Heli Parenteau obtained a master’s degree at the University of Eastern Finland (Kuopio) in the Environmental Sciences program, which was rooted in laboratory animal science, toxicology, biology, and health sciences. In the early stages of her career, she engaged in an outsource service program for toxicity testing for the pharmaceutical industry and was involved in establishing a GLP-compliant laboratory at the National Animal Laboratory Center in Kuopio, Finland.

After relocating to Canada, she gained further experience in pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and CNS/pain as well as pre-formulations as a research scientist, study director, study monitor, sponsor representative, and outsourcing coordinator. With over 25 years working in academic service provider laboratories, CROs, and the pharma industry (15 of them at AstraZeneca R&D Montréal), Heli has gained valuable insight in nonclinical methodology and study design as well as experience in problem-solving spanning from discovery to toxicity and safety testing.

For the past six years, Heli has managed multiple IND-enabling toxicology programs of different therapeutic indications (e.g., pain, cancer, pulmonary diseases, infection, and anti-virals) for a variety of administration routes (e.g., oral, intravenous, and inhalation) with a proactive and collaborative approach. In her role at Premier Partners, she is intent on helping sponsors with their development programs to enable them to meet their strategic objectives towards regulatory submissions and early clinical activities.