The Pune-based Bilcare Research, one of the leading providers of pharma packaging and services, is planning to set up its next research academy in Singapore. The company has recently launched its first academic center, Bilcare Research Academy, in Pune to offer qualified clinical research professionals to the country.
The Pune research center is part of the company's earlier announced plan to set up about 30 academic centers across India and in parts of Asia. The center will offer postgraduate diploma in clinical trial management. Bilcare has made an initial investment of Rs 20 crore to establish its presence in the education field and the company's objective is to bring out around 5000 quality clinical research professionals by 2010.
Speaking to Chronicle Pharmabiz, Mohan Bhandari, Managing Director, Bilcare Singapore Pte. Ltd., said, "Bilcare already has a manufacturing set up in Singapore with the coveted 'Pioneer Enterprise' status from the Economic Development Board. And hence, Singapore as our next choice for the academy comes as a logical decision." "With Singapore as a base for the region, the academy shall further proliferate to another 25 centers in other countries by 2010," he added.
Asked whether the company is planning investments in any of its business segments, one of the company spokespersons replied that Bilcare is continuously investing in both pharma packaging and in its GCS global clinical service business. Recently, Bilcare Singapore has upgraded its aluminum foil printing technology to latest flexo technology for foil, he added.
According to the company spokesperson, Bilcare Singapore has commissioned the largest PVdC coating line in the world having various technology breakthroughs in terms of coating, energy saving and productivity. The company's Singapore division also houses the largest barrier coating or blister manufacturing plant in the world.
Referring to the company's activities across the globe, he said "Bilcare has installed high speed slitting technology in the US, India and Singapore. It's a highly automated and sophisti-cated control system. Both coating and slitting has inbuilt safety control systems complied to CE guidelines."
"Bilcare's infrastructure in Singapore is at par with world class for various processes having 100,000 ISO class VIII clean room environment compliant to cGMP norms. Bilcare US now has 100 people and in UK we have 35 people. Currently many are joining in Asia Pacific, Uk and Europe for our innovative solutions in the pharma packaging business. So we are investing in people, machinery and infrastructure for our sites," the company spokesperson added.
Bilcare, ACRP bond
The company launched India chapter of Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) along with the inauguration of its first academic center in Pune. The company together with ACRP is expected to create adequate number of qualified professionals to meet the clinical trial needs of the time apart from taking real science to people and inculcate ethics into the minds of professionals of tomorrow.
Also, in association with ACRP, Bilcare Research Academy is expected to impart training to hospitals, clinical research organisations and other intermediaries in the clinical research business to enhance the understanding and upgrade its standards in the region. As part of this, the company has already joined hands with Bangalore Diabetic Hospital and nine other hospitals across the country. In all these centers customised programmes will be commenced shortly.