PPD, a global contract research organization, has launched Expert Community, an online, interactive area on its corporate website where company and other industry professionals can engage in an exchange of ideas and opinions regarding important clinical research topics and trends.

The online community presents concepts and insights from PPD leaders on timely topics such as patient safety, globalization, biologics in drug development and advanced technologies for managing clinical trials. Experts and professionals are invited to comment on the featured topics and respond with their own views about these important industry issues.

Expert Community features the latest industry topics in a variety of multimedia formats through PPD's video portal and resource library. It also delivers comments and opinions from industry events in easy-to-follow live feeds.

“The biopharmaceutical industry continues to face significant scientific, regulatory and economic challenges that require new ideas, expertise and innovation," said Mike Wilkinson, executive vice president of clinical development for PPD. "Expert Community will foster an online exchange of viewpoints where experts can gain insights and understanding from their peers. It is an important venue for sharing forward-thinking opinions about how we can work together toward a common goal of advancing global drug discovery and development.”

 Users can access Expert Community at http://www.ppdi.com/expert_community.