IMIC

The Mexican Institute of Clinical Research (IMIC) opened its doors in Mexico City on March 1, 2000 with the intention of conducting high quality clinical research in Mexico. IMIC was first planned, designed and organized by Dr. Roberto Chiprut, and Dr. David Ginsberg, as professional consultant.

t the time, Dr. Ginsberg cited three primary reasons for the formation of IMIC. The fact that there is a very large population base in Mexico and throughout Latin America: that 12% of global drugs are marketed in Latin America and would be best served by a population in which the drugs are tested; and the FDA-driven emphasis on testing drugs in people that portray real-life populations, not just male Caucasians. “We believe that well-run clinical research in Latin America will succeed”, said Dr. Ginsberg. “Our intention is not to build (a center) as good as one in the United States, but a better center”. (CenterWatch May 2000 / Volume 7, Issue 5)

The original IMIC project, thought of as a clinical research center for outpatients, rapidly grew into an institutional design that includes not only the outpatient research center, but a whole corporation that designs, organizes, and conducts multi-center clinical research in the National Institutes of Health, and the largest and best private and public hospitals and clinics. Education has been an important aspect taken up by IMIC, with excellent results, comprising international and local educational programs with universities of acknowledged prestige.

IMIC consists of experienced, bilingual, full-time investigators and coordinators. All of them are trained at active research centers. This training includes a comprehensive review of GCP's, ICH and regulatory aspects, among other topics. All employees participate in ongoing internal and external education programs. IMIC also has its own IRB and regulatory agent, as well as established relationships with the Ministry of Health. All of these factors are fundamental to running trials in Latin America.