PRINCETON, NJ - Apr 12, 2019 - The WIRB-Copernicus Group® (WCG™) is pleased to announce the addition of several prominent executives to its Site Division and the expansion of its Global Research Network™ (GRN) of investigative sites. WCG is the leader in supporting clinical research sites in their critically important work of conducting clinical trials.

“We are privileged to announce the addition of Jonathan Zung, PhD, to WCG’s Site Division,” said Donald A. Deieso, PhD, Executive Chairman and CEO of WCG. “As the Executive Vice President of our Site Division, he will oversee a team of experts dedicated to supporting the work of institutions, academic medical centers (AMCs) and the growing number of independent sites engaged in clinical research.”

Dr. Zung joins Stuart Horowitz, PhD, President of Institutions and Institutional Services; Sean Walsh, MBA, ACHE, President of Independent Sites; and Cerdi Beltre, Senior Vice President of Institutional Services on the executive leadership team of WCG’s Site Division. Each member of the team is a seasoned professional with experience in the biopharma industry and tenure in senior roles within investigative sites.

“Stuart has been an invaluable member of the WCG executive team since 2012; he joins me in welcoming Jonathan, Sean and Cerdi to our newly-expanded Site Division,” continued Dr. Deieso. “We have respected and admired their work for quite some time and are thrilled to put their skills and experience to use in support of our growing site network.”

WCG also welcomes David Wynes, PhD, to its Site Division as an expert and external advisor. Dr. Wynes is the former Vice President for Research Administration at Emory University. “David is a well-respected colleague and long-time friend,” commented Dr. Zung. “We could think of no better person or more qualified administrator to guide our team as we support administrative personnel and investigators in the development of continuous improvement programs to drive positive and lasting change in site productivity and performance.”

WCG maintains contractual relationships with more than 3,000 of the leading institutions and AMCs in North America - and serves thousands more independent sites - in the execution of their clinical research activities. Western IRB (WIRB), the anchor of the WIRB-Copernicus IRB Division, enjoys a 50-year history of excellence as the trusted partner to institutions, and a reputation as the “Gold Standard” in the industry. 

WCG established the Global Research Network (GRN) several years ago; it is a network that now includes more than 2,800 of the leading research sites which participate in sponsor-funded clinical trials. Added Dr. Zung, “We are committed to expanding our GRN - the premier network of sites available in the industry - with the inclusion of additional independent sites aiming to attract more industry-sponsored trials. Having managed clinical research activities at several independent sites, including Raleigh Neurology, Sean Walsh is uniquely qualified to oversee this important initiative.”  

“I can personally attest to the power of the GRN and to WCG’s overall approach,” said Mr. Walsh. “It resides in WCG’s recognition and appreciation of the essential role of the site within the clinical trial enterprise. New therapies could not be brought to market without sites: in a clinical trial, the site is where science and operations intersect.”

Membership in WCG’s GRN provides a number of benefits including continuous education, advisory services, and relationship building with biopharma sponsors within targeted therapeutic areas. There are no fees or other financial requirements for membership - only the commitment to performing high-quality clinical trials. Interested parties should contact Mr. Walsh at swalsh@wcgclinical.com for further information. 

About WCG (WIRB-Copernicus Group)
WCG (WIRB-Copernicus Group) is the world's leading provider of solutions that measurably improve the quality and efficiency of clinical research. The industry's first clinical services organization (CSO), WCG enables biopharmaceutical companies, CROs, and institutions to accelerate the delivery of new treatments and therapies to patients, while maintaining the highest standards of human subject protections. For more information, please visit www.wcgclinical.com or follow us on Twitter @WCGClinical.