Parexel Joins Forces with ACRO to Help Administer and Oversee COVID-19 Testing in UK

Nearly 30 Parexel employees with medical and clinical expertise volunteer as trainers and validators in UK testing sites


BOSTON, and DURHAM, N.C., May 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parexel, a leading provider of solutions to accelerate the development and delivery of innovative new therapies to improve world health, from Clinical through Commercialization, today announced the deployment of nearly 30 employee volunteers to help administer and oversee COVID-19 testing across the UK in partnership with the Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO).

The Parexel volunteers are among a team of 150 individuals with medical and clinical expertise from clinical research and technology organizations who are responding to ACRO’s call to administer throat and nasal swab tests at COVID-19 testing centers throughout the UK. Parexel volunteers include doctors, nurses, laboratory professionals and clinical scientists from the UK team, including the Early Phase Clinical Units (EPCUs), who will serve as trainers and validators to ensure the accuracy of procedures within testing sites.

“At Parexel our colleagues are truly passionate about the work they do for patients, more so now than ever,” said Jamie Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to be part of this critical effort, and we applaud our colleagues who are stepping forward to volunteer their time and expertise to aid those on the frontlines taking care of patients. They are truly the perfect reflection of our mission and what ‘Delivering with Heart’ is all about.”  

Parexel employee volunteer Gersende Bonin, Manager of Clinical Operations for UK & Ireland, said she had been looking for ways to aid in the pandemic effort when this opportunity was presented to employees. “Ever since the beginning of this pandemic, I have been wanting to do more, so as soon as I heard about this initiative, I immediately volunteered to participate,” Bonin said. “I am grateful to Parexel for the opportunity to join this effort and to all the clinically trained professionals in our industry who are supporting patients and the healthcare system during these challenging times.”

Contributing to the UK testing initiative is just one example of how Parexel is working to combat COVID-19. Across the world, the company is partnering with customers on more than 50 pandemic-related projects, leveraging its clinical and regulatory expertise to advance the development of preventive and therapeutic agents ranging from antiviral drugs to immunomodulatory drugs to vaccines and diagnostic devices. The company is adapting and innovating ongoing studies to incorporate remote and virtual elements such as telehealth visits, at-home care and direct-to-patient medical shipments through its Decentralized Clinical Trial (DCTs) offering to facilitate continuity of clinical research during the pandemic.

For resources and information on Parexel’s clinical, regulatory, and Decentralized Clinical Trial (DCT) expertise related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit our COVID-19 resource center.

About Parexel
Parexel is focused on supporting the development of innovative new therapies to improve patient health. We do this through a suite of services that help life science and biopharmaceutical customers across the globe transform scientific discoveries into new treatments for patients. From clinical trials to regulatory and consulting services to commercial and market access, our therapeutic, technical and functional ability is underpinned by a deep conviction in what we do. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedInTwitter and Instagram.

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Parexel Media Relations
Wendy Ryan, Senior Director, Corporate Communications
+1 781 316 4424
wendy.ryan@parexel.com