How a Senior Contract Analyst blends financial expertise with purpose-driven work to expand access to life-changing treatments.
For nearly two decades, Frank Ballo built his career in Accounting and Finance, including nine years serving as a Controller. While he thrived in that field, he eventually felt called to explore something new—something that could make a direct impact on people’s lives. That search led him to clinical research, where he discovered a passion for bringing life-changing treatments to patients in need.
“I fell in love with the opportunity to bring new drugs to patients,” Frank shared. “It was a chance to do something meaningful beyond numbers on a page.”
Today, Frank serves as a Senior Contract Analyst on Profound Research’s Business Development team, playing a pivotal role in expanding access to advanced therapies across the organization’s national network. His work focuses on negotiating budgets with pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations (CROs), ensuring that groundbreaking treatments make their way to Profound’s research hospitals and ultimately to patients.
“The Business Development team reaches out to many pharmaceutical companies and CROs to bring new treatments to our research hospital network,” Frank explained. “My role is to negotiate the budgets that make these advancements possible.”
At the heart of Frank’s approach is Profound Research’s core value of Urgency. He recognizes the importance of acting swiftly and decisively when patients are waiting for potentially life-saving options. “Urgency is a must when you’re bringing treatments to vulnerable patients,” he said. “When I negotiate a budget, I pay close attention to strict timelines and the needs of our sponsors.”
Frank also knows that strong partnerships are essential to success in research. By cultivating professional relationships with sponsors, CROs, and sites, he helps build the trust and collaboration that fuel progress. “The research sites and sponsors work together to offer patient-saving options,” he said. “By forming these relationships, we’re able to work seamlessly for the benefit of patients.”
Matt Chapman, Profound Research’s Vice President of Commercial, underscored Frank’s impact: “Frank’s ability to blend financial expertise with a deep commitment to patient impact makes him an invaluable part of our team. He approaches every project with urgency, professionalism, and a true sense of purpose.”
Looking ahead, Frank is energized by Profound’s growth trajectory and its expanding reach into communities that need access to new drugs and treatments. “The exciting part of working at Profound is that we are growing and expanding into communities that will truly benefit,” he said. “I plan to help the company in any way possible to move forward and make lives better.”
Outside of work, Frank enjoys a life filled with sports, golf, and his new Labrador puppy, who keeps him on his toes. Whether on the course or at home, he brings the same energy and commitment to life that he brings to his role at Profound.