Bangalore: Former Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Director Prof G Padmanabhan today (Jul 9, 2004) dismissed fears that Indians were being used as "guinea pigs" in clinical trials on drugs and vaccines by global pharma companies in the country and said those vaccines are first tested in the "home" nation of the pharma firms.

"We have lost an opportunity. It is not that the people here are used as "guinea pigs" for clinical trials, because those drugs are first to be tested in their own country and have adequate regulations," Padmanabhan, a noted Biotechnologist told reporters, ahead of the annual Biotech expo "Bangalore Bio 2004" which begins on Sunday (Jul 11, 2004).

He said India had lost an opportunity earlier in emerging as a "clinical trial destination", adding that the country needs urgently vaccines and drugs to combat diseases plaguing its population.

Padmanabhan criticised that research in universities are in "bad shape", saying that there about 30 national laboratories and 200 groups of about 2,000 people involved in research.

He also warned of proliferation of Biotechnology courses stating "there will not be jobs" for too many specialists.