Allucent has appointed industry veteran Paula Brown Stafford as chief executive officer (CEO) to advance the next phase of its expansion.

Stafford succeeds Mark A. Goldberg, M.D., in a planned transition. She offers more than 35 years of industry experience.

Experience

At Quintiles (now IQVIA), Stafford played a key role in growing its CRO services. As president of the global life science provider’s largest business unit, she led 22,000 employees across 60 countries in delivering Phase I-IV clinical research services. She was also president, CEO and chairman of Novan Inc., a clinical development-stage biotechnology company.

Stafford’s contributions to the life science industry and North Carolina community have been recognized by multiple organizations. The Triangle Business Journal presented her with its Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in Business (2022) and Fierce Biotech named her one of the 10 top women in biotech (2012). The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where Ms. Stafford serves as an adjunct professor for the Gillings School of Global Public Health, presented her with its Distinguished Alumna award (2016).

Former CEO Goldberg, who will continue to serve as chairman of Allucent’s board of directors, stated: “Paula is known for her dynamic leadership and unwavering commitment to helping deliver needed therapies to patients. Having held key positions at both a biotech business and leading CRO, Paula brings a unique perspective and expertise in drug development that will greatly benefit our clients and team. Her proven track record in creating value and driving innovation, combined with her passion for operational excellence, will be instrumental in advancing Allucent’s continued success and growth.”

Stafford remarked: “With three decades of CRO experience and seven years leading a small biopharmaceutical company, I am proud of my contributions to the industry’s growth and am well-versed in the needs of smaller companies in today’s drug development landscape. I look forward to leveraging this expertise to tackle our clients’ toughest challenges and expedite the delivery of novel therapies to patients in need.”