Argenta is restructuring its Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) division to improve customer experience and enable greater collaboration to advance animal health therapies. This restructuring also brought along leadership changes in the company.
In recent years, Argenta’s Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) business has grown substantially, both organically and through several acquisitions. In addition, the company has progressed its product development partnership with NovaQuest. Now, the company has restructured RD&I into two new divisions, CRO Services and Pharmaceutical Development Services (PDS), each with its own dedicated leadership and focus. With this restructuring, Argenta aims to better leverage the scale and expertise of its CDO, CRO and Product Development teams across the world to improve its services and offerings to clients.
“The new structure will enable us to work together more efficiently, deliver our strategy more effectively, and provide the best service to our customers and co-development partners,” said Will Downie, CEO at Argenta.
LEADERSHIP CHANGES
As a result of the restructure, Edward McGruder, Global Head of RD&I, has decided to leave the company and pursue new career opportunities. McGruder joined Argenta in 2019 and during his tenure, the company has benefitted greatly from his expertise, network in the animal health industry, and vast R&D experience.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank Edward for everything he has done for the company, for the leadership legacy he leaves us with, and wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” Downie added.
To lead CRO Services, Patxi Sarasola, DVM, PhD, MSc, will take up the newly created role of Global Head of CRO Services. Sarasola will work closely with the CRO leadership teams across the US and Europe to build out the business, ensuring strong customer delivery and drive sustained growth. With over 23 years of experience in the CRO market, Sarasola brings deep expertise in the veterinary field, together with an impeccable track record of customer excellence and collaborative leadership, Argenta explained. As Sarasola moves into this new global role, David Sabaté will succeed him as General Manager, Argenta San Sebastian. Sarasola will be a member of the Executive Leadership Team, and the CRO teams in the EU and US will report into him.
Argenta also announced that Charley Cull, DVM, PhD, MBA, will be promoted to Head of Pharmaceutical Development Services. In this position, Cull will build on his current responsibilities at MVS and senior leadership experience. Charley Cull will drive connectivity across Argenta teams and MVS to provide a truly unique range of services to the company’s clients.
Cull brings extensive expertise in the Animal Health industry, is dedicated to finding the most innovative solutions for customers, and has an impressive track record in R&D. He will also be part of the Executive Leadership Team and, in addition to his retained responsibilities at MVS, Argenta Product Development and Global CDO will report to him.
Argenta explained that it is confident that this new structure will better leverage its scale and combined expertise to innovate and develop products from ‘molecule to market’ for customers and co-development partners.
