Knowledge Partner

Introduction
As BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industry is utilising contemporary information and communication technologies to transform India into ‘The Back office of the world’, the fast-track pharmaceutical and healthcare industries could also morph India into a hub of clinical research which is poised to become the fastest growing sector in Life Sciences. In pharmaceutical sector, there is need for Medical Representatives, Medical Scientists, Pharmacy Consultants and Chemists. Another area that is witnessing growth is Clinical Research Outsourcing (CRO).
The Clinical Research Industry world over is growing at an unparalleled rate. It has opened up new vistas of employment for a large number of trained professionals. As the vision of a group of educationists who foresaw the trends of clinical research, ICRI was born in 2004 to meet the ever-increasing need for trained professionals in this arena. In just a short span of time, ICRI has become an undisputed leader in Clinical Research Education in India, with five campuses in India and two International campuses in London and Singapore.
To fuel this growth and pace the demand, ICRI has launched its most impressive innovation yet—a path-breaking Knowledge Partner-based business model. Using this model, ICRI aims to transform many young Indians from good families, into ambitious entrepreneurs, focused on providing high quality Clinical research training, efficiently and profitably. We have come up with the concept to spread education to every possible corner of country by appointing Knowledge partners at various locations.

While ICRI's Knowledge Partners remain its key strength, we also impart a special edge to our Partners, particularly in the highly competitive global Clinical research training landscape. Entrepreneurs that join the ICRI family gain the advantage of the powerful ICRI brand, which accords them immediate recognition wherever they go. Companies also benefit from participating in the Clinical Research training sector, a rapidly expanding segment which is expected to snowball into an even bigger business opportunity in the future.

Since our target section is much defined e.g. Medical students, Pharma students, MRs, Life science and Pharmacy graduates, etc. it is recommended/appropriate to run the programs in Science & Medical colleges/Hospitals/Clinics. The operational involvement is negligible and the monthly expenses are also minimal. There is no specific infrastructure required, thus it can be run smoothly in existing Education centres/Hospitals/Clinics. With these benefits, the Knowledge Partners can expect very handsome ROI.

Our strong Brand visibility and its hold help Knowledge partners flourish in their businesses. Apart from it, our trained Academic team assists Knowledge partners to deliver quality education. All Knowledge partners will get start up support, ongoing business support and technical support from ICRI.

Being India’s first and world largest in clinical research education, ICRI’s teaching methodology and experienced faculty have been responsible for giving trained professionals to the Industry. Thus, it turned into a place where the best talent is being hand-picked by the industry and has become the most preferred for those who seek career in Clinical research. Thus, being present at multiple locations (campuses & Knowledge partners), we can add more professionals to this ever growing Clinical Research industry.

Today, using a balanced mix of Instructor-led, Computer-based and live site Visits; ICRI is poised to enter hitherto unexplored markets where there is a demand for quality Clinical Research education.

Business Opportunity
“India’s education and training sector offers private institutions an estimated US$40 billion market, with a potential 16% five-year CAGR (Compound Annual Growth rate),” says a report by CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets that clearly shows ample business opportunity.

“With an inefficient public education system, a growing young population, a bourgeoning middle class (with the intent and ability to spend) and price discovery, it has seen over the past decade, we expect 14% CAGR in private spends on education ($80 billion by 2012),” the IDFC report forecasts, using the $13 billion being spent annually by Indians on higher education overseas to highlight the “pay power of the education-hungry Indians”.

According to a January 2009 report by IDFC-SSKI, India’s current spend on education is at 5% of average household income. IDFC expects the consuming class - i.e. households with annual income higher than Rs. 90, 000 to grow from 28% of the total population in 2002 to 48% in 2010. The report expects 14% CAGR in private spends on education ($80 billion by 2012) with 18% CAGR for the “non-formal” segments.

Based on above facts, it can be concluded that the Education Industry is ‘Piping Hot’ in India and it is a recession free segment too.

If we look deep into the Job oriented courses one can perceive a trend of demand; it was popular with IT Courses, then Multimedia & animation and now Clinical Research and Healthcare related courses, are in mainstream. So, the Knowledge Partners are going to offer in-demand programs to the prospective students, in association with ICRI.

Global Pharmaceutical Industry estimated at US $ 550 Billion, whereas Indian Pharmaceutical Industry estimated at US $ 5.4 Billion, which accounts to second largest in Asia and is projected to grow to US $7.4 Billion by 2010.

Changes in patent law in India have induced the Pharmaceutical industry to change their focus on new drug development and thus, clinical trials have dramatically increased from January 2005. Globally there has been a paradigm shift in the pharmaceutical industry and nearly two-thirds of the R&D expenditure is allocated for drug development, of this clinical research accounts for 70 percent. Since, clinical trials are heavy manpower oriented, consequently, the demand of trained Clinical research professionals improved significantly, locally & globally.

Due to diverse patient pool, availability of Medical practitioners, infrastructure and cost advantage, India has become the hub of Global Clinical Trails.

As per Mckinsey report, expected business volume is US $2 Billion. That creates a demand for 50,000 Clinical Research professionals in India.

As Management has IIMs, Clinical Research has ICRI, India’s First and World’s largest clinical research education Institution.
Apart from great demand, ICRI’s strong hold on industry and sturdy brand ease the Knowledge partner’s effort to cater the opportunity.

Selection Criteria
Since Clinical research is emerging business domain and ICRI is undisputed leader, it becomes very important to be particular in choosing the right Knowledge Partner who can maintain the ICRI standards.

General attributes:-
Educational Qualifications — Candidate should be a graduate in any discipline.
Financial Qualifications — The individual should possess the ability to mobilize resources through internal and external means. He/she should have the capability to personally invest around 50-60 percent of the total project cost rest he /she can take the help of banks or any other financial institution.

Business experience and skills— The individual should possess 1-3 years of experience in any functional area, preferably at the middle management level.

Commitment— Alacrity to share vision and values of ICRI in the field of Clinical Research education. Commitment to devote full time attention to the venture or to source professional help in running the venture.
Geographical knowledge- The candidate should have complete knowledge of the regional market.

Prospective Knowledge Partner

• One who has a good understanding of Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Industry.
• A Medical or Pharmaceutical practitioner (MBBS, BDS, BHMS, BUMS, BAMS, B. Pharma, M. Pharma  or any other related field).
• One who owns a Hospital/Clinic.
• A College/university.
• One who has already run a Educational Centre.
• One who has understanding of Clinical Research Industry.

However, only after proper investigations and discussions with the client and satisfaction from both sides, we offer our project, wherein client also has to show its confidence in the project.

Knowledge Partner Appointment Process
The process for selecting a New Business Partners gets initiated from the moment the applicant submits the application. The selection process takes about 2 to 3 weeks of time from the date of the receipt of the Application.

Listed below are the steps which are to be followed by the Applicants for Knowledge Partner Appointment Process:

Step I – Submission of the Application
Knowledge Partner Application form (KPAF) can be either downloaded from ICRI website or filled online or else can be emailed on request. Only duly filled forms will be accepted.

Step II - Meeting with ICRI officials
Applicant will be called for a discussion with designated ICRI Officials about the project at the ICRI Office. The applicant has to gather information pertaining to the location where the ICRI centre is to be set up, before meeting.

Step III– Formulation of complete Business Proposition
Based on the information collected by the applicant, he/she has to formulate a Business Plan for the next three years. This will include the Revenue and Profit Plan for the New ICRI Centre based on location potential.

Step IV– Sign MOU and site selection
Once the discussions are done and the business projection is set, the applicant will need to sign an MOU. Subsequently, site visits and finalization steps will take place as per the ICRI standards.

Step V– Agreement and Roll out Plan
Once ICRI approves for the Business Plan, the Applicant will have to make the necessary payments and sign the Agreements with ICRI.

Contact Details
Mr. Anandshri Gupta
Strategic Alliance ICRI- Institute of Clinical Research (India)
MOB: +91-9717094062
Ph: +91-11-40651000
Telefax: +91-11-40651007
E Mail:- anandshrigupta@icriindia.com
Delhi Campus: A-201, Okhla Industrial Area Phase-I, New Delhi
Website: www.icriindia.com