Clinical Network Services (CNS), an integrated product development company based in Australia and New Zealand providing services in preclinical, phase I and II trials, has opened a new office near London headed by Paul Cronin, who joins as U.K. director and director, business development. 

The new U.K. office is primarily a BioDesk initiative, and CNS will continue to undertake its core business of conducting early phase clinical trials in Australia and New Zealand, given the simplicity of regulatory review and time advantages for this region. BioDesk is a global product development and regulatory planning consultancy that helps biotech companies advance into the clinic faster through creating and managing a manufacturing and preclinical program that encompasses a globalized regulatory perspective while leveraging regional advantages.

The company also has launched a new biometrics service and has appointed Otto Damsma as director of biometrics and Glynn Morrish as pharmacometrician/biostatistician at its Brisbane headquarters.

Cronin, having worked for European regulatory consultancy companies, is experienced in regulatory affairs and product development, in particular with complex biologics. Cronin also will lead the European BioDesk team supporting CNS clients requiring access to European regulatory agencies as well as European clients seeking entry to Australia and New Zealand. The London location allows for easy access to the EMA and the U.K. MHRA, both based in London.

Damsma led biometrics and IT at Yamanouchi/Astellas in Europe for more than a decade, while Morrish is an Australian pharmacometrician and biostatistician.

Mark Reid, director, BioDesk and regulatory affairs, said, “These appointments have further expanded BioDesk’s ability to engage European regulators and to bring expert statistical and PK/PD modeling capabilities to early stage product development.”