Synteract,
an innovative CRO partnering with biotech and pharma companies to bring
new medicines to market, continues its commitment to specialized Centers
of Development as it adds two new executives to the team. Christopher
Heckman, RN, BSN, joins as the vice president for oncology development
and will build the company’s Center of Development in Oncology
while Art Wamil, M.D., Ph.D., joins as senior medical director and lead
neurologist to further strengthen its Neuro
Degenerative and Rare
Disease Centers of Development. Since focusing its expertise in five Centers
of Development in 2018, Synteract has seen increasing opportunities
in its biopharma business, especially in oncology and neuro degenerative
areas, coming from both rare disease and non-rare indications.
With 23 years of clinical research experience, Christopher Heckman is an
accomplished leader with management, clinical and business development
experience. He possesses a broad experience base across the drug
development lifecycle, with both strategic and operational lines of
responsibility, with hands-on engagement in all development phases as
well as global registration experience. Previously, he has held
leadership positions for portfolio management with both large and small
CROs and managed an oncology product to regulatory approval for a major
pharmaceutical company.
Dr. Wamil is a neurologist/electrophysiologist with more than 20 years
of scientific and medical experience in the healthcare and
biotech/pharmaceutical industries, primarily in neurology,
neuroscience/CNS, and diagnostic medicine fields, working with both
adults and children. He has co-authored more than 30 scientific papers
and over 70 scientific abstracts, posters and presentations, and is an
active member of AAN,
AES,
MDS,
AHA/ASA,
and AMA.
CEO
Steve Powell says, “We are delighted to add these experienced
leaders to the organization as they both offer breadth and depth of
knowledge in their respective therapeutic areas and a keen understanding
of what is needed to move studies through the complex clinical
development process. Their years of experience and expansive scientific
and medical capabilities will add to our already strong teams. I am
confident they will be valuable additions in informing the best
strategies for the trials we undertake on our clients’ behalf.”
Dr. Wamil received his M.D. and Ph.D. from Medical
University of Lublin (MUL) in Poland and completed his internships,
residencies and fellowships at MUL, Vanderbilt
University, and Northwestern
University/Children’s Memorial Hospital. He trained in
electrophysiology/epilepsy and previously served on the faculty in
Neurology and Anesthesiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for
over 10 years.
Mr. Heckman received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Organic
Chemistry from Misericordia
University and completed coursework for an MBA in Finance at the Iacocca
Institute at Lehigh University, both in Pennsylvania.
About Synteract
“Bringing
Clinical Trials to Life” represents Synteract’s commitment to engage
with drug developers, patients, investigators, and regulatory experts,
to bring insights to action and make better therapies a reality. With
800 employees across 21 countries, Synteract
supports biotech and pharma companies across all phases of drug
development to help bring new medicines to market. Synteract has
conducted nearly 4,000 studies on six continents and in more than 60
countries. It has contributed to more than 240 product approvals.
Synteract offers a notable depth of therapeutic expertise in oncology,
dermatology, neuro degenerative, pediatrics, and rare and orphan
diseases. Connect on LinkedIn
and Twitter.
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