Parexel appoints chief scientific officer

Parexel has promoted Dr Sy Pretorius to the position of chief scientific officer.

Dr Pretorius currently serves as worldwide head of early phase development at the contract research organisation (CRO) and will continue in that role in addition to his new duties.

These responsibilities include enhancing and leading the innovation of clinical research methodologies and helping Parexel to meet client demands. Key priorities include clinical trial modelling and simulations and adaptive trial designs.

Dr Pretorius knows the needs of Parexel well have spent nearly 18 years at the company. During this time he has served in a variety of positions, including corporate VP, clinical pharmacology in North America.

Parexel's president and chief operating officer Mark Goldberg said: “Pretorius has enjoyed a long and distinguished career at the Company, and applying his expertise more broadly will benefit customers and Parexel alike."