LINK Medical has announced that Dr Austin Smith, a leading oncology clinician with specialist expertise in early development and strategy, joined the company as Vice President Clinical Development on December 1st.
The recruitment strengthens LINK Medical’s ability to accelerate the development of novel immuno-oncology therapies that offer the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes.
The rise of personalized medicine and immuno-oncology has resulted in an extremely active landscape of oncology drug development, with over 2,000 substances in active clinical trials globally. The development of these new therapies relies on broad multidisciplinary knowledge that includes expertise in immunology and inflammatory diseases, which Austin has gleaned from over 25 years of experience as a medical professional, states LINK Medical. In addition to this medical expertise, Austin has a deep understanding of the risks and obstacles associated with the progression of new oncology therapies to the market and will support LINK Medical’s customers with building a business case for new therapies.
“I am delighted to be joining the LINK Medical team,” said Austin Smith, Vice President Clinical Operations at LINK Medical. “I look forward to supporting our customers with strategy and planning that can accelerate their product development.”
Renowned in the CRO industry
Austin received his medical degree from the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland in 1993. He spent the following 14 years working within the healthcare system with extensive time training and working at the internationally renowned Hammersmith Hospital and The Royal Marsden Trust, rising to a position as Resident Oncologist at The London Clinic, one of the UK’s largest private hospitals. From there he transitioned into the CRO industry, and for the past decade he has held a position as Medical Director, Early and Experimental Oncology Clinical Development at Theradex Oncology. Austin has also undertaken specialist accreditation training as a Pharmaceutical Physician. Austin will be based at LINK Medical’s new UK office, situated in the heart of London.
“Austin’s oncology expertise is renowned in the CRO industry, and his recruitment will have an immediate and positive impact on our customers,” said Ola Gudmundsen, CEO at LINK Medical. “By continually building upon our capabilities in the regulatory, business and medical aspects of clinical trials for novel oncology therapies, we can ensure the delivery of superior clinical outcomes.”
