
Operational missteps, not flawed science, remain a leading cause of drug development delays, as fragmented systems, uneven technology adoption, and transactional sponsor–CRO relationships widen the “clinical execution gap.”
Nick Trythall is the Chief Operations Officer at Emerald Clinical Trials. With 27 years of industry experience spanning Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region, he specializes in strategic operations delivery, workforce management, client relationships, and process optimization. His global background enables him to develop strategies that drive operational excellence and effective team collaboration worldwide. Beginning his career in UK banking, Nick transitioned to clinical research and has held leadership roles at Pfizer, INC Research (now Syneos Health), ICON, and Premier Research. His experience across pharmaceutical companies and CROs has honed his expertise in business transformation and strategic workforce management. Nick is recognized for his thought leadership in relationship management and team dynamics, with a leadership philosophy emphasizing character, credibility, and employee engagement.

Operational missteps, not flawed science, remain a leading cause of drug development delays, as fragmented systems, uneven technology adoption, and transactional sponsor–CRO relationships widen the “clinical execution gap.”