Having served as senior-level executive at such clinical service providers as Exco InTouch and PRA Health Sciences, Steve Powell has taken the helm at SynteractHCR, succeeding Wendel Barr, the CRO’s CEO for the past six years.
“[A] respected leader who has built an impressive track record of delivering results, both strategically and operationally, with deep involvement across all facets of late stage clinical research,” as described by Ramsey Frank, partner and cofounder of Amulet Capital Partners (backer of SynteractHCR), Powell brings with him more than 25 years of leadership experience in the biopharma industry.
Powell came on board with ERT last December as it acquired Exco InTouch, where he was president and COO. Both companies were focused on electronic clinical outcome assessments.
During his time at Exco Intouch, he managed the operations and development of technology in patient engagement, data capture and digital health. Prior to the clinical research tech firm, he was with another CRO giant, PRA Health Sciences, for over eight years, serving as EVP of clinical informatics and late-phase services.
As for his new job at SynteractHCR, Powell already has a plan, which very much involves his expertise in the digital and technology side of clinical research.
“Short-term, SynteractHCR will continue to build on the highly responsive services and successful growth we have seen to date, with even greater utilization of our international resources,” Powell told FierceCRO in an emailed interview. “In addition, we will look to augment our data capabilities; my first-hand operations experience in this area is an added strength we bring to the table.
“We bring an innovative mix of process and technology, with a focused global presence, to ensure we are leaders in new, often complex trial designs with effective delivery models. With the need to develop and evaluate quickly, our customers can access the change agents of the trial process we offer and this will ensure that SynteractHCR fills the voids left by the consolidation in the industry.”
The CRO industry has been shifting toward eClinical solutions to bring down cost, streamline clinical workflow and simplify clinical research management, a trend that sees the growth of clinical software providers like Medidata, five of whose products SynteractHCR is accredited to use.