BOSTON—Ora, Inc., a clinical research organization (CRO) for ophthalmology pharmaceutical and device development, announced that Paul Colvin has been appointed chief operating officer. An experienced CRO leader, Colvin will report directly to Stuart Abelson, chairman and CEO. “Paul is a world-class operating executive with a proven track-record of managing large complex businesses. His patient focused, service-minded approach directly aligns with Ora’s mission to serve ophthalmology innovators around the world,” said Abelson. “In his role as COO, Paul will lead Ora’s continued global growth and market leadership through focus on scaling Ora’s people, processes and technologies with the operational excellence, high quality, scientific rigor and white-glove customer service for which Ora is known.”

With over 30 years of experience building and leading global teams in both pharmaceuticals and pharma services, Colvin began his career as a pharmacist and then spent 14 years with Eli Lilly in increasing roles of responsibility in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Recruited by PPD, he spent 12 years leading their clinical development business. In 2018 he joined Syneos Health as president of clinical development solutions and was later promoted to chief business officer in 2021.

“Ora’s deep therapeutic knowledge, relationships in the ophthalmology ecosystem, understanding of the patient’s journey, standardized scales, disease models, regulatory experience and unique patient enrollment techniques allow Ora to deliver outstanding value to clients and the patients they serve,” said Colvin. “Ora’s focus on culture and people has created a stable and talented team with an unmatched track-record for helping clients achieve success.”