Acro to rope in GVK, Reliance as members

Washington-based Association of Clinical Research Organisations (Acro), a body representing 12 multinational CROs, is looking at roping in Hyderabad-based GVK Bio, Ecron Acunova of Bangalore and Reliance Clinical Research Services as its members.

“We are on a life sciences mission and as part of it will be meeting with these leading biotech, clinical research and life sciences companies in the next few days,” John J Lewis vice-president (public affairs) of Acro told Business Standard.

Ten Acro members entered India more than a decade ago and now have nearly 3,000 research staff in 26 offices throughout the country as part of more than $110 million that has been invested in building the clinical research infrastructure.

 

In the past two years, Acro member companies have conducted nearly 300 clinical trials in India, primarily in the areas of oncology, cardiovascular, diabetes and neurology, involving 25,000 participants, 1,600 physician investigators and 245 unique compounds and devices.

“With the increase in CRO activities, we expect our members to see a 45 per cent growth in revenue this year in India, over $100 million achieved in the financial year 2010,” Lewis said. The global CRO industry revenue is projected to total $20 billion in 2010, representing approximately one-third of total pharma and biotech R&D spending.

Stating that though Acro members had been conducting clinical trails in India in compliance with the protocols, Lewis said there had been some concerns in terms of inconsistent regulations including delay in approvals.

“We will soon make representations to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on issues related to patents being issued, which are prone to be quickly copied here, approval time lines and speedy disposal of backlog applications,” Lewis said.