Institute of Clinical Research of India (ICRI) has chalked out major expansion plans both abroad and in India for 2007-08. In this connection, it has already visited Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and US to assess the demand for Post Graduate courses in clinical research in these countries. Going by the positive response, ICRI will now initiate efforts in this direction.
As part of its domestic expansion, ICRI, which is already present in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, will now move to Hyderabad, Kolkatta, Ahmedabad and Pune. However, no investment details of its expansion, plans both in India and abroad were disclosed.
Plans are underway to start additional campuses as a part of our agenda in 2007-08. This is based on the lack of trained and qualified professionals in clinical research industry which is currently on growth curve, stated Anand K Nair, vice president, operations, Institute of Clinical Research of India.
The Institute entered into an alliance with Cranfield University in United Kingdom in 2005 to introduce a full-fledged two-year MSc in Clinical Research. It is now engaged in faculty exchange programme between the two countries. The course primarily highlights the ethics involved in clinical trials which includes patient-volunteer education among other topics like science and medicine. In addition a lot of focus is also given to interpersonal and communication skills.
Cranfield University is one of Europe's leading academic centres and is among the top five research-intensive UK universities in the same league as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College and University College of London.
Since its inception in 2004, ICRI has been offering only three courses which are a one-year post graduate diploma in clinical research/clinical data management/ pharmaceutical management. With the Cranfield University collaboration it helps Indian students pursue a world-class career in Clinical Research. The eligible candidates include graduates of science streams including pharmacy, ayurveda, dentistry, medicine and homeopathy.
The international academic thrust would stem from a well-structured syllabus in research and development efforts across global pharmaceutical companies, as well as in an understanding of statutory regulations in various countries, he added.
Students will have the option of completing the second year at Cranfield University. Internship will be among the industry's top organizations. Cranfield is rated among the top three in the United Kingdom in terms of student placements and has a commendable achievement of 97.1% of its students placed, as per HESA figures, stated Prof. Anthony C Woodman, Chair in Translational Medicine and Director of Education Cranfield Health Cranfield University, UK.
The Indian Pharmaceutical industry which is currently at US $ 5.4 billion is estimated to grow to US $ 7.4 billion by 2010. Clinical Research - which relates to drug development and related procedures- is the major thrust area attracting maximum investment amongst the giants of the industry. Currently, there are more than 2, 50,000 positions vacant globally. In India, McKinsey Report estimates a requirement of 50,000 professionals by 2010.