Bharat Biotech has teamed up with the Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre to set up a clinical research facility. The 50:50 joint venture will be located in the premises of Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, which is located at Whitefield in the outskirts of Bangalore. The total investment of the clinical research organisation (CRO) is worth Rs. 20 crore.

The objective of setting up the CRO is that clinical trials conducted in India are currently unacceptable by other countries. Therefore the need of a world-class facility is critical. “We have a large talent pool of medical and basic science scientists who can be a part of the global business generation programme in clinical trials. The primary aim of CRO will be to focus on delivering effective protocols for the development of new molecules of Bharat Biotech and the facility will also be one of international standards where global trials can be conducted”, said Dr. Krishna M Ella, chairman and managing director, Bharat Biotech.

The facility will also be a training centre for doctors on the global ICH guidelines ethics. “The global clinical research organisation is an ancillary concept to provide the impetus for Bangalore's image as a medical city,” he said.

Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre is a 1000-bedded multi-speciality hospital. The first phase of the project accommodates 400-beds which was completed in a span of 16 months time on an area of 1.2 million sq.ft. The hospital is equipped with 10 fully equipped operation theatres, which can handle cardiology, oncology, neurosciences, urology, nephrology and plastic surgery. There is medical college attached to the hospital. It plans to include dental, physiotherapy, and nursing courses which is expanding its course offering in the next few years, informed DK Adikeshvalu, chairman, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre.

Bharat Biotech which has now changed its image from a Hyderabad biotechnology company to an Indian biotechnology major with its cost-effective vaccines that have made a global impact in the immunisation programmes, aims to be a leader in 'region-specific diseases,' noted Ella.

“The coming together of Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre and Bharat Biotech International in Bangalore will add a fillip to the hi-tech activities in the State”, said Karnataka chief minister, SM Krishna.