Clinical research major Quintiles' increased focus on India is not merely driven by the cost factor alone, with disease prevalence and availability of qualified investigators also playing a key role, a top company official has said.

“Fundamentally, our interest and that of our customers in doing research in India is not driven by a mere cost advantage, but rather by a need to ensure we include a country and population that has one of the highest burden of diseases in the world,” Mr Amar Kureishi, Vice-President, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Strategic Drug Development, Quintiles Asia Pacific told Business Line .

“The company also looks at diseases that are endemic to the region and one that is seeing the emergence of various lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, cancer and obesity,” he added.

Quintiles conducts clinical trials on behalf of its bio-pharma customers in over 60 countries with the specific country chosen through close collaboration with its customers.

Mr Kureishi said the company is also attracted to India due its large pool of qualified investigators, adding India figures prominently in Quintiles' commercial plans for new medicine launches as well.

In terms of regulatory hurdles, he said the clinical research industry in India and the regulatory environment is in an evolving state.

“We have seen the industry go through a similar cycle and learning curve in other emerging markets. The initiative by Indian regulatory bodies to invite feedback from and involve the industry in discussions on regulatory issues, is good for the industry as it forces various stakeholders to come together on a common platform to debate issues important to the industry,” said Mr Kureishi.

“We are very open to working with regulatory bodies to bring in regulations and processes that will enhance the standards and performance of the clinical research industry in India in order to create a more transparent process, while ensuring that interests of patients are kept foremost,” he added.

>anil.u@thehindu.co.in

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