BOSTON, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PAREXEL International Corporation today announced that Herman Scholtz, MBChB, MMed, FCA (SA), has been appointed Vice President and Worldwide Head of the Company's Clinical Pharmacology business. Professor Scholtz succeeds Bernhardt H. Meyer, MD, PhD, FFPM, who will be retiring effective June 30, 2004. Dr. Meyer will remain a key PAREXEL contributor in a consulting capacity until that date. Professor Scholtz assumes responsibility for the worldwide network of clinical pharmacology research units and bioanalytical laboratories. The PAREXEL Clinical Pharmacology International Network encompasses five locations in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa and France.
"Dr. Scholtz possesses expertise in clinical pharmacology and in managing First in Man and Proof of Concept clinical trials as well as full development programs. He will be well-positioned to make immediate contributions to client projects," said Josef H. von Rickenbach, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We thank Professor Meyer for his many contributions over the years. We look forward to his continuing involvement with the Company up until his retirement, thus facilitating a smooth transition for PAREXEL, the Clinical Pharmacology Network and, most importantly, for our clients."
Professor Scholtz started his career in clinical pharmacology eleven years ago with FARMOVS, which was acquired by PAREXEL more than three years ago, and has held several scientific and senior management positions within the Clinical Pharmacology Network. Most recently, he held the position of Chief Executive Officer, FARMOVS-PAREXEL Clinical Research Organization in Bloemfontein, South Africa. As a clinical pharmacologist, Professor Scholtz was responsible for the establishment of a state-of -the-art glucose clamp unit in 1995, a pivotal advancement in the development and registration of various anti-diabetic and insulin products.
Professor Scholtz is a trained anesthesiologist and holds degrees in medicine, MBChB, from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and anesthesiology, MMed, received Cum Laude from the University of the Free State and is an anesthesiology fellow of the South African College of Medicine both located in South Africa.
In a related development, Sybrand G. Pretorius, MBChB, MBA, was appointed Head of FARMOVS-PAREXEL in place of and reporting to Professor Scholtz. Dr. Pretorius assumes responsibility for the management of the unit's bioanalytical laboratory and clinical pharmacology research facility comprised of 90 dedicated beds. Trials conducted at this unit include proof-of-concept, drug interaction, single and multiple dose, specialized PK/PD and biomarker, glucose clamp, spiro-ergometry, and bone densitometry studies. Dr. Pretorius earned his MBChB degree and Master's degree in Pharmacology from the University of the Free State, South Africa. In addition, he possesses a Masters degree in Business Administration from Potchefstroom University, South Africa.
PAREXEL is one of the largest biopharmaceutical outsourcing organizations in the world, providing a broad range of knowledge-based contract research, medical marketing and consulting services to the worldwide pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. With a commitment to providing solutions that expedite time-to-market and peak market penetration, PAREXEL has developed significant expertise in clinical trials management, data management, biostatistical analysis, medical marketing, clinical pharmacology, regulatory and medical consulting, industry training and publishing and other drug development consulting services. Its information technology subsidiary, Perceptive Informatics, Inc., develops and offers a portfolio of innovative technology-based products and services that facilitate clinical drug development and are designed to decrease time to peak sales. The technology portfolio includes web-based portal solutions and tracking tools, Interactive Voice Response Systems (IVRS), Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), electronic diary and investigator database solutions. Perceptive also offers advanced medical diagnostics services to assess rapidly and objectively the safety and efficacy of new drugs, biologics, and medical devices in clinical trials. PAREXEL's integrated services, therapeutic area depth and sophisticated information technology, along with its experience in global drug development and product launch services, represent key competitive strengths. Headquartered near Boston, MA, PAREXEL operates in 57 locations throughout 37 countries around the world, and has 5,050 employees.
PAREXEL is a registered trademark of PAREXEL International Corporation, and Perceptive Informatics is a trademark of Perceptive Informatics, Inc. All other names or marks may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged.
This release contains "forward-looking" statements regarding future results and events. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "expects", "intends", "appears", "estimates", "projects" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual future results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this release. Important factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, risks associated with: actual operating performance; actual expense savings and other operating improvements resulting from recent restructurings; the loss, modification, or delay of contracts; the Company's dependence on certain industries and clients; the Company's ability to win new business, manage growth, and attract and retain employees; the Company's ability to complete additional acquisitions and to integrate newly acquired businesses or enter into new lines of business; government regulation of the drug, medical device and biotechnology industry; consolidation within the pharmaceutical industry; competition within the biopharmaceutical services industry; the potential for significant liability to clients and third parties; the potential adverse impact of health care reform; and the effects of exchange rate fluctuations and other international economic, political, and other risks. Such factors and others are discussed more fully in the section entitled "Risk Factors" of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter December 31, 2003 as filed with the SEC on February 10, 2004, which "Risk Factors" discussion is incorporated by reference in this press release. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's estimates as of the date of this release. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the future. These forward- looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's estimates or views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
CONTACT: Kate McCorriston, Manager, Corporate Communications (610) 565-2622 x2630 kate.mccorriston@parexel.com
PAREXEL International CorporationCONTACT: Kate McCorriston, Manager, Corporate Communications of PAREXELInternational Corporation, +1-610-565-2622 x2630,kate.mccorriston@parexel.com
Web site: http://www.parexel.com/
