ASSOCIATION OF CONTRACT RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS
(ACRO)
MEMBERSHIP : CHARTER & PRIVILEGES
www.acroindia.net
Correspondence Address: Association of Contract Research Organization.
ACRO Desk at Pharmexcil Office
( Set up by Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India),
101, Aditya Trade Centre, Ameerpet, Hyderabad - 500 038.
Tel:91-40 -23735462, 23735466, email: info@acroindia.com
Website: www.acroindia.net
Registered Office:
The Montosh Sondhi Centre, 23, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110 003
Page 1 of 7
ASSOCIATION OF CONTRACT RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS
Introduction
ACRO is the Association (under the aegis of CII) of various Contract Research
Organizations (CROs) engaged into collaborative research projects with Pharmaceutical or
Biotechnological companies in the areas of Drug Research, Drug Development and Clinical
Development.
Today, India is witnessing a dramatic potential in outsourcing in various segments of
Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. This has happened mainly due to the available pool of
knowledge base, talent and cost-effective operational costs. As a result, many contract
research organizations have come up in India and many International companies are opening
ventures in India.
In order to bring all the CROs onto one common platform, the idea to form this association
was mooted. The objectives of this Association are:
 Share best practices
 Help each other build up global standards
 Promote INDIA BRAND services in the field of Contract Research Services
 Provide common and effective platforms worldwide for exposure, promotion and
recognition
 Benefit from global outsourcing opportunities
The membership of the association is open to all sectors of the Contract Research activities
listed below:

Contract Research Organizations

Clinical Laboratories

Pharmaceutical Research Organizations

Drug Research Laboratories

Data Management Organizations

Site Management Organizations (SMO)

Pre-clinical Toxicology Laboratories

Bio Informatics Companies

Associate members from interested sectors
Correspondence Address: Association of Contract Research Organization.
ACRO Desk at Pharmexcil Office
( Set up by Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India),
101, Aditya Trade Centre, Ameerpet, Hyderabad - 500 038.
Tel:91-40 -23735462, 23735466, email: info@acroindia.com
Website: www.acroindia.net
Registered Office:
The Montosh Sondhi Centre, 23, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110 003
Page 2 of 7
ASSOCIATION OF CONTRACT RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS
Membership Rules & Eligibility
Categories
Member: Any individual person or firm (whether proprietorship or partnership), company,
corporation, society or association operating in India and having interest in Contract
Research issues may be admitted as member of Society by the Executive Council.
Associate Member: Members admitted by the Association such as national and
international bodies, industry associations, major industries, for interaction on activities
related to the Association.
With respect to representative offices of foreign companies having interest in Contract
Research issues operating in India, as liaison offices under the approval of Reserve Bank are
eligible. The Associate Membership would be converted into Member category as and when
the liaison office status changes to a full-fledged company with the commencement of
commercial production / services which generate sales turnover.
Membership Admission Procedure

For admission as a member of the Organization, a company or a firm shall make
an application in writing to the Chairman of ACRO on the prescribed form, which shall
be signed by the applicant. The application shall contain an acceptance of, and
an agreement to abide by, the Rules and Regulations of the ACRO.

Such an application shall be proposed by one and seconded by another member and may
be admitted by the Executive Council.

All admissions, except where expressly otherwise stated, shall be made by the Executive
Council.

Member: Formal application to accompany annual report / audited accounts, company
profile, entrance fee, proof / statement of turnover, certificate of incorporation (for
a newly established company).

Associate Member: All applications must satisfy the requirements specified above for
the member category. In respect of foreign companies and liaison offices of foreign
companies, the applicant must be accompanied by RBI approvals.
Entrance / Annual Subscription Fees
a) Entrance Fees: Rs. 5,000/-, US $200/- for International Members / Multinational CRO
b) Annual Subscription Fees:
For purposes of membership, large, medium and small units are defined as:
Small Units: Turnover less than 10 crores: Rs. 10,000/Medium Units: Turnover of 10-20 crores: Rs. 25,000/Large Units: Turnover greater than 20 crores: Rs. 50,000/International Members / Multinational CRO (irrespective of size): US $2,500/Correspondence Address: Association of Contract Research Organization.
ACRO Desk at Pharmexcil Office
( Set up by Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India),
101, Aditya Trade Centre, Ameerpet, Hyderabad - 500 038.
Tel:91-40 -23735462, 23735466, email: info@acroindia.com
Website: www.acroindia.net
Registered Office:
The Montosh Sondhi Centre, 23, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110 003
Page 3 of 7
ASSOCIATION OF CONTRACT RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS
The above is applicable for both categories of members.
For Newly set up companies, that have not yet started services: Rs. 10,000/- p.a. (fixed) annual
subscription.
Resignation
Any member may withdraw from the ACRO by giving three months notice, in writing,
to the Chairman, of his intention to do so provided that the annual subscription for
the current year and any other dues have been fully paid up.
Cessation of Membership
A member shall cease to be a member of the ACRO:
a) in case it defaults in paying subscription within 90 days.
b) in case it resigns in the manner laid down.
Matters relating to expulsion, resignation, cessation etc., shall be decided as per the Rules of
the ACRO.
Members’ Participation
It is important that all members are aware of, and take advantage of, the services provided.
Members’ participation in the events and use of the various services will be the true measure
of the adequacy of the secretariat’s endeavors. It is only through members’ feedback that new
services can be developed and evolved.
Participation Level
Having formed under the aegis of CII, ACRO is affiliated to ASCON the associations
council.
Associations Council (ASCON) : The ASCON which has under its umbrella the
Manufacturing Council, Services Council and the Agriculture Council, gives an opportunity
to members to interact and participate in industry specific events. Presently, 122 Associations
affiliated to CII, 24 industry Divisions and 12 National Committees, comprise the ASCON.
The Associations Council (ASCON) is the forum, which brings together the view points of
different industry sectors within CII, in order to address contentious issues.
Being a high level representative group for 100+ sectors, the ASCON focus is on monitoring
the overall health of Indian Industry, “Consensus building” within industry to arrive at
a crucial commonality of approach, project industry image (through sectoral exhibitions,
export development work), shifting industry focus to non-conventional areas like energy
Correspondence Address: Association of Contract Research Organization.
ACRO Desk at Pharmexcil Office
( Set up by Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India),
101, Aditya Trade Centre, Ameerpet, Hyderabad - 500 038.
Tel:91-40 -23735462, 23735466, email: info@acroindia.com
Website: www.acroindia.net
Registered Office:
The Montosh Sondhi Centre, 23, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110 003
Page 4 of 7
ASSOCIATION OF CONTRACT RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS
conversation, pollution control, total quality management and technology development, and
regular meetings with policy makers of the Government of India to resolve bilateral issues.
Correspondence Address: Association of Contract Research Organization.
ACRO Desk at Pharmexcil Office
( Set up by Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India),
101, Aditya Trade Centre, Ameerpet, Hyderabad - 500 038.
Tel:91-40 -23735462, 23735466, email: info@acroindia.com
Website: www.acroindia.net
Registered Office:
The Montosh Sondhi Centre, 23, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110 003
Page 5 of 7
ASSOCIATION OF CONTRACT RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS
Advantage Members
Benefits to ACRO Members

As a member of ACRO, you will access a world of opportunities, from networking
amongst CROs, associates from the Pharma industry and all those involved in drug
discovery, development, evaluation and regulation. Further, any advantage obtained
through close linkage with government bodies will be harnessed.

Information and news through the website, plus links to other useful sites

Providing training courses to the needs of the Members
Networking

Platform to interact with other members, institutions, state & central governments.

Fora to meet national and global business leaders.

Participate in topical seminars, training programmes, conferences and meetings.

Fora to assist in establishing linkages.

Platform to establish MOU with similar bodies and partner countries.

Defend the views of the industry with media.
Policy work

Participate in Committees and Focus groups to influence regulatory thinking and
legislations of State and Central Governments.

Get expert advice on government legislations, regulations, informed feedback on relevant
issues, from government sources and industry insiders.

Make representations to central & state governments and other institutions.
Business Services
Special focus on CROs, on policy matters, business development, foreign collaborations,
sub-contracting, quality, technology and benchmark initiatives.

Industrial and business delegations are received from overseas and sent out regularly.
Information dissemination

Access to publications and reports on a wide range of subjects in Contract Research

Directory of Members with company profile
Correspondence Address: Association of Contract Research Organization.
ACRO Desk at Pharmexcil Office
( Set up by Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India),
101, Aditya Trade Centre, Ameerpet, Hyderabad - 500 038.
Tel:91-40 -23735462, 23735466, email: info@acroindia.com
Website: www.acroindia.net
Registered Office:
The Montosh Sondhi Centre, 23, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110 003
Page 6 of 7
ASSOCIATION OF CONTRACT RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS

Opportunities, Quality, WTO Monthly Economic Report, Finance & Taxation, Business
Focus Monthly Journal (ACRO Roundup) – subscribe to news letters on ACRO and
on CROs Business.

Awards
Membership Sectors
Sector
Code
A.
Contract Research Organization
CRO
B.
Clinical Laboratories
CL
C.
Pharmaceutical Research Organizations
PRO
D.
Drug Research Laboratories
DRL
E.
Data Management Organizations
DMO
F.
Site Management Organizations (SMO)
SMO
G.
Pre-clinical Toxicology Laboratories
PCTL
H.
Bio Informatics
BI
I.
Miscellaneous
MIS
Completed application forms with all enclosures to be sent to the correspondence address.
Correspondence Address: Association of Contract Research Organization.
ACRO Desk at Pharmexcil Office
( Set up by Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India),
101, Aditya Trade Centre, Ameerpet, Hyderabad - 500 038.
Tel:91-40 -23735462, 23735466, email: info@acroindia.com
Website: www.acroindia.net
Registered Office:
The Montosh Sondhi Centre, 23, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110 003
Page 7 of 7