The University of Liverpool is delighted to announce a unique collaboration with Labcorp Drug Development, which is the contract research business of Labcorp, a leading global life sciences company with an established Clinical Research Unit based in Leeds. For over 30 years, Labcorp has conducted clinical research for some of the world's leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
This new strategic partnership will see Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics trainee doctors from Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spend 6–12-month secondments in the Labcorp Drug Development’s Leeds unit.
Whilst working in the NHS, exposure to first-in-human studies is very limited, therefore the secondments will enable the trainee doctors to learn about these studies. Trainees will take it in turns to rotate through the unit, and this will allow them to gain experience that will enhance their knowledge and expertise, as well as support generations of more doctors able to lead first-in-human studies in the UK. Whilst on secondment in Leeds, the NHS trainee doctors will work full-time for Labcorp; they will not have any NHS responsibilities and will work as Labcorp Clinical Research Physicians.
Labcorp will also fund a new position in Liverpool named the ‘Labcorp Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacology,’ which will build clinical pharmacology capacity across the NHS and the University of Liverpool. This will be a 4-year training post and will be recruited through a competitive application process.
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, David Weatherall Chair of Medicine at the University of Liverpool said:
“Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics is a vital specialty for the NHS, academia and Industry, acknowledged by the British Pharmacological Society, the Life Sciences Vision and ABPI. This collaboration with Labcorp further enhances the training we offer to clinical pharmacologists in Liverpool, with the ability to work between the NHS, University of Liverpool and Industry. The UK is world-renowned for its expertise in early phase trials, and collaborations such as this will further enhance inter-disciplinary working and the trials infrastructure.”
Dr Jim Bush, Vice President Medical, Clinical Pharmacology Services from Labcorp said:
“Through this collaboration with the University of Liverpool, Labcorp Drug Development will provide NHS trainee doctors with experience in conducting first-in-human clinical trials, the basis for all additional clinical development. The Labcorp Clinical Research Unit in Leeds has been conducting high quality Phase I studies for more than 30 years and we welcome the opportunity to work with trainee doctors who will rotate through our unit. Furthermore, this agreement will strengthen the working relationship that we have built with the Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics team at the Royal Liverpool Hospital over the last 10 years or so.”
Professor Paul May, Director of Clinical Academic Development at the University of Liverpool said:
“This exciting collaboration will enhance the training offer that we are able to provide to our Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics medical trainees whilst also supporting our world-leading academic expertise in this area. It will help us to attract and retain the brightest clinical pharmacologists and we look forward to working with Labcorp over the coming years.”