Carlos Orantes has been appointed chief operating officer of Frontage Laboratories. A 20-year veteran of contract research and life science industries, he will lead Frontage’s U.S. operations, which comprise a 60,000-sq.-ft. laboratory for bioanalysis and DMPK functions, an 88-bed clinical research unit and a portfolio of CMC services, including product development, analytical testing and CTM manufacturing.

Mr. Orantes previously served as president and chief executive officer of AVANZA Laboratories. There, he developed the company’s business strategy, and led activities related to the company’s asset purchase in 2012 by the Smithers Group. Prior to AVANZA, Mr. Orantes was general manager and vice president for Bridge Laboratories, a toxicology and immunology testing laboratory where he held management responsibility for US operations.

“Mr. Orantes brings an impressive record of designing and leading successful growth strategies for companies that are large and small, both private and publicly-held entities,” said Dr. Song Li, Frontage’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Our goal is to expand our service offerings to meet shifting industry needs, and make it easier for customers to do business with us by bringing technical guidance, excellent customer service along with new services to solve the needs of our customers. I’m confident that Frontage and our customers will significantly benefit from his business experience driving strategic initiatives as the company enters its next phase of growth.”