Reflections on an unparalleled contribution

In a heartfelt tribute to Dr. M.K. Bhan, a trailblazing physician-scientist and architect of India’s modern vaccine and biotech ecosystem, the Kashmir Care Foundation (KCF) hosted a thought-provoking session, titled “Clinical Research: Science, Significance and Scope” on February 23, 2025, under its flagship initiative Kashmiri Global Connect. The event brought together distinguished Kashmiri professionals in clinical research, drug development, and regulatory sciences to demystify the process of drug research and inspire a new generation of biomedical thinkers.

Honoring the Legacy of Dr. M.K. Bhan

The session began with a welcome address by Dr. Altaf Lal, Founder of KCF, who reflected on Dr. Bhan’s unparalleled contribution to child health and vaccine research in India. His work in the development and clinical advancement of Rotavac—a low-cost, indigenous rotavirus vaccine—was described as a landmark that changed the landscape of Indian public health.

This was followed by video tributes from Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of ICMR, and Dr. Nita Bhandari, a public health expert who collaborated closely with Dr. Bhan. Both spoke about his enduring legacy as a mentor, clinical innovator, and champion of translational research in service of the most vulnerable populations.

Moderating the session, Dr. Aamir Nazir, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-CDRI Lucknow, set the tone by outlining the core objectives: to understand how drugs come into being, to showcase success and failure stories in clinical trials, to provide guidance on building a career in clinical research, and to celebrate the incredible journeys of Kashmiri scientists who have become national and global leaders. He also paid tribute to Janaab Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the founder of Jamia Hamdard, as the event was being hosted within this remarkable institution.

The session focused on three key topics related to drug discovery and clinical trials.

1. From Molecule to Market – The Journey of a Drug

This round offered the audience a rare inside view of the life cycle of a drug, from early discovery to market approval.

Dr. Arshad H. Khuroo, Head of Bioequivalence and Bioanalysis at Sun Pharma, opened the discussion with insights on the initial stages of drug discovery, emphasizing the need for rigorous pharmacokinetic profiling, target validation, and hit-to-lead optimization. He described how translating lab hypotheses into viable drug candidates requires multidisciplinary integration and years of coordinated effort.

Dr. Md. Amin Mir, General Manager, Medical Safety at Quinesca Solutions, spoke about risk management protocols during early-phase clinical trials. He elaborated on how even seemingly minor adverse signals—if unaddressed—can jeopardize an entire development program.

Dr. Vijay Raina, Head of Clinical Research Operations at Aizant, Hyderabad, emphasized the operational challenges of executing multi-site, multinational trials. From regulatory variations to data harmonization and subject retention, he explained the complex logistics that define clinical trial success. His examples from oncology trials showcased the meticulous coordination required between CROs, sponsors, and investigators.

Dr. Showkat R. Mir, Professor at Jamia Hamdard University, focused on the educational gaps in clinical research training, arguing that formal pharmacy curricula must include modules on Good Clinical Practice (GCP), pharmacovigilance, and regulatory documentation. He advocated for case-based teaching to expose students to real-world clinical trial dilemmas early on.

Dr. Mubashir H. Masoodi, Professor at University of Kashmir, discussed regional relevance in clinical research, pointing out how localized disease burdens, environmental exposures, and dietary practices demand context-specific trials. He shared how trials in the Valley targeting endemic anemia and vitamin deficiencies have not only yielded publishable data but also informed public health interventions.

2. Impactful Innovations, Successes, and Failures in Clinical Research

The second round centered on pivotal moments—good and bad—that have shaped drug research.

Dr. Khuroo recounted his team’s role in a successful anti-diabetic compound that advanced through Phase 2 trials. He discussed how early formulation challenges were overcome and how real-world data from Indian cohorts helped refine the therapeutic profile. He underscored the importance of adaptive study designs in enabling such breakthroughs.

Dr. Mir revisited the infamous case of Torcetrapib, a promising cholesterol drug withdrawn due to off-target toxicities. Using this as a cautionary tale, he explained how inadequate safety signal evaluation can reverse years of progress, leading to loss of lives and billions in R&D investments.

Dr. Raina detailed how his team contributed to the success of a biosimilar monoclonal antibody for autoimmune diseases. He emphasized real-time data capture, remote monitoring, and digital case report forms as innovations that reduced protocol deviations and shortened trial timelines.

Dr. Showkat highlighted the role of technological interventions such as e-consent, telemedicine-enabled recruitment, and AI-powered monitoring systems in improving patient safety and compliance, particularly in post-pandemic clinical trial models.

Dr. Masoodi discussed a clinical trial on fortified wheat flour conducted in rural Kashmir. The trial, which involved close collaboration with nutritionists and local health workers, successfully reduced iron-deficiency anemia in adolescent girls and is now under review for scale-up by public health authorities.

3. Shaping the Future – Careers, Skills, and the Path Ahead

In the final round, the panelists shared deeply personal reflections, offering attendees a roadmap to build careers in this critical field.

Dr. Khuroo urged young minds to focus early on conceptual clarity in biology and chemistry, and to gain exposure to trial design and statistics. He stressed the value of fellowships, certifications (like DIA, ACRES, or ICH-GCP), and hands-on internships as steppingstones.

Dr. Mir emphasized the rising demand for safety scientists, pharmacovigilance experts, and data managers, suggesting that students pursue certifications in these areas even during their undergraduate years.

Dr. Raina highlighted soft skills—like communication, leadership, and adaptability—as equally critical. He urged students to develop a mindset that is agile and quality-driven, sharing that many successful clinical researchers come from non-elite backgrounds but thrive due to discipline and mentorship.

Dr. Showkat called for bridges between academia and industry, suggesting that universities create structured programs in clinical operations, trial monitoring, and ethics committees, ensuring graduates are job-ready.

Dr. Masoodi ended with an inspiring message for students from Kashmir: “You do not need to be born in a metropolitan city to become a clinical researcher. You need clarity of purpose, patience, and the courage to persevere. I am one of you—and so are these accomplished panelists.”

Interactive Engagement and Closing Reflections

A dynamic Q&A session followed, with students asking about career paths, funding opportunities, and overcoming institutional barriers. Panelists shared book recommendations, spoke about global opportunities, and emphasized that clinical research is not just a profession but a public service.

Founder of KCF, Dr Altaf Lal concluded with a tribute to Dr. M.K. Bhan’s lifelong philosophy—that science must serve people. “This session is not the end of a conversation but the beginning of a movement. Clinical research is where knowledge meets compassion, and impact becomes real.”

Through this powerful session, Kashmir Care Foundation once again demonstrated its commitment to building scientific capacity, nurturing youth, and honoring the legacy of Kashmiri icons whose work continues to transform lives.

About Kashmir Care Foundation

Kashmir Care Foundation (KCF) is non-profit global organisation founded with a vision to empower the youth with diverse knowledge, skills and mentorship through continuous knowledge sharing sessions, community driven learning programs and personal interactions with a goal to empower future generation with critical thinking, competitive and entrepreneur mindset to handle personal and real-world challenges and to create a better world for generations to come. KCF is a people-driven organization guided by a strong, distinguished advisory council and core team comprising of members from diverse backgrounds in public service, corporate sector, philanthropy, social service, education, research, and community development to drive innovative ideas, foster collaborative partnerships to support its mission. For further information, visit https://kashmircarefoundation.org/ and follow KCF on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram.

Aamir Nazir and Vijay Raina  are core team leaders at Kashmir Care Foundation