RESTON, Va., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PRA International , one of the world’s leading global clinical research organizations (CROs), today announced that it has added further scientific expertise in the therapeutic areas of oncology and central nervous system disorders.
Dr. Teresa DeLuca, MD, MBA, joins the company as Senior Director, Global Product Development Services, CNS. Clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Anthony Risser, PhD, joins the company as Director, Global Product Development Services, CNS. Dr. Ute Berger joins PRA as Director, Global Product Development Services, Oncology.
“We are pleased to welcome Drs. DeLuca, Risser and Berger to the PRA International team,” said Dr. Monika Pietrek, Executive Vice President, Global Scientific and Medial Affairs. “They help advance our capabilities in the respective clinical areas of psychology, neurology and oncology.”
“The scientific expertise we bring to our pharmaceutical and biotech clients is what separates us from other clinical research organizations and enables us to conduct complex global studies,” said Pat Donnelly, President and CEO of PRA International. “Drs. DeLuca and Risser are adding additional depth to our CNS franchise, which saw a 60% increase in new business awards last year. Dr. Berger helps us solidify our industry-leading position in oncology.”
Dr. DeLuca is a board certified psychiatrist with an additional certification in psychopharmacology. Most recently, Dr. DeLuca worked at GlaxoSmithKline as a research and development liaison to key opinion leaders and investigators. She also served as GSK’s representative to national medical associations. Previously, she spent several years in clinical practice and in the public health sector. Dr. DeLuca received her MD from St. George’s University School of Medicine.
Dr. Risser brings to PRA an extensive academic background in numerous central nervous system disorders. He joins PRA from the University of Houston where he most recently directed distance learning courses in biopsychology and explored web-based clinical study applications. Dr. Risser received his PhD in clinical neuropsychology from the University of Victoria, and completed a Hawn Senior Fellowship in symptom research at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr. Berger brings to PRA extensive experience in oncology and hematology, with special expertise in leukemias and lymphomas. After receiving her MD from the University of Heidelberg, she served in increasingly more senior faculty positions at the University of Heidelberg. She is certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Internal Oncology. Dr. Berger held numerous professional positions, including: Medical Coordinator at the Study Center of the German CML Study Group; Managing Director of the German Competence Network “Acute and Chronic Leukemias"; and Scientific Network Manager of the “European LeukemiaNet”.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties relating to PRA International’s future financial and business performance, as well as any other predictive statements dependent upon future events or conditions, or that include words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “may,” “will,” “estimate” or similar expressions of futurity. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which represent the Company’s statements only as of the date of this news release and are not intended to give any assurance as to actual future events. Factors that might cause future events to differ include: our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; our ability to continue providing our services effectively, including the quality or accuracy of the data or reports provided and our ability to meet agreed upon schedules; the ability and willingness of our clients to continue to spend on research and development at rates comparable to or greater than historical levels; trends or events affecting the CRO industry and the demand for CRO services; government regulation, including regulatory standards applicable to CRO services; evolving industry standards; and technological changes. Events relating to PRA International could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements and general business and economic conditions. Although these statements are based upon assumptions the Company believes to be reasonable based upon available information, they are subject to the foregoing risks and uncertainties as well as those described more fully in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of our annual report on Form 10- K. This document can be accessed in the SEC’s EDGAR database found at http://www.sec.gov. Please note that PRA International assumes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this release, except as required by applicable securities laws.
About PRA International
PRA International is one of the world’s leading global clinical development organizations, with over 2,400 employees working from offices in North America, Europe, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. PRA, an ISO 9001:2000 registered company, delivers services to its clients through a unique approach called Project Assurance(R), which represents the Company’s commitment to reliable service delivery, program-level therapeutic expertise, easy, global access to knowledge, and involved senior management.
To learn more about PRA International, please visit http://www.prainternational.com or call our World Headquarters at +1 (703) 464-6300.
PRA International
CONTACT: John Lewis, Director-Marketing and Public Relations of PRAInternational, +1-703-464-6338, lewisjohn@praintl.com
Web site: http://www.prainternational.com/
