Fortrea, a leading global contract research organization (CRO), has announced significant changes to its executive team aimed at enhancing its focus on early clinical development. On February 17, 2026, the company appointed Oren Cohen, MD as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) while Scott Dove, PhD joins as President of Clinical Pharmacology Services (CPS). These appointments are expected to strengthen Fortrea’s medical and scientific partnerships with clients.
In his new role, Dr. Cohen, who previously served as both CMO and president of CPS, will concentrate solely on medical strategy, scientific leadership, ethics, and governance oversight across Fortrea’s portfolio. His extensive experience in drug development spans over two decades, including leadership positions at Labcorp Drug Development and Viamet Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Cohen’s academic credentials include an MD from Duke University, where he also holds a Consulting Professorship in Medicine.
Dr. Dove brings a wealth of experience to Fortrea, having spent more than 25 years in various roles within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. His previous positions include Chief Operating Officer at Aravive and leadership roles at PPD, where he was instrumental in early development services. Dr. Dove earned his PhD from Texas A&M Health Science Center and his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Texas A&M University.
Anshul Thakral, CEO of Fortrea, expressed enthusiasm about the changes. He stated, “The addition of Scott to the Fortrea team while Oren becomes fully dedicated to the medical and scientific aspects of development is a win for clients.” Thakral noted that Dr. Cohen will deepen client relationships and engage in scientific dialogue earlier in the development process, addressing complex challenges while maintaining high standards of scientific integrity and patient safety.
Dr. Dove’s immediate focus will be on integrating with Fortrea’s Clinical Pharmacology team and gaining insights into the company’s operations. His technical expertise in clinical development and operations positions him to enhance Fortrea’s offerings in early clinical development solutions.
Fortrea is recognized for its commitment to healthcare innovation, partnering with biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and diagnostic companies. The organization provides comprehensive clinical trial management, clinical pharmacology, and consulting services, leveraging three decades of experience across over 20 therapeutic areas.
With a dedicated team operating in approximately 100 countries, Fortrea aims to deliver agile and focused solutions to its clients globally. For more information about Fortrea and its transformative role in the healthcare landscape, visit their website at Fortrea.com or follow them on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).
