We are pleased to say that 2021 has seen PHARMExcel busier than ever. From delivering the Worlds’ first Booster Vaccine clinical trial leading to the shaping of UK Government policy, to welcoming new, key staff appointments and undertaking several charity events for Macmillan Cancer Support, Team PHARMExcel showed dedication to the cause.
As we complete 2021, our Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Yvanne Enever looks back at the Company’s highlights over the last year and takes time to look forward to 2022.
Despite a challenging year professionally and for some, personally, I have been inspired by the entire PHARMExcel Team for their continued resilience and sheer hard work. Whilst this year has undoubtably provided its fair share of challenges, the Team has not only risen to them, but they have demonstrated their tenacity and passion to continue to provide quality driven CRO services.
Company Highlights
Over the last year, we have invested significant leadership, thought, time, resource, and care into shaping our Company.
Our main objectives for 2021 were to:
- Work with industry experts to consolidate and accelerate our company growth activities, including consolidation of our marketing strategies
- be a systems-driven organisation, delivering high-quality services to agreed deadlines, time and time again.
Our priorities and work were based on feedback from staff, clients, our key partners, and industry experts. This help was instrumental in shaping our activities and we continue to benefit from your participation and collaboration.
Our key areas of development have been to increase staff capacity. From February onwards we have seen new appointments, increasing our staff capacity by nearly 50% across our Clinical Operations, with expansions throughout study/project management, CRA and CTA teams. We also welcomed our Head of Quality Assurance who has been instrumental in shaping our QMS and will be leading us through ISO accreditation.
In our financial year ending Mar 2021 we saw an increase in turnover by 128%– growth which was achieved despite many of our existing projects being placed on hold due to the pandemic.
New ways of working
Most of our early work has been focused on the delivery of our Covid vaccine trials, and latterly, concentrating on re-starting many of our “on hold” projects. The flexibility and agility of staff during this time allowed us to re-prioritise our work and deliver our covid studies alongside our non-covid work.
2021 saw the “fast track” covid service- only possible due to the robust collaboration seen between sponsors, manufacturers, and regulators.
Study start-up times were significantly shortened, with approvals, in some instances, being achieved within 7 working days.
I cannot continue at this point without saying a huge thank you to the thousands of volunteers that stepped forward and enrolled in our studies, and to the NHS for not only delivering the trials but also supporting the roll out of the UK Booster Vaccination programme. None of the incredible work achieved this year would have been possible without you all. I have truly been humbled by what has been achieved.
Fundraising
Team PHARMExcel know how to work hard and play hard -with staff putting themselves forward in the spirit of fundraising. Macmillian Cancer Support was PHARMExcel’s chosen charity for 2021, a charity very personal to me having lost relatives and loved ones to Cancer.
Throughout this year Team PHARMExcel have organised quiz nights, a serpentine swim and a 100k run, along with the all-important staff bake-off. This was always going to be a tough event when our Financial Controller is a remarkable baker-so the challenge was on! We saw (and tasted) some amazing bakes, culminating in star baker being awarded to our HR Manager. In total we have raised a staggering £2,701, taking us over our target of £2,000.
The Year Ahead
As we move into 2022, our focus is on further development of our infrastructure and technology to support trial delivery. We will also be increasing our commercial partnerships, expanding our European activities, and undertaking ISO accreditation. It’s an exciting year ahead.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my staff and partners for embracing the PHARMExcel vision, putting our clients first and committing themselves to the substantial role that PHARMExcel will play in the CRO industry.
And finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a healthy and prosperous new year!