Bend Research Inc., an independent drug-formulation development and manufacturing company, has named a new president. Jim Nightingale, who has worked at the company since 1993, will be the fourth president in the firm’s 36-year history.
Nightingale will succeed Rod Ray, who will continue in his capacity as Bend Research chief executive officer (CEO) and chair of the board of directors. Ray announced Nightingale’s promotion from senior vice president for business development and strategic alliances, calling the new president “a dogged pursuer of quality and timeliness for our customers.”
“Jim cares deeply about the company and our mission of advancing our clients’ best new medicines,” Ray said.
He credited Nightingale with being instrumental in developing and implementing the business development strategy that transformed the company from an exclusive relationship with Pfizer to the multiclient success it now enjoys. In the two years since Bend Research and Pfizer ended the exclusive contract, the company has built a base of more than 70 clients, including most of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.
Nightingale will be responsible for nearly all operational aspects of the company, working with Ray and Lisa Graham, the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). His business development duties will be assumed by David Lyon, Vice President—Research.
The changes free Ray to focus more on strategic planning and future opportunities for the company. Ray served as president of the privately held company since 2002. Previous presidents were Chris Babcock (1987-2002) and Harry Lonsdale (1975-1987).
Nightingale holds a master’s degree and doctorate in bioengineering from the University of Washington, where he also received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Before coming to Bend Research in 1993, he worked for the Pharmaceutical Division of Ciba-Geigy Corporation. He holds five U.S. patents (and numerous foreign patents) and has authored 16 scientific publications.
For more than 35 years, Bend Research has worked with clients to create value by advancing new medicines that improve human health and to solve their most difficult scientific and technical problems. This success is based on the company’s ability to develop, advance, and commercialize pharmaceutical technologies. The firm’s innovative drug-delivery solutions grow from a solid base of scientific and engineering fundamental understanding.
Bend Research provides formulation and dosage-form support, assists in process development and optimization, manufactures clinical-trial quantities of drug candidates in its cGMP facilities, and advances promising drug candidates from conception through commercialization. Bend Research is a leader in novel formulations, including solubilization technologies such as spray-dried dispersions and hot-melt extrusion formulations, as well as controlled-release, inhalation, and biotherapeutics technologies.
Bend Research has more than 200 employees based in four state-of-the-art facilities in Bend, Oregon, USA. For more information about Bend Research, please contact Phoenix Ivers via email at Phoenix.Ivers@BendResearch.com or phone at 541-382-4100.
