Introduction

Growth Spurt

It is widely believed that Asia offers the strongest prospects for pharma growth. Stephen Phua of IMS Asia and Ted Saeki of IMS explain how and why the major markets in the region are expanding at such a rapid rate.

Global Perspective

Eastern Promise

With trailblazers India and China leading the way, Asia is the hot pick for bulk manufacturing and, increasingly, clinical trials and R&D. Jim Banks looks at the competition for market share and the race to find the best regional and international partnerships.

Regulatory & Legal Update

China seeking Protection

China's accession to the WTO in December 2001 has resulted in more transparent regulation of its pharma industry, a gradual opening up of markets, more enforcement of IP rights and greater opportunities for outsourcing.

Industry Analysis

Under development

Asia still evolving

With all eyes firmly focused on pharma growth in Asia Pacific, Shailesh Gadre and Yehong Zhang, IMS's vice president of Greater China, review current performance across the various markets and consider the emerging opportunities.

Regional Focus

Leader of the Pack

Investors are watching the evolution of India's pharmaceutical industry with great interest. Rising standards and a developing regulatory infrastructure are creating new opportunities, while the well-established bulk manufacturing market is benefiting from more investment in R&D and clinical trials.

Drug Discovery & Delivery

Model Behaviour

The use of biological models to study the effects of gene mutations is a cost-effective alternative to an animal model. The yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a particularly useful tool for this process.

Outsourcing

Tracking CRO growth

As interest in Asia Pacific increases, CRO offshoring is beginning to make an impact in the region. Alan Davies and Janet Jones of Kendle International explore the various options.

Advertorial

Raising the Bar for Clinical Research

Reliance Clinical Research Services is a full-service contract clinical research organisation. Its range of services include project management, protocol design, clinical trial supplies management, clinical operations, molecular diagnostic central lab services, biometrics, training, translations, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, pharmacovigilance and medical writing.

Chemicals & Raw Materials

A New Phase of Outsourcing

Western companies opting to work with partners in Asia rather than setting up their own operations there are finding a better choice of service provider, but the China vs India debate rumbles on.

Clinical Trials

New Demand, New Horizons

The Asia Pacific region has seen spectacular growth in large-scale clinical trials in recent years. Iylen Benedict highlights the reasons for the shift and outlines some of the challenges and synergies involved.

Advertorial

Added-Value Clinical Trials

A Bangalore-based company specialising in clinical trials is taking advantage of the recent change in intellectual property laws.

Manufacturing & Processing

Singapore Surges Ahead

UPLC presents the possibility to extend and expand the utility of conventional HPLC, a widely used separation science.

Laboratory Technology

Laboratory Automation Systems - LAS is More

Hospitals worldwide are increasingly looking to implement laboratory automation systems to ensure good practice. Kerstin Zumstein, Editor, Pharma Focus Asia speaks to Professor Sunil Sethi, National University, Singapore, about the wider implications.

Packaging

Targeting Best Practice in Packaging

RFID is performing functions relevant to pharmaceutical distribution and administration.