Ergomed installing Dan Weng as new CEO

Specialised pharmaceutical services provider Ergomed announced the “strengthening” of its executive team with the appointment of Dan Weng as its new chief executive officer and a board director on Friday.

The AIM-traded firm said Dr Weng was joining Ergomed with effect from 1 July from EPS Holdings, which it described as a global CRO listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

When Dr Weng joins the company, the board said its founder Miroslav Reljanovic would transition from CEO to executive vice-chairman, where he would support Dr Weng and the board in “growing and developing” the company's CRO offering, and provide “strategic guidance” on its co-development business and wholly-owned pipeline.

The board said Dr Weng was bringing “extensive experience” in managing and growing CRO businesses, including nearly six years at EPS International Holding, a subsidiary of EPSHD, where he was chairman, president and CEO.

During his tenure at EPSI, Dr Weng reportedly oversaw “significant” growth, both organically and through mergers and acquisitions in Asia, the US and Europe, with revenues increasing over five-fold.

Dr Weng's background covered “multiple” therapeutic areas, supporting all stages of development through to approval, the board explained.

He was also a board director of EPSHD and had an “active role” in corporate strategy and investor relations.

Prior to this, Dr Weng had a “proven track record” with 20 years of delivering growth in executive positions at international CROs including MedPace, Icon Clinical Research, PharmaNet and Quintiles, where he established the offering in China, Ergomed added.

He qualified as a medical doctor at Tongji Medical University, China, and currently held an MA in Health Planning, Policy and Management from the University of Leeds.

Dr Weng also held research positions at Harvard Medical School - Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of California.

“Ergomed has a history of innovation in clinical research and development and this is set to continue,” said Miroslav Reljanovic.

“I'm very pleased to welcome Dan to the team to guide Ergomed forward as we seek to build on the strong growth of our CRO and pharmacovigilance businesses.

“I look forward to contributing to Ergomed's continued success as vice-chairman, focusing on our existing and future co-development deals, our pipeline products, and the broader strategy of the business.”

Peter George, chairman of Ergomed, said: Dan had “significant” experience in growing CRO businesses globally, and was an “ideal addition” to the Ergomed team.

With the increasing maturity and scale of the business, his international experience in corporate development across all the areas of clinical research made for an “excellent fit”, George added..

Dan Weng, CEO-designate, described Ergomed as a “pioneer” in the development of novel clinical outsourcing services, adding that its site management and study physician support approach differentiated it from competitors.

“It is also taking a leadership position in the provision of pharmacovigilance services and is showing very strong growth in that part of the business.

“I look forward to joining what is an excellent team and contributing to further growth and success.”