Announcing its foray into the academic arena, Bilcare Research has launched its first academic centre, Bilcare Research Academy, in Pune recently. The Pune research centre, at an initial investment of Rs 20 crore, is part of this leading pharma packaging and services provider's earlier announced plan to set up about 30 academic centres across India and in parts of Asia.

The centre will offer post graduate 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.

The inauguration of the Bilcare's first academic centre also saw the launch of India chapter of Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), which is considered to be a gateway for quality clinical research training in the Asian region.

Announcing the launch of ACRP, Drugs Controller General of India Dr Venkateswarlu said, "The ACRP-Bilcare academy should result in creation of adequate number of qualified professionals to meet the clinical trial needs of the time." "The need of the hour is to take real science to the people and inculcate ethics into the minds of professionals of tomorrow, as clinical trials subject human beings to risk," he added.

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 Diabetc Hospital and nine other hospitals across the country. In all these centres, customised programmes will be commenced shortly.

Speaking on the occasion, Thomas Adams, president and CEO of ACRP, said, "We are delighted to partner with Bilcare with a common understanding and objective. The first phase of our partnership will focus on programmes in India and Singapore. Gradually, we will expand our partnership programmes to Thailand, Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and China."

Referring to the company's partnership with ACRP, Mohan Bhandari, chairman and managing director, Bilcare Research, said, "The ACRP-Bilcare academy will bridge the gap of a long awaited qualitative manpower requirement and practices across the country and parts of Asia. The partnership also aims to uplift the clinical research infrastructure in the Asian region."