PharmaNet Development Group Expands Phase IV Team

PharmaNet Development Group, a leading provider of drug development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, generic drug and medical device industries, today announced the appointment of three key additions to its Phase IV development team: Ron Weishaar as Executive Director of Observational Research, Mike Nelson as Executive Director of Health Economics and Outcomes Research, and Ken Ashman as Executive Director of European Operations. These new appointments strengthen PharmaNet’s position as a leading provider of Phase IV study expertise and services, enabling life sciences companies to establish product safety and value in both a strategic and scientific manner.

Under the leadership of Jeff Trotter, Executive Vice President, Phase IV Development, the PharmaNet team provides the vision and clarity needed to support healthcare industry clients’ post-approval safety and commercialization goals. The expanded Phase IV development team demonstrates PharmaNet’s commitment to designing and implementing programs of any scale that meet the objectives of pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

As Executive Director, Observational Research, Dr. Ronald E. Weishaar has global responsibility for the design and implementation of non-interventional studies and patient registries. Having been involved with all aspects of drug discovery and development for over thirty years, Ron has focused in the past decade on post-approval prospective research programs, including most recently a five-year FDA-mandated safety registry for a newly approved arthritis treatment. He has also coordinated Phase IV projects involving at-risk patient populations, with a particular emphasis on the challenges of clinical research in seniors. Ron holds a BS and MA in Chemistry and a PhD in Pharmacology.

Dr. Michael Nelson has been a thought-leader in the field of health economics for over twenty years, with broad experience in contract research, disease management, and provider services. As Executive Director, Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR), Mike will spearhead PharmaNet’s global services to clients seeking to document the economic and humanistic (quality-of-life) value associated with their products. Mike has designed and implemented outcomes research programs in a broad array of therapeutic areas, with considerable experience in economic modeling, database analysis, pricing and reimbursement, and both prospective and retrospective studies. Mike holds a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree.

Rejoining PharmaNet after five years, Ken Ashman brings substantial operational expertise as Executive Director, European Operations. Reflecting significant current and anticipated increased post-approval research activity throughout Europe, Ken will coordinate Phase IV activity for global, pan-European, and country-specific projects. With extensive experience in all stages of clinical study operations, and considerable recent expertise in post-approval research, Ken leverages the Phase IV team’s technical capabilities in safety and risk management, interventional and observational studies, and economic analysis for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device clients in Europe. Ken holds a degree in Applied Biological Sciences.

Jeff Trotter, Executive Vice President, Phase IV Development, PharmaNet Development Group, comments: “We are delighted to welcome Ron, Mike, and Ken to our Phase IV development team, rounding out our existing leadership team. The new appointments strengthen our position as thought-leaders in the global Phase IV arena and enable us to continue maximizing the value of post-approval research for the benefit of pharmaceutical and medical device companies worldwide. Ron, Mike, and Ken join us at a particularly opportune time, as clients are increasingly looking for leadership, vision, and technical expertise to help them navigate the complex and evolving post-approval landscape.”

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