Thomas Davidson joined Ricerca as the director of toxicology and pharmacology. “Tom has an extensive background in conducting toxicology and pharmacology studies which will benefit our clients,” said Ian Lennox, chairman and CEO, Ricerca. Here’s the release.

Just two percent of computers with the Windows operating system are fully updated with the necessary security patches. Almost half of all Windows computers are infected with eleven or more rogue programs. The data are from Secunia. Here’s the article. Separately, IBM announced an Office-free “virtual desktop” with Linux versions of the popular Microsoft programs. Cost per user: $59 to $289 annually. IBM’s move relies on technology from Virtual Bridges and Canonical.

Steve Hughes, executive VP and CFO of SRA International, has announced his intention to retire at the end of June, 2009. Said SRA president and CEO Stan Sloane: “Steve is a true professional with more than 27 years of service to SRA. We are enormously thankful for his many contributions, including the creation of a world-class finance organization.” Here’s the release.

PRA International will partner with Frontage Laboratories. The deal enables PRA’s early development services’ U.S. clinical pharmacology center to offer a full set of analytical lab testing services in Phase I-IV clinical trials. Said Wim Tamminga, senior director of PRA’s clinical pharmacology center: “We selected Frontage Laboratories as part of our strategy to offer clients a seamless package consisting of clinical and laboratory services. This service allows us to accelerate Phase I studies and to give sponsors the ability to make better decisions earlier in the drug development process.” Here’s the release.

GVK Biosciences appointed Shoibal Mukherjee to senior VP of clinical development. “Expanding and enriching our leadership team is critical for GVK Biosciences’ vision of being a leading life sciences services company,” said D.S. Brar, chairman, GVK Biosciences. “Mukherjee has extensive experience in managing global clinical trials and will play a pivotal role in the growth of the company’s development services.” Here’s the release.

The Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation has chosen Cmed Research’s Timaeus system for clinical data management and electronic data capture (EDC). “We are particularly excited to be involved with them in an area both of scientific interest but, more importantly, of such potential social impact,” said David Connelly, CEO of Cmed. Here’s the release.

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