Celerion has expanded its clinical operations to South Korea through a partnership with Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH). The new office is located within the SNUH Clinical Trials Center and provides Celerion with access to the 80-bed clinical research unit specializing in clinical pharmacology, oncology, and pediatrics, as well as to the center’s staff. John Horkulak, executive director, Eurasian Site Operations will oversee the new office. Mr. Horkulak has more than 20 years of experience in managing clinical pharmacology studies in patient populations.
 
The SNUH Clinical Trials Center focuses on translational medicine and supports Celerion’s strategic objective to provide global services for the growing interest in complex early clinical studies, often involving patients. Additionally, Celerion has audited three other clinical trial centers in South Korea to support multi-site early clinical studies in patients.
 
“We are very pleased to have a presence in South Korea through our partnership with Seoul National University Hospital,” said Susan Thornton Ph.D., president and chief executive officer at Celerion. “They are a highly respected institution and among the global leaders in the conduct of quality medical research. Collectively, we are in a solid position to successfully conduct and analyze complex clinical pharmacology studies involving patients with access to specialized equipment and facilities.”
 
“It is an honor for us to partner with Celerion, a global leader in early clinical research,” said Prof. Yung-Jue Bang MD Ph.D., president of the Biomedical Research Institute at SNUH, who also serves as the Director to the Clinical Trials Center. “The partnership enables us to participate more actively in global drug development programs as well as supporting the early clinical research needs for the emerging Korean drug discovery industry.”