Written by Mamta Gawade, PHUSE APAC Volunteer

The Essays on Innovation publication brings together the independent perspectives of 39 distinguished contributors from across the public sector, industry, academia, policy, think tanks, media, patient groups, and other key stakeholders. Each author shares their vision of how innovation can accelerate India’s growth story. From this wide spectrum of ideas, the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) carefully selected those that are most critical for India’s innovation journey and its vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Among them is Sanjay Vyas, who focuses on the theme Innovation in Clinical Trials in India: Opportunities, Challenges and Solutions.

Essays on Innovation underscores how new ideas, advanced research, emerging technologies and progressive policies can help India evolve from being a manufacturer of medicines to a global leader in healthcare innovation. This discussion is particularly timely as we approach the inaugural PHUSE APAC Connect in Hyderabad, India from 19 to 21 February 2026.

The APAC Connect, themed ‘Resilience and Innovation in a Transforming World – APAC GCCs Paving the Way’, will bring together global subject matter experts, industry professionals, world leaders, academicians, researchers and policymakers in the field of clinical data science to share knowledge, exchange ideas and collaborate on cutting-edge research and innovation.

Sanjay Vyas will be a key panellist in the session on Saturday 21 February, where leaders will discuss how APAC pharma global capability centres (GCCs) established by pharmaceutical companies across Asia-Pacific are reshaping the industry. These hubs provide specialised services in drug discovery, R&D, data analytics and regulatory compliance, driving innovation, operational efficiency and cost savings while contributing to local economies through job creation and talent development.

GCCs are increasingly recognised as innovation hubs rather than support units, leveraging the region’s talent pool, cost-effectiveness and infrastructure to accelerate the development of life-saving medicines and address global healthcare challenges. The panel will explore how APAC GCCs are leading innovation and transformation, and what lies ahead in the coming decade.

Reflecting on his recent OPPI essay, Sanjay Vyas believes that “India is stepping up to be a global clinical trial hub, showcasing maturity and trust in its scientific expertise and infrastructure.” He emphasises capacity building through regulatory tech pilots, open-access training portals, and partnerships focused on emerging therapies. Progressive regulatory reforms, he notes, are positioning India as a future-ready hub for complex, high-quality clinical research that is both accessible and sustainable.

Founded in 1965, the OPPI has long represented research-based global pharmaceutical companies and remains integral to India’s healthcare journey.

Sanjay Vyas is the President of Global Safety Services & Clinical Logistics and the Managing Director (Country Head) of Parexel India

Within OPPI’s Essays on Innovation, Sanjay Vyas highlights how GCCs are expanding their role in India’s ecosystem, evolving into strategic engines of clinical trial innovation.

GCCs as Strategic Enablers in Clinical Trials

• Beyond back-office functions: GCCs in India, especially those established by global CROs and pharma companies, have evolved into centres of excellence that drive trial design, data analytics, pharmacovigilance and AI integration.
• Talent depth: India’s GCCs leverage a large pool of skilled professionals in biostatistics, data management and regulatory affairs, enabling faster and more cost-effective trial execution.
• Innovation hubs: GCCs are increasingly tasked with embedding decentralised trial models, real-world evidence frameworks and AI-powered risk management into global operations.

Sanjay Vyas’s Perspective on Innovation

• Scaling innovation: GCCs provide the infrastructure to scale decentralised clinical trials across geographies, ensuring India’s diverse population can be included in global studies.
• Data stewardship: With India’s expanding digital health ecosystem, GCCs play a critical role in curating, cleaning and securing health data to meet global regulatory standards.
• Regulatory alignment: Vyas points out that GCCs working with OPPI bridge regulatory gaps by piloting new models and sharing best practices with policymakers, thereby accelerating adoption of DCTs and RWD/RWE.

Why GCCs Matter for India’s Clinical Trial Future

• Patient centricity: By localising trial operations, GCCs bring research closer to patients in both cities and rural areas.
• Global integration: GCCs in India are connected to global networks, meaning innovations developed locally – such as AI-enabled study planning – are deployed worldwide.
• Workforce readiness: GCCs are also training grounds, equipping India’s clinical research workforce with skills in data interpretation, cross-functional collaboration and advanced technology.

Conclusion

Sanjay Vyas’s message is clear: India’s GCCs are driving operational process innovation that makes clinical trials faster, smarter and more inclusive. By combining India’s digital health push with GCC-led innovation, the country can move from just 1.5% of global trials to a true leader in patient-centric research.

India’s healthcare sector is poised for exponential growth, with medtech projected to reach USD 50 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 20% according to OPPI. Start-ups offering patient-centric diagnostic solutions, alongside advancements in gene therapy, biologics and emerging disciplines, are adding momentum.

Healthcare innovation will be central to India’s journey to becoming a USD 30–40 trillion economy by 2047. It will boost productivity, reduce poverty, empower women, and extend healthy lives – which are all vital to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

The APAC Connect 2026 will showcase how APAC GCCs are leading innovation and transformation, while exploring the future of data science in clinical research. Sanjay Vyas will take the stage in the panel ‘Resilience and Innovation in a Transforming World – APAC GCCs Paving the Way’.

Expect powerful insights into how global capability centres are evolving beyond operational support to shape the future of healthcare, drug development and patient safety worldwide.

Why His Voice Matters

• Champions India as a strategic hub for global clinical research.
• Advocates for trust, resilience and innovation in the healthcare data science community.
• Drives AI/ML adoption in pharmacovigilance and logistics to ensure safer, faster and smarter trials.

Sanjay and other leaders will share their visions, their challenges and their triumphs.

The story will continue with two inspiring and energising panel discussions:

• Innovation in Drug Development – What Are the Potential Gamechangers in the Making?
• The AI/ML Juggernaut – What You Need To Do To Stay Relevant

The complete agenda is now live. We invite you to shape the movement with us.

Whether you’re an industry veteran or just beginning your career, whether you have a technology or a leadership role, the APAC Connect 2026 promises opportunities for growth and learning for all. Get ready to be part of something extraordinary.

I look forward to seeing you there. Drop me a quick hello, and let’s capture this historic moment together with a selfie.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author/authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of PHUSE, its management, or its members.