The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Raebareli, has partnered with AstraZeneca India to strengthen clinical research capabilities across 25 emerging research locations in the country, with a focus on developing skilled professionals and preparing clinical trial sites to meet inspection and operational requirements.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. The initiative aligns with the government's Biopharma SHAKTI programme, which aims to strengthen India's biopharmaceutical ecosystem, including the establishment of 1,000 clinical trial sites nationwide.

Under the collaboration, 25 clinical trial sites will be assessed for their existing capabilities and provided with targeted training, mentoring and support to improve documentation, ethics compliance, patient safety processes and trial feasibility. The Department of Pharmaceuticals will provide strategic direction, while AstraZeneca India will contribute clinical development expertise, engage Indian and international faculty, and support training, workshops, governance and site-readiness initiatives.

Manoj Joshi said expanding clinical research capabilities beyond major metropolitan centres would help increase the availability of skilled professionals and research-ready sites across India. He added that the partnership brings together government, academia and industry to advance the objectives of Biopharma SHAKTI.

NIPER Raebareli Director Dr Shubhini Saraf said the proposed Centre of Excellence would provide a structured platform for clinical research training and certification. The initiative aims to develop a skilled workforce by combining academic knowledge with industry expertise and establishing a model that can be replicated across other regions and therapeutic areas.

AstraZeneca Pharma India Country President and Managing Director Praveen Rao Akkinepally said the collaboration seeks to expand clinical trial participation and build a sustainable, high-quality research ecosystem to support the development of innovative medicines.

The programme is envisaged as a scalable national model, with the potential to expand into additional geographies and therapeutic areas beyond oncology after the initial proof-of-concept phase.