Chapman University, KGI to develop school of biopharmacy

CLAREMONT, Calif. — Chapman University and Keck Graduate Institute are set to establish a school of biopharmacy at the KGI campus in Claremont, Calif.

The school, which is slated to open in fall 2014, will focus on preparing graduate pharmacists for professions in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry as well as for modern pharmacy practice.

"This collaboration is a remarkable opportunity," said James Doti, president of Chapman University. "It builds on KGI's innovative professional master's and postdoctoral programs and close biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry ties, and takes advantage of Chapman's strengths in computational sciences and entrepreneurship."

The two universities have begun a national search for an entrepreneurial founding dean. The first classes for the Chapman-KGI School of BioPharmacy will be held on the KGI campus in Claremont, while Chapman pursues construction of a 120,000-sq.-ft. Science Center in Orange, Calif.

"The Chapman-KGI School of BioPharmacy will embrace this change in the profession," said Sheldon Schuster, president and professor of biochemistry at Keck Graduate Institute. "Current advances in genomics and the growing convergence of therapeutics, diagnostics and medical devices are creating new opportunities for pharmacists in the life-sciences industry and modern clinical practice. This new school will help prepare highly qualified individuals to take advantage of those opportunities."

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