India Pharma Outlook Team | Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Clinical trial site readiness is emerging as an important priority for India's pharmaceutical research ecosystem, as the country seeks to expand its participation in global drug development.
On October 14, 2026, the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Raebareli, partnered with AstraZeneca India to strengthen clinical research capabilities across 25 emerging research geographies.
Supported by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, the initiative aims to improve site preparedness, train research professionals and extend clinical trial capabilities beyond major metropolitan centers.
The collaboration also aligns with the government's Biopharma SHAKTI initiative, which envisages establishing 1,000 clinical trial sites nationwide.
The program will initially adopt 25 clinical trial sites, assess their existing capabilities and provide targeted training and mentoring.
Rather than focusing solely on physical infrastructure, the initiative will address operational processes required to conduct research effectively.
The key areas of intervention include:
These measures are intended to help participating centers develop the capabilities needed to support clinical studies.
However, the announcement does not establish that all 25 sites have already completed their upgrades or become inspection-ready.
Also Read: How to Apply for India's Rs 10,000 Crore Biopharma SHAKTI Scheme
The partnership combines pharmaceutical industry expertise with academic training and government support.
AstraZeneca India will contribute clinical development expertise, engage Indian and international faculty, and support training, workshops, governance and site-readiness activities.
NIPER Raebareli will establish a Centre of Excellence to provide structured clinical research education, training and certification.
Dr Shubhini Saraf, Director of NIPER Raebareli, said the Centre of Excellence would create a dedicated platform for clinical research training and certification.
She also highlighted the potential to develop a model that could be extended to additional geographies and therapeutic areas.
Meanwhile, Manoj Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, said strengthening research capabilities beyond metropolitan centers could expand the pool of skilled professionals and research-ready sites in India.
A major objective of the initiative is to widen India's clinical research footprint beyond established metropolitan hubs.
Building capable research centers in emerging geographies could help broaden the network available to pharmaceutical companies and research organizations.
Stronger clinical trial site readiness could support this expansion through:
Their realization will depend on implementation, site performance, investigator availability and the ability to recruit suitable participants.
The collaboration supports Biopharma SHAKTI, the government's broader initiative to strengthen India's biopharmaceutical ecosystem, including a target of 1,000 clinical trial sites.
The initial 25-site program is designed as a proof of concept, with the possibility of expansion into additional geographies and therapeutic areas beyond oncology.
For India's pharmaceutical industry, the initiative places clinical trial site readiness alongside workforce development and research infrastructure as priorities for strengthening clinical development capabilities.
Its longer-term significance will depend on whether the participating sites can translate training and operational improvements into sustained research activity.
The partnership therefore represents an initial step towards a broader clinical research network, with implementation and measurable improvements at the participating sites likely to determine its wider impact.
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