In 2013, there were cases in which clinical research papers on antihypertensive drugs conducted at five universities in Japan were retracted. Based on this case, the clinical research system in Japan was reviewed, and it was particularly required to strengthen the conflict of interest (COI) management system. Clinical Trial Act effected in April 2017 imposed a conflict of interest management obligation on researchers conducting clinical research. Conflict of interest management is accountability for the society and patients and protection of the cutting-edge research. This reviews the necessity and purpose of conflict of interest management and introduces the types of research and the required management of conflict of interest.
Keywords: Academia-industry collaboration; Clinical research; Clinical trial act; Conflict of interest.