Nicholas Piramal’s clinical research division, Wellquest, has added a new clinical section with a 52-bed ward, a 6-bed ICU and enhanced services for clinical trials and data management to undertake Phase I-III studies to further consolidate its position in the rapidly growing clinical research services sector.

Dr. William Haseltine of Human Genome Sciences Inc., USA, formally opened the facility here and addressed a gathering of biotechnology and pharmaceutical experts.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new section, Dr. Satish Bhatia, president Wellquest said, “We are poised for rapid growth with such augmented infrastructure. Wellquest will continue to provide its quality services in clinical research to the international pharmaceutical industry.”

The divisiton has been fully compliant as per international requirements and GCP guidelines of ICH and the code of federal regulations of the US-FDA. Wellquest was an early mover amongst the professional contract clinical research organizations (CROs) in the country today.

Wellquest is the only Indian CRO to have undergone positive facility audits by the UK-MHRA, Brazil-ANVISA and Israel-MOH. The CRO, recognized by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), has now received further incentive from the Government of India to export its services and seek waiver of customs duty for the import of expensive laboratory equipment.