The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is organizing India-focused activities for promoting Indian clinical trial industry in the upcoming 45th annual DIA meeting from June 21 to 25 at San Diego, US. The main objective of the programme is to highlight the progress made by Indian clinical research industry, the enabling role of the government and showcase the services offered by the companies complying the GCP and best practices that exist in the clinical research arena.

The DIA annual meeting is the biopharmaceutical industry's largest global, multidisciplinary event, features the biggest names from industry, regulatory and academia.

A delegation of senior government officials and industry is expected to be led by the secretary, department of pharmaceuticals Ashok Kumar along with joint secretary, department of pharmaceuticals Devendra Chaudhary, joint secretary, Ministry of Health & family welfare Debashish Panda, advisor, department of biotechnology Dr T S Rao and Drugs Controller General of India Dr Surinder Singh.

As an update on the Indian clinical research environment, the FICCI - E&Y Knowledge Paper would be unveiled at the DIA along with the Indian industry directory for distribution in the DIA.

FICCI says that this will be an impetus for the clinical trial industry in the country as this is for the first time that the Indian clinical trial industry gets government support towards its promotion abroad.

On June 23, a roundtable discussion and networking dinner reception with participation from government (India & US) and industry (India, US and other countries participating in the DIA) will see discussions on the ethical practices in India and capacity and capability building efforts.

On June 24, the DIA session on Global Clinical Trials: Destination India, will see the Indian government officials highlighting the enabling role of the government. Senior government officials and others are expected to deliver speeches in the session.