QPS Holdings has rejigged its board, creating a new head of clinical research operations in a move that continues its efforts to cater for the increasingly globalized nature of drug trials.
The announced the new position this week, explaining industry veteran Derek Grimes, ex senior Vice President of Clinical Operations at Frontage Laboratories, will take on the role.
CEO Benjamin Chien said, “This addition of Derek Grimes to the QPS Global Leadership Team will enhance our ability to collaborate across business units to offer comprehensive custom-built clinical development programs to better address a future dominated by Biologics and Advanced Therapy programs and a demand for accelerated clinical trials.”
As head of clinical research operations Grimes will aim to align the existing global medical affairs, regulatory affairs, data services, and clinical operations units with the existing QPS Phase I clinical trial clinics.
Globalization
Creation of the new C-suite role is in keeping with QPS’ efforts to extend its reach. In 2022, the contract research organization (CRO) announced a full transformation to a globally structured organization offering preclinical, bioanalytical, and clinical trial services around the world.
At the same time, the organization formalized its medical affairs and regulatory affairs departments and appointed new leaders for those teams.
Since then QPS has expanded its clinical services operations in Springfield, Missouri to include a clinical laboratory, a self-contained pharmacy and a dedicated space to build and ship clinical trial kits.
The firm also divested its neuropharmacology business in a move Chien said was “a natural transition in the development of QPS as a full-service, global CRO.
QPS referenced these earlier efforts in a press statement announcing the new post, commenting “The addition of Grimes to this organization will further solidify QPS’ ability to serve Biotech and Pharmaceutical clients around the world.
And Grimes reiterated this point, commenting “There is huge potential in the QPS full-service global CRO offering and enhanced alignment of leadership across the units will benefit our clients tremendously.”
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