Many eyes look to the Middle East for clinical trial possibilities

With emerging markets at the top of many minds in the clinical trial industry, another region is gaining potential trials: The Middle East.  According to Center Watch News, as of October 11, 2011, there were 4,957 trials in 15 countries the region.  This accounts for 4.3% of all of all trials around the world, even with the volatile political climate that is prevalent in the region.  While only 4% of Pharma industry project sales take place in the region, the sales of Pharma products in 2010 increased 45%.  As the region sees more individuals affected by diabetes, cancer and asthma, interest in clinical trails will be fueled leading to more potential participants.

At Partnerships in Clinical Trials 2012, Jeff Cohen, CEO, HRP Consulting, Vance Warren, Senior Study Logistics Manager, Translational Medicine Clinical Pharmacology, Daiichi Sankyo Pharma Development, will be moderating the panel "Ensuring Ethical Conduct of Clinical Trials in Emerging Markets," which is just one of the concerns Pharma companies have when expanding to new markets, such as the Middle East.  For more information on this panel and te rest of the Partnerships in Clinical Trials 2012 agenda, download the brochure here.

What do you think?  Are you looking at the Middle East as a region that will be a focal point of the clinical trials industry in the future?  Why or why not?