The UK based clinical research organization Chiltern International is foraying into India by setting up an office in Mumbai soon. According to the business plan of the multinational CRO, the Indian office will support global and local pharmaceutical companies with their drug development objectives in India, it is learnt.

According to Dr Umakanta Sahoo, the newly appointed general manager (Indian operations), Chiltern International, the company would set up the Mumbai office and a full fledged operation team in a month.

"Chiltern's expansion comes at an exciting time, with the clinical research business in India being facilitated by increased awareness among investigators and clinical research professionals on ICH GCP, acceptance on data quality by the global sponsors and the positive orientation of Drugs Controller General of India to adopt Indian GCP and to amend the 'Schedule Y of Drugs' and Cosmetics Act, 1940" said Dr Sahoo.

Chiltern International, established in London in 1982, provides support for clinical operations, project management, data management, biostatistics, medical writing, quality assurance and regulatory and medical affairs services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries.

The company works both on a local and global basis and provides support for contracted out projects plus contracted in teams for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device clients. Chiltern has offices across the USA and Europe and now also India.