PHARMExcel

What PHARMExcel does

PHARMExcel is a privately held UK Contract Research Organisation (CRO) founded in 2009 by Yvanne Enever, headquartered in Welwyn Garden City (with operational roots in Stevenage). The company delivers full-service Phase I-IV clinical research services for both investigational medicinal products and medical devices, spanning 16+ therapeutic areas including hepatology, oncology, haematology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, neurology, and rare diseases. Its specialized offerings include ATMP (cell and gene therapy) clinical trials with access to MHRA-licensed facilities, medical device CRO services for Class I-III devices aligned to ISO 14155, rare disease adaptive trial design, and dedicated academic/NHS investigator-initiated study support.

Operationally, PHARMExcel runs an integrated delivery model covering clinical trial development, study/project management, clinical monitoring, regulatory affairs, safety management (SAE/SUSAR reporting and IDMC coordination), data management via 21 CFR Part 11 compliant partner EDC systems, biostatistics (statistical planning, TLF generation, DSMB outputs), and quality/compliance (audits, CAPA, regulatory inspection support). The company operates an ISO 9001:2015 certified Quality Management System and uses risk-based monitoring methodologies. Technology infrastructure is largely partner-provided rather than proprietary, with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities.

Commercially, PHARMExcel employs a 'pick and mix' professional services pricing model allowing sponsors to procure individual services or full-service bundles on multi-year contracts with itemised costings. The go-to-market is sales-led and direct, targeting NHS Trusts, universities, Clinical Trials Units, biotech start-ups and university spin-outs, medical device companies, and rare disease sponsors. The company is founder-led, self-funded with no disclosed external equity or debt rounds, and operates as PHARMExcel Ltd (UK private limited company) with a team of 11-50 employees. Notable customer relationships include UCL, Imperial College London, Moorfields Eye Hospital, University Hospital Southampton, INmune Bio, Axovia Therapeutics, Sequana Medical, and Yaqrit, supported by partnerships with the ECMC Network, UK Biomedical Research Centres, Clinical Research Facilities, Cancer Research Networks, and patient advocacy groups such as the MPS Society and Beacon for Rare Diseases.

Name

PHARMExcel

Legal name

PHARMExcel

Website

https://pharmexcel-cro.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PHARMExcel is a UK-based full-service CRO providing Phase I-IV clinical research services for drug and medical device studies. Founded in 2009, the company serves NHS trusts, universities, biotechs, and medical device manufacturers, specializing in ATMP, early-phase, and rare disease trials.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Stevenage

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Clinical Research Services: PHARMExcel provides comprehensive CRO services including clinical trial development, management, monitoring, regulatory affairs, data management, biostatistics, safety management, and quality compliance. Services can be selected à la carte ('pick and mix' model) or as full-service delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PHARMExcel is a UK-based full-service Contract Research Organisation (CRO) providing Phase I-IV clinical research services to the NHS, Universities, Biopharma and Medical Device sectors. It delivers flexible, integrated clinical trial development, management, monitoring, regulatory affairs, data management, biostatistics, safety management, and quality compliance services through a 'pick and mix' model. Specialized offerings include ATMP (cell/gene therapy), medical device, rare disease, biotech, and academic/NHS trial support.

Product overview

PHARMExcel is a full-service Contract Research Organisation (CRO) providing Phase I-IV clinical research services through a flexible, integrated delivery model. The company operates as a single unified offering with a 'mix-and-match' service architecture, allowing sponsors to engage specific services tailored to each project. Core services include Clinical Trial Development, Study/Project Management, Clinical Monitoring, Regulatory Affairs, Safety Management, Data Management (powered by 21 CFR Part 11 compliant EDC systems), Biostatistics, and Quality and Compliance. Specialized offerings span Academic/NHS/University Trials, Biotech CRO Services, ATMP Clinical Trials, Medical Device CRO Services, and Rare Disease Clinical Trials. The company delivers across 16+ therapeutic areas including Oncology/Haematology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases/Vaccines, Ophthalmology, Neurology, Cardiovascular, Gastroenterology, and Rare Diseases, with geographic reach across UK, EU, and USA sites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Phase I Clinical Trial Services Early-phase clinical trial services covering first-in-human and first-in-patient studies, with particular expertise in ATMP, rare disease, oncology, haematology and ophthalmology, leveraging UK regulatory knowledge and MHRA-licensed facilities.
• Phase II-IV Clinical Trial Services Mid-to-late phase clinical trial delivery spanning Phase II, III and IV studies across broad therapeutic areas, supporting both IMP and medical device investigations.
• Clinical Trial Development Comprehensive clinical trial development services including protocol development, patient-facing documents (patient information sheets, informed consent forms), and clinical study reports aligned to ICH E3 or ISO standards.
• Study and Project Management End-to-end study and project management services coordinating all aspects of clinical trial delivery from start-up through to monitoring and close-out.
• Clinical Monitoring GCP-trained CRA monitoring services ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements across UK and EU sites.
• Regulatory Affairs Preparation and management of clinical trial applications, substantial amendments and end of trial notifications to UK and EU Competent Authorities including MHRA.
• Safety Management Comprehensive safety management including protocol safety section development, SAE/SADE processing, SUSAR/USADE expedited reporting, safety monitoring plans and independent drug safety monitoring committee (IDMC) management.
• Data Management Electronic data capture solutions with 21 CFR Part 11 compliant software, visit scheduling, real-time edit checks, automated query management, and integration with GlobalTrace EDC for kit tracking.
• Biostatistics Statistical planning, innovative study design, randomisation schedules, submission-ready datasets, TLF generation, DSMB outputs, interim analysis support, and manuscript/abstract statistical support.
• Quality and Compliance Quality management plans, clinical quality assurance services including investigator site audits, document reviews, system audits, vendor audits, and regulatory inspection support with CAPA development.
• Academic and NHS University Trials Services Bespoke CRO services supporting NHS trusts, universities, Clinical Trials Units and spin-outs with pre-funding guidance, protocol development, regulatory approvals, and flexible 'pick and mix' service delivery.
• Biotech CRO Services Specialized clinical trial support for biotechs and university spin-outs, offering Phase I-II expertise, ATMP and rare disease study capabilities, medical device studies, rescue studies, and flexible cost-transparent service models.
• ATMP Clinical Trial Services Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product clinical trial services for cell and gene therapies, including first-in-human and first-in-patient studies with Phase I fast-track approvals, product traceability, and access to MHRA-licensed facilities and apheresis sites.
• Medical Device CRO Services Full-service medical device and diagnostics CRO supporting Class I-III device studies through ISO 14155-compliant clinical investigations, UKCA and CE marking evidence generation, and combination product trials.
• Rare Disease Clinical Trial Services Specialized rare disease trial services featuring adaptive trial design, patient advocacy group partnerships, multi-site setup, and expedited regulatory approvals across multiple therapeutic indications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% PTSR (Probability of Technical and Regulatory Success) indication benchmark achieved for progressing INKmune programme into Phase II
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rare Disease Research PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHARMExcel partners with Rare Disease Research Partners to provide enhanced trial design for sponsors, patients, and sites in Fabry disease and MPS clinical trials. The collaboration combines PHARMExcel's CRO expertise with research partner capabilities.
• MPS SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHARMExcel sponsors the Fabry Matters Research Grant in partnership with MPS Society, supporting rare disease research and patient communities. This collaboration enhances trial experiences and accelerates delivery of novel therapies.
• Beacon for Rare DiseasesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHARMExcel supports Beacon for Rare Diseases as their chosen charity of the year, participating in fundraising activities and community support initiatives.
• Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHARMExcel collaborates with the ECMC Network to deliver complex oncology trials including the Phase I TRALA trial for AL Amyloidosis treatment. ECMC provides clinical infrastructure and specialist capabilities for early-phase cancer research.
• UK Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHARMExcel has established partnerships with UK Biomedical Research Centres providing access to specialist research sites and centres of excellence for rare disease clinical trials.
• UK Clinical Research Facilities (CRFs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHARMExcel works with Clinical Research Facilities across the UK to deliver early-phase clinical trials with access to specialized infrastructure and clinical expertise.
• Cancer Research NetworkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPHARMExcel leverages Cancer Networks across the UK for oncology clinical trial delivery, enabling access to a wide network of research sites and investigators.
• UK Clinical Research NetworkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPHARMExcel utilizes Clinical Research Networks to access NHS sites and coordinate multi-site trial delivery across the UK healthcare system.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Celerion: Global early-phase clinical CRO specialising in first-in-human, biopharmaceutics and PK/PD studies. Comparable to PHARMExcel on early-phase focus and ATMP/experimental medicine capability, though at much larger scale.
• Ergomed (now part of Asymchem): UK-origin specialist CRO with strong orphan/rare disease and oncology focus before its acquisition. Highly comparable to PHARMExcel on UK base, rare disease/oncology specialism, and mid-size CRO profile targeting biotech and academic sponsors.
• Frontage Laboratories: Mid-sized global CRO offering clinical trial management alongside bioanalytical and lab services. Comparable on clinical CRO services for biotech and specialty pharma; overlaps with PHARMExcel on full-service Phase I-IV delivery model.
• Hammersmith Medicines Research: UK specialist CRO/clinical research unit focused on early-phase trials including ATMP and vaccine studies. Comparable to PHARMExcel on Phase I specialism, UK base and investigator/sponsor crossover work.
• Richmond Pharmacology: UK-based early-phase clinical research unit and specialist CRO with strong MHRA Phase I expertise. Directly comparable to PHARMExcel on Phase I/early-phase focus, UK regulatory specialism and academic/NHS client base; competes for similar ATMP and first-in-human sponsors.

Broad incumbents

• Medpace: Mid-size global full-service CRO with strong biotech sponsor franchise across all phases. Comparable in offering Phase I-IV clinical services to biotech/specialty pharma, but at materially larger scale and broader geographic reach than PHARMExcel.
• ICON plc: Global full-service CRO with biotech/specialty pharma franchise. Comparable on full-service Phase I-IV clinical delivery, though at significantly larger scale and broader therapeutic coverage than PHARMExcel.
• IQVIA: World's largest CRO with full Phase I-IV capabilities, technology platforms and global reach. Comparable to PHARMExcel across the clinical trial service stack, but as a broad incumbent offering PHARMExcel's specialist services as part of a much wider portfolio.
• Worldwide Clinical Trials: Mid-size global CRO with strong rare disease, CNS and specialty therapeutic focus. Comparable on Phase I-IV clinical delivery and rare disease expertise, though substantially larger and more geographically diverse than PHARMExcel.

Emerging players

• Biorasi: Mid-size global CRO focused on biotech and specialty pharma across rare disease, oncology and CNS. Comparable to PHARMExcel on biotech-centric, mid-size full-service clinical delivery model; competing for similar sponsor relationships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pharmexcel-ltd
• Xx.com/PHARMExcel1

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about PHARMExcel