Our Bureau

Hyderabad , April 5

CONTRACT research organisations in the country have formed an association to share best practices, establish benchmarks, tap global opportunities and advocate for the industry.

A core group representing the contract research industry met here recently to shape up the association, named ACRO (Association of Contract Research Organisations).

The association would work under the aegis of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Its secretariat would be located at CII's office at Gurgaon.

Announcing the formation of ACRO at a press conference, Dr S.P. Vasireddi, Chairman and Managing Director of Vimta Labs Ltd, said the association would promote India brand in the areas of contract research and services.

Dr Vasireddi has been elected Chairman of ACRO. Mr Vidur Kaushik, Chief Executive Officer of SRL Ranbaxy Ltd (Clinical Reference Laboratories) would be the Vice-Chairman.

Stating that it was wrong to equate contract research with clinical trials, Dr Vasireddi said contract research activity covered pharmaceutical research, bio informatics, data management, site management organisations and pre-clinical toxicology organisations.

"We will have annual calendar. This includes an annual convention," he said.

Dr Sumedha Sahni, Director (Operations and Clinical Trials of Specialty Ranbaxy Ltd), said the association would create awareness on the need for clinical trials. "People think that it (clinical trials) is wrong. It is a wrong perception," she said.

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