Drug Solutions Podcast: How CROs Adapt Themselves in the Ever-Changing Landscape of Cell and Gene Therapies

In this episode of the Drug Solutions podcast, Felicity Thomas, European/Senior Editor, talks to Rhonda Henry, President of Emmes’ BioPharma Group, and Adam Mendizabal, VP and Director of Emmes’ Cell and Gene Therapy Center, about the role contract research organizations (CROs) play in cell and gene therapy development. Rhonda and Adam will discuss the key factors and solutions driving growth in the CRO market with a particular emphasis on cell and gene therapies entering development pipelines, and will address some of the challenges facing the industry and best practices to ensure these limitations are overcome.

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About the Speaker

Rhonda Henry is the President of Emmes’ BioPharma Group. She holds a B.S. in nursing from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Rhonda joined Emmes with 30 years of clinical research experience holding a number of leadership positions in clinical operations, patient centricity and strategic partnerships at PPD.Before her entry into clinical research, Henry served as a nurse at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. In 2020, she was named to the PharmaVOICE 100 list of most inspiring people working in the life-sciences industry. She has been active in a number of non-profit organizations, including her current position as chair of the board of directors for The Carousel Center, a nationally accredited child advocacy center serving New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties.

Adam Mendizabal, PhD is the VP and Director of Emmes’ Cell and Gene Therapy Center. He joined Emmes in 2002 and has progressively increased responsibilities from a Biostatistician and Sr Investigator to his current role leading the expansion and of the cell and gene therapy clinical trial portfolio at Emmes. During his time at Emmes, Adam has co-authored publications across different therapeutic areas that have focused on cell and gene therapies. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Rutgers College in 2000, a Master’s degree in Statistics from Rutgers University in 2002, and a PhD in Epidemiology from The George Washington University in 2014.

About the Drug Solutions Podcast

Pharmaceutical Technology presents the Drug Solutions podcast, where the editors will chat with industry experts from across the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical supply chain. Join us as experts share insights into your biggest questions—from the technologies, to strategies, to regulations related to the development and manufacture of drug products.

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