The partnership between PPD and NHS Research Scotland (NRS) will work to further minimize study start-up times, streamline regulatory approval processes and increase the number of patients recruited for clinical trials.
The initiative also ensures the availability of resources and training to increase the number of physicians and support staff conducting research.
The collaboration includes a range of Phase I-III trials across multiple therapeutic areas, as well as biosimilar and post-approval studies.
The therapeutic areas under research include cardiovascular disease, dermatology, gastrointestinal disease, infectious disease, inflammation/immunology, metabolic disease, neuroscience, oncology, ophthalmology, psychiatry, respiratory disease, stroke and tissue research.
Health Nicola cabinet secretary Sturgeon said the aim of the alliance is to further strengthen Scotland as a global center of excellence for clinical research.