INTRODUCTION TO NOCI

Network of Oncology Clinical Trials in India (NOCI), is an initiative supported by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) through the National Biopharma Mission. The aim of this project is to enhance the capability to conduct industry-sponsored clinical trials of cancer drugs and biosimilars. The ultimate aim is to enhance and hasten the indigenous development of newer anti-cancer agents.

The network will strive to develop clinical trial units in the participating centers which will be compliant with the requirements and rigours of conducting trials. The initial funds for recruitment of manpower, development of infrastructure and the technical support for development of standard operating procedures and process harmonization between the centers will be provided by BIRAC. Additionally, the network will also aim to plan and execute collaborative research projects which will answer questions which are relevant to India. An additional aim of the network is to develop a prospective registry of cancers between the centers which will have detailed outcome data.