NIPER Raebareli, AstraZeneca partner to boost clinical trials at 25 hubs
Synopsis
India's clinical trials ambition just got a structured push: NIPER Raebareli and AstraZeneca India have teamed up to build inspection-ready trial sites at 25 emerging research hubs, directly advancing the government's Biopharma SHAKTI target of 1,000 sites nationwide. The move signals a deliberate strategy to shift India's clinical research footprint beyond the traditional metro hubs.
Key Takeaways
NIPER Raebareli and AstraZeneca India signed an MoU on 14 October 2026 to expand clinical trial capabilities to 25 emerging research geographies across India.
The partnership directly supports Biopharma SHAKTI , the government's flagship initiative targeting 1,000 clinical trial sites nationwide.
The programme will assess site capabilities, provide targeted training and mentoring, and strengthen documentation on ethics, safety, and trial feasibility.
AstraZeneca India will deliver clinical development expertise; NIPER Raebareli will host a Centre of Excellence for structured training and certification.
The model is designed to scale beyond the initial 25 sites , with expansion to additional geographies and therapeutic areas planned after a proof-of-concept phase.
NIPER Raebareli and AstraZeneca India have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand clinical trial capabilities beyond major metropolitan centres, targeting 25 emerging research geographies across India. The pact, formalised on 14 October 2026 in New Delhi, is designed to strengthen the country's clinical research infrastructure and raise its participation in global clinical trials, according to an official government statement.
What the Partnership Involves
The collaboration will begin by adopting 25 clinical trial sites, assessing their existing capabilities, and providing targeted training, mentoring, and documentation support covering ethics, safety, and trial feasibility. The government will supply direction and endorsement, aligning the initiative with national clinical research priorities.
AstraZeneca India will contribute clinical development expertise to design and deliver the programme, engage Indian and global faculty, and support participating sites through training, workshops, governance frameworks, and site-readiness assessments. NIPER Raebareli will anchor the academic component, running a dedicated Centre of Excellence for structured training and certification in clinical research.
Alignment with Biopharma SHAKTI
The partnership directly advances the objectives of Biopharma SHAKTI, the Government of India's flagship initiative to build a stronger biopharma ecosystem. A central target of Biopharma SHAKTI is the establishment of 1,000 clinical trial sites across the country — a goal this MoU moves meaningfully toward. Notably, this is among the first formal industry-academia partnerships to operationalise that specific ambition beyond the top metros.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
What the Key Stakeholders Said
Addressing the signing ceremony, Secretary Manoj Joshi said, 'Our country has the talent and expertise to play a larger role in global clinical trials. Strengthening clinical trials capabilities beyond major metropolitan centres will help expand the pool of skilled professionals and research-ready sites across the country. This collaboration brings together government, academia and industry to strengthen clinical research capabilities in a structured manner and directly advances key objectives of Biopharma SHAKTI.'
NIPER Raebareli Director Shubhini Saraf said the Centre of Excellence would 'provide a dedicated platform for structured training and certification in clinical research,' adding that the model could be expanded to other geographies and therapeutic areas. Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Country President and Managing Director of AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited, said the collaboration 'aims to strengthen India's clinical research capabilities, expand trial participation and build a sustainable, high-quality research ecosystem.'
Scalability and Next Steps
The initiative is designed as a scalable national model, with potential to expand to additional geographies and therapeutic areas beyond oncology once the proof-of-concept phase is complete, according to the ministry. The initial 25-site phase will serve as the template — with site assessments, workforce training, and regulatory documentation all developed in parallel.
As India seeks a larger share of global pharmaceutical R&D, this structured push to build inspection-ready sites outside the traditional hubs of Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru could prove pivotal in attracting multi-centre international trials to the country.
Point of View
000-site target as the policy backdrop, execution fidelity matters more than headline ambition here.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NIPER Raebareli and AstraZeneca India partnership about?
NIPER Raebareli and AstraZeneca India have signed an MoU to expand clinical trial capabilities to 25 emerging research geographies beyond India's major cities. The collaboration covers site assessment, workforce training, mentoring, and documentation support for ethics, safety, and trial feasibility.
How does this partnership connect to Biopharma SHAKTI?
Biopharma SHAKTI is the Government of India's flagship initiative to build a stronger biopharma ecosystem, with a specific target of establishing 1,000 clinical trial sites nationwide. This MoU is one of the first formal industry-academia partnerships directly operationalising that goal.
Which sites will be covered in the first phase?
The initial phase will adopt 25 clinical trial sites across emerging research geographies in India. These sites will undergo capability assessments, receive targeted training and mentorship, and have their documentation processes strengthened before being deemed inspection-ready.
Who are the key figures behind the initiative?
The MoU was signed in the presence of Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals. NIPER Raebareli Director Shubhini Saraf and AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited Country President and Managing Director Praveen Rao Akkinepally are leading the programme from their respective organisations.
Can the programme be expanded beyond the first 25 sites?
Yes. The initiative is explicitly designed as a scalable national model. The ministry has indicated it can expand to additional geographies and therapeutic areas beyond oncology once the proof-of-concept phase with the initial 25 sites is complete.
