CRO Aptuit has named Jonathan Goldman as its next CEO, recruiting a veteran from rival Icon ($ICLR) and rounding out its executive suite after months of shakeups.
Goldman replaces Timothy Tyson, now the CRO's chairman, leaving an executive vice presidency at Icon, where he managed business development and operations. With Goldman appointed, Aptuit has completed a long-running leadership change that has brought in new C-level managers and numerous VPs.
"I'm delighted to join Aptuit and look forward to working closely with the entire team to leverage an outstanding value proposition that is unique in our industry," Goldman said in a statement. "Pharma has an unmet need for lower cost, increased speed and better quality in drug discovery and development. Aptuit is the ideal partner to meet these needs across a comprehensive suite of services, supported by an approach that is both scientific and innovative."
The privately held Aptuit employs about 800 people across its early- to mid-stage service segments, and the company is still hammering out its identity after selling its sizable clinical trial supply business to Catalent last year. That divestiture led the CRO to refocus itself on R&D, and COO Stuart Needleman, appointed after the sale, said Goldman's experience will help Aptuit take shape as a development-focused outfit.
"Over the past few years, we have achieved an impressive track record of success in delivering drug discovery and development results in multiple therapeutic areas," Needleman said in a statement. "... Aptuit continues to forge ahead on a serious path of aggressive growth, and Jonathan is an industry leader who can help us to get to the next level through his focus on top-line opportunities."
- read the announcement