Rho - Executive of the Year - Health Products & Services

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Company: Rho, Durham, NC USA
Entry Submitted By: Corporate Communications Consultant
Company Description: Rho, a full-service contract research organization that helps pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies bring their products to market through high-quality clinical research services.
Nomination Category: Management Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Executive of the Year - Health Products & Services

Nomination Title: Dr Laura Helms Reece, CEO

Laura Helms Reece, Dr.Ph.,is CEO of Rho, a full-service contract research organization that helps pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies bring their products to market through high-quality clinical research services.

Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and thetransition to almost entirely remote working,Dr. Helms Reece successfully led her team to one of Rho’s most successful periods in the last decade. This includes substantial year-on-year commercial net revenue growth in fiscal year 2021, which ends of September 30.

The pandemic brought new opportunities for Rho’s Federal Systems Division. In July 2021, the company also announced that it was coordinating study titled, ‘Systemic Allergic Reactions to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination.’ This research – which is sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) – will advance understanding of potential risk factors for allergic reactions to the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. In May 2020, Rho announced that it was coordinating a new study to determine the rate of COVID-19 infection in children and family members. Titled, ‘Human Epidemiology and Response to SARS-CoV-2 (HEROS),’ the study is also sponsored by NIAID.

Under Dr. Helms Reece’s leadership, Rho has carved out a unique position in the CRO sector with:

  • High level of new business success: A significant number of new clients were won between June 2020 and May 2021.
  • Corporate longevity:Stability, with 35+ years in business.
  • Team stability, with a corporate turnover rate of well below the industry average . Rho is high touch company, committed to supporting employees’ career development.
  • Strong relationships with clinical sites:Based on Rho’s flexible and agile approach, the company receives consistent, positive feedback from sites:

"​In the past 16 years I have worked with many CROs and I can say without hesitancy, Rho has been the most organized and easiest CRO to work with in all aspects…Thank you for doing a phenomenal job!" –​ Janette A. Groth, MSN, RN Director of Clinical Research, Coastal Clinical Research Specialists-Jacksonville, Florida

  • Client loyalty and long-term relationships:Under Dr. Helms Reece’s leadership, Rho prides itself on these. Here is an example client endorsement:

"I have worked with Rho on multiple fully outsourced global clinical trials for rare diseases, and it has been an exceptional experience. The Rho team works together seamlessly on a global scale, and because team members are consistent across projects, we gain budget, timeline and communication efficiencies and as a result we have met or exceeded our timelines for every project. " – ​Monical Gangal, Clinical Operations, AzurRx BioPharma.

  • Expertise in advancing clients’ new drugs:Rho hasled 30+ marketing applications for new pharmaceuticals in the last five years. This includes 17 product approvals over the five-year period. InJune 2020 to May 2021, Rho supported six FDA marketing applications and around 20 FDA meetings.

[i]https://acrpnet.org/2021/02/26/salary-frustrations-fuel-cra-turnover-rates/
[ii]https://www.outsourcing-pharma.com/Article/2019/01/03/CRO-industry-still-plagued-by-CRA-turnover-Report

Summary:

  • Achieved substantial year-on-year commercial net revenue growth in fiscal year 2021.
  • Won a significant number of new clients between June 2020 and May 2021.
  • Is coordinating the ‘Systemic Allergic Reactions to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination’ study of allergies to the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in populations at high risk for allergic reaction compared to a general population.
  • Is coordinating the ‘Human Epidemiology and Response to SARS-CoV-2 (HEROS)’ study to help determine the rate of the new coronavirus infection in children and their family members in the U.S.
  • Was awarded a contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to manage a Statistical and Data Coordinating Center for BARDA’s Medical Countermeasures Clinical Studies Network.
  • Donated $25,000 to the Durham Public Schools Foundation to support the Accelerating Digital Equity Campaign,a community-wide effort to ensure every Durham Public School student experiences high-quality digital and remote instruction.