Having newly graduated with a degree in molecular biochemistry and human physiology, Abraham Roodt arrived in the UK from his native South Africa with a plan to be here for just six months. Over twenty years later, by way of jobs at the Royal Marsden Hospital and a TDL owned research company, he now heads TDL Trials.
As the name implies, the division offers a range of highly specialised pathology services for clinical trials, safety and pharmacodynamic testing, and patient-monitoring services.
Abraham has been at the forefront of the division’s creation and development, setting up its own dedicated sample reception lab and data management areas, all currently located in the Halo.
An important part of Sonic Healthcare UK
It’s a vibrant, thriving division of Sonic Healthcare UK with around 300 trials ongoing at any one time. The trials, which are commissioned from a number of UK and international pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic organisations, cover a wide range of topics.
For example, as part of a UCL study, the team supports the Whitehall study. This is a very long term trial, conducted among a wide cohort of Whitehall civil servants which examines how different factors affect the way people age. The team is also involved in another UK national trial, the National Survey for Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles involving over 1000 researchers collecting information and samples for testing from across the country. The division has grown impressively, and the team numbers 33 people. A recent restructure saw the introduction of more project managers which has added to its capacity and efficiency.
Offering a global solution
The division’s LIMS IT system has also been upgraded. Working closely with Sonic colleagues in Australia, the new system will allow clients to look at trial results in one place. The platform has also been rolled out to the USA to the benefit of clients in three major continents and giving the division a true global solution. In terms of what the future holds, Abraham says that techniques and technologies have inevitably moved on in his twenty years.
The Trials division is a truly impressive and important part of Sonic Healthcare UK’s offering and Abraham has clearly built a great team - although how he finds time to enjoy his stated pastimes of cycling, going to the theatre and the movies remains something of a mystery!