About Us
The Nor Consult Journey
Founded in 2005 by University of Washington professor & physician-researcher Dr. Branko Kopjar, Nor Consult has organically grown to support a global list of biotech, medical device, and pharmaceutical firms. To date, our team has delivered dozens of clinical trials and hundreds of biometrics and medical writing projects, many of which have resulted in publications in The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA and The Lancet.
With experience spanning Australia, Canada, China, Europe, and the United States, we help clients bridge science, regulation, and commercial adoption.
Meet The Experts
Guided by senior experts with decades of clinical, regulatory, and scientific experience, our leadership team ensures every project is designed and executed with precision.
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Branko Kopjar, MD, MSc, PhD, FACE, FAcadTM
Founder & Managing MemberI founded Nor Consult, LLC in 2005 with a clear vision: to bring rigorous science and practical wisdom together so that innovators in life sciences can deliver meaningful therapies to patients.
My career has been a journey through many roles, including professor, biostatistician, clinical epidemiologist, government advisor, and industry consultant. Each role gave me a different lens on the challenges of developing new therapies, and together they inspired me to create Nor Consult. My goal was to create a consultancy that brings together academic rigor and real-world experience, turning complex data into clear strategies that drive innovation and improve patient outcomes.
Two decades later, I’m proud of our collaborations with start-ups and global leaders alike, driving First-in-Human and pivotal studies, securing key regulatory approvals, and advancing therapies that change patients’ lives.
In addition to my role at Nor Consult, I serve as an emeritus faculty member at the University of Washington, where, since 1997, I have led research in clinical epidemiology, health outcomes, and medical product evaluation. This balance of academic leadership and hands-on industry work continues to shape our approach: scientifically grounded, results-driven, and always focused on patients.
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Patrick Heagerty, PhD, FASA
Senior Scientific AdvisorPatrick Heagerty, PhD, is a Professor, former Chair of Biostatistics and Director of the Center for Biomedical Statistics at the University of Washington. He is nationally recognized for his deep expertise in clinical trial design and advanced statistical methodologies. Nor Consult has a multi-year partnership with Dr. Heagerty supporting our clients across various therapeutic areas, including medical device and cardiovascular trials.
His leadership roles, including on the FDA Sentinel Innovation Center, highlight his profound understanding of regulatory requirements and best practices in biostatistics. Dr. Heagerty’s guidance ensures robust study design, precise data analysis, and strategic insights crucial for successful clinical development programs.
Dr. Heagerty holds a BS in Biology from Cornell University, a MS in Statistics from State University of New York (Albany) and a PhD in Biostatistics from Johns Hopkins. He serves as a statistical editor for the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine.
Proven Research That Shapes Approvals and Publications
Trusted by sponsors, investors, and partners worldwide, Nor Consult delivers solutions that withstand regulatory scrutiny and drive program success.
Confidential Cardiovascular and Cardiorenal Partnership
We are proud to partner with a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative therapies for cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Our collaboration focuses on advancing novel treatments that target abnormally elevated aldosterone, a key driver in these conditions. Through our expertise in cardiovascular biometrics, we are helping them to bring forward a promising new approach to improve patient outcomes in hypertension and other related disorders.
i-FACTOR P15
Nor Consult served as the Contract Research Organization (CRO) for Cerapedics’ P-15 clinical program in the 2010s, overseeing end-to-end execution for this complex, multi-center musculoskeletal trial. We coordinated protocol development, site initiation, clinical monitoring, data management, biostatistics, and regulatory submissions to maintain rigor and momentum from first patient into database lock. Our team integrated real-time data insights with proactive issue resolution to protect patient safety, uphold protocol integrity, and keep milestones on track. With vendor orchestration, inspection-ready documentation, and transparent governance, Nor Consult enabled our client to receive a PMA for their novel ortho biologic intervention.
Riluzole in Spinal Cord Injury (RISCIS)
Nor Consult served as the Contract Research Organization (CRO) for the RISCIS clinical trial, delivering end-to-end operational leadership across study design, IP supply, blinding, site activation, monitoring, data management, and regulatory compliance. We ensured global safeguarding of patient safety and protocol integrity across dozens of participating Level 1 trauma centers. From vendor orchestration to inspection readiness, our team provided transparent governance, audit-ready documentation, and decisive issue resolution—empowering our client, the AO Foundation, and the investigators to execute with confidence.
Ready to Accelerate Your Clinical Program?
Partner with senior experts who deliver FDA- and EMA-ready data with efficiency and precision.
Meet Our Experts