One North East England, a European regional development agency, is in talks with clinical research organisations (CROs) and biotech companies to start operations in Europe.

At least two CROs from the city have evinced interest in the proposals, according to its India representative Shankar Ramachandran.

He said One North East was home to over 600 pharmaceutical, life sciences and medical technology companies. It would offer the Indian CROs scope to conduct Phase I first-in-man studies there. The Indian guidelines allow such studies for only Indian originated molecules, he said.

The region's healthcare and life sciences economy is valued at 4 billion pound. The research and clinical base would offer opportunities for Indian companies to collaborate in oncology, aging, genetics, medical diagnostics and others. The region also has 400 supply chain companies.

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