CenExel

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).

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

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

• Clinical research sites
• Clinical trial network
• Phase I-IV trials
• CNS clinical research
• Patient recruitment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 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

Core 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

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.

• Intelligent Bio Solutions Inc.strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026CenExel 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 2021AMRI, 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

Broad 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

• Xx.com/CenExel
• Facebookfacebook.com/cenexel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cenexel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A4 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CenExel