We are pleased to introduce Chris Smyth, Group CEO of Comac Medical, through this three-part in-depth interview series. With three decades of experience across the CRO and biotech sectors, Chris shares the journey that shaped him as a leader, along with the lessons, values, and inspiration that continue to guide his approach. He also reflects on the culture he believes helps teams and science perform at their best.
The Leader Behind the Title: Personal Journey & Leadership Philosophy
Q: Tell us more about your professional journey.
CS: I started in this industry right after finishing my PhD, hard to believe that was over 30 years ago! Since then, I’ve worked with both CROs and oncology biotech companies. I’m based in the UK now, but I have also spent more than eight years based in the US. Most recently, I spent 10 years at IQVIA, where I became President of IQVIA Biotech, before moving to ICON as President of ICON Biotech and then in September 2025 I joined Comac Medical.
Q: Who is Chris Smyth beyond the CEO title: How would you describe yourself in three words?
CS: Curious, Collaborative, and Resilient.
🔹 Curious because I like to ask questions and find better ways to do things.
🔹 Collaborative because I believe our best work comes from working together.
🔹 Resilient because our industry, and leadership, requires adaptability and perseverance.
Q: You’ve led teams across continents and industries. Looking back, what moment or lesson has most shaped who you are as a leader today?
CS: One of the biggest lessons came early in my career when I was a project manager. Invariably during the projects, we would hit unexpected challenges. I realized that people don’t just look to a leader for answers – they look for calm, clarity, and confidence. Those experiences taught me the importance of listening first, then guiding with transparency and empathy. It shaped how I lead today: by creating trust and empowering teams to solve problems together.
Q: How would you define leadership in practice, and what does it mean to you?
CS: For me, leadership is about creating an environment where people feel trusted, supported, and confident to make decisions and take ownership. When a team feels empowered, they bring their best ideas forward and that’s when the real magic happens.
Q: Many people see leadership as all about decisions, but it’s also about inspiration. What inspires you personally?
CS: What inspires me most is seeing the impact of science and innovation on real lives. We are working every day to positively change a patient’s future – the drugs we are helping to develop might one day be needed by someone in my family, one of my friends, or one of my colleagues – that’s incredibly motivating.
Building Culture Through Collaboration: Comac Medical, Teams & Partnerships
Q: You’ve worked in large, global companies. What drew you to join a growing organization like Comac Medical?
CS: The thing is, in big CROs, a biotech project just gets lost among hundreds of others. That’s why I was excited to join Comac Medical. Biotech projects here really get the attention they deserve.
Q: What kind of company culture do you want to build at Comac Medical?
CS: I want to nurture a culture of collaboration, accountability, and curiosity. When people feel safe to share ideas, take ownership, and challenge the status quo, that’s when we work smarter and faster.
Q: What stands out to you as Comac Medical’s greatest strength?
CS: For me, Comac Medical’s greatest strength is our people and their deep expertise and desire to truly partner with our clients. With our European footprint we are large enough to deliver any trial, yet we are also nimble enough to adapt quickly and give every project the attention it deserves.
We have an innovative mindset, constantly looking for smarter, faster ways to solve challenges. And at the heart of it all is our commitment to understanding each client’s goals and working as a trusted partner. That blend of speed, creativity, and collaboration, while still maintaining the quality and focus that biotech companies require, is what drives success for our clients.
Q: How do you see our company’s approach to partnerships standing out in the biotech and pharma landscape?
CS: What really makes Comac Medical stand out is the way we approach partnerships with flexibility and agility. In a landscape where many providers take a one-size-fits-all approach, we focus on tailoring solutions to each client’s needs, whether that means adapting timelines, customizing processes, or providing dedicated attention to every project.
Our size and structure allow us to move quickly without sacrificing quality, and that personalized service builds trust and accelerates success for biotech and pharma companies. It’s not just about delivering; it’s about being a true partner who understands and adapts.
Looking Ahead: Growth, Momentum & the Road Forward
Q: How do recent developments within the company strengthen our position for the future?
CS: In 2025 we acquired ILIFE Consulting, a specialized CRO in France which has further strengthened our expertise in oncology, rare diseases, and complex biotech clinical trials.
As well as me joining recently, we have also made several key appointments of seasoned industry leaders to our management team – Christian Buhlmann as Chief Commercial Officer and Peter Windisch as Chief Operations Officer, both based in Germany, and Steve Angus as Chief Financial Officer based in UK.
These events significantly strengthen our capabilities. It really is an exciting time of transformation and growth, and we are making tremendous progress on our journey to becoming the leading pan-European full-service CRO partner for small and medium-sized biopharma companies. In short, we’re better equipped than ever to help clients navigate complexity and bring therapies to patients faster.
Q: When you look ahead, what excites you most about where the company is going?
CS: Our journey of growth is only just beginning. What really excites me is the opportunity to make a real difference for patients and partners. We’re building a company that’s agile, innovative, and deeply committed to collaboration and that positions us to lead in a rapidly changing industry.
The science coming through biotech right now is extraordinary and Comac Medical can help bring those breakthroughs to life faster and with the focus they deserve.
The Takeaway: Leading with Intention
Leadership is often revealed not in strategy alone, but in the way leaders listen, empower, and create space for others to succeed. Chris Smyth’s leadership philosophy reflects a people-first mindset that aligns closely with the values of Comac Medical. By prioritizing trust, collaboration, and empowerment, he sets a clear tone for how progress and partnerships are built.
