The CDRD Drug Development Training Program
CDRD offers a fusion of academia’s collaborative spirit with industry’s focus, thereby providing an excellent platform for young researchers to transition from the academic to the industrial world. Our innovative training program offers Canada’s emerging health research talent hands-on training in state-of-the-art research labs complemented by scientific and business workshops – ultimately developing scientists with the skills 21st century employers are seeking.
Our vision is to advance the knowledge and abilities of our researchers in training to strengthen the pool of highly-qualified drug development personnel, and create future leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry.
By nature, CDRD provides a rich and diverse learning environment. Trainees participate on cross-functional project teams where they work with scientists from a wide range of disciplines who are experienced in both academia and industry. Outside the lab, CDRD’s drug development workshop series, business skills training, and seminars provide an opportunity to further supplement Trainees’ knowledge base. Training partnerships are also established with complementary organizations where appropriate to facilitate networking opportunities, and provide top-notch workshops delivered by industry experts.
Outcomes
CDRD alumni have successfully gone on to obtain employment with an array of life sciences companies and research institutions including STEMCELL Technologies Inc., Xenon Pharmaceuticals, the BC Cancer Agency, Cardiome Pharma, The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, and Tekmira Pharmaceuticals. Our program is continuously evaluated by both trainees and prospective employers to ensure the program’s effectiveness in preparing researchers for careers in the biopharmaceutical industry and beyond.
CDRD gratefully acknowledges the significant contribution provided to our Training Program by the Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research Program at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
