Preston clinical trial site opens for business

The Panthera Preston site

Panthera, the newly-launched independent clinical trial site management organisation (SMO), has opened its first site in Preston, with a second site in North Manchester to open in March.

This is in line with the company’s aim to have at least four sites in the UK by the end of 2020.

Chief executive Stuart Young said: “We are really making progress. We can now offer our CRO (contract research organisation) and pharma clients the ability to recruit thousands of patients in trials which involve the many conditions treated in primary care.”

All of the Panthera sites are, or will be, strategically located to maximise partnerships within NHS mega-primary care sites or at major hospital trusts.

This ensures that each site has access to substantial patient numbers, key clinical skills and works closely with the health service.

The Panthera Preston site will be expanding next year when it moves into a purpose-built super-practice which is presently under construction under the leadership of site manager, Gillian Woods.

Panthera is in advanced discussions on a South Manchester site, which it is planning to open in May, and is in negotiation on several other sites, including Glasgow.

Specialist models to deliver oncology, neurology and NASH patients are being developed for later in the year, with discussions on sites in Europe also being pursued.

“What is really encouraging is the interest from both pharma and CROs who continue to look for high quality, independent sites to deliver large numbers,” said Mr Young.

“We have been inundated with enquiries. With our dedicated team we are able to quickly respond to requests for feasibilities and can contract quickly to avoid unnecessary delays. This enables us to begin recruiting within weeks, rather than months.”

Led by founders, chairman, Prof John Lyon, previously a senior global executive in Covance, and Dr Ian Smith, chief medical officer and founder of Synexus, Panthera has assembled one of the most experienced teams in the SMO industry.

Other executives include CEO Stuart Young, formerly UK country manager of Synexus, and Jane Restorick, chief commercial officer of Panthera, formerly chief operating officer of Synexus.

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