Panel of Independent Industry Experts Provides Strategic Advice to Accelerate Clinical Trial Transformation
CRIO, a leading provider of innovative eSource software solutions, today announced the formation of the CRIO Catalyst Council, a distinguished panel of independent industry experts who will provide strategic advice and insights to CRIO leadership. The council represents seasoned professionals from across the clinical research ecosystem, bringing decades of combined experience in clinical operations, eClinical technology solutions and implementation, and site management.
“The formation of the CRIO Catalyst Council represents a pivotal moment in our commitment to driving meaningful innovation in clinical research,” said Jonathan Andrus, co-Chief Executive Officer of CRIO. “By bringing together some of the industry’s most respected voices, we’re ensuring that our technology solutions continue to address the real-world challenges faced by research sites, sponsors, and CROs.”
The CRIO Catalyst Council will focus on several key areas including:
- Strategic Technology Direction: Advising on product roadmap priorities and emerging technology trends
- Industry Best Practices: Sharing insights on operational excellence and regulatory compliance
- Market Intelligence: Providing perspective on evolving industry needs and competitive landscape
- Innovation Acceleration: Identifying opportunities for breakthrough solutions in clinical research workflows
“Clinical Research sites are digitizing their own operations at an increasingly rapid pace and we are now at an inflection point.” said Joe Dustin, Founder of Dauntless eClinical Strategies and member of the CRIO Catalyst Council. “CRIO’s commitment to listening to industry experts and incorporating our collective wisdom into their strategic planning demonstrates their dedication to creating solutions that work in the real world.”
The inaugural CRIO Catalyst Council comprises four distinguished industry veterans:
Wayne Baker brings more than 25 years of strategic growth experience in technology and life sciences. As former Chief Commercial Officer at Greenphire and EVP of Elite Research Network, Wayne has a proven track record of delivering unprecedented market growth and enterprise value. He holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Drexel University and has served as a strategic advisor for several eClinical solution providers.
Joe Dustin is a highly regarded strategic advisor known for driving digital transformation across clinical operations, data management, digital health, and eClinical technology. With senior leadership roles at Medidata, Medable, and Bristol Myers Squibb, Joe has consistently delivered impactful solutions, including scaling Medidata’s Patient Cloud into a leading industry product and accelerating decentralized trials and eSource initiatives at both BMS and Medable. He is the founder of Dauntless eClinical Strategies, where he guides technology providers, pharmaceutical companies, investors, and executives in navigating market trends and solving complex industry challenges.
Doug Schantz is Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations at AskBio, a Bayer Cell and Gene Therapy Platform Company, bringing 35 years of clinical development experience. Starting as a study coordinator and working as a CRA, Doug has held project and people leadership positions across clinical operations at Eli Lilly, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca. He is an active participant in the clinical research community as a guest lecturer in Eastern Michigan University’s clinical research administration program and annual presenter at the Summit for Clinical Operations Executives (SCOPE).
Kumar Muthalagappan OBE is a clinical research industry leader with proven expertise in building and scaling global research operations. As CEO and Chairman of MeDiNova, he transformed a small North London clinical research unit into a multinational organization with 106 clinical research sites across eight countries, specializing in trials for respiratory, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal conditions while growing turnover from £500,000 to £40 million. He subsequently led Oncacare, a specialized oncology clinical research company. Both organizations were successfully acquired by ICON Plc, the pharmaceutical industry’s largest contract research organization. Kumar currently serves as Strategic Advisor to Vitruvian Partners on healthcare and life sciences matters.
“The breadth of perspectives on our Catalyst Council is intentional,” added Rick Ward, Chief Commercial Officer at CRIO. “We recognize that the challenges facing clinical research are multifaceted, and the solutions must be informed by voices from every corner of our industry.”
About CRIO
CRIO is a leading provider of eSource solutions for clinical research. The platform streamlines data collection and management, ensuring protocol compliance and reducing errors. By eliminating paper source and automating workflows, CRIO helps clinical trial sites and sponsors save time and money, improve data quality, and enhance patient safety. Our digital-first, site-centric approach makes clinical trials more efficient and effective. Learn more at clinicalresearch.io.
About the CRIO Catalyst Council
The CRIO Catalyst Council is a panel of independent industry experts who provide strategic advice and insights to CRIO leadership. Council members are selected based on their expertise, industry reputation, and commitment to advancing clinical research through innovative technology solutions.