Averion, a contract research organization (CRO) specializing in oncology, cardiovascular diseases and medical devices, has expanded its European operations by opening an office in the Czech Republic.

"Averion continues to expand its European footprint to meet the needs of our clients with the opening of the Averion Czech Republic office," said Averion CEO Dr. Markus Weissbach, in a company release. "In the heart of Central Eastern Europe, the Czech Republic offers a strong clinical trial environment with large patient populations and well-qualified investigators in a broad range of indications.”

Averion is headquartered in Southborough, Mass., with European operations in Basel, Switzerland. The CRO has additional U.S. offices in California, Maryland and New York; and additional offices outside the U.S. in France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Poland, Russia, Israel, Germany, Austria, Ukraine and, now, the Czech Republic.

Dr. Libor Hubacek, country manager for Averion in the Czech Republic, will oversee monitoring and regulatory activities for studies conducted in Averion’s new Prague office. Hubacek has more than 10 years of experience in monitoring, submissions and management of clinical trials in the Czech Republic. Averion expects to hire additional staff for the Czech office in the coming months.