative to build the biopharma ecosystem, including the establishment of 1,000 clinical trial sites across the country.
The collaboration will begin with the adoption of 25 clinical trial sites, assessment of their capabilities, targeted training and mentoring, and measures to strengthen documentation and support processes related to ethics, safety and trial feasibility.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals will provide direction and endorsement, aligning the initiative with national clinical research priorities. AstraZeneca India will contribute clinical development expertise to design and deliver the programme, engage Indian and global faculty, and support participating sites through training, workshops, governance and site-readiness measures.
Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, said, “Our country has the talent and expertise to play a larger role in global clinical trials. Strengthening clinical trials capabilities beyond major metropolitan centres will help expand the pool of skilled professionals and research-ready sites across the country. This collaboration brings together government, academia and industry to strengthen clinical research capabilities in a structured manner and directly advances key objectives of Biopharma SHAKTI.”
Dr Shubhini Saraf, Director, NIPER Raebareli, said, “The Centre of Excellence will provide a dedicated platform for structured training and certification in clinical research. By combining academic and industry expertise, NIPER Raebareli will help develop a skilled workforce and create a model that can be expanded to other geographies and therapeutic areas.”
Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Country President and Managing Director of AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited, said, “Clinical research is central to bringing innovative medicines to patients. Our collaboration with NIPER Raebareli, with Government support, aims to strengthen India’s clinical research capabilities, expand trial participation and build a sustainable, high-quality research ecosystem.”
The initiative is designed as a national model that could expand to additional geographies and therapeutic areas beyond oncology following the proof-of-concept phase.