Charting the Course of Veterinary Clinical Trials and Innovations with Dr. Patxi Sarasola

In this episode, Dr. Patxi Sarasola shares his extensive experience in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry. He discusses his educational background, which includes a veterinary degree from Spain and a PhD in equine veterinary pharmacology from Scotland. Initially aiming to become an equine vet, Patxi transitioned into clinical research, working for Pfizer in England.

In 2000, Patxi and his wife Janice founded Ondax Scientific, a clinical research organization (CRO) in San Sebastian, Spain. Ondax specializes in clinical trials for the animal health industry, focusing on the registration of new molecules and vaccines. Patxi explains the role of CROs in conducting both preclinical and clinical studies, emphasizing the importance of regulatory approval and animal welfare.

Patxi discusses the challenges of starting and running a CRO, including the steep learning curve and the need to manage various aspects of the business. He highlights the core values of Ondax, such as attention to detail, flexibility, and commitment to delivering high-quality work.

The conversation also covers the impact of corporate veterinary practices on clinical trials, the future trends in veterinary clinical trials, and the potential role of AI in improving the objectivity and efficiency of these studies. Patxi emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-quality standards and adapting to market trends, particularly the growing focus on companion animals.

Patxi concludes by sharing his plans for the future, including taking a break after his tenure at Argenta Animal Health and considering a return to the animal health space as a consultant.

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