Celerion Appoints John Horkulak as Executive Director, Eurasian Site Operations
Celerion Appoints John Horkulak as Executive Director, Eurasian Site Operations
(Lincoln, NE; Dec 5, 2013) – Celerion is pleased to announce the appointment of John Horkulak as Executive Director, Eurasian Site Operations. Mr. Horkulak will lead the efforts to further expand the company’s early phase patient capabilities in Europe and Asia.
The appointment of Mr. Horkulak continues to reinforce Celerion’s commitment to accelerating drug development through Applied Translational Medicine. Incorporating patients earlier into clinical research programs continues to be an important step in providing better information, faster, during the drug development process. Celerion recognizes this critical client need and the importance of patient studies.
Mr. Horkulak will focus on identifying and building partnerships with specialist early phase organizations with proven access to target patient populations in Europe and Asia. By leveraging his knowledge of sites in Central and Eastern Europe that perform pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in patients with hepatic and renal insufficiency, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis as well as asthma and COPD, he will complement services offered at Celerion’s clinic in Belfast, Northern Ireland UK. In addition, Mr. Horkulak will explore new relationships to build patient access in Europe and Asia for supporting early clinical studies in neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease and oncology. Moreover, he will be guiding future investment in infrastructure and personnel in these regions that fit Celerion’s global systems and growth strategy.
“We are very pleased to have John join the Drug Development Services team at Celerion,” said Fred Pritchard, Vice President, Global Drug Development at Celerion. “His comprehensive knowledge and hands-on operational experience in conducting early phase studies in patients, particularly across emerging geographic regions, will complement Celerion’s efforts in North America and Europe to deliver on our clients’ needs for patient studies.”
Mr. Horkulak comes to Celerion with over 30 years of experience in drug development at both pharmaceutical companies as well as Contract Research Organizations (CROs). His expertise encompasses Phase I and II clinical study operations, primarily in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as general management. Before joining the company, Mr. Horkulak was the founder and CEO of a niche CRO, Pharmacon Research GmbH and, after its successful acquisition, Vice President of Patient Pharmacology at a leading CRO.
About Celerion
Celerion, a leader in early clinical research, delivers Applied Translational Medicine. Celerion applies our expertise and experience to translating information gained in research discoveries, to knowledge of drug action and effect in humans to support early drug development decisions and the clinical pharmacology labeling of new medicines.
With over 40 years of experience and 750 global clinic beds (including 24 in-hospital), Celerion conducts and analyzes First-in-Human, clinical Proof-of-Concept, cardiac safety services (TQT, robust QT), ADME and NDA-enabling clinical pharmacology studies. Celerion provides expertise on modeling and simulation, study design, medical writing (protocols and reports), clinical data sciences, biostatistics, and PK/PD analysis as well as small and large molecule bioanalytical assays through clinical drug development. Regulatory, drug development and program management complement Celerion’s service offerings. For more information please visit www.celerion.com.
Media Contact:
Farzana Azam
Celerion
Executive Director, Global Marketing
media.inquiries@celerion.com