UP Promote Pharma Council, THSTI Organize Workshop to Strengthen Clinical Trial Research in Uttar Pradesh

Delivering the welcome address, Kritika Sharma, Managing Director and CEO, UPPPC, highlighted the importance of clinical research and robust research methodologies in advancing evidence-based healthcare. She also showcased UP-IMRAS (Uttar Pradesh Integrated Medical Research Application System), an AI-enabled, paperless, single-window platform designed to streamline and facilitate clinical research across the state.

The inaugural session featured addresses by Neha Sharma, Director General, Medical Education and Secretary, Medical Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and Amit Kumar Ghosh, Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and Chairman, UPPPC. Both speakers reaffirmed the state government's commitment to strengthening the clinical research ecosystem and fostering innovation through collaborative initiatives.

The event was also attended by Ashish Indani of Zydus MedTech, Prof. (Dr.) Hardeep Singh Malhotra, Dean (Research), King George's Medical University (KGMU), Prof. Shubhini A. Saraf, Director, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Raebareli, along with leading academicians, clinicians, researchers, and industry representatives.

According to the organisers, the workshop is designed to provide participants with comprehensive training in the design and conduct of high-quality clinical trials. Technical sessions on the first day cover research question formulation, hypothesis development using the PICOT framework, study objectives, study design, randomized controlled trials, selection of meaningful endpoints, and an overview of the UP-IMRAS platform. The sessions are being conducted by experts from THSTI.

The second day will focus on practical aspects of clinical trial design, including sample size calculation, randomization and allocation concealment, statistical analysis plans, and reporting guidelines such as SPIRIT and CONSORT. The programme will conclude with participant group presentations and certificate distribution.

UPPPC said the workshop is expected to enhance participants' understanding of scientific research methodologies and internationally accepted clinical trial standards, while contributing to the development of a transparent, innovation-driven clinical research ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh. The initiative also reinforces the state's efforts to promote ethical, high-quality clinical research and strengthen its position as a hub for biomedical innovation and translational research.