Mumbai, February 4th, 2025: Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR), an association of clinical research professionals, hosted its 18th Annual Conference at CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Centre, Vashi, Navi Mumbai on January 31 and February 1, 2025. Marking two decades of advancing clinical research in India, ISCR also celebrated its 20-year journey at the event. The conference welcomed participation from over 2100 delegates and featured 300 eminent speakers. It brought together a diverse group of experts to discuss key themes, including advancements in patient-centric approaches in clinical trials, ethics, artificial intelligence, innovations in data management, statistical reporting, medical writing, programming, and increased academic participation in research. All discussions revolved around the central theme: "Enhancing India’s Success in Clinical Research: Unifying Innovation, Technology, and Patient Centricity." A key highlight of the conference was the launch of ISCR’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) paper during the inaugural session, highlighting the growing impact of AI and ML in clinical research.

Dr. Santosh Kadam, President of IMA Maharashtra, emphasized the importance of innovation and addressing unmet medical needs during his inaugural address. He highlighted how clinical research plays a pivotal role in ensuring that new medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and devices are thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy. Prominent industry thought leaders and experts like Dr. Arijit Nag (Tata Memorial Center), Dr Rahul Purwar (IIT Mumbai), Dr Ganesh Dakhle (AIIMS, Nagpur), Dr Kshitij Jadhav (IIT Mumbai), Dr Anant Patil (DY Patil Medical College, Nerul) etc. were part of sessions which discussed the evolving role of clinical research in healthcare. Other speakers at the event included representatives from leading R&D organizations such as Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy’s,  Biocon Ltd. as well as other Multinational R&D organizations . They enriched the dialogue with valuable insights on cutting-edge technologies, innovative methodologies, and patient-centric approaches shaping the future of the sector.

The conference also emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in enhancing clinical trial methodologies. Interactive sessions like “Revolutionizing Dose Decision Making” and “Harnessing the Power of Statistics in Cancer Care” provided attendees with practical strategies for improving trial outcomes and patient-centric solutions. The event concluded with engaging panel discussions on preparing effective regulatory submissions and bridging data gaps using advanced statistical tools.

Highlighting importance of clinical research in India, Dr. Sanish Davis, President of ISCR, said, “The 18th Annual Conference exemplifies our commitment to advancing the discipline of clinical research in India by fostering collaboration and innovation. As methodologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, decentralized trials, adaptive designs, and patient-centric approaches rapidly evolve, this platform enables meaningful discussions on integrating these advancements into the Indian clinical research ecosystem. Together with academia , regulators, innovation driven R&D organizations and patients, ISCR aims to push  the vision of Viksit Bharat to bring forth impactful healthcare solutions, prioritizing both quality and accessibility."

In its journey to becoming a global leader in clinical research, India’s evolving policy landscape continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the research ecosystem. With ongoing regulatory advancements, the country is well-positioned to foster innovation, enhance patient outcomes, and establish itself as a hub for cutting-edge discoveries, innovations and clinical trials. Beyond the conference, ISCR actively builds public awareness about clinical research. In 2024, ISCR's Run4Research engaged the public in discussions on its healthcare impact, reinforcing ISCR’s commitment to bridging knowledge gaps and fostering trust in clinical research.

About ISCR:

Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) is an association of clinical research professionals that aims to build awareness of clinical research as a specialty in India and to facilitate its growth in the country while helping to evolve the highest standards of quality and ethics. To that extent, we are fully supportive of the initiatives undertaken by regulatory authorities to create a more robust and regulated environment in India for the conduct of clinical research and will continue to work very closely with different stakeholders in the development of regulations that will safeguard and protect patients in a clinical trial.