AstraZeneca has set up an insights division in Bengaluru, India to manage some “data-related aspects” of clinical trials.
The unit – called the Clinical Data & Insights (CDI) division – will be responsible for the management of data-related aspects of AstraZeneca's clinical trials, excluding results analysis and reporting.
The division – which will be part of the wider Indian Global Capability Centre (GCC) - will work across all therapy areas and portfolios to support early and late-stage clinical programmes from Phase I to Phase III according to the firm.
At present it employs a 30-strong team, however, AstraZeneca plans to expand the team to more than 100 people by next year.
Siva Padmanabhan, managing director of AstraZeneca India, said the launch reflect the growing importance of AstraZeneca’s Indian operations.
“AZIPL has supported the global organisation with various services spanning IT, Business Services and R&D from our centres in Chennai and Bengaluru, on transformative projects.
He added, “AstraZeneca’s decision to set up the CDI division in India is only a natural progression of this, to further capitalise on the extensive talent pool in the country.”
Data insights
The new division will operate as part of AstraZeneca’s wider CDI network, which currently employs 400 people – as well as 700 data management professionals through external vendor partnerships – in six countries.
Natalie Fishburn, AstraZeneca’s global head of clinical data and insights, cited the IT talent available in India as a driver for the expansion.
"Clinical data and insight solutions enable pharmaceutical organisations such as ours to gain in-depth visibility into the patient's journey by extracting actionable insights from disparate data sources. The establishment of the CDI division in India is key to our strategic vision of being industry leaders in this space.
She added, “The way in which we manage data is evolving, and we are growing and expanding our capabilities to be ready for the future. In addition, the fact that the Indian market has grown significantly by offering a large talent pool, many of whom have over 10 years of experience, has further motivated us to set up this division in India."
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