Simulations Plus, Inc. (Nasdaq:SLP), the premier provider of simulation and modeling software and consulting services for all stages of pharmaceutical discovery and development, today announced the appointment of Dr. Lisa LaVange to the Company’s Board of Directors. With a distinguished career spanning more than 35 years, Dr. LaVange brings expertise in biostatistics and experience with academia, commercial organizations, including Quintiles, the largest pharmaceutical outsourcing services company in the U.S., and government regulators, including a senior position at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Dr. LaVange currently serves as Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Biostatistics in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At UNC, she directs the establishment of a new Master’s in Public Health (MPH) program with a concentration in data science, and is planning a regulatory science curriculum focused on statistical methodologies in two areas: precision medicine and real-world evidence. In addition, she is currently Principal Investigator (PI) of the coordinating centers for two large and complex trial networks: the NICHD-sponsored Adolescent Medicine Trials in HIV/AIDS Interventions Network (ATN) and the NHLBI-sponsored Precision Medicine in Severe and Exacerbation-Prone Asthma Network (PreciSE).
From 2011 to 2017, Dr. LaVange served as Director of the Office of Biostatistics in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In this role, she directed 215 statistical reviewers, analysts, and support staff involved in the development and application of statistical methodology for drug regulation. She was responsible for statistical review of all investigational drugs, therapeutic biologics, biosimilar products, and generic drugs. She also chaired the Statistical Policy Council and was a member of CDER’s Medical Policy Council, setting statistical policy and overseeing statistical guidance development and publication for the Center.
Previously, she worked for six years at Quintiles, Inc. (now IQVIA), serving as Vice President of Biostatistics for her last three years. Quintiles is the largest pharmaceutical outsourcing services company in the U.S. In this role, she directed over 200 statisticians and programmers located in five offices across North America, supporting clinical trial operations, regulatory submissions, and post-marketing evaluations for a variety of large and small pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Dr. LaVange also served as Vice President, Biostatistics and Data Management, for Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. LaVange is an elected fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA) and was the 2018 ASA President. She is also former president of the Eastern North American Region of the International Biometric Society (ENAR-IBS) and former IBS Board member.
“For more than 35 years, I have worked with commercial organizations, academic researchers, and government regulators in areas of statistical research and methodologies, with a particular focus on biotechnology,” commented Dr. LaVange. “Throughout most of that time, Simulations Plus has been a leader in the advancement of sophisticated modeling and simulation technology in this sector. I am honored and excited to join the Board of Directors, and I look forward to helping Simulations Plus continue its growth. Technology continues to play an increasingly vital role in drug development, and I hope to accelerate adoption of in silico modeling as a member of the Simulations Plus Board of Directors.”
Walt Woltosz, Founder and Chairman of the Board, added: “Dr. LaVange was selected after the most exhaustive search for a new independent director in our company’s history, and we could not be more thrilled to add a leader with her broad and noteworthy expertise to our board. Her tenures at Quintiles and Inspire provide highly relevant experience to our board, enabling her to easily put herself in the position of our customers. In addition, the Board and management will benefit from her experience with the FDA, as well as her deep academic background. Concurrently, Dr. Ted Grasela has resigned from the Board. He remains Cognigen President and will continue to focus on the growth of our consulting practice and his work with key clients and the FDA. We thank Ted for his outstanding service to the Board of Directors.”
Shawn O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer of Simulations Plus, added: “Dr. LaVange adds highly relevant experience across all facets of our industry to an already strong Board of Directors. Our entire management team looks forward to benefiting from her experience and expertise.”
Dr. LaVange will serve as an independent director, with a term through the 2020 annual shareholder meeting. It is anticipated that Dr. LaVange will serve as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and also will be a member of the nominating and audit committees.