The continuing uncertainty with regard to animal experimentation laws is tempting Indian research-based pharma companies to outsource their animal studies from Singapore. The Government of Singapore is known to have set up world-class facilities with enabling legal framework to attract clinical research programmes, it is learnt.

Informing this, D S Brar, director GVK Biosciences and former Ranbaxy chief, said that the Singapore Government has offered personal invitation to his company to extend its animal experimentation activities to Singapore.

According to Brar, it took just a year for the Singapore Government to set ready all necessary infrastructure needed to facilitate animal trials after several Indian drug companies approached the government with such a request last year. What tempted Indian majors to seek help from abroad was the 'archaic' animal experimentation rules that made timely availability of lab animals almost impossible. Responding promptly to the industry needs, the facilities are ready, says Brar.

Speaking on the sidelines of a CII conference on "Building Innovative Pharma" in New Delhi, Brar said that many of the Indian companies, including GVK would find the option attractive. He felt that even after the reported attempts of the Central Government to bring in major changes in the animal experimentation rules, nothing much has changed. "The problems related with animal experimentation is far from over," he says.

Indian companies had made headlines last year after a couple of them made public their intention to go abroad if the Central Government fails to facilitate animal research. They wanted the government to reign in the 'activist' role in dictating animal research approvals.

In addition to Ranbaxy, companies like Dr Reddys and Nicholas Piramal had also come out in open against the issues involved in animal experimentation.

Experts have repeatedly suggested ways to reform the current regulatory set-up for animal experimentation and had highlighted the need to enable drug researchers avail lab animals without hassles. It is known that import of large animals continues to be difficult for pharma companies.