PPD Strengthens Oncology Expertise for Drug Development

WILMINGTON, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC (PPD) today announced it has appointed Panteli Theocharous, FIBMS, Ph.D., FRCPath, as vice president of global product development in the hematology/oncology therapeutic area.
“Panteli brings extensive expertise in hematology and oncology and biopharmaceutical R&D to PPD’s global product development team,” said Rob Dow, senior vice president of medical affairs for PPD. “Panteli is a recognized thought leader in oncology, and throughout his career he has worked on marketing authorization applications, lifecycle management and pricing and reimbursement negotiations for more than 20 hematology and oncology molecules.”
Hematology and oncology form one of PPD’s leading therapeutic areas, with more than 400 studies with clinical components conducted in this area in the past five years. PPD’s commitment to hematology and oncology development is evidenced by the company’s clinical support of 40 percent of the new drug applications (NDA) and supplemental new drug applications (sNDA) approvals over the past three years.
Theocharous most recently served as vice president and head of clinical medical affairs at Cell Therapeutics, Inc., Life Sciences in London. Previously, he was with Johnson & Johnson, where he held leadership
positions in global medical affairs, clinical development and regulatory affairs for the company’s hematology/oncology research and development programs.
Theocharous earned a bachelor’s degree in medical biochemistry from King’s College, University of London; a master’s degree in applied clinical hematology from the University of Westminster; and higher
degrees in medicine, specializing in hematological oncology, from the Royal Free and University College Medical School at the University of London, where he later was a director of stem cell transplantation and
cellular therapeutics. He serves as an honorary patron and medical expert for the Leukaemia Cancer Society.
About PPD
PPD is a leading global contract research organization providing comprehensive, integrated drug development, laboratory and lifecycle management services. Our clients and partners include pharmaceutical,
biotechnology, medical device, academic and government organizations. With offices in 46 countries and more than 15,000 professionals worldwide, PPD applies innovative technologies, therapeutic expertise and a firm commitment to quality to help clients and partners bend the cost and time curve of drug development to deliver life-changing therapies that improve health. For more information, visit www.ppdi.com.
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and assumptions, including statements, expectations and assumptions about the appointment of Panteli Theocharous, FIBMS, Ph.D., FRCPath, and the future performance of PPD’s global product development, contained in this news release, are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although PPD attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based and could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Other important factors that could cause future results to differ materially include the following: the ability to attract, integrate, retain and train key personnel; risks associated with and dependence on strategic relationships; risks associated with acquisitions and investments; competition in the outsourcing industry; PPD’s ability to win new business; overall global economic conditions; economic conditions, research and development spending, and outsourcing trends in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and government-sponsored research sectors; loss, delay or modification of large contracts; higher-than-expected cancellation rates; the rate of conversion of backlog into revenue; consolidation in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; rapid technological advances that make our services or capabilities less competitive; the ability to control SG&A spending; compliance with drug development regulations; changes in the
regulation of the drug development process; and actual operating performance. PPD assumes no obligation and expressly disclaims any duty to update these forward-looking statements in the future, except as required by applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing PPD’s estimates or views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.