Akesis, a Lake Wylie, S.C.-based contract research firm specializing in phase II-IV clinical dermatology services and regulatory affairs consulting, has appointed John L. Capicchioni as its new president.

Capicchioni will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and managerial oversight of the company while driving growth and assuring quality, cost optimization and best business practices to pharmaceutical, device, generic, formulation development and biotechnology companies.

Capicchioni brings 22 years of global CRO experience to Akesis. He has held a broad range of executive leadership positions, overseeing global sales, project management, marketing and client services. He has served as senior vice president of business development for global early clinical and bioanalytical research at MDS Pharma Services (now Celerion), where he directed the pharmaceutical and generic segments. He has also held senior posts at Phoenix International Life Sciences. Capicchioni has also served on the board of directors of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association as the elected member for CROs.