India is the seventh largest country by geographical area and the second most populated in the world. With over 1.2 billion people, India has a large pool of drug nave patients and a well qualified database of ICH-GCP trained Investigators. India is fast becoming the global hub for clinical drug trials. Clinical trial facilities, sites trained personnel, good local CROs with the local and global expertise have been set up in most major cities already and almost all the top names in the pharmaceutical world have zeroed-in on India as its outsource partner.

The total worldwide Research & Development spending for Pharmaceutical and Biotech companies in 2007 was 7 Billion, of which 70% represented development costs. India as a destination for clinical outsourcing provides pharmaceutical companies with a number of benefits. Drug trials in India cost less as compared to developed countries. English is accepted and used as a medium of communication by 90% of the Medical fraternity. India can offer more than 700,000 specialty hospitals, over 300 medical universities, over 750 graduate and post graduate medical programs. India as a favored destination has recorded an increase in the number of trials over the past few years. There is a huge capacity in India to meet the rapidly growing demand for global clinical trials. India’s huge population allows for faster recruitment. Drug-nave patients from different races lend help in the building of an efficient patient pool. India is also a force to reckon with in the Information and Technology arena. Discovery to development to commercialization of the molecule takes place faster with the integration of new and approved technologies in highly scientific environment, thus making it an added advantage for the sponsors who conduct clinical trials. These benefits are very important factors when international pharmaceutical giants consider investing in India.

Global Pharmaceutical and Biotech giants have already set up shops throughout the country. Hence, the Indian Government and industry have cooperatively taken a number of major steps to strengthen the infrastructure for conducting clinical drug trials. In addition, the Government has also streamlined the process for regulatory review of clinical drug trials in India to facilitate protocol approvals at a faster rate. This is a partnership that will go a long way in the development of modern medicine and research.