The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Raebareli, has joined forces with AstraZeneca India to decentralise and supercharge the nation’s clinical research capabilities.
Backed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, this strategic partnership aims to build a robust network of trained workforces and inspection-ready sites across 25 emerging geographies, expanding clinical trial access far beyond major metropolitan centres.
The collaboration directly fuels the vision of Biopharma SHAKTI, the Government of India’s flagship initiative designed to fortify the domestic biopharmaceutical ecosystem and establish 1,000 advanced clinical trial sites nationwide.
A Tripartite Framework for Growth
The initiative brings together the strengths of government oversight, academic rigour, and industry expertise:
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Government Direction: The Department of Pharmaceuticals will provide strategic guidance, aligning the program seamlessly with national clinical research priorities.
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Academic Excellence: NIPER Raebareli will host a dedicated Centre of Excellence, offering structured training, professional certification, and foundational research models.
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Industry Leadership: AstraZeneca India will leverage its global clinical development expertise to curate training programs, conduct workshops, and ensure rigorous site-readiness and governance.
Expanding Horizons Beyond Metros
Speaking at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony in New Delhi, Manoj Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, emphasised the untapped potential of India’s talent pool.
“Our country has the talent and expertise to play a larger role in global clinical trials,” Shri Joshi noted. “Strengthening clinical trials capabilities beyond major metropolitan centres will help expand the pool of skilled professionals and research-ready sites across the country.”
Dr Shubhini Saraf, Director of NIPER Raebareli, underscored that the newly established Centre of Excellence will serve as a structured platform for professional certification, creating a scalable blueprint that can eventually encompass diverse therapeutic areas. Echoing this sentiment, Shri Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Country President and Managing Director of AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited, stressed that expanding trial participation is vital to accelerating the delivery of innovative, life-saving medicines to patients.
Looking Ahead
Following an initial proof-of-concept phase—which focuses heavily on oncology—the collaborative model is designed for rapid scalability. Plans are already underway to extend the framework into additional therapeutic domains and scale across even more emerging geographies, firmly positioning India as a premier, globally trusted destination for cutting-edge clinical research.