Words by GOLD newsdesk
Collaboration between the pharmaceutical industry and academia is on the rise, according to a recent survey from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
The data, collected from a biennial survey containing responses from 14 major pharmaceutical companies, shows promising results for greater integration of young talent into the industry, with growth in support of student training and research placements – notably so in the apprenticeship sector.
The number of apprentices being trained by pharma companies is at its highest ever at 825, up by roughly a third since 2019, and postdoctoral jobs have doubled to 564 during the same period, which is also the highest number ever recorded.
Undergraduate placements have also increased by more than 16% to 697 and PhD studentships with an industrial placement have increased nearly 10% to 601, both since 2019, although these fall short of their respective highs of 704 in 2017 and 702 in 2003.
Commenting on the survey results, Andrew Croydon, Director of Examinations, Skills and Education Policy, ABPI said: “There are huge benefits from collaboration between industry and academia. This includes the practical – like sharing of resources and the ability to use academic knowledge to solve real-world problems in industry. There are also intangible benefits, like demystifying each other’s sectors, and building networks with diverse teams from different scientific backgrounds.”
