Akela CEO Gregory Mckee, who took up the post after the merger with Nventa Biopharmaceuticals in May, explained that improving productivity rather than a drop in demand was the key motivation for the changes at PharmaForm.
He told Outsourcing-pharma that: “It is well known that [pharmaceutical companies] are watching their external spend very closely in the current economic environment, but we have found that the proprietary, niche technologies at PharmaForm remain of high interest to our clients.”
“As with many companies we are always seeking ways to become more efficient and it was abundantly clear to the new management team that there were several changes that we could make.”
McKee went on to say that, in addition to the workforce reduction at PharmaForm there had been a reconfiguration “that will allow us to provide the same high level of service to our clients with a more streamlined and focus staff.”
He added that: “Our ability to meet customer expectations around project timelines has not been compromised with these changes to our structure.”
Also under the restructuring plan Marcelo Omelczuk, Akela’s vice president of business and product development, will take charge of day to day operations at PharmaForm.
Wider restructuring
The workforce cutbacks at PharmaForm are part of a wider overhaul of Akela Pharma operations. The firm plans to close several of its international units and “centralise” its headquarters in Austin, Texas.
Taneli Jouhikainen, former acting Akela CEO will leave the company, while Rudy Emmelot, formerly with Nventa Biopharmaceuticals, has joined as vice president of finance.
Additionally, Ed Margerrison, Akela's vice president of program management, will take charge of development of the firm’s lead candidate fentanyl Taifun, which is being developed for the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain.
In a statement issued yesterday, Akela said “Management is currently formalizing a new operating plan designed to optimize value from both business segments and will provide additional guidance on its corporate objectives in the near future.”