The 7th annual conference of the Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) will be held  in Bangalore on January 10-11, 2014. The theme of the two-day event is 'Research at Crossroads', a theme reflective of the increasing challenges being faced by the clinical research fraternity across the stakeholder spectrum.

The event will see leading clinical research experts from academia, healthcare institutions and the industry deliberate on the state of clinical research in India. Distinguished academician and clinical pharmacologist, Prof. Ranjit Roy Chaudhury who was earlier this year invited by the government to lead an Expert Committee to submit recommendations to the Ministry of Health on strengthening the regulatory environment for clinical research in India, will be the Guest of Honour at the event.

Over the two days, clinical research professionals will lead discussions on various aspects of clinical research including the regulatory environment and compensation, accreditation, emerging opportunities in clinical research and the challenges and opportunities for stakeholders.

“While there has been a lot of progress in the development of new medicines for life threatening diseases made possible through clinical research, in recent years India has seen a lot negativity around the conduct of clinical research in the country, fueled by activism and misunderstanding. In addition, we have witnessed uncertainty and unpredictability in the regulatory environment, all of which has led to a slowdown in clinical research in the country,” said Suneela Thatte, president, ISCR. “The Conference will provide an opportunity for clinical research professionals to converge and discuss how we can address the current challenges so that patients in India, particularly those suffering from debilitating and life-threatening conditions, are not denied access to better treatment or a cure.”

ISCR is an association of clinical research professionals that aims to build awareness of clinical research as a specialty in India and to facilitate its growth in the country while helping to evolve the highest standards of quality and ethics.