Chip Jennings, the new chief executive officer at etrials Worldwide, is making changes at the company that works with clients to turn clinical drug trials into “e-trials.”
After the markets closed Monday, etrials (NASDAQ: ETWC) disclosed the hiring of an interim chief operating officer and the launch of a client services practice. The former COO will lead the new business unit.
Peter Benton joins etrials as COO on an interim basis. He has more than 20 years of experience in the life science and aerospace industries, including nearly four years at Johnson & Johnson. Benton received an MBA in finance and strategy from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
The company is searching for a permanent replacement while working with Benton on a contract basis for up to six months.
Benton replaces Robert Sammis, who will serve as vice president of the client services group.
“This is the first of many strategic steps in transitioning etrials into the most comprehensive patient information solutions provider in the industry,” Jennings said in a statement.
“Peter’s extensive background in process re-engineering, coupled with his pharmaceutical drug development experience, makes him well-suited to build on the success of etrials and further support our customers’ needs to drive improvements in their cycle time and ability to launch products more quickly,” he added.
etrials works with clients to provide services such as software, electronic data capture and electronic diaries.
Jennings replaced John Cline as CEO.
