ACRES Co-Founder Greg Koski Receives Lifetime Achievement Recognition

Dr. Greg Koski, CEO and Co-Founder of the Alliance for Clinical Research Excellence and Safety (ACRES), received a Lifetime Achievement Award during a special plenary session of the Partnerships in Clinical Trials (PCT) Europe conference at the RAI Center in Amsterdam.

The PCT Lifetime Achievement Award, in association with mdgroup, a United Kingdom-based clinical trial services group, recognizes individuals who have changed the direction of the clinical trials world, leaving a legacy and making a major impact on this endeavor over their careers.

Chosen by a panel of experienced industry professionals, the prestigious award is presented at the Partnerships in Clinical Trials Europe event run by KNect365 Life Sciences.

Now in its third year, previous awards went to Jean Edwards, Procurement Director for Europe, Australia & Japan at Eli Lilly, in 2016. In 2015, Professor Ken Getz took the inaugural prize for his work as Director and Associate Professor at Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development.

Koski received the award based on his extensive clinical and basic biological research in addition to his contributions in the areas of research ethics, regulation, professionalism and clinical trials operations. Other finalists for this year’s award included Dr. Steven Anderson, SCO at Covance, USA; Estrella Garcia, Director Global Clinical Operations, R&D at Almirall, Spain; and Patricia Leuchten, Founder and CEO at The Avoca Group, USA.

Throughout his career, Koski has worked to develop processes and programs that promote responsible, ethical professional conduct, based on principles of total quality management and systems thinking.

Koski is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, Honorary Anesthetist at the Massachusetts General Hospital and a founding member of the Partners HealthCare System. After more than 30 years as a member of the MGH Cardiac Anesthesia Group--and 50 years at Harvard University--Koski set aside his clinical, research and teaching responsibilities in 2015 to devote himself full-time to his leadership responsibilities at the Alliance for Clinical Research Excellence and Safety (ACRES), a global non-profit multi-sector collaborative building a shared integrated system to accelerate innovation and medicines development.

One major focus of ACRES ongoing system-focused initiatives is the creation of global standards and processes for accreditation of clinical research sites. This transformative effort, being conducted in partnership with BSI (British Standards Institution), is targeted for implementation in 2019. ACRES currently engages some 140 strategic allies and partners worldwide in its systems-building initiatives.

“This recognition is a great honor, but it rightfully belongs to our many colleagues who are making ACRES happen--we have much yet to do and we must never forget that millions of patients are waiting and it is why we do what we do”, said Koski in accepting the award.

Koski dedicated the award to the memory of Jack Whalen, a clinical research and patient empowerment champion who co-chaired the ACRES Patient Engagement Initiative. “Jack Whalen’s time ran out—we lost him just before Thanksgiving after a courageous and inspiring battle against cancer that included a worldwide crusade in support of broader patient engagement in clinical trials at all levels. We will miss him, but his spirit and commitment will continue to inspire us all to do more”.

In addition to his academic career, Koski served as the Director of Human Research Affairs at both the MGH and Partners before being recruited by former Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Donna Shalala, to be the first director of the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) in 2000.

He participated in numerous international initiatives including the WHO/TDR Strategic Initiative for Developing Capacity for Ethical Review, the WMA revisions to the Declaration of Helsinki and the development of standards for competency-based education, training and certification of pharmaceutical professionals, including clinical investigators.

His service on boards for professional organizations include the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, the Association of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Investigators, and the SAFE Biopharma Association. He received special recognition awards from Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) and the USDHHS. Earlier this year, Koski was named to the PharmaVoice 100 list of the most inspiring individuals in the health sciences.