Excel Life Sciences Shares Expertise on Good Clinical Practice and Ethical Research through Complimentary Workshop at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital

New Delhi, March 1-2, 2012: Excel Life Sciences (ELS), a U.S.-based India-operating provider of comprehensive trial management services, has continued its strong commitment to improving and expanding clinical research awareness and ethics amongst budding future Indian Investigators by conducting a complimentary ICG GCP workshop at the prestigious Dr. Ram Monohar Lohia Hospital (DRMLH) located in Delhi. DRMLH is one of the oldest British established hospitals in the country.

The workshop, focused on understanding and practicing ICH GCP guidelines and the Schedule Y amendment, was not restricted to young upcoming investigators, but also included eminent leaders from the fields of ethics, research and medicine. Specifically, Dr.K.Satyanarayana (Chief of the Division of Publication & Information & IPR, ICMR) and Dr.Smitha Deshande (Head of Department of Psychiatry) participated and represented the view point of Ethics Committee’s - perhaps the most important cog of clinical research in India.

The workshop epicenter was the core of clinical research guidelines (ICH and Schedule Y) and various queries were explored from very enthusiastic and interactive students – representing the future of clinical research and ethics committees. A majority of the attendees present were from the Group for Research Advancement in Clinical Ethics (GRACE). The workshop provided a unique platform where industry and ethics committees exchanged their practical experiences and insight.

During the workshop, ELS instructors emphasized very critical and significant quadrants of clinical research – “SAFETY & WELL BEING OF SUBJECTS”, “COMPLIANCE”, ETHICS” and “DATA QUALITY” to carry out the clinical trial successfully and simultaneously contribute to society. Dr. Vijai Kumar, President and Chief Medical Officer of Excel Life Sciences and the founder of one India’s first clinical research service organizations explained the roots of this event:

“Ethics is the foundation of everything we do at Excel Life Sciences in the conduct of clinical research on behalf of our clients. Our strong focus on ethical research and high quality study data is not only reflected in our history and track record, but also in our continous efforts to improve the clinical research enterprise in India through education, awareness building and outreach. Our workshops at institutions such as DRMLH are an important part of a broader initiative at Excel Life Sciences to improve the lives of patients.”

About Excel Life Sciences

Headquartered in Chicago, IL with offices in Boston, Raleigh-Durham, Kolkata & New Delhi (India HQ) and 22 other locations across India, ELS is one of the most experienced and fastest growing trial management and site support organizations in India, offering customized clinical trial solutions including: regulatory consulting, preparations, submissions and query resolution; site identification and selection; patient recruitment and retention; training of all clinical research stakeholders; technology transfer; product licensing and more.

ELS has one of the most experienced and respected clinical operations teams in India with over 280 years of collective experience in conducting more than 350 global and domestic trials at hundreds of sites and with thousands of patients. ELS has also trained over 1,500 clinical research personnel in India. For more information visit: www.excellifesciences.com.

Patient Recruitment Conferences Features ELS Executive - Leads to Article

In September, Excel Life Sciences participated in the Outsourcing-Pharma: Patient Recruitment Outsourcing (PRO) Conference in Boston, MA USA. The conference brought together many of the top patient recruitment and retention companies and thought leaders, as well as patient recruitment and clinical operations management from many local and global biopharmaceutical companies. Dan McDonald, SVP, Business Strategy from Excel Life Sciences participated in a special panel session, chaired by Robert Loll VP, Business Development from Praxis patient recruitment. The following article came out of the session and was published by Outsourcing-Pharma: http://www.outsourcing-pharma.com/Clinical-Development/Transparency-vital-to-sponsor-CRO-relationship-say-PRO-attendees

Excel Life Sciences Executives Contribute to Newly Released Industry Guidebook

Excel Life Sciences is proud to announce that two members our management team are contributors to a newly released publication by Dr. S.K. Gupta, Director-General and Dean of the Institute of Clinical Research (India). The new book published by Jaypee Brothers and titled “Drug Discovery and Clinical Research”, is a comprehensive guide for clinical research professionals, students and others interested in learning about the background, key principles, functions and trends that drive new drug development.

Specifically, Dr. Saurendra Das, Executive Director and Head of Operations for Excel Life Sciences and Dan McDonald, VP Business Strategy contributed two chapters to the book, Chapter 6 “Medical Devices-Regulations and Research”(Das, p.222) and Chapter 14 “Principles of Patient Recruitment” (McDonald, p.373). For more information and to order a copy, please click here!

Dr. Vijai Kumar Named to 100 Most Inspirational People List

Dr. Vijai Kumar, President and Chief Medical Officer for Excel Life Sciences, a US-based India-Operating provider of comprehensive clinical trial and site management services has been recognized as one of the most inspiring leaders in the life sciences and bio-pharmaceutical industry. PharmaVoice Magazine, a leading publisher covering the biopharamaceutical and drug development industry, receives thousands of votes from industry professionals who would like to recognize their peers as most inspiring and Dr. Kumar has been selected for the 2010 list. Appearing in the Clinical Specialists section, "Vijai" received a lengthy profile highlighting his years of passionate contribution to the drug development industry, his goals and both personal and professional areas of interest.

To read Vijai's profile and to see all of this years most inspiring people, please click on the link below

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/0ea8baed#/0ea8baed/1

or visit http://www.pharmavoice.com

For more information about Vijai's company, Excel Life Sciences, please visit: http://www.ExcelLifeSciences.com

BioSpectrum Magazine features Dr. Vijai Kumar of Excel Life Sciences

Excel Life Sciences (ELS) President and Chief Medical Officer was recently interviewed for a feature article in BioSpectrum Magazine. The wide ranging article includes updates from Dr. Kumar on the performance and growth plans of ELS, as well as his insights on the state of the clinical research industy in India and beyond. ELS is a leading provider of comprehensive clinical trial and site management services in India and is regularly featured in industry trade publications and journals. Please click on the link below to read the full article:

http://biospectrumindia.ciol.com/content/BioServices/11004081.asp

Site Management in Clinical Research Covered in New Online Journal Posting

Please click here to read an interesting new article just published in The Clinical Researcher on the importance of site management in clinical research when conducting clinical trials in India. The article, appropriately titled "Site Management In Clinical Trials" and written by Mr. Srinivas Pai Raikar, Assistant Director of Operations for Chicago, IL and Noida (New Delhi) based Excel Life Sciences, discusses the different elements of clinical research at investigative sites in India and how a Site Management Organization can positively impact performance.

New Article Shows Different Sides of Business and Clinical Research in India

A new article published in Applied Clinical Trials Magazine addresses and challenges some of the most common myths related to the conduct of business and clinical research in India. The article, titled "Demystifying India -Understanding common myths and truths surrounding one of the fastest growing clinical trial markets" provides readers with a unique perspective on the unique realities of daily life in India which impact clinical research in different ways. Topics/myths covered include a discussion on the the stability of the market, the complexity and timeliness of the regulatory environment, the structure and operating process of IRBs, the informed consent process and the enrollment of patients in India. Below is a small excerpt from the article. Please click on the link to proceed to the Applied Clinical Trials Online website to read the full article:

Excerpt from "Demystifying India -Understanding common myths and truths surrounding one of the fastest growing clinical trial markets" published July 31, 2009, author: Dan McDonald - VP, Business Strategy, Excel Life Sciences:

"But India can be as confusing and slow as much as it seems simple and efficient. It can be scary and overwhelming as much as it is warm and traditional. India can mean faster, lower-cost clinical trials, but it can also mean 85 people sitting in the waiting room of a small eye clinic at 9:00pm hoping to get a visit with a doctor before he leaves at 10:00pm after putting in a 14 hour day. Most will have to go home and try again tomorrow—even though home may be two hours away."

Click here to read the full article.