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by Jen McFarland – August 28, 2023
DURHAM – Velocity Clinical Research is celebrating.
The company, founded in 2018, has achieved many successes, adding recent partnerships with Merck and Privia Health. And earlier this month, the company ranked 543rd on the Inc. 5000 of the fastest growing private companies in the United States.
But on a hot August afternoon, Velocity staff were celebrating the opening of their last Durham location by sponsoring a back-to-school event at Eastway Elementary School. Executive Director Paul Evans was in attendance and Community Outreach Manager Joesph Henderson helped with the grill to feed the loads. of academics and parents.
“I think everything went very well. The kids were thrilled to go back to school and then be able to eat in their garden,” Henderson said. “It was wonderful. “
Henderson is the kind of thoughtful and enthusiastic user you look for at your network events. Although he speaks softly, he is also sincerely interested in communicating with you and finding out how he can help you. Although he joined the company only in April of this year. Año, has known Evans for years and helped facilitate the start-up of the business in Durham. Henderson himself has been a lifelong Durham resident and, according to Evans, knows “everybody. “
This is the key to clinical research. The importance of diversity in clinical trials can be overstated, and Velocity is well aware of the demanding situations facing the pharmaceutical industry in this regard. Since underrepresentation of diverse populations is a critical issue, the company aims to close this gap through diversified hiring strategies. and trust in the construction network. Henderson plays a central role in relationships and trust in construction.
“I have come to see Velocity as part of a global component for medical intelligence. And my role, in my opinion, is to attract as many other people as imaginable to that sphere and make this component as rich and as varied socially, economically and racially as imaginable,” Henderson explained. “I think it was a glorious opportunity for me to have the freedom to stop the car, get out and say, ‘I want your help. ‘”
Velocity has worked to expand its success by acquiring new study sites. Now, five years later, the company has more than 80 sites in 25 states, as well as clinical sites in Germany and the United Kingdom. Despite this reach, the company had never opened one in North Carolina. Until now.
Based in Durham, the company was looking for new facilities to accommodate a developing workforce. When it learned there was additional land at its new Main Street site, the company learned that this could be an opportunity to succeed at a vital milestone and nonetheless a safe clinical site in North Carolina. The new Durham site will officially open next month.
Evans demonstrated that the company continues to look for new locations, either in North Carolina or internationally.
Durham-based Velocity: World’s “Largest Clinical Network” After Latest Agreement
“Getting drugs approved and getting them into the hands of patients is a global business,” Evans said. “Clinical trials are notoriously ineffective. The problem is that patients don’t get the drugs [or] don’t get them quickly. There is a huge opportunity to continue growing.
The company will also open sites specially dedicated to certain diseases. Currently, their sites focus mainly on general medicine, i. e. from core vaccines to arthritis. However, Velocity hopes to open other sites more focused on areas of rapid healing. such as oncology, rheumatology or gastroenterology.
Last Thursday’s back-to-school meal was a birthday party for this upcoming milestone and an opportunity to interact with the local community, enjoy a meal and receive more information about the company’s mission. But Henderson knows it will take more than one chance to make it. Invite other people to the new site and make sure they participate.
“I’m used to people slamming doors in my face, but that’s part of the problem. You’re not going to win everybody. But you have to keep fighting and asking, ‘Can you help me?'” said Henderson. If you can do everything and tell them how they can help themselves, their network and the world at large, you have a great chance of involving other people. “
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