The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Raebareli and AstraZeneca India have partnered to extend clinical trial capabilities beyond the metros, building a trained workforce and inspection-ready sites in 25 emerging research geographies across India.

To mark the partnership, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers in New Delhi.

This collaboration furthers the vision of Biopharma SHAKTI, the government’s flagship initiative to build a stronger biopharma ecosystem, including setting up 1,000 clinical trial sites across the country.

The collaboration will begin with adopting 25 clinical trial sites, assessing their capabilities, providing targeted training and mentoring, and strengthening documentation and support processes related to ethics, safety and trial feasibility.

In his address, Joshi stated, “Our country has the talent and expertise to play a larger role in global clinical trials. Strengthening clinical trials capabilities beyond major metropolitan centers 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.”

The initiative is designed as a scalable national model, with the potential to expand to additional geographies and therapeutic areas beyond oncology following the Proof of Concept (PoC) phase.

Dr. Shubhini Saraf, Director, NIPER Raebareli, highlighted, “The Centre of Excellence will 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.”

The DoP will provide direction and endorsement, aligning the initiative with national clinical research priorities. Building on this government-led framework, AstraZeneca India will contribute clinical development expertise to design and deliver the program, engage India and global faculty, and support the participating sites through training, workshops, governance and site-readiness.

Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Country President and Managing Director, AstraZeneca Pharma India, stated, “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.”