Unimed, a contract research organization (CRO) in Prague, announced a name change and new management, following the final integration of its operations throughout Central and Eastern Europe.  The newly branded CRO—EastHORN—will continue to offer phase I to phase IV clinical trial services throughout the CEE region but plans to expand its reach to other countries within the region and perhaps as far as China and Africa in the future. The company has offices in Prague and Warsaw, as well as newly established offices in Bulgaria and Romania.

Founded as Unimed in 2004 by Ales Horacek, M.D., EastHORN is now managed by former AbCRO president Malgorzata Szerszeniewska, M.D.  AbCRO was acquired by PPD last year. Szerszeniewska also spent 11 years at Covance where she held various positions. Both Covance and AbCRO were partners of Unimed. Alan Wood, Ph.D., also a former Covance executive, will serve as chairman of the board of directors for EastHORN. Horacek remains with the company as chief operative officer.