Seasoned Operator Brings Track Record of Transformation and Growth
Cambridge, MA (February 1, 2024) – Cytel Inc., a leading provider of innovative statistics and health data analytics to the life sciences industry, today announced that Jovan Willford, a dynamic leader known for transformation, growth and a customer-centric approach, has been named Chief Executive Officer and member of its Board of Directors effective immediately.
Mr. Willford has a long track record of leading businesses across the segments most strategic to Cytel. He previously served as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors at Healthgrades and subsequently Mercury Healthcare, with a unique focus on predictive capabilities to power consumer and patient engagement in the provider market.
In addition, Mr. Willford held various executive positions at IMS Health and subsequently IQVIA in nearly a decade of service. He served as SVP and GM of U.S. Commercial Solutions at IQVIA, delivering technology and advanced analytic solutions to enable commercial capabilities of life sciences organizations. Mr. Willford had integral roles in the merger of Quintiles and IMS Health bringing data sciences into clinical trial processes. He led the clinical FSP business across 72 countries and 3,000 employees and was a founding member of the real evidence businesses in the US and Asia-Pacific. Mr. Willford began his career as a strategy consultant working at the intersection of payor, providers, and life science organizations. Currently, Mr. Willford is an Independent Director of DNAnexus, a leading provider of multi-omic data management and collaboration solutions.
“I look forward to working with the deeply talented teams at Cytel to deliver on the outstanding opportunity ahead of us. I am committed to upholding our longstanding legacy of exceptional client service and innovation, while at the same time building on the foundation of scientific rigor and leadership that has made Cytel a valued partner to the largest and most innovative pharmaceutical companies for the last 35 years,” said Jovan Willford. “Cytel’s industry-leading software and proprietary methods are uniquely positioned to directly address the increasing complexities in trial design and market access challenges for its life sciences customers.”
“Jovan’s experience is a great complement to Cytel’s portfolio of business, and the Board of Directors is more optimistic than ever in the critical value Cytel brings to the healthcare ecosystem,” said Daniel Berglund, Board member, Cytel and Co-Head of the Healthcare sector at Nordic Capital Advisors. “Under Jovan’s leadership, Cytel will continue to expand and innovate, while operating with the same values and precision that are instilled in our scientific capabilities.”
Mr. Willford will succeed Josh Schultz, who served as CEO of Cytel for the past five years. During his tenure, Cytel greatly expanded its business, completed a series of acquisitions to bolster its capabilities, and introduced new solutions to support the full drug development journey.
“We are grateful to Josh for his leadership and for his many accomplishments, including driving significant growth in revenue and building our talented employee base during his tenure,” said Judith Charpentier, Board member, Cytel and Head of Healthcare at Astorg. “We look forward to working with Jovan to further build Cytel’s leadership within the complex clinical trials and statistical science market, and to advancing the company’s vision of helping life sciences leaders unlock the power of data.”
About Cytel
Cytel is the largest provider of statistical software and advanced analytics for clinical trial design and execution. For over thirty-five years, Cytel’s scientific rigor and operational excellence have enabled biotech and pharmaceutical companies to navigate uncertainty, prove value and make confident, evidence-based decisions. Its experts deliver industry-leading software, data-driven analytics, real-world evidence, and strategic consulting. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Cytel has more than 1,900 resources across North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information about Cytel, please visit us at www.cytel.com.
