About Panthera
Panthera is a leading clinical trials organisation with dedicated clinical trial sites in locations around the UK, including Preston, Manchester, Glasgow, and London.
Our mission is to make clinical research more accessible to the general public. Our goals are to have a positive impact on healthcare within the UK and around the world by delivering clinical trials on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry.
Panthera was founded in 2019 by Dr Ian Smith, who founded Synexus – the first SMO model – in Europe in 1989, and Professor John Lyon, a past global VP of CRO, Covance.
They were joined by Jane Restorick, who was previously Chief Operating Officer and later Chief Patient Officer at Synexus, and in 2020 Stuart Young, previously general manager of Synexus, joined Panthera to become CEO. In 2020 Chris Dodd, who was previously Head of Commercial at Accelerated Enrolment Solutions, joined the team as Chief Commercial Officer.
Since 2019, and despite the COVID pandemic, Panthera has grown to more than five sites across the UK with several more planned. Panthera has also formed a partnership with three sites in southern Sweden and is in discussion with further sites across Western Europe.
Stable and well-funded
Financial stability is key for any SMO as the commitment to run trials can exceed five years. Panthera has raised substantial funds and has the continuing support of two of the UK’s most prominent life sciences investors Gresham House Ventures and the GM&C Life Sciences Fund.
This not only provides long-term stability but also the strength to expand across Western Europe.
Research Sites across the UK
Panthera boasts a large network spanning across the UK. This ensures that a wider number of participants have access to clinical research, and that we can develop more future medications. All our sites are easily accessible via public transport and by road. We also offer free parking, comfortable waiting areas with television facilities and refreshments to ensure that participants are comfortable and relaxed whilst in our care.