Longevity firm Ichor Life Sciences has launched a clinical trial services business citing market demand for bespoke drug development support.
The new business – called Ichor Clinical – will provide drug developers with protocol design, site identification and qualification services as well as recruitment and retention strategies.
CEO Kelsey Moody said the aim is to provide “biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients with a single partner to navigate preclinical work through clinical trials.
"As both a clinical research organization (CRO) and longevity drug development company, Ichor brings together a unique combination of expertise that allows our team to understand clients' needs and develop innovative solutions that address their most difficult challenges.”
Ichor’s new study business will also be led by Lisa Sonneborn, who will serve as president. Her previous experience includes running trials in Alzheimer's disease and NASH. She also founded Clarity Clinical Research.
Sonneborn cited this experience as key, commenting “Having worked on numerous clinical trials and gained insight into the complex issues that sponsors and sites often face, Ichor Clinical is well-positioned to anticipate and resolve challenges, ensuring the efficient and effective progression of trials.
"We concentrate on tailoring solutions to our clients' specific needs by identifying key issues, ultimately enabling companies to advance their pipelines and contribute to building a healthier world."
Ichor was founded in 2013 as a “longevity biotechnology company” with the stated aim of developing therapies with the potential to treat age-related diseases.
The firm further expanded its presence in the drug development services space in 2020 when it acquired Woodland Biosciences, a provider of preclinical research support with a focus on protein sciences and characterization.
Ichor also counts several firms in its portfolio, including Lysoclear, which develops recombinant enzyme therapies for eye disorders; LentoBio, which makes developing small-molecule therapeutics that target molecular damage driving age-related disease; and Auctus Biologics, which develops antibody mimetics for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
DepositPhotos/Tzido