Q2 Solutions, the new life science services subsidiary launched by Quintiles and Quest Diagnostics last week, has a familiar face leading it as CEO: Costa Panagos, who has worked at Quintiles for the past 15 years.

So how does he feel about the new job at Q2 (pronounced Q Squared)?

Why did he decide to take the job, giving up the security of his Quintiles (NYSE: Q) role?

And what does Q2 offer in terms of improving healthcare?

WTW Insiders get the exclusive details in our Q&A:

Why did you decide to accept this new position? Was it difficult to give up the security of working for an established venture?

I am fortunate and humbled to accept the position of CEO for Q2 Solutions. The creation of Q2 Solutions presents a unique opportunity to work alongside many talented people across the globe.  

In this role, I am lucky to truly have the best of both worlds – the opportunity to create and lead a new entity, while leveraging the laboratory services strengths and great people of two industry-leading parents – Quest Diagnostics and Quintiles.

What excites you most about the new position?

I’ve been in the healthcare field for more than 20 years. My passion for bringing better medicines to market has been and will continue to be a key guiding principle. It is core to who I am as a person and is a passion that the entire team at Q2 Solutions shares with me.  

We have a world-class team coming together as part of Q2 Solutions, and I’m confident we will make a strong impact on the industry and help our customers solve their most complex drug development challenges.

At Q2 Solutions, we understand and respect our role in improving global healthcare – we treat each sample as if a life depends on it.

How can Q2 make a difference(s) in the future of healthcare?

The healthcare landscape has changed dramatically during the last decade and this pace of evolution will only accelerate

Whether it is advancements in areas such as genomics, companion diagnostics, biomarkers or many other areas of precision medicine – healthcare continues to evolve and the clinical trials laboratory services industry is no exception.

Our responsibility as Q2 Solutions is to continue to remain a leader in this evolution and provide innovative solutions and services to our customers. 

Ultimately, our responsibility is to remember the importance of the work that we do every day, to remember there is a patient out there counting on us, and to bring forward solutions that will positively impact healthcare worldwide.

With a strong backing from our two parent organizations, I believe we have a tremendous foundation to build upon and improve human health


For the record: Bio of Costa Panagos

Costa Panagos, chief executive officer, Q2 Solutions, a Quintiles Quest Joint Venture

Costa Panagos is chief executive officer of Q2 Solutions, a Quintiles Quest joint venture. Q2 Solutions is a global clinical trials laboratory services business.

Prior to his role as CEO, Costa was senior vice president and global head of Quintiles’ Global Laboratories, including Central Laboratories, BioAnalyical and ADME, as well as Cardiac Safety Services. During his career at Quintiles, he has held several leadership roles within both the Sales and Customer Solutions Management Groups, including leading Global Sales Operations, global sales management for Quintiles’ Central Laboratories and Cardiac Safety Services, as well as global lead for several large, strategic accounts. Costa is an experienced leader with a 15-year tenure at Quintiles and a strong combination of business acumen, scientific background and customer-centric approach.

He earned a bachelor of science in biology from Brown University and an MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business.