Hyderabad-based Vimta Labs, one of the leading CROs in India is aiming at becoming one among the top 10 Contract Research and Testing Organisations in the world by year 2010.

"Pioneering research and technology in different areas leverage our legacy of innovation and we intend to create new ways to achieve total health and continue to develop technology that will make a difference in the way people lead their lives," Dr SP Vasireddi, chairman and managing director, Vimta Labs told Pharmabiz.

He added, " We will be looking at new markets and new geographies to drive our growth. We will tap deeper into our innovation engine and continue to expand partnerships and alliances."

The company offers various services in the contract research segment, which include BA and BE studies, clinical and bio-analytical services, phase I, II, III and IV trials. The company also offers clinical reference lab services, analytical services, and environment assessment services.

It has also acquired 10.7 acres of land in SP Biotech Park at Hyderabad and is setting up a world-class Research Laboratory of 1,50,000 sq. ft, which will be ready by July, 2005.

Talking about the BE studies and their importance, he said, the quality and standards of BE studies have improved over the last one decade, and this in turn has lead to manufacture of quality drugs, including generics. And there is a misconception in the minds of the people that BE studies are part of clinical trials, where they are not.

It is becoming very necessary for CROs to take educated people as subjects in BE studies. In this direction, Vimta has invited educated volunteers to take part in BE studies, who will undergo the studies in accordance with principles mentioned in the International Committee on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines for Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and compensated as per norms. He also stressed the need for CROs to maintain utmost transparency in their operations.

He expressed his concern over illogical estimates made by various people in the industry on the overall market of contract research and clinical trials in India. He said, they are overestimating the market potential. In India, there is not a single scientific survey / study made on the current and future potential in these areas.

Vimta Labs has conducted more than 500 Bio-availability (BA) and Bio-equivalence (BE) studies on about 100 formulations over the past one-decade.