Desi News Corp - Index

Desi News Corp - Desi News - March 2009 - Index

people suffer the most from allergies
in Spring and Fall.
“So traditionally, one had to
wait for the allergy season to
conduct research. We wanted to
accelerate it, make it more precise.
We can now release pollen
in a room with volunteers and
give them medications we are
testing,” says Dr. Patel.
Allied grew to become the
world’s largest environmental
chamber facility with seven such
chambers in different parts of
the world, including India.
From that shot in the arm,
Allied grew from strength to
strength. Last year, when Dr
Patel sold it to Cetero Research
Inc. – the world’s largest ‘phase
one’ company, Allied had over
700 employees and a turnover
of over $70 million.
A phase one company is one
that conducts first in human
studies, explains Dr Patel. After
a drug has been tested on
lab rats and monkeys, etc., it is
tested on humans, the whole
process being strictly monitored.
Cetero has 16 phase one
facilities.
The one in Mississauga has
80 beds. “It’s like a hospital,”
says Dr Patel.
Allied was helping drug companies
with their research on
medicines for asthma and other
allergies – antihistamines, puffers,
vaccines, etc. Cetero specializes
in other fields as well, so
now they are branching out.
There is also talk of expansion
plans in Canada, the US and
India.
NARI MAVALWALLA/DESI NEWS
“Arati and I financed the growth with RRSPs
and a second mortgage, so of course, there
were lots of sleepless nights.”
It’s not just roots that takes symptoms and though I don’t
him to India, says Dr Patel. And like to engage in medical talk
talk of terror attacks or lack of when I am not working, in most
corporate governance does not cases it’s simple enough and I
bother him much.
tell them what might help.”
“Yes, there is a credit crunch, He himself has slight aller-
so we are re-evaluating all plans, gies but doesn’t take any medi-
and the work ethics are differcation for those.
ent in India, but Indian drug Dr Patel says foreign-trained
companies have a good reputa- physicians face an uphill task in
tion.”
Canada.
As a physician and as the al- “I definitely sympathize with
lergy specialist, Dr Patel is used the challenges they come up
to being accosted at social dos against. At Allied we have a
and being asked for medical ad- large number of foreign-trained
vice.
physicians, espcially from India.
“That happens all the time!” We can train them, help them
he laughs. “Total strangers to get publications. But I say to
launch into details of their anyone who asks me that it’s
important to talk to prospective
employers in a way that they
understand. Talk and walk like
a local! Sometimes it takes a bit
of learning, but these are all
smart people, they bring a very
high standard of qualification.
They just have to learn to be
persistent, to never give up on
their goal.”
And to those dreaming of
becoming an entrepreneur, Dr
Patel has this to say: “Just go for
it! Make sure you provide for
your family. Once you have secured
their future, just go for it!”
The Patels have two sons.
Rishi, 17, and Shanil, 14.
All those years ago, when Dr
Patel first came to Canada, he
never imagined he’d be where
he is today.
“I never started off thinking
I’d be an entrepreneur. An opportunity
came up and I made
the decision to go ahead. I enjoy
the research; I enjoy the science;
I like working with all
these people.
“Yes, I have to say, it’s nice!”
– SHAGORIKA EASWAR