We’re committed to using innovation for impact
TASK’s first trial was conducted in 2005 and since then the company has completed more than 140 projects for both international sponsors as well as consortiums, including top academic and government institutions. TASK is also a partner in the biggest Tuberculosis (TB) consortium in history with the ambitious goal of creating a new TB regimen.

Vision
Better healthcare for everyone.
Mission
To provide a platform for the development of novelties in healthcare that benefit the community.
Excellence
- Innovation
- Accountability
- Agility
- Adaptability
At TASK we value our people.
Our medical team includes 14 doctors who have served as Principal Investigators (PI) across a wide range of therapeutic areas in clinical trials. Our doctors bring a wealth of expertise to ensure the highest standards of care and precision in trial management.
Supporting our clinical work is our dedicated science team, composed of seven talented scientists. Their cutting-edge research and deep knowledge in scientific disciplines are critical to advancing our mission of testing novel molecules and ensuring the success of each clinical trial.

Prof. Andreas Diacon
Founder and Chief Scientific Officer

Johann De Bruyn
Chief Executive Officer

Melissa Mitchell
Chief Operating Officer

Gerben Van Den Hoogen
Operations Executive

Riana Stander
Clinical Operations Executive

Marilyn Adams
Human Resource Executive

Dr Reinard McPherson
Medical Executive

Jolize Gerber
Business Development Executive

Carin Stofberg
Chief Financial Officer
Prof. Andreas Diacon
Founder and Chief Scientific Officer
Andreas Diacon is the Founder of TASK and now acts as its Chief Scientific Officer. A trained Swiss and South African physician and pulmonologist he cared for tuberculosis patients at Swiss sanatoria in the Magic Mountains in Davos as well as in Tygerberg Hospital and community clinics in Cape Town.
For his exceptional contributions towards research he was awarded the Rector’s Award at Stellenbosch University, the Swiss TB Research Award and the Scientific Prize of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. He is an accomplished clinical trialist and was named a “Hero in the Field” by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
To date, he is Professor Emeritus at Stellenbosch University and has more than 200 publications to his name. His small team of researchers forms the base of TASK’s relentless push for better tuberculosis diagnostics, vaccines and treatments.

Johann De Bruyn
Chief Executive Officer
Johann de Bruyn is the Chief Executive Officer of TASK, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience across diverse industries. A Chartered Accountant and MBA graduate from Bradford University in the UK, Johann excels in strategic planning, business development, and financial analysis.
As CEO, Johann focuses on driving transformation and growth by broadening TASK’s value proposition through diversification and digital innovation. His leadership style emphasizes empowering employees and fostering a collaborative, thriving workplace culture.
Johann is passionate about building high-performing teams and leading change management initiatives that create lasting impact. With a commitment to sustainable growth, he leverages his expertise to navigate complex challenges and drive organizational success.
A seasoned leader, Johann is dedicated to aligning people and business goals, ensuring TASK continues to deliver excellence.

Melissa Mitchell
Chief Operating Officer
As the Chief Operating Officer of TASK, Melissa Mitchell forms an integral part of the team driving the strategic direction and operational excellence of the company, leveraging her background in the clinical trials industry. Since joining TASK in 2011, she has been instrumental in leading transformative projects, including therapeutic area diversification, and expanding to new geographic areas in Europe and South Africa.
Melissa holds a BSc in Chemistry and an MBA from Stellenbosch University. Her ability to analyse complex situation and translate it to actionable strategies contribute to the company’s operational efficiencies and market expansion.
Melissa is passionate about leadership and supporting her team in their quest for a healthier future. Her leadership style is characterized by a collaborative approach, and a commitment to fostering high-performing teams.
On the weekend you’ll find her walking her dog in a quiet spot far from the noise of the city.

Gerben Van Den Hoogen
Operations Executive
Gerben van den Hoogen is a seasoned strategist and Operational Executive at TASK. With over 25 years of experience spanning public health, epidemiology, and clinical trials, Gerben combines his deep expertise with a passion for driving impactful change. After completing his master’s degree in clinical epidemiology from Radboud University, he began his career in public health, managing large-scale accident and disaster policies.
In 2004, Gerben moved to South Africa, where he honed his skills in clinical trial management at PathCare and Synexus Helderberg Clinical Research Centre. His role as Site Manager involved overseeing day-to-day operations, managing study recruitment, and ensuring contract delivery. Today, as Operational Executive at TASK, Gerben plays a pivotal role in optimizing clinical trial conduct, ensuring operational efficiency, and driving the company’s strategic growth.
Gerben’s leadership style combines a passion for research with a pragmatic, results-driven approach while fostering a collaborative environment. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring South Africa’s culture and landscapes with his family, is an enthusiast homebrewer and is working toward achieving a sub 4 marathon.

Riana Stander
Clinical Operations Executive
As a Clinical Executive with over 11 years of experience in the clinical trial industry, Riana Stander brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to advancing clinical research through efficient clinical trial operations and meaningful community engagement. Riana drives the operational aspects of TASK clinical trial sites, ensuring alignment with organizational strategic goals. Her responsibilities extend to managing clinical trial participant recruitment teams and community engagement initiatives, fostering strong connections between trial sites and local communities to achieve volunteer recruitment targets.
Her career trajectory reflects a dedication to excellence and growth, with roles that covers a variety of different aspects in the clinical research site cycle. She started her career in clinical research as a Clinical study coordinator and was promoted to Clinical trial site manager. Following this she filled positions such as Regulatory manager, Regulatory lead, Study start-up specialist, Head of special projects, and Operations executive before transitioning to the role of Clinical executive. These diverse experiences have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the clinical trial landscape and the ability to lead teams to success.
As a qualified professional nurse she is passionate about driving efficiency, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and cultivating leadership within her teams. Her approach focuses on creating an environment that supports innovation, teamwork, and professional development while delivering impactful results in clinical research.

Marilyn Adams
Human Resource Executive
Marilyn holds a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Cape Town and brings over 20 years of experience in human resources and payroll management. With a career spanning the retail, medical, and property management industries, Marilyn has developed a versatile skill set across key HR disciplines aimed at enhancing workplace satisfaction and productivity.
Passionate about fairness and inclusivity, Marilyn is dedicated to fostering strong relationships between employees and the organisation. By prioritising wellness, benefits, and development, she strives to create environments where employees feel valued, motivated, and empowered to thrive. Her leadership philosophy centres on balancing the needs of employees and the organisation, contributing to organisational growth while nurturing a culture of collaboration and innovation.
In her current role as HR Executive at TASK, she leads a high performing team in supporting the organisation in HR deliverables aligned with the organisation’s overall strategic objectives.

Dr Reinard McPherson
Medical Executive
Dr. Reinard McPherson, TASK’s Medical Executive, is a highly motivated and goal-oriented Physician with nearly 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Holding an MBChB and extensive postgraduate training, he has a deep understanding of the entire clinical life cycle of medicinal products, from first-in-human studies to post-approval divestment.
Dr. McPherson is a seasoned clinical trial expert, having conducted over 50 trials across various therapeutic areas and phases, with more than 20 as Principal Investigator. His expertise is bolstered by certifications such as Certified Physician Investigator (ACRP), postgraduate training in Pharmaceutical Medicine, and Harvard Leadership training.
Before joining TASK, Dr. McPherson held prominent roles, including Chief Medical Officer at FARMOVS and Country Medical Director for Astellas Pharma South Africa. He has also managed early-phase clinical trial units and regional clinical trial operations for global organizations.
With a focus on driving organizational success, Dr. McPherson combines strategic vision with clinical excellence to advance TASK’s mission in the field of applied sciences.

Jolize Gerber
Business Development Executive
Jolize Gerber brings over 15 years of expertise in the medical field, with a focus on client relationship management, business development, and strategic growth. Her strong foundation in sales, coupled with an MBA, empowers her to cultivate lasting client partnerships and deliver measurable results. Throughout her career, she has excelled in identifying client needs, crafting tailored solutions, and driving meaningful collaborations that yield mutual success.
At TASK, Jolize plays a pivotal role in aligning client goals with innovative strategies, ensuring the seamless execution of clinical research objectives. She thrives on fostering trust, understanding unique challenges, and providing actionable insights that advance research efforts and unlock potential.
Jolize’s passion lies in creating value through collaboration, enabling clients to achieve their clinical milestones with confidence. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys spending quality time outdoors with family and friends, embracing nature and building connections that reflect her dynamic approach to life.

Carin Stofberg
Chief Financial Officer
Carin Stofberg serves as TASK’s Chief Financial Officer, bringing a wealth of expertise in financial management and strategic planning. She holds a BCom Honours in Accounting from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and has built a solid career in managing complex financial operations.
In her role at TASK, Carin is responsible for overseeing financial processes, ensuring compliance, and driving efficiency to support the organization’s strategic goals. Her meticulous approach and strong analytical skills enable her to manage budgets effectively, streamline financial workflows, and provide actionable insights that foster growth and stability.
Carin’s dedication to excellence and her collaborative leadership style have earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor within the organization. Her commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability ensures that TASK remains financially robust and well-positioned for sustained success.
With a passion for numbers and a focus on results, Carin plays a vital role in enabling TASK’s mission to thrive in the clinical research landscape.


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Contact us
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South Africa
Smith Street, Glenlily,
Cape Town, 7500
Phone:
+27 (0)21 100 3606
Email:
info@taskclinical.com
The Netherlands
Room Str 1.239A,
Stratenum 1st floor,
UMC Utrecht
Phone:
+31 (0)88 75 56997
Email:
info@taskclinical.com
The Netherlands
Room Str 1.239A,
Stratenum 1st floor,
UMC Utrecht
Phone:
+31 (0)88 75 56997
Email:
info@taskclinical.com