YamakidoAt Chugai Pharmaceutical, new-graduate recruits first undergo the Common Introductory Training Program, after which they are assigned to their respective divisions and undergo OJT. How was your initial Common Introductory Training, Tanabe-san?

TanabeI enjoyed it. It was a residential training camp at the company’s facility in Toyohashi in Aichi Prefecture. All new-graduate recruits of the Chugai Pharmaceutical Group stayed at the facility for about two weeks. It helped me to switch my brain into working person mode. Also, encountering the passionate enthusiasm of other people in my cohort about the kinds of challenges they wanted to take on at Chugai Pharmaceutical made me even more motivated. I think that spending time together at the training camp with colleagues we respected helped to strengthen the bonds in our cohort.

YamakidoThe Clinical Development Division has its own original education program for new employees called CLOVER Training, where the new people do rotations to gain experience in the different departments related to clinical development. Isn’t that right?

TanabeYes. In my case, I experienced the Clinical Study Management Department (department that manages and promotes clinical study operations) for several months, after which I spend about two weeks at a Group company, Chugai Clinical Research Center (responsible for monitoring of clinical trials, data analysis, quality control, etc.), where I worked on the ground in clinical trials. From the second half of my first year, I underwent OJT training in the Clinical Science & Strategy Department (department that proposes and considers development plans and trial design, etc.), where Yamakido-san and Morioka-san both work.

YamakidoA major feature of the CLOVER program is the way it gives new employees an overall picture of clinical development in their first year, isn’t it?

TanabeI requested an assignment in the area of clinical development because I wanted to be involved in actually sending new drugs into the world, but to be honest, I did not really know about what the work actually entailed before I joined the company. I was a little nervous, but thanks to the CLOVER Training, I was able to obtain a hands-on understanding of the overall flow of clinical development, which helped me to get off to a good start after I received my official assignment in my second year.

YamakidoYou were a little hesitant at first, though, weren’t you, Tanabe-san?

TanabeMy training in the Clinical Science & Strategy Department had just started, so I was nervous about experiencing new tasks in a new team. Seeing me in that state, Yamakido-san told me to feel free to say whatever I was thinking.

YamakidoThat’s right. Tanabe-san came to me for advice, saying he was finding it difficult to communicate with the other team members. Our company adopts a total flex-time system with no core time requirements. It is entirely up to the employees what hours they work, so it is okay if they want to leave the office early, say, three or four o’clock in the afternoon. They can also leave the office for one or two hours during their work. It is the company’s style that, as long as each employee is fulfilling their work responsibilities properly, it doesn’t matter what working hours they keep. Naturally, new employees are also entitled to adopt the same working style, but Tanabe-san said that he was feeling a gap.

MoriokaCertainly, our department is like a cluster of sole proprietors, in which each member is in charge of their own project, so communication among the team members may be a little difficult.

YamakidoWhen Tanabe-san asked me for my advice, I felt that he might have a point... So I asked him to be more proactive in speaking to and greeting other team members. Once Tanabe-san started speaking to the other team members more proactively himself, I think the atmosphere in the workplace started to change a little, becoming one that was more conducive to members seeking each other’s advice.

TanabeEven though I was still new and in training, you both respected my views and created an environment in which I was able to work more freely. I am really grateful for that.

MoriokaAfter you finished the CLOVER Training and it came time for you to be formally assigned, I was sure you would come to our department, so I was a little disappointed when I heard you had gone to Clinical Study Management (laughs). I really wanted you to come and work with us. Even so, with your willingness to study hard and improve yourself, I’m sure you’ll be able to achieve growth no matter what department you are in.

YamakidoWhat makes clinical development special is that we ourselves drive the plan that we think is best from the various development plans and trial design proposals. With many diverse options to consider, the deliberation process can be quite tough, but we want young people like Tanabe-san to take on challenges without worrying about making mistakes. As their superiors, we want to support these young people fully in their challenges.

TanabeI was sad to leave you both, but my aim is to first become a leader in my current department so I can lead clinical development with my own judgment and responsibility. Also, with a view to my future career, I want to put more effort into studying English. I am currently taking advantage of the SIP (Self Innovation Program), the company’s in-house self-improvement program, to take online English lessons once a week. I have a feeling that my next project will involve meetings in English, so I am preparing now so I can handle it.

MoriokaCommunication in English will become critical in clinical development from now on. When I first joined the company, I had virtually no English skills and even today, I am desperately trying to acquire them in the course of my work. There is a group of employees who hold English conversation lessons on a voluntary basis, and there are even Chinese and Korean lessons available, so it is a good environment to hone your language skills.

TanabeI would love to do an overseas posting too one day. Also, because Chugai Pharmaceutical is brimming with innovative minds, I want to incorporate new methods into clinical development and change operations for the better.

YamakidoI hope you will take on more and more challenges. I look forward to seeing you flourish and succeed!