India: Domestic clinical trials market booms

Thomas K. Thomas of The Hindu Business Line writes, the number of clinical trials being conducted in India has doubled from 170 in 2006 to 350 at the end of 2008, according to the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation.

And going by the indications in the first six months of 2009, the number of registered clinical trials in the country is likely to touch a new high.

Already between January and June this year, 130 trials have been registered with the drug regulator. Since the drug regulator has made it mandatory for clinical research organisations to register all drug trials from June onwards, a significant jump in the actual numbers is expected this year.

What's next for India? Now a global player in both clinical trails and cros--will India take the lead?