Ecron Acunova, the clinical research major, has inked a pact with Biotrial, France, to conduct the first-in-man studies. The project is under evaluation and the details are being worked out. Its Central Lab has entered into an alliance with Interlab, Munich Spectra, US for phase I to IV studies.

In India, the company has teamed up with the Information Technology major, Infosys, to help drug development companies tide over the issues of time-to-market in a cost effective manner. The alliance is the first in the CRO sector with an IT company. It is now working on a pipeline of projects in medical writing and SAS programmes which involves doctors, medical researchers and Technology professionals.

In order to strengthen its operations in the emerging markets, the company entered into a global strategic alliance with Essential Inc US.

The strategic advisor for these alliances has been Dr Jagdish N Sheth, Charles H Kellstadt professor of marketing, Goizueta Business School of Emory University.

"The alliance route is a strategic fit in our business model as it allows to increase our opportunities and gain the trust of the sponsors. The partners complement with our expertise. Eventually, the alliances could lead to financial investment as part of the inorganic growth efforts," DA Prasanna, founder, Ecron Acunova told Pharmabiz.

The exposure of working with global partners will help increase the global delivery expertise. The transfer of jobs from global locations to India will give an opportunity to Ecron Acunova to scale up operations and improve processes, he added.

The company is now the only CRO in the country engaged in stem cell trials. In fact, It is the only CRO qualified by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to conduct a couple of stem cell human studies. In addition, the company is also engaged in studies for medical devices where it is adept in contrast trials to understand the characteristics, advantages and limitations of imaging modalities in PET, cath labs and MRI.

In 2007, under the mantle of Manipal Acunova, its first acquisition was Ecron, Germany which has now helped to grab 60 per cent of its business from the European markets. Currently, Manipal holds 28 per cent of stake and Acunova has 38 per cent. The focus of Ecron Acunova, is to maximise its organic and inorganic growth opportunities. It has conducted 80 drug trails and 20 studies with medical devices. From its 417 sites, it has recruited 11,200 patients and conducted 91 trials.

Ecron Acunova which registered earnings to the tune of Rs 82 crore has already generated Rs 100 crore and is confident of touching a Rs 150 crore in fiscal 2009-10.