Scrip 100
devices. Over the past year, Averion a deviation arises. A client must be able to trust
International has further developed and that Averion International cares as much about
Q. What is the outlook for the CRO
broadened its experience in the areas on which the success of the project as they do. And at
industry given the current difficult
the two legacy companies had focused their Averion International, our team and the client’s
economic climate in which budgets are
interest and know-how over the previous team are actually one team. shrinking and decision-making timelines are
decade. Our people, our processes, and our I also believe that easy access for the client to being stretched out?
knowledge of high-quality sites and physicians the senior CRO management team, which has
are exceptional in these therapeutic areas. Our hands-on experience in the planning, conduct
2009 will indeed be a challenging year for the
operational expert teams, supported by and problem resolution, is another advantage
CRO industry and we are diligently preparing
in-house therapeutic area heads and external that a company of our size provides.
ourselves to maintain our growth and
academic advisory boards, have first-hand skills
profitability.
and knowledge in bringing oncology,
Q. Can you reveal anything about your
We made the move to expand our presence
cardiovascular, dermatology and medical device
growth strategy?
on both sides of the Atlantic, streamlined our
projects from “first-in-man” to “regulatory filing”.
processes and procedures increasing our
This is what we deliver.
efficiencies, and we are now seeing the benefits.
It’s simple. If we continue to meet and exceed
Our strengths are our people, our passion for
Q.
our clients’ expectations we will win more
What do you think that your clients
excellence, our processes and our size.
business and new clients. This is the best kind
seek in an ideal CRO partner?
As a mid-sized CRO, we have the resources
of growth and this is what we expect to
necessary to meet the requirements of large
achieve.
pharma, biotech and medical device companies,
Well firstly, the most basic criterion for a CRO Moving forward, we will continue to look for
as well as the flexibility to work with emerging
partner is being able to offer experience in the opportunities that will expand our capabilities
and development stage companies. Importantly,
client’s specific product indication and and to stay at the cutting-edge of clinical trial
our size allows us to be nimble and to adapt
capabilities to match the project requirements. service offerings. Any acquisitions will be
quickly to change. Therefore, Averion
Such capabilities would include the specific strategic and must add value for our clients
International is uniquely positioned to face the
service tasks, geographical scope as well as staff and shareholders.
challenges expected for 2009.
resources to get the project done. We look to attract the best and brightest
We are optimistic about our prospects for
When you look to the next level, project professional staff to provide best-in-class
2009 because we took bold steps to create a
team chemistry is critical to the relationship. The services to our clients in our areas of
new Averion International just a year ago and
client and CRO project teams work together therapeutic focus. We will continue to set up
are continuing proactively to adapt to the
on trials over an extended period of time and operations in key countries where patient
peculiarities of a rapidly changing market!
the teams need to share the same vision, work populations and investigators are readily
values, ethics and methodologies. We must have available to meet our clients’ needs. Meeting
a solid project execution plan and associated client needs will be the primary driver for
Frances Gapper is an editor for Informa Pharma.
problem solving and escalation processes when Averion’s future growth.
www.scripnews.com/supplements Scrip 100
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