Bilcare in clinical trials push

Riding on the wave of demand for trained clinical research personnel across the world, Bilcare Research Academy -- promoted by Bilcare Limited -- has tied up with the US-based Association of Clinical Research Professionals(ACRP) to introduce a one-year post-graduate course in Clinical Trials Management.

The tie up will extend beyond India to cover the entire Asian region, as the academy intends to open campuses in Singapore, Thailand, China and other Asian countries over the next few years. There are nearly 400 Clinical Research Organisations(CROs) in the world today out which less than 20 are in India.

As there is a high 50 to 75 per cent cost advantage in moving the CRO work to India, there is a huge scope for those with the ACRP qualification. An estimated 50,000 trained personnel will be needed by CROs by the year 2010.

The one-year programme will cost an all-inclusive Rs 3 lakh and the candidates could get jobs in research organisations worldwide.

The course will have 48 students in each batch and science and life sciences graduates will be selected through an online entrance test. The first two batches are expected to begin in June this year.

Bilcare's Chief Scientific Officer, Praful Naik, said, "Bilcare - through the academic initiative - wants to bring confidence and quality to the Indian region.'' The course, comprising modules on technical aspects of clinical trials as well as management and soft skills, will prepare candidates to meet the stringent requirements of ACRP while conducting the trials.