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Drake Vanadro Drug Development Fellowship Program

The Vanadro-Drake University Drug Development Fellowship, unique to the Midwest, provides pharmacy graduates the opportunity to gain a solid foundation and competitive edge within the industry through intensive training in various aspects of new drug development.


The drug development fellow works with many different industry partners to provide groundbreaking patient care to patients globally. The Fellowship provides interactions with drug companies, the Food and Drug Administration, research laboratories, and didactic training in numerous aspects of research. Additionally, the fellow is able to gain teaching experience in Drake’s Doctor of Pharmacy program.

Program Information

  • Participation in various client meetings to provide insight and guidance into development of an appropriate clinical pharmacology plan.
  • Development of study documents including protocols and protocol concepts, IND submission documents, and various synopses.
  • Engagement in literature reviews, data analysis, and reporting of data to client’s and various other stakeholder’s.
  • Management of pharmacokinetic responsibilities of contract research organizations (CROs).
  • Evaluation of study design to ensure appropriateness and compliance within the recommendations of ICH/FDA guidelines.
  • Participation in hands-on laboratory research training under the supervision of a Drake Professor.
  • Lecture presentations of drug development topics to Drake University faculty and students. 

Company Overview

Founded in 2018, Vanadro Drug Development Consulting is a group of clinical pharmacists specializing in the development of drugs in the realm of immuno-oncology. The Vanadro portfolio spans all types of therapies from small molecules to large molecules, as well as, cellular therapies. Vanadro has a unique opportunity as a consulting firm to be involved in every aspect of drug development from R&D to pre-clinical work and beyond. Vanadro is dedicated to the success of our clients. As such, Vanadro employees work diligently to provide insight on study design, regulatory guidance, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties of new chemical entities (NCEs). Vanadro provides its clients with full pharmacology packages from literature reviews, to pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses, population pharmacokinetic modeling, and more.

Immuno-oncology

Immuno-oncology is truly one of the most exciting, while at the same time, very challenging areas of oncology research and development. Immuno-oncology development attempts to utilize the full power of one’s immune system to be able to fight the cancer. These molecules are developed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and to attack the cancerous cells. Finding the balance between toxicity and efficacy can be quite challenging making this one of the more arduous drug development pathways.

August: Application will open

  • Applicants are required to have obtained a PharmD by the start of the fellowship.
  • Required documents:
    • Letter of interest
    • CV
    • At least 2 letters of recommendation

Mid-October: Application will close, and the first round of interview invitations will be released.

Early November: First round of interviews will occur.

Mid-November: On-site interviews/Offer extension.