To expand India’s presence in global clinical trials and decentralize medical research infrastructure, the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Raebareli, has entered into a strategic collaboration with AstraZeneca India, backed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formalized in New Delhi in the presence of Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals.
The public-private partnership directly advances Biopharma SHAKTI, the Government of India’s flagship initiative designed to scale the domestic biopharma ecosystem—including a national objective to establish 1,000 clinical trial sites across the country. Under the initial phase, the alliance will adopt 25 clinical trial sites situated in Tier-II, Tier-III, and emerging research geographies outside major metropolitan hubs, transforming them into globally competitive, inspection-ready facilities supported by a trained research workforce.
The project roadmap entails comprehensive site capability assessments, targeted workforce training, and hands-on mentoring. Key operational modules will focus on harmonizing ethics review standards, reinforcing patient safety protocols, and optimizing trial feasibility documentation. While the Department of Pharmaceuticals provides institutional guidance aligned with national healthcare priorities, AstraZeneca India will deploy its clinical development expertise to deliver structured curriculum, engage domestic and international faculty, and establish governance frameworks for site-readiness. Concurrently, NIPER Raebareli’s Centre of Excellence will serve as the dedicated institutional hub for clinical research training and professional certification.
Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, stated:
“Our country has the talent and expertise to play a larger role in global clinical trials. Strengthening clinical trials capabilities beyond major metropolitan centres will help 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.”
Dr. Shubhini Saraf, Director, NIPER Raebareli, emphasized:
“The Centre of Excellence will provide a dedicated platform for structured training and certification in clinical research. By combining academic and industry expertise, NIPER Raebareliwill help develop a skilled workforce and create a model that can be expanded to other geographies and therapeutic areas.”
Shri Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Country President and Managing Director of AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited, noted:
“Clinical research is central to 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.”
Designed as a scalable proof-of-concept framework, the program is slated to expand to additional research territories and therapeutic segments beyond oncology to establish a robust, sustainable, and diverse pan-India clinical research network.
Written by: Pragna Biswas
Graphics by: Pramit Hazra
