Canadian CRO Innovaderm Rebrands as Indero, Expands Focus to Rheumatology

Montreal-based contract research organization (CRO) Innovaderm Research has announced its rebranding to Indero, marking a significant shift in the company's strategic focus. The move, effective immediately, reflects Indero's ambition to expand its expertise beyond dermatology to include rheumatology, positioning the firm at the intersection of two closely related medical specialties.

Dual-Focus Strategy

With 25 years of experience in clinical dermatology research, Indero's expansion into rheumatology is driven by the recognition of the interconnected nature of many inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. These disorders often affect both the skin and the musculoskeletal system, creating a natural synergy between the two fields.

Jeff Smith, Indero's newly appointed CEO, emphasized the strategic importance of this dual focus: "Our dual-focus, interdisciplinary approach allows us to support clinical studies for a wide range of rheumatology and dermatology conditions. The immune-mediated nature of both disease areas means that we are perfectly positioned to support clinical research across these specialties."

Leadership Changes and Expansion

The rebranding follows a series of key leadership appointments aimed at facilitating Indero's growth strategy:

• Jeff Smith, who took over as CEO from founder Robert Bissonnette, M.D., last month, brings extensive industry experience to the role. Smith's background includes a career start at Bayer and a 12-year tenure at gastrointestinal-focused CRO Alimentiv, where he served as CEO for six and a half years.

• In November 2024, Ina Zschocke, Ph.D., joined Indero as Executive Vice President of European Operations and Strategy. Zschocke's expertise in dermatology CRO operations, gained from founding SCIderm, is expected to bolster Indero's European presence.

Global Reach and Future Prospects

Indero's operations span North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting the company's global ambitions. The strategic rebranding and expansion into rheumatology position Indero to capitalize on the growing demand for specialized CRO services in immune-mediated disorders.

As the pharmaceutical industry continues to invest heavily in immunology research, Indero's dual focus on dermatology and rheumatology could provide a competitive edge in attracting sponsors seeking comprehensive expertise in related therapeutic areas.