PAREXEL Collaborates with Eli Lilly and Company to Develop China’s Clinical Research Workforce

PAREXEL announced a new collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company to launch a clinical research learning and development program in China. The program will bring high-value training opportunities to China’s clinical trial sites and investigators, enhancing the execution of local clinical trials and driving innovation in China’s biopharmaceutical industry.

To encourage innovation in drug development, the Chinese government recently released a series of new policies for clinical research, resulting in a sharp increase in the number of clinical trials in China. According to China’s clinical trial registration platform, 1,258 drug clinical trials were registered and publicized for the first time in China in 2017, an increase of 62.66 percent compared to 2016. This increase in clinical research demands has put a strain on the clinical research capacity and resources in China. A recent report indicates that the total number of class 1.1 chemical drugs and class 1 biologic drugs approved for clinical trials from January to October 2017 was three times that of 2014. Still, the number of GCP-qualified clinical trial sites did not significantly increase between 2014 and 2016.

PAREXEL and Lilly’s collaboration is based on a shared vision to address this unmet need and promote globalization and innovation of the market’s drug development. The joint program will use curriculum developed by PAREXEL Academy for clinical trial investigators, and issue certifications to professionals who complete the training. Designed by clinical research practitioners, the curriculum combines the latest policies, regulations and clinical research technologies. It also uses behavior-oriented curriculum design, real-world cases, as well as advanced knowledge and industry trends, to provide world-class expertise and practical experience for clinical research investigators. The curriculum has been reviewed and certified by TransCelerate BioPharma, Inc., an international non-profit organization focused on biopharmaceutical research and development.

Dr. Albert Siu, Corporate Vice President, Global Learning & Development for PAREXEL, said, “With its extensive global footprint, PAREXEL has accumulated rich expertise in global clinical trial management. We remain committed to providing advanced and comprehensive learning and development solutions for the world’s clinical trial sites and investigators. Based on our shared values and mission, PAREXEL is collaborating with Lilly to help even more clinical trial investigators in China and facilitate the innovation of China’s biopharmaceutical industry.”

Dr. Li Wang, senior vice president of drug development and medical affairs at Lilly, said, “As one of the first international pharmaceutical companies to launch large-scale R&D activities in China, Lilly is deeply committed to helping grow China’s clinical research workforce. We are confident that our collaboration with PAREXEL will bring more learning and development opportunities to clinical research investigators in China and help promote the globalization of China’s drug clinical research.”

A recent research report conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit and commissioned by PAREXEL identified workforce readiness as a key enabler of innovation in the life sciences industry. The report noted that allocating proper resources for training individuals in aspects such as clinical trial coordination and execution, as well as standardizing how clinical research is conducted and how study coordinators are trained, could drive better output and improve consistency.