When it formed in 2006 Argint found Central and Southern Eastern Europe (CEE, SEE) lacked clinical research training resources. Consequently, it sent its clinical research associates to the UK to take part in training courses offered by Brookwood International Academy.
Brookwood and Argint have now expanded their relationship to bring training courses to CEE and SEE. This will expand the “very limited options” currently available to firms seeking to train staff in the region, Steve Dobbin, chief operating officer at Argint, told Outsourcing-Pharma.
Dobbin said growth in numbers of clinical research professionals has lagged behind increases in clinical trials. This has created a need for training which can produce the skilled workforce required to support sustainable growth in the region.
Argint plans to meet this need by offering Brookwood training courses. This entails Argint trainers running courses using methods and materials provided by Brookwood. Argint will use its knowledge of CEE and SEE to help Brookwood expand its geographic reach.
Currently Argint employs one trainer but plans to expand the team in the near future. These trainers will learn the Brookwood methodology with a view to offering the first course, titled 'Foundation Course in Clinical Research’, in the first quarter of 2011.
Argint has discussed the courses with some clients that have expressed an interest. Furthermore, Brookwood has contacts with major pharma companies and will use these to support Argint. Dobbin said the partners intend to have “a very collaborative relationship”.
Training courses will be run by Argint in Austria, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.