The Institute of Clinical Research (India) (ICRI) is in discussions with ten leading pharma companies in the country to provide training to their research personnel in clinical research as part of the institutes' corporate training programme.

Talking to Pharmabiz, Anand K Nair, president, operations, ICRI, said, "As part of our corporate training programme in clinical research we have already provided training to research professionals of companies such as Dr Reddy's, Panacea Biotec and Hinduja Hospital. At present we are in discussions with nearly ten companies to provide training to their research personnel."

The ICRI, which was invited by Dr Reddy's Laboratories to conduct corporate training programme in clinical research for their research personnel responsible for creating clinical research division, recently announced its fifth campus in the Cavendish College London, UK. It also launched a new course, Global PG Diploma in Clinical Research, in association with ICR-UK. The new course is unique, as it will include regulations for Clinical Research in Europe, USA, Japan and India.

According to the institute, it will help in producing professionals for global market. It will be a part time course and the first batch will start in February with 40 students. The faculty will be from USA, Europe, UK and India to teach on it. This course is aimed at all working in pharmaceutical industry, hospitals and CRO's. The students completing the global PG programme will be eligible for the MSc programme of Cranfield University directly since the University recognises the programme.

The ICRI has also entered into an academic alliance with Europe's leading research led institution, Cranfield University, UK recently. This alliance is aimed at furthering the cause of ICRI in India in grooming professionals in clinical research, to face exciting challenges posed by the pharmaceutical sector and also pave the way for new career opportunities in this field.