Jason Shuris is the Chief Business Officer at Indero, formerly known as Innovaderm. Jason has more than 25 years of experience in the life sciences and CRO (contract research organization) sectors. His vast experience in clinical research and strategic operations has placed him at the forefront of Indero’s evolution, especially during the company’s recent rebranding and expansion into rheumatology research. In this conversation with World Pharma Today, Jason shares insights into Indero’s journey, the evolving role of CROs, and how technology and scientific expertise are shaping the future of clinical research.
World Pharma Today (WPT): Given your extensive experience, how do you see the role of CROs evolving in the coming years?
Jason Shuris (JS): Indero is celebrating 25 years in the contract research industry, a period that has seen a fundamental shift in how clinical research is conducted. One of the most transformative trends has been the growing reliance of pharmaceutical companies on outsourced R&D, alongside a surge in biotech innovation. Together, these changes have fueled significant growth across the CRO landscape, with this strong momentum expected to continue. Indero has carved out a clear niche in this highly competitive space through its deep expertise in dermatology research, and we are now expanding our capabilities to include rheumatology.
WPT: Congratulations on reaching the 25-year milestone. What motivated the rebranding, and how does it reflect Indero’s evolving focus?
JS: Our rebrand was a strategic step aligned with our expansion into rheumatology research. As Innovaderm, we were strongly associated with dermatology, that’s our legacy and where our knowledge runs deep. However, moving into a new therapeutic area called for a fresh identity that reflects our broader scope while still honoring our roots. We’ve taken the scientific insights and operational strengths we’ve built in dermatology and applied them to rheumatology, where there’s a clear overlap in disease mechanisms and treatment approaches. We found that rheumatology is underserved in the CRO space, with few providers truly specializing in it, and we see an opportunity to apply the same scientific focus and consistent delivery to rheumatology that we’ve built our reputation on in dermatology.
WPT: How do you plan to position Indero as a leader and an end-to-end research expert in rheumatology?
JS: Scientific expertise has always been our foundation. Under the leadership of Dr. Robert Bissonnette – an internationally recognized dermatologist, and key opinion leader in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis – Indero has grown with a strong focus on rigor, innovation and therapeutic depth. As we move into rheumatology, we’ve expanded our team to include specialists with hands-on rheumatology experience, and are building strong partnerships with research sites and investigators who share our standards. We’ve also strengthened our operational infrastructure, selecting experienced vendors that align with our clients’ evolving needs.
WPT: In today’s rapidly advancing technological landscape, how do you see technology shaping the future of CROs?
JS: Technology is redefining clinical trials; if you attend any major industry conference, you’ll see a strong presence of technology-driven solutions, from electronic platforms and clinical trial management systems (CTMS) to AI-powered tools. AI, in particular, is poised to revolutionize the way we conduct research. I’ve spoken with companies that can now generate a fully drafted clinical trial protocol in under 10 seconds using AI – a task that previously required over 100 hours of manual effort. AI is also transforming electronic data capture (EDC) systems, automating processes that once demanded extensive programming. While AI adoption in clinical research is still in its early stages and evolving continuously, we believe it will significantly enhance efficiency, optimize trial design, and accelerate drug development.
WPT: With greater reliance on technology, data integrity and security are becoming paramount. How does Indero protect sensitive data?
JS: Data security and integrity are top priorities for us. For example, we have a strict policy against using ChatGPT or other open AI models for professional purposes, ensuring that confidential trial data is never inadvertently exposed. We enforce robust cybersecurity measures, meticulously controlling data storage, access permissions and encryption protocols. These safeguards are essential to not only protect our internal operations, but also to maintain the confidentiality of our clients’ proprietary and sensitive patient information.
WPT: What strategies do you implement to ensure positive patient experiences?
JS: Patient engagement is central to our mission, and we call this our ‘frontline focus’. We consider three key stakeholders – biotech and pharma clients, research sites and patients – with a strong emphasis on ensuring that patients feel informed, valued and supported throughout the clinical trial process. We work closely with physicians to uphold high ethical standards, and partner with patient advocacy groups to better understand patient needs and shape more patient-centric trials. Where possible, we also incorporate open-label extensions to provide ongoing access to promising therapies after a study ends. We ensure that the patient experience is prioritized at every stage and, as Indero remains privately owned and founder-led, we’re able to stay focused on meaningful research and patient outcomes – not just commercial growth.
WPT: Indero has mentioned plans to expand globally. What does your current global footprint look like, and how does it support your growth in rheumatology?
JS: We’ve built a strong foundation in North America and Europe, which has allowed us to support complex, multicenter trials across a wide range of indications. As we expand into rheumatology –where patient recruitment can be especially challenging – we’re extending our reach into Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. We’ve already established a presence in Argentina, and are actively exploring markets like Australia, China and Japan. Many rheumatology studies – even with modest enrolment targets – require global access due to limited patient availability in any single region. Our global infrastructure, combined with close relationships with research sites and a carefully selected vendor network, puts us in a strong position to deliver high-quality trial execution across borders.
