Former FDA head Califf launches new research network with “people” at its core

Robert Califf—FDA commissioner for 11 months before the new administration came in this year, and now back at Duke University—has launched a new nonprofit clinical research network that aims to place people at its core rather than other more traditional drivers of the drug development industry. In a move not seen before by any research groups, said Califf, the new People-Centered Research Foundation (PCRF) will have a board that’s at least 20% occupied by patients, study participants, patient advocates and/or patient caregivers who will help direct research questions, protocol design and implementation.

PPD launches veteran CRA training program in industry shift toward competency-based standards

Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD) is turning to veterans to grow its future clinical research associate (CRA) workforce. The company said in a recent announcement it will recruit military veterans with medical backgrounds as apprentice trainees in the CRA field, which has been reported to be experiencing a labor shortage. “The apprenticeship program is designed to circumvent the standard work experience requirement,”  Tim Neathery, vice president, Human Resources at PPD, told CenterWatch. “It is a proficiency-based program and we expect participants to progress through the program in a year’s time. It allows individuals to get accelerated exposure and move more quickly into a CRA role.”

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