Raleigh, N. C.-based CRO, INC Research, has partnered with GVK Biosciences to launch business operations in India using GVK’s facilities in Gurgaon. The new venture will be called INC GVK BIO Private Limited. The plans to open the office were announced to CWWeekly earlier this month during an interview with John Potthoff, Ph.D, president and chief operating officer at INC. Potthoff said that because of increasing demand, INC would be opening up offices in India and Latin America before the end of the year.

“These are mainly driven by where our customers need us to be. And that is where they are leading us at this point,” he said. Given the country’s cost savings and the number of treatment-naïve subjects available, INC sees India as a small but fast growing segment of its current business.

“Our goal in India is really looking at it as an opportunity, a strategic expansion for access to patients and investigators. For us, India also will be a kicking off point for Asia,” said Potthoff.