INC Research has named Jamie Macdonald as its next president and chief executive officer as part of a planned succession that will see James Ogle step down from the CEO’s role at the beginning of next year while continuing as chairman of the US-based clinical research organisation (CRO).
In the last couple of years INC has joined the top ranks of global CROs, notably by acquiring Kendle International for around US$232 million in May 2011.
It built on that momentum by acquiring Australian CRO Trident Clinical Research in June 2011 and forging a Functional Service Provider (FSP) alliance with Astellas Pharma Global Development for multiple clinical development programs across a number of therapeutic areas last April.
“With integration behind us and INC Research solidly positioned for the future as a top-tier CRO, now is the time for me to transition away from the day-to-day leadership of the company and into the role of chairman,” commented Ogle, who was chief executive officer of the pre-Kendle INC Research and retained that position in the combined entity.
Macdonald came from the Kendle side of the business, but as a very new arrival at the time of the acquisition. He was appointed senior vice president and chief operating officer of Kendle with effect from 1 May 2011, moving to Kendle from Quintiles. The merger agreement with INC was announced on 4 May 2011.
Taking over from Jamie Macdonald as COO of INC Research will be an INC stalwart, Alistair Macdonald, who is currently president, Clinical Development Services.
Executive leadership
Ogle and the two Macdonalds will assume their new roles on 1 January 2013.
The C-suite reshuffle complements recent moves by INC Research to strengthen its executive leadership team, including the appointments of Neil Ferguson as executive vice president, business development and of Christopher Gaenzle as general counsel, the CRO noted.
It said Jamie Macdonald had been “central to the leadership” of INC Research over the past year and was a “key architect” of the company’s growth strategy.
Macdonald has more than 15 years’ senior-management experience in the CRO and biopharmaceutical industries. Before joining Kendle, he was senior vice president and head of global project management at Quintiles.
“I am thrilled to lead INC Research at this exciting time as we continue to further build our organisation and leverage our enhanced global scale, therapeutic capability and proven Trusted Process to compete for increasing strategic alliance and partnership opportunities with our customers,” Macdonald commented.
The COO-in-waiting, Alistair Macdonald, will bring to the role nearly 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including senior management positions in manufacturing, consultancy, business and corporate development, data management and clinical operations.
He joined INC Research in 2002 and was previously head of the company’s Oncology Therapeutic Business Unit.
Ogle tenure
Mr. Ogle recently completed his ninth year as CEO of INC Research. He has also been on the company’s board of directors since 2003.
During Ogle’s tenure, INC Research grew from just 225 employees to nearly 5,000 today, spanning six continents and with a customer base that includes all of the top 10 biopharmaceutical companies worldwide, pointed out noted INC Research Board member David Burgstahler, president of Avista Capital Partners.
Avista, a private equity firm, and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan agreed to acquire INC Research from an investor group led by Crosspoint Venture Partners and Adams Street Partners in August 2010.
