Parexel International, a global biopharmaceutical services provider, and Kyoto Pharmaceutical University (KPU), a private pharmacy and science university, have announced a new joint program for clinical research and clinical trial management. The academic program offers undergraduate students an accredited, seven-week course designed to prepare them for careers in the biopharmaceutical industry.

The collaboration is intended to meet the needs of a growing number of Japanese biopharmaceutical companies conducting clinical research inside and outside of Japan as part of global drug development initiatives. The course combines Parexel’s extensive regulatory and clinical research expertise with Kyoto Pharmaceutical University’s extensive experience developing highly specialized research abilities in their “pharmacist-scientists” students. All classes will be conducted in English by non-Japanese lecturers from the Parexel Academy and are consistent with global clinical trial standards and practices. The first session begins in KPU’s fiscal year 2016 and will be offered annually.

“In Japan, clinical trial management is not widely taught in an academic setting. In partnership with Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, we are offering a unique educational program that provides a functional foundation in clinical research and clinical trial management. We believe this program is an innovative way to accelerate the penetration of global standards of clinical research in Japan while also helping to address the current clinical research workforce shortage in the country,” said Shogo Nakamori, corporate vice president, Asia-Pacific, and general manager of Parexel Japan.

Parexel established operations in Japan in 1995 and has more than 1,000 employees based in Tokyo, Kobe and Osaka. The company provides clinical research services, consulting and technology offerings to drug developers. In addition, for more than a decade, the Parexel Academy has designed and implemented a wide range of learning programs tailored to enable clinical research management practices for learners inside and outside of Parexel in Asia, Europe and the U.S. Since inception, about 1,000 students have graduated from the Academy’s programs.