GSK has identified emerging markets in Asia and Eastern Europe as potential destinations for clinical research collaborations. GSK is already active in India with two groups in Mumbai and Bangalore focusing on drug discovery programmes, Duncan B. Judd, Head, Chemistry Services Outsourcing, GSK Research and Development Limited informed pharmabiz.

"GSK has found lot of potential in these emerging markets. We have wealth of options and hence focusing on collaborations that have maximum value", he said.

According to him, GSK has an appetite for building blocks and screening compounds among others. He refused to give more details about collaborative arrangements as it is handled by GSK's US arm.

It should be noted that GSK India had declared its intentions to play a more significant role in GSK's worldwide drug discovery programmes. As pointed out by India Brand Equity Foundation, 'GSK plc is highly aware of India's process chemistry skills, product development capability and manufacturing strengths. In addition, the rich biodiversity and the doctor base available in India make it a promising clinical trials destination for GSK innovations. India is likely to be one of the major trial centres for GSK plc'.

GSK already has research alliances in the filed of preventive medicines. It has signed up a drug discovery alliance with Ranbaxy. GSK had announced last year that its clinical trial data management, analyses and reporting activities based in Bangalore are being expanded for catering to the data services for its global clinical trials.