Icon said it appointed Kristen Buck as chief medical officer.

Prior to joining the company, Buck was senior VP and chief of clinical development at Optum Insights where she led the clinical operations and regulatory group. She has experience in multiple therapy areas, including GI, neuroscience, dermatology, ophthalmology, oncology, cardiovascular/metabolic, immunology, renal, women’s health, orphan diseases, liver and psychiatry.

“We are delighted to appoint Dr. Kristen Buck as our new chief medical officer,” CEO Steve Cutler said in a news release. “Kristen’s appointment will improve coordination and access to the significant medical and scientific resources and expertise we have at Icon. We will focus this expertise on helping our customers negotiate challenges, as we constantly strive to improve our services and respond to the latest issues and developments in science and medicine.”

Buck has also held leadership roles at the FDA in the GI and hematology division where she was responsible for reviewing efficacy and safety for all new indications and post-marketing safety for more than 40 drugs.

“I’m excited to be leading ICON’s position on clinical development trends, and reviewing and advising on our medical risks as the world wrestles with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Buck said. “Patient centricity is ever more important in the current climate and I look forward to working with the wider Icon team to broaden our insights and expand our expertise.”