David F. Hale, chairman and CEO of Hale BioPharma Ventures, has founded a new CRO, Agility Clinical, in Carlsbad, Calif.

The CRO will focus on providing customized clinical research and consulting services to small and virtual biotechnology, specialty pharma, medical device and diagnostic companies. 

"Agility's mission is to provide services to small and virtual biopharma companies, with a focus on treatments or diagnoses for children and orphan diseases,” said Hale. “While Agility will provide traditional CRO services, companies may also choose from a menu of services that addresses their specific needs.”

Hale, who has been involved in the Southern California life sciences industry for over 25 years, has been involved as founder, CEO or chairman of several companies, including Hybritech, Gensia, Viagene, Santarus, Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, SkinMedica and Neurelis.  Hale will serve as Agility Clinical’s chairman of the board and has recruited an executive management team of industry veterans who have significant experience in the design, execution and completion of clinical trials, including Ellen Morgan, Marilyn Carlson, DMD, MD, Elizabeth Ludington, PhD, Kristi Clark, MBA, and Ali Sadighian.

Morgan, who will serve as CEO, brings 30 years of industry experience to Agility Clinical. She was co-founder, CEO and chairman of Synteract, a California-based CRO which grew to over 300 employees, and provided clinical services to hundreds of companies. She is also founder and CEO of the first non-profit CRO, Public Health Alliance for Clinical Trials (PHACT), whose mission is to conduct clinical trials for neglected diseases in developing countries.

"The name Agility Clinical was chosen to reflect our corporate culture and mission.  Small and virtual companies need service providers that are agile, affordable, experienced and dedicated," said Morgan. "Agility will provide exceptional service while keeping costs reasonable. At Agility, we will not only be able to support biopharma with the expertise and dedication they require, but our focus on pediatric and orphan drug studies will help the patients with the greatest need."