Singapore: TranScrip Partners, a UK-based specialist contract research organization (CRO) that started its operation in Hong Kong, will be led by Mr James Thorburn, who has over 25 years' experience in clinical R&D involving drugs and medical devices. Recently, TranScrip appointed Dr Glen Pater as its APAC head.

As part of his extensive experience in Hong Kong, Mr Thorburn helped to establish the Clinical Trials Center at the Faculty of Medicine in the University of Hong Kong, and currently serves as Hong Kong's regional director for PACRA (Pan Asian Clinical Research Association).

In his new role, Mr Thorburn will be supporting TranScrip's continuing interests in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, including China and India and will be working closely with TranScrip Partners Australia, who are all already running projects in APAC.

The UK-headquartered TranScrip Partners have recently established their office in the US. Further expansion into the APAC region is an important milestone in establishing TranScrip Partners global presence. It follows the opening of offices in Australia in September 2012 and is underpinned by the continuing increase of contracts into this region.

"Establishing TranScrip's office in Hong Kong is the next step in our global strategy for growth and will consolidate our presence in Asia-Pacific, a region which we see as being highly significant with regard to pharmaceutical drug development and sales", said Dr Flic Gabbay, managing partner, TranScrip.