The Delhi based Institute of Clinical Research India (ICRI) is conducting two pre - clinical studies on glaucoma agent for marginal eye disease and an anti cataract drug at Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (DIPSAR). The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has funded Rs one crore for conducting studies.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that steals the eye sight without symptoms. It increases the pressure within the eye. This disease is categorized as primary or secondary glaucoma. Primary glaucoma is considered to be a condition that cannot be attributed to any definite injury within the eye whereas; secondary glaucoma arises from specific eye disease.

Speaking to Pharmabiz, S K Gupta, ICRI dean and director general, said, "With the help of Department of Science and Technology we have started pre - clinical studies on glaucoma agent for marginal eye disease and anti cataract drugs. The research work is going hand in hand with 10 researchers. We are hoping to start phase I trial in early 2009 and we will try to finish it in two years".

While talking about clinical trial pipeline, he sated that, "We have around 30 more clinical trials in the pipeline on diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular, various infections and eye diseases segments. We are conducting these studies for the multinational pharma companies which are on various stages". He refused to give names of the MNCs.

ICRI is in the process of setting up four more new clinical research institutes at Hyderabad, Calcutta, Chennai and Chandigarh which will begin operations from coming academic year. The company is introducing Pharmacovigilance programme in its degree course at its existing campus.