CRO

Novum reaches into N. Dakota for clinical trials

CRO Novum has opened its latest hub for clinical trials, expanding into Fargo, ND, in an effort to grow the company's footprint and diversify its offerings.

The site is already recruiting patients and planning to kick off its first studies in November, the company said, beginning with a focus on dermal and transdermal research and eventually offering early-phase services as Novum scales up.

"Fargo represents the perfect opportunity for Novum and our clients, providing us with added capacity, committed study participants and a strong local team of clinical and scientific talent," CEO Christopher Chamberlain said in a statement.

The latest addition falls in line with Novum's sites in Houston, Pittsburgh and Las Vegas, NV, and the CRO has spent the year beefing up its capabilities at each. In August, the CRO cut the ribbon on a 55,000-square-foot early-stage facility in Houston, an addition the company said it needed to accommodate its rapid growth.

Over the summer, Novum recruited former PRACS Institute Chief Scientific Officer Alan Copa to lead as vice president, tasking the 20-year CRO veteran with overseeing its clinical expansion, including the latest jump into North Dakota.

"This is an exciting time for Novum," Copa said in a statement. "Novum's Fargo clinic will operate with the high standards of safety, quality and integrity that our clients have come to expect."

- read the announcement