From Startup to Global CRO: Joe von Rickenbach on Building Parexel and Transforming Clinical Research
In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo sits down with Joe von Rickenbach, co-founder of Parexel and a pioneer of the modern clinical research organization (CRO) industry, to discuss his journey from launching a two-person regulatory consulting firm in 1982 to building a global CRO that helped redefine drug development worldwide. Joe reflects on the evolution of clinical trials, the rise of outsourcing and digitization in pharma, and the leadership lessons learned from scaling Parexel over 35 years. He also shares insights on entrepreneurship, navigating major business decisions and the future of AI-enabled clinical research, and why trust, relationships, and adaptability remain essential for success in biotech and healthcare innovation.
Related Insights
CTB Blog
EMA’s new pre-submission interactions model pilot: A fundamental shift toward submission readiness and predictable reviews
Sep 30, 2026
CTB Blog
Engage early, design once: turning early-phase trials into a program strategy
Sep 10, 2026
CTB Podcast
Biotech’s Next Era: Data, AI and the Future of Decision-Making with Jay Roberts
Aug 28, 2026
CTB Blog
Five Practical Strategies for Accelerating Early Phase Studies
Aug 19, 2026
CTB Webinar
Rethinking Phase I: Five strategies for faster proof of concept
Aug 4, 2026
CTB Podcast
A Journey through Academia, Big Pharma and Biotech: Building Breakthrough Medicines with Dr. Briggs Morrison
Aug 3, 2026
CTB Blog
Leveraging early-phase ethnobridging to reduce drug lag in China and Japan
Jul 15, 2026
CTB Blog
Modeling & simulation and artificial intelligence for early drug development
Jul 14, 2026
CTB Podcast
Overcoming Hurdles in Rare Disease Therapy with Reenie McCarthy
Jul 6, 2026
CTB Blog
Modernizing data operations to enable today's Phase 1 trials
Jul 1, 2026
CTB Blog
In early phase trials, operations is where speed is won or lost
Jun 28, 2026
CTB Blog
A credible global regulatory strategy is an early-phase imperative, not a late-stage commercial exercise
Jun 23, 2026
Related Insights
CTB Blog
EMA’s new pre-submission interactions model pilot: A fundamental shift toward submission readiness and predictable reviews
Sep 30, 2026
CTB Blog
Engage early, design once: turning early-phase trials into a program strategy
Sep 10, 2026
CTB Podcast
Biotech’s Next Era: Data, AI and the Future of Decision-Making with Jay Roberts
Aug 28, 2026
CTB Blog
Five Practical Strategies for Accelerating Early Phase Studies
Aug 19, 2026
CTB Webinar
Rethinking Phase I: Five strategies for faster proof of concept
Aug 4, 2026
CTB Podcast
A Journey through Academia, Big Pharma and Biotech: Building Breakthrough Medicines with Dr. Briggs Morrison
Aug 3, 2026
CTB Blog
Leveraging early-phase ethnobridging to reduce drug lag in China and Japan
Jul 15, 2026
CTB Blog
Modeling & simulation and artificial intelligence for early drug development
Jul 14, 2026
CTB Podcast
Overcoming Hurdles in Rare Disease Therapy with Reenie McCarthy
Jul 6, 2026
CTB Blog
Modernizing data operations to enable today's Phase 1 trials
Jul 1, 2026
CTB Blog
In early phase trials, operations is where speed is won or lost
Jun 28, 2026
CTB Blog
A credible global regulatory strategy is an early-phase imperative, not a late-stage commercial exercise
Jun 23, 2026