CenExel
CenExel is a U.S. clinical research site network operating 19 Centers of Excellence that conducts Phase I–IV trials in CNS, pain, psychedelic, and metabolic indications for pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSalt Lake City, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CenExel does
CenExel Clinical Research, Inc. operates a nationwide network of clinical research sites that conducts Phase I–IV trials on behalf of pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors. The company runs 19 Centers of Excellence spanning 360,000+ square feet with 600+ beds and access to a 1M+ population across diverse U.S. metro areas, including hubs in Draper (Utah, headquarters), Tampa, Denver, Anaheim, Toms River, Atlanta, Savannah, and Riverside. Its therapeutic focus spans central nervous system disorders (schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer's disease, acute pain), psychedelic-assisted therapies (Schedule I compounds including LSD, psilocybin, and DMT), pain research, and metabolic disease, with dedicated Psychiatry, Pain, and Metabolic task forces standardizing investigator best practices across the network.
CenExel's core platform is built on purpose-built treatment environments, specialized clinical staff, and operational frameworks — most notably for Schedule I psychedelic trials where the company has executed 400+ cumulative dosing sessions. A dedicated Clinical Sciences division supports first-in-human, SAD/MAD, and early-phase development. The company has expanded its network via acquisition (Citrials, AMRI, CTSdatabase, Apex Innovative Sciences between 2021 and 2022) and is investing in patient-facing digital infrastructure including a clinical trials portal (cenexelclinicaltrials.com) and a CenExel Mobile App on iOS and Android.
CenExel generates revenue through professional-services contracts for clinical trial execution, sourced via an RFI/RFP process and managed by an in-house strategic partnerships team that responds to inquiries within 24 hours. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based per study. The company is privately held, originally backed by Webster Equity Partners and now sponsored by BayPine (as of November 2025), with a debt facility from Churchill Asset Management arranged in April 2023. Recent leadership refresh in 2026 includes CEO Dr. Sy Pretorius (formerly CEO of Ergomed Group and President of Clinical Development/CMO at PAREXEL) and CFO Bethany Sensenig (formerly CFO of Radius Health).
CenExel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CenExel
- Legal name
- CenExel Clinical Research, Inc.
- Website
- https://CenExelresearch.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- CenExel is a U.S. clinical research site network operating 19 Centers of Excellence that conducts Phase I–IV trials in CNS, pain, psychedelic, and metabolic indications for pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CenExel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Clinical Research Services
- NAICS
- Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)
- SIC
- Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Clinical Site Start-Up & Activation (Regulatory/Ethics/Contracts) (HLAGACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Central Laboratory & Clinical Trial Testing CROs (HLAGAAAE), Clinical Development (Phase I–III Trial Design & Execution) (HLAIALAE)
Keywords
Where CenExel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Salt Lake City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
CenExel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Clinical Research Services: CenExel operates a network of clinical research sites that conduct clinical trials for pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors. Revenue is generated through contracted clinical research services, including study execution, patient recruitment, and data collection across their network of research centers.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
CenExel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CenExel operates a nationwide network of 19 clinical research Centers of Excellence, totaling 360,000+ square feet and 600+ beds, that conduct Phase I-IV clinical trials for pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors. The company specializes in complex therapeutic areas including CNS disorders (schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer's Disease), acute pain, psychedelics with Schedule I compounds, and neurodegenerative research, providing study execution, patient recruitment, and data collection services through dedicated clinical staff and investigators.
Product overview
CenExel is a clinical research site network providing specialized expertise in clinical trials through its integrated network of research centers. The company operates as a unified platform with multiple service offerings including a nationwide research network, a mobile application for patient recruitment, dedicated therapeutic task forces (Psychiatry, Pain, and Metabolic), and specialized divisions for Clinical Sciences and patient recruitment. The network spans nineteen Centers of Excellence across the United States.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CenExel Clinical Research Network A nationwide integrated network of clinical research centers that partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations to conduct clinical trials across CNS, pain, psychedelic, and neurodegenerative therapeutic areas, delivering study execution, patient recruitment, and high-quality data collection.
- Clinical Sciences Division Early phase pharmaceutical development services supporting first-in-human studies, SAD/MAD trial methodologies, ethnic bridging, and other early-stage clinical trial methodologies for pharmaceutical sponsors.
- Patient Recruitment Services Patient-centric study recruitment services that consistently exceed 100% of patient target enrollment goals through dedicated recruitment infrastructure, database access, and a mobile application for patient engagement.
- CenExel Mobile App A mobile application available on iOS and Android that connects patients with relevant clinical trials tailored to their health needs, enabling easy discovery and enrollment in clinical studies across CenExel's network of research sites.
- CenExel Clinical Trials Portal A patient-facing web portal that allows individuals to find and join clinical trials conducted across CenExel's network of research centers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Patient recruitment consistently exceeds 100% of patient target
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use CenExel
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CenExel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
CenExel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.
- Intelligent Bio Solutions Inc.strategicCenExel partnered with Intelligent Bio Solutions to conduct clinical studies supporting FDA 510(k) submission for the Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening System. Studies included an Interference Study enrolling 75 healthy adult participants and a usability study with 15 operators to validate specificity and accuracy for codeine detection.
- Advanced Memory Research Institute (AMRI)coreAMRI, a leading Alzheimer's Disease clinical research site in the Northeast, was acquired by CenExel and renamed CenExel AMRI. This acquisition enhanced CenExel's capabilities in CNS trials and expanded its network of research centers in the United States.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
CenExel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Medpace: Mid-to-large CRO focused on Phase II-IV clinical trials for biopharma sponsors, with strong therapeutic-area expertise. Comparable to CenExel on sponsor-facing clinical operations, though with limited dedicated site ownership.
- Syneos Health: Large CRO with integrated site-network and clinical development services for biopharma. Comparable to CenExel on sponsor-facing model and full-phase clinical research delivery.
- IQVIA: World's largest CRO with extensive site network, technology platforms, and sponsor relationships. Competes with CenExel for sponsor study placements across the same therapeutic areas at greater scale.
- ICON plc: Top-tier global CRO offering full-service clinical development including site management. Competes for the same pharmaceutical and biotech study placements as CenExel with broader geographic reach.
- Fortrea (formerly Labcorp Drug Development): Spin-off of Labcorp's CRO business offering clinical research services across all phases. Competes directly with CenExel for sponsor contracts in Phase I-IV trials.
Direct peers
- ObjectiveHealth: Clinical research site company focused on site-based research for sponsors, with an emphasis on chronic and metabolic conditions. Comparable to CenExel's outpatient site operations and sponsor-facing model.
- Flourish Research: PE-backed clinical research site network formed via roll-up acquisitions, serving pharma/biotech sponsors across multiple therapeutic areas. Closely mirrors CenExel's site-network business model and M&A-driven growth strategy.
- Velocity Clinical Research: One of the largest dedicated US clinical research site networks, operating integrated centers for pharma/biotech sponsors. Directly comparable to CenExel in site-network scale, therapeutic specialization, and Phase I-IV execution model.
- CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services: CRO with significant site-management and clinical operations capabilities, particularly in rare and complex indications. Comparable to CenExel on SMO/CRO hybrid service model and complex-trial execution.
- Worldwide Clinical Trials: Mid-sized global CRO with strong site relationships and CNS/rare disease expertise. Comparable to CenExel on therapeutic-area overlap (CNS, pain) and Phase I-IV clinical research services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CenExel social profiles
Digital presenceCenExel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CenExel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
CenExel subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
CenExel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CenExel M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A4 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CenExel
What does CenExel do?
CenExel operates a nationwide network of 19 clinical research Centers of Excellence, totaling 360,000+ square feet and 600+ beds, that conduct Phase I-IV clinical trials for pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors. The company specializes in complex therapeutic areas including CNS disorders (schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer's Disease), acute pain, psychedelics with Schedule I compounds, and neurodegenerative research, providing study execution, patient recruitment, and data collection services through dedicated clinical staff and investigators.
Is CenExel a public or private company?
CenExel is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was CenExel founded?
CenExel was founded in 2018. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is CenExel based?
CenExel is headquartered in Salt Lake City, United States, in the North America region.
How does CenExel make money?
One revenue line is on record: clinical Research Services.
Who are CenExel's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Medpace, Syneos Health, IQVIA, ICON plc and Fortrea (formerly Labcorp Drug Development). Direct peers are ObjectiveHealth, Flourish Research, Velocity Clinical Research, CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services and Worldwide Clinical Trials.
Does CenExel have an API?
No public API is recorded for CenExel.
What industry is CenExel in?
CenExel's product category is Clinical Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGACAC, Clinical Site Start-Up & Activation (Regulatory/Ethics/Contracts), with a secondary code of HLAGAAAE, Central Laboratory & Clinical Trial Testing CROs. Its NAICS code is 6215 and its SIC code is 8093.