The Research Institute is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity for full and associate ACCP members. The PPD Bioanalytical Fluid and Tissue Sample Grant Award supports the bioanalytical research efforts of ACCP member researchers. PPD is a leading global contract research organization (CRO) providing discovery, development, and post-approval services as well as compound partnering programs. The primary purpose of the in-kind support grant is to allow ACCP members the use of state-of-the-art PPD laboratory facilities for conducting their sample analyses. This grant is for in-kind support at either the Richmond, VA or Madison, WI sites of PPD using their advanced state-of-the-art facilities.

The Global Central Laboratories at PPD have joined the Bioanalytical Laboratory in offering an expanded list of assays available to ACCP member researchers. Tests such as lipoproteins, leptin, BNP, proinsulin, VEGF, apolipoprotein, endothelin 1, and ICAM, together with standard clinical laboratory tests, can be run at PPD Global Central Laboratories’ services, located in Highland Heights, Kentucky (just outside Cincinnati).

The overall goal of the Bioanalytical Fluid and Tissue Sample Analysis Grant is to assist developing researchers in improving their competitiveness for extramural funding and to support their evolving research careers by providing access to state-of-the art laboratory facilities. This goal will be achieved by having the investigator experience the running of his/her samples firsthand at a PPD facility in a dynamic and active learning environment within a world-class laboratory facility.

PPD is a leading global contract research organization (CRO) providing discovery, development, and post-approval services as well as compound partnering programs. PPD’s clients and partners include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and academic and government organizations. This grant was established by Fred Eshelman, PharmD, long-time ACCP member, former Board of Trustee of the Research Institute. Dr. Eshelman is founder and Chief Executive Officer of PPD.

The PPD Bioanalytical Fluid and Tissue Sample Grant Award supports the bioanalytical research efforts of ACCP member researchers. The purpose of these awards is to provide funding for in-kind support of bioanalytical sample analysis. The grant will not support the research proposals involved in the collection of the samples. Funding for the grant is limited to in-kind support of the analysis only.

Award winners will be reimbursed for travel, housing, per diem costs associated with the ACCP member's time at the PPD Bioanalytical Laboratory.

The ideal candidate for this grant is an ACCP full or associate member who has previously stored biological samples that are ready for analysis at the time of his/her application. In addition, this investigator does not have access to the technical expertise, equipment, or financial resources necessary to perform the analyses at his/her home institution.

A complete listing of the PPD Bioanalytical Laboratory tests can be found by clicking on this link.

Work can also be done at the PPD Global Central Laboratories’ services, located in Highland Heights, Kentucky (just outside Cincinnati). For a complete list of tests available at that facility, go to http://www.ppdi.com/services/labs/global_central_labs/pdf/listofservices.pdf.

At a state-of-the-art PPD Bioanalytical Laboratory facility in either Middleton, Wisconsin or Richmond, Virginia, the investigator will work with on-site scientists to perform the analyses. As a result of this unique experience, the investigator will become versed in the entire process of the bioanalysis. The intent is not to train the award recipient on how to perform the bioanalysis, but rather, to allow the recipient to experience the analysis close-up in a hands-on manner and thus be able to understand the processes, limitations, and strengths of the bioanalytical technique. The investigator will become well-versed in the bioanalysis in order to better explain and defend the use of such bioanalytical techniques when presenting the results. As such, the ACCP member will not have the option of sending samples for analysis to PPD beforehand or of sending a technician or nonmember in his/her place. Dates for award recipient travel to the PPD facility will be determined at mutually agreed to times.

More typical clinical laboratory tests can also be done at the PPD Global Central Laboratories’ services, located in Highland Heights, Kentucky (just outside Cincinnati).

There is an open call for applications. ACCP and PPD will jointly review submitted grant applications and work with awardees to coordinate schedules and procedures.

Dr. R. Donald Harvey recently returned to Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute after winning a visit to learn and work with scientists at the Richmond, Virginia, state-of-the-art PPD (Pharmaceutical Product Development) bioanalytical laboratory for his proposal titled, “Defining the Interaction of Docetaxel and Lonafarnib in Advanced Malignancies.”

Dr. Harvey, the first ACCP member to receive the Investigator Development PPD Bioanalytical Fluid and Tissue Grant Award, returned with high praise for his experience, stating that “the staff [at PPD] is clearly the greatest asset; everyone I interacted with was professional, informed, motivated, and willing to answer any questions I had.” He continues: “My research samples were used as a case study on assay development, validation, and conduct. I was provided a broad experience with representatives from all aspects of the bioanalytical enterprise.” “Overall,” he concludes, “I was very impressed with the dedication to [the] quality, precision, and accuracy of the sample analysis process, and I have a new appreciation for the effort. The extensive development, updating, and use of SOPs clearly ensure everyone is provided ample instruction on bioanalytical methods.”

Among the scientists within the PPD facility in Richmond, the positive sentiment was shared. As stated by Bruce Petersen, Ph.D., Senior VP Labs/Phase I, “The experience gave Dr. Harvey a whole new understanding of how a bioanalytical lab operates…. His visit was mutually educational and motivational. Dr. Harvey came a visitor and departed a colleague.”

Do you have stored samples waiting to be analyzed? The American College of Clinical Pharmacy Research Institute, in conjunction with PPD, is pleased to offer this unique opportunity for full and associate ACCP member clinical pharmacist investigators to conduct bioanalytical sample analysis on their own research samples at a state-of-the-art PPD laboratory in 2009. Winners of this in-kind grant award will be reimbursed for their transportation and housing costs while working at the PPD facility. PPD will cover the costs associated with the actual analysis. Applications will remain open until 2009 funding is depleted. Download an application from www.accpri.org/bioanalytical/application.aspx and apply today. Members with any questions are encouraged to call the Research Institute at (913) 492-3311.

On behalf of the Research Institute's Board of Trustees, we express our sincere thanks to PPD for offering ACCP's members this unique professional development opportunity.