The Frankfurt-based company said the UK opening was in line with its strategic plans for 2011, which include establishing offices in several European countries as it seeks to offer clients a broader spectrum of services tailored to a particular country’s needs.
“The UK has always represented key strategic territory for Accovion,” said Ivana Waller, Accovion’s chief operating officer.
“In addition, with our increasing regulatory portfolio, our growing involvement in device pharmacovigilance and health economics, it had become imperative for us to be firmly implanted in London. Our new subsidiary consolidates our presence in Europe and affords us a sure platform to access the considerable local clinical research talent and respond even better to our client’s growing needs.”
Global projects
According to Waller, the London office serves to “tangibly underscore” the company’s growth target for the year, as it continues to support local and global projects of all types and phases for the pharma, biotech, and medical device industries.
Accovion has appointed former Kendle International project manager and Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACARP) chief education officer, Carl Naraynassamy, to head up its UK operations.
“We are very pleased to bring on board an experienced managing director - Mr. Naraynassamy – who is well respected for his contributions to the fields of clinical research and pharmaceutical medicine education globally,” said Waller.
“I am confident that with his vision, business acumen and clinical research expertise, Accovion’s operations in the UK will continue to prosper.”
Continuing expansion
News of Accovion’s expansion into the UK comes just six months after the company opened similar subsidiaries in Russia and the Czech Republic.
Speaking in December, Waller said the company had been pursuing clinical research activities for clients in Eastern Europe “for some time”.