India-based contract research organization (CRO) GVK Biosciences formed a strategic alliance with Excel PharmaStudies, a CRO in China, to offer clinical trial services across India and China.

The two companies will help sponsors conduct and manage phase II to IV clinical trials, statistical analysis and medical writing. Under the terms of the agreement, any India trial for Excel will be conducted by GVK Biosciences and any China trial for GVK Biosciences will be conducted by Excel.

According to a GVK release, this is the first alliance of its kind between an Indian CRO and a Chinese one.

The Excel partnership is part of a GVK strategic plan to increase its focus on clinical development. The company recently hired Dr. Shoibal Mukherjee as head of clinical development and added new services in pharmacovigilance and medical writing.