Wendel Barr Joins Synteract as Chief Executive Former Covance COO Sees Opportunity for Growth at Well-Respected West Coast CRO

Synteract, Inc., a full-service, global contract research organization (CRO) dedicated to meeting the clinical research needs of biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies, today announced it has appointed Wendel Barr as the new Chief Executive Officer of the privately-held company, effective immediately. Barr most recently served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at Covance, a $2 billion, publicly-held, contract research company to the pharmaceutical industry.

Barr has extensive experience in establishing strategy, expanding service and product lines, and improving the efficiencies of operations for companies in the global healthcare market. Most recently at Covance, Barr led six global divisions with more than 10,500 employees and secured several industry-leading strategic partnerships. A strong champion of Six Sigma business philosophy, Barr focuses on long-term growth through strategic alliances, improving service excellence, and taking advantage of new geographic and channel opportunities. Barr had been with Covance since 2000, holding earlier senior management positions including Corporate Senior Vice President and President – Early Development, as well as Corporate Vice President and General Manager for Covance North American Laboratories.

Ellen Morgan, co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Synteract, said, “Wendel is a proven leader with great experience in growing companies on a global scale, and just the sort of manager Synteract employees will respect and admire. I am certain his dedication to service excellence, combined with his belief in investing in technology differentiators, will support and improve upon the responsive, flexible service culture for which Synteract is known. We are glad to have found an executive officer that places the same value on serving customers that we have always upheld.”

Prior to Covance, Wendel Barr was Vice President and General Manager at Marconi Medical Systems, a $1.6 billion global diagnostic imaging company. He had also held several positions of increasing responsibility with GE Healthcare including General Manager from 1984 to 1999.

“I am happy to be joining Synteract at this point in its growth phase. The company’s great service culture, enthusiastic employees, and superior track record of more than 90 percent repeat and referral business is just the type of foundation on which we can build a solid global platform,” said Barr. “It will be an exciting experience to work with this team to take this mid-sized company to the next level.”

Synteract, which prides itself on being a “CRO with Character” focusing on responsiveness and integrity, began as a 2-person company in 1995, and has grown to become an international, multi-million dollar company with more than 350 staff and offices in California, North Carolina and Prague, Czech Republic.

About Synteract

Synteract is a privately-held, full-service contract research organization, serving clinical trial needs of biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies. Synteract provides high quality, customized service, working closely with drug and device sponsors. Headquartered in California, with offices in North Carolina and Czech Republic, Synteract offers clinical expertise in multiple therapeutic areas, including a strong emphasis in oncology, central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular, respiratory, and ophthalmology. Information: www.synteract.com; (760) 268.8200

Contacts

Beth Walsh

Clearpoint Agency
858-724-2500
BETH@CLEARPOINTAGENCY.COM