Blaine Templeman has joined the New York office of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton as a partner in the firm’s intellectual property practice group. He will head Sheppard Mullin’s new Biotech Clinical Contracting team. “Blaine adds significantly to our expertise in life sciences, an area of strategic expansion in both transactional and litigation areas. His biotech specialization is complementary to our existing strength in patent litigation and prosecution, food and drug regulation, and health care mergers. “We continue to grow signature groups like Life Sciences and IP, and Blaine’s industry knowledge and experience is of great value to clients,” said Guy Halgren, chairman of the firm.

Qualia Clinical Services appointed Michael Rasmussen to CFO, and Dale Gray to comptroller. “Mike and Dale have already proven to play an effective role in making key decisions that will allow Qualia to continue to grow efficiently and effectively,” said Sohail Khattak, president and CEO, Qualia Clinical Services.

Biovail announced the appointment of Neil Sussman as VP, neurologic and psychiatric development. “We are delighted to have an individual as qualified as Dr. Sussman join our medical and scientific affairs team,” said Bill Wells, Biovail’s CEO.

Covance’s purchase of a Lilly facility is a huge real estate bargain, considering what it would have cost to build a similar facility from scratch, Investor’s Business Daily says. The CEO of Covance, Joe Herring, is quoted saying, “I expect our deal with Lilly will be a shot heard ‘round the world.”

Sepracor appointed Richard Ranieri to the newly created position of executive VP, human resources and administration, and Julio Casoy as senior VP of medical affairs. “I am pleased to announce the addition of such accomplished professionals to Sepracor’s human resource and research and development teams,” said Adrian Adams, president and CEO. “Richard brings with him a wealth of successful human resource, operational and general management experience. Julio’s appointment to lead our medical affairs organization supports our focus on deepening and broadening our management team’s strength and capabilities.”

There’s a conference on translational medicine scheduled for 1-3 October in Rome, Italy. The primary goal of the meeting is to provide a scientific forum for scientists and experts involved in both laboratory and clinical research. There will be a particular focus on the identification of needs, obstacles and new opportunities to promote translational research in biomedicine. Also on the agenda: how comprehensive initiatives for addressing critical regulatory issues in first-in-man Phase I studies can improve the efficiency and quality of biomedical and translational research.

Bio-Imaging reported that quarterly revenues jumped 65 percent, to $19.3 million, as a result of its purchase of Phoenix Data Systems. Net income doubled. (The company announced earnings a few weeks ago; we apologize for overlooking the news.) Said CEO Mark Weinstein: “The acquisition of Phoenix Data Systems expands our core clinical trial services business into the rapidly growing electronic data capture market and leverages our global operational capabilities and sales and marketing reach into pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.” Here’s the release.

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