Inauguration of WHO REACH Trial for Heat-Stable Carbetocin Held at KLE Campus, Belagavi
Inauguration of the WHO REACH Trial for heat-stable carbetocin was held at the KLE campus, Belagavi, on April 9, 2025. This global clinical trial evaluates the safety and effectiveness of heat-stable carbetocin for treating postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). It is coordinated by the WHO’s Human Reproduction Programme (HRP), with support from Unitaid and MSD for Mothers.
Dr. Prabhakar Kore, Chairman of KLE Society inaugurated the event. He applauded the researchers’ dedication to maternal health. He congratulated the team and reaffirmed KLE’s mission to lead impactful, community-focused healthcare research. Dr. Nitin Gangane, Vice Chancellor of KAHER, and Dr. M.S. Ganachari, Registrar of KAHER were present. Dr. Mariana Widmer, Technical Officer at WHO Geneva, served as Guest of Honour. Dr. Teesta Dey from WHO, Geneva, and Mr. Thanos Rallis from IQVIA—the global trial monitoring agency, participated. Site Principal Investigators, Co-Investigators, and national research teams also attended the event.
The JNMC Women’s and Children’s Health Research Unit leads the REACH Trial in India. Partnering institutions include Ballari Medical College, MGIMS Wardha, SCB Medical College Cuttack, IMS BHU Varanasi, and PGIMER Chandigarh. Notably, JNMC, MGIMS Wardha, and PGIMER Chandigarh are three of India’s four WHO Collaborating Centres for Maternal and Perinatal Health.
Previously, JNMC played a key role in the WHO CHAMPION Trial on PPH prevention. Building on that success, the REACH Trial now focuses on treatment. The trial uses heat-stable carbetocin, which does not require refrigeration, making it ideal for low-resource settings. This is especially important in rural and remote areas where cold-chain logistics are challenging. Since 2001, JNMC’s research unit has led over 50 studies in maternal and newborn health. The unit also contributes regularly to global guidelines and WHO technical documents. Today, it stands as a national leader in translational research with real-world public health impact.
