Pharmaceutical Product Development is reorganizing its overseas clinical operations and is adding two veteran life science executives as part of the effort.
Simon Britton, who has worked the past seven years at GlaxoSmithKline, will lead PPD’s clinical operations in Asia.
Paul Colvin, a 14-year veteran at Eli Lilly, will lead North American clinical operations. His most recent post at Lilly was director of clinical operations and global patient enrollment optimization.
"Paul Colvin brings extensive global development experience across a wide range of therapeutic areas garnered during an impressive tenure with Lilly," said William Sharbaugh, chief operating officer of PPD. "His experience as a leader in the trenches of clinical drug development will serve him well in overseeing our North American Phase II-IV operational unit."
Britton’s most recent post at GSK was head of international clinical operations.
"With Asia’s escalating importance to global drug development, additional leadership will enable us to drive PPD’s continued growth in the region," Sharbaugh said. "We are pleased to gain Simon Britton as a member of our team with his comprehensive international experience and proven ability to expand business scope and deliver quality results."
PPD’s Phase II-IV clinical trials operation units have also been divided into four regions – North America, Latin America, Europe-Middle east-Africa, and Asia.
"This strategic restructuring of our business units geographically will enhance our ability to leverage PPD talent globally, strengthen internal standardization of our processes and further our ability to manage complex multinational trials efficiently," Sharbaugh added.
PPD (Nasdaq: PPDI) is a global contract research organization with offices in 29 countries and 10,000 employees.
