The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Raebareli, and AstraZeneca India have partnered to expand clinical trial capabilities beyond the metros by developing a trained workforce and preparing inspection-ready sites in 25 emerging research geographies across India.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in New Delhi on Wednesday in the presence of Manoj Joshi, secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals.
The collaboration supports the vision of Biopharma SHAKTI, the Government of India’s flagship initiative to strengthen the country’s biopharma ecosystem, which includes establishing 1,000 clinical trial sites nationwide.
The initiative will begin with the adoption of 25 clinical trial sites, followed by assessments of their capabilities, targeted training and mentoring, and improvements in documentation and support processes related to ethics, safety and trial feasibility.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals will provide strategic direction and endorsement, aligning the programme with national clinical research priorities. AstraZeneca India will contribute its clinical development expertise to design and deliver the programme, engage Indian and global faculty, and support participating sites through training, workshops, governance and site-readiness activities.
Speaking at the event, Joshi said India had the talent and expertise to play a greater role in global clinical trials. Strengthening clinical trial capabilities beyond major metropolitan centres, he noted, would expand the pool of skilled professionals and research-ready sites across the country.
“This collaboration brings together government, academia and industry to strengthen clinical research capabilities in a structured manner and directly advances key objectives of Biopharma SHAKTI,” he added.
Dr Shubhini Saraf, director of NIPER Raebareli, said the Centre of Excellence would provide a dedicated platform for structured training and certification in clinical research.
“By combining academic and industry expertise, NIPER Raebareli will help develop a skilled workforce and create a model that can be expanded to other geographies and therapeutic areas,” she said.
Praveen Rao Akkinepally, country president and managing director of AstraZeneca Pharma India, highlighted that clinical research plays a central role in bringing innovative medicines to patients.
“Our collaboration with NIPER Raebareli, with Government support, aims to strengthen India’s clinical research capabilities, expand trial participation and build a sustainable, high-quality research ecosystem,” he said.
Designed as a scalable national model, the initiative could expand to additional geographies and therapeutic areas beyond oncology following the proof-of-concept phase.
