Fortis Healthcare Research Foundation (FHRF) (formerly Malar Stars Medicare (MSM) is a Section 8, not-for-profit organization, incorporated, under the Companies Act, 1956 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Malar Hospitals Limited (FMHL), which in turn is a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited, the Ultimate Holding Company. The organization is also registered with DARPAN under registration number TN/2025/0917921.

Its overarching mission is: “Promoting Education and Research for the Benefit of Humanity.”

Our Vision

Promoting Education and Research for the benefit of humanity.

Our Strengths

  • DSIR-SIRO recognition: FHRF is SIRO recognized center for conducting research project of national importance.
  • Successfully conducted more than 1800 clinical research projects including 600+ Global Clinical Trials across all Phases (I-IV), including PMS, Observational studies, Real-World Evidence (RWE) and IIS
  • Strategic Agreements: Signed with various Fortis units to provide technical support for clinical trials and academic research.
  • Fortis has Proven track record of working with Top Global pharmaceutical companies and CROs
  • Extensive Site Network:  FHRF provides technical and operational support across 24 active research, 20 sites within Fortis units and 4 from Gleneagles, leveraging extensive experience in managing research studies including post-marketing surveillance (PMS), observational studies, real-world evidence (RWE) research, and investigator-initiated studies (IIS).
  • Trusted Industry Collaborator: Research Units associated with FHRF have proven track record of collaborations with leading global pharmaceutical companies and CROs.
  • Integrated Support: FHRF offers ethics committee Training support, academic guidance, research infrastructure consultation, and standardized SOPs.
  • DCGI, NABH & DHR, Registered Ethics Committee across the network.
  • Defined process for evaluating research participant safety including a review process for managing AEs/SAEs.
  • Well-developed infrastructure with dedicated storage for investigational products and calibrated research equipment.
  • Established research SOPs and policies for standardized operations.
  • NABL accredited Laboratory services
  • Well established HIS (Hospital information system)
  • 24X7 hour power back up.
  • Data Entry and Data Management - Laptops, tabs, table tops, scanner, photocopier, server, e-TMF, equipment for AV consenting, etc.

Available Locations

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Dr. Bishnu Prasad Panigrahi's Message

  • Dr Bishnu Prasad Panigrahi

    Fortis Healthcare Limited has made significant strides in strengthening an integrated clinical research and academic ecosystem over the past year, reflecting its continued commitment to innovation, scientific excellence, and evidence-based healthcare.

    Research across our network is centrally anchored through the Fortis Healthcare Research Foundation (FHRF)- A DSIR-recognized Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) with a clearly defined mandate of “Promoting Education and Research for the Benefit of Humanity.” This centralised framework ensures a governance-driven, compliant, and quality-focused research environment, aligned with national and global standards in clinical research.

    Our strategic vision is rooted in advancing evidence-based medicine, translational research, and academic excellence, enabling seamless integration of research into clinical practice. Over the past year, we have established a high-performing ecosystem that empowers our clinicians to actively engage in protocol-driven research, precision medicine initiatives, and innovation-led clinical inquiry.

    With a strong focus on scientific rigor and operational excellence, we have expanded our research portfolio to include 120+ active clinical trials, along with a growing number of investigator-initiated studies and academic research programs across diverse therapeutic areas. These efforts have strengthened our contribution to global clinical evidence generation while simultaneously enhancing patient access to novel and advanced therapeutic interventions.

    Our research delivery model is built on a comprehensive and structured framework, encompassing sponsored clinical trials, investigator-initiated research, government-funded studies (ICMR), academic intramural research, and structured educational programs. Execution is driven through a multidisciplinary approach involving Principal Investigators, sub-investigators, clinical teams, and dedicated research professionals, ensuring adherence to GCP guidelines, regulatory compliance, data integrity, and patient safety across all sites.

    To reinforce scientific governance and strategic oversight, we have constituted the Fortis Research Advisory Committee (FRAC); a distinguished panel of internal and external experts that provides direction on research prioritization, protocol review, and quality benchmarking. This mechanism ensures a network-wide standardization of research practices and continuous quality improvement.

    In parallel, we are deeply committed to capacity building and talent development in clinical research. Through our flagship CREATIVE Program (Continuous Research Education and Training Initiatives), we are fostering a culture of continuous learning through structured training, workshops, investigator development programs, and knowledge exchange platforms. These initiatives are designed to strengthen clinical research competencies and build future-ready investigators within the Fortis ecosystem.

    As we look ahead, our focus remains on building a sustainable, collaborative, and innovation-led clinical research ecosystem, with an emphasis on multicentric research, real-world evidence generation, and translational impact. We believe that meaningful advancements in healthcare will be driven by collaborative science, data-driven insights, and patient-centric innovation, and we remain committed to partnering with like-minded institutions to shape the future of medicine.

    Dr. Bishnu Prasad Panigrahi
    Additional Director - Fortis Healthcare Research Foundation. Group Head- Medical Strategy and Operations Group (MSOG).

Dr. Kameshwar Prasad's Message

  • Dr Kameshwar Prasad

    At Fortis Healthcare Research Foundation, we believe that high-quality research is a powerful force for improving health and transforming lives. Our mission is to generate rigorous, ethical, and impactful research that addresses the most important health challenges facing India while contributing to advances in global healthcare. From studies that improve the management of chronic disease to research that strengthens patient safety, reduces complications, and improves recovery, our work is designed to make a measurable difference in everyday care.

    We are committed to conducting research that informs clinical practice, shapes health policy, and improves patient outcomes. By fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and promoting innovation, we strive to develop evidence that helps solve national health problems and strengthens healthcare delivery. This includes translating findings into updated clinical protocols, supporting quality-improvement initiatives that reduce readmissions or shorten time to diagnosis, contributing to policy discussions on issues such as access, prevention, and treatment, and working with clinicians to adopt better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

    Our vision extends beyond producing scientific publications. We aspire to enhance the research profile of both our organization and our country by contributing work of the highest international standards, building strategic collaborations, and translating research into meaningful health benefits for society. Through partnerships with academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and public health stakeholders, we aim to advance multicenter studies, share expertise, and ensure that promising discoveries move from the laboratory and the clinic into real-world practice where they can improve outcomes at scale.

    Equally important is our commitment to the people who work with us. We provide an environment that nurtures curiosity, scientific integrity, and excellence, enabling clinicians, scientists, and research professionals to develop their skills, advance their careers, and become future leaders in health research. Through mentorship, training in research methods, and opportunities to contribute to high-impact projects, we help build a strong pipeline of investigators who can lead studies, publish influential work, and shape the future of healthcare.

    Together, we seek to create knowledge that matters—knowledge that improves lives, strengthens institutions, and contributes to a healthier India and a healthier world.

    Dr. Kameshwar Prasad
    Dean - Clinical Research Principal Director- Neurology (Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall, Vasant Kunj, Delhi)

Dr. Kuldeep K Chauhan's Message

  • Dr Kuldeep K Chauhan

    It is a matter of great pride to highlight the strong research and academic ecosystem that Fortis Healthcare has built through the collective efforts of our clinicians, investigators, research teams, and leadership across the network. Over the years, Fortis has developed a robust and scalable clinical research platform, having successfully conducted over 1800+ research projects, including 600+ global clinical trials across all phases (I–IV), along with post-marketing studies, observational research, real-world evidence (RWE), and investigator-initiated studies. This extensive experience reflects our commitment to high-quality evidence generation aligned with global clinical research standards.

    Our network is supported by 24+ research-enabled sites, equipped with GCP-trained investigators, multispecialty patient access, and well-established research infrastructure, enabling seamless execution of complex and multicentric studies. Fortis has established itself as a trusted partner for global pharmaceutical companies and CROs, demonstrating consistent performance across early-phase, late-phase, and public health research programs. A strong governance framework, including registered ethics committees across multiple units and a centralised clinical trial management (CTM) team, ensures regulatory compliance, protocol adherence, and oversight of research operations across the network.

    In addition to strong research execution capabilities, Fortis has built a comprehensive ecosystem of support services essential for clinical research, including access to NABL-accredited laboratories, advanced radiology facilities, robust Hospital Information Systems (HIS), IT-enabled data management systems (including e-TMF and tools for AV consent), archival support, and 24x7 operational infrastructure. These capabilities ensure adherence to data integrity, patient safety, and regulatory requirements, while supporting efficient and audit-ready research conduct.

    Recognizing the growing need for skilled research professionals, Fortis has also implemented the TABI (Training and Capacity-Building Initiative) Program, a structured training pathway designed to strengthen competencies across the clinical research lifecycle from study start-up, ethics compliance, and patient enrolment to investigational product management and GCP-driven data integrity. This program has enabled the development of a skilled workforce, with trainees progressing across the Fortis network, industry partners, and research organizations, thereby addressing the critical workforce gap in clinical research.

    Together, these initiatives reflect Fortis Healthcare’s commitment to building a sustainable, high-impact, and innovation-driven clinical research ecosystem. By integrating strong infrastructure, governance, and capacity building, we continue to advance patient-centric research, scientific excellence, and evidence-based clinical care, contributing meaningfully to the future of healthcare in India and beyond.

    Dr. Kuldeep K Chauhan
    Clinical Research In-charge

Research Team

Research Videos

  • Research Department Video.mp4
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