What Alcura does

Alcura is a B2B clinical trial support services provider and wholly-owned subsidiary of Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen, NYSE: COR), founded in 1994 and headquartered in Weybridge, United Kingdom, with operating subsidiaries across Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, and France, plus a U.S. regional presence in Conshohocken and an Ohio depot opening in June 2026. The company delivers end-to-end clinical supply chain services — including primary and secondary packaging, temperature-controlled storage across ambient (15-25°C), cold (2-8°C), frozen (-80°C to -20°C), and cryogenic (-196°C) regimes, global distribution, comparator and ancillary sourcing, importer-of-record services, product return and disposal, and patient support — to pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, CROs, and healthcare providers conducting clinical trials in 50+ countries.

The company's competitive positioning rests on three pillars: a 30+ depot global network with GDP, GMP, ISO 9001:2015, and GCP certifications; the first AEMPS Manufacturing and Importation Authorization (MIA) license within Cencora's international network for importing, storing, and QP batch-certifying cell and gene therapy products (ATMPs) at its Viladecans facility; and structural cost and sourcing advantages derived from Cencora's status as the world's #1 buyer of pharmaceutical products, giving Alcura access to 50,000+ pharmaceutical products through 60+ vendor partners and 20+ dedicated sourcing experts.

Alcura operates on a managed-services, contract-based revenue model with per-study or per-program pricing negotiated with enterprise pharmaceutical, biotech, and CRO clients. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales with dedicated account management, supplemented by industry events (notably the annual Alcura Summit in Barcelona) and digital presence. Reported operational metrics include 500+ studies handled for CROs and sponsors, 10,000+ depot-to-site shipments, and a 99.91% on-time delivery rate for cell and gene therapy shipments.

Name

Alcura

Legal name

Alcura Health

Website

https://alcura-health.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Alcura is a Cencora-owned B2B clinical trial support services provider offering end-to-end packaging, temperature-controlled storage, global distribution, comparator sourcing, and cell/gene therapy logistics to pharmaceutical companies, biotechs, and CROs across 50+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical Trial Supply Chain Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Clinical CROs (Phase I–IV) (HLAGAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty Therapeutic-Area CROs (e.g., oncology/rare disease) (HLAGAAAL), Regulatory Strategy & IND/NDA/BLA Submissions Support (HLAIALAH), Clinical Quality Assurance (GCP QA, TMF/QMS oversight) (HLAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Clinical trial services
• Pharmaceutical logistics
• Cell and gene therapy
• Comparator sourcing
• Temperature-controlled storage

Headquarters

HQ city

Weybridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Clinical Trial Support Services: Comprehensive clinical trial logistics services including packaging, storage, distribution, comparator sourcing, and cell & gene therapy support for pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and CROs conducting global clinical trials

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Alcura provides end-to-end clinical trial support services for pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and CROs, including primary and secondary packaging, multi-temperature storage (ambient to cryogenic at -196°C), global distribution and logistics, comparator and ancillary sourcing, cell and gene therapy (CGT/ATMP) support with QP batch certification, importer of record services, and product return and disposal. Operating 30+ GDP/GMP-certified depots across 50+ countries as part of Cencora, the company serves as a centralized provider of clinical supply chain management for global trials from Phase I through commercialization.

Product overview

Alcura is a clinical trial services provider and part of Cencora, offering an integrated platform of specialized services for clinical trials support. The core portfolio includes Packaging and Storage, Distribution and Logistics, a Global Depot Network of 30+ facilities, Comparator Sourcing, Cell and Gene Therapy Services, Importer of Record Services, and Product Return and Disposal. These services work together to provide end-to-end clinical supply chain support—from packaging and temperature-controlled storage through global distribution, regulatory compliance, and reverse logistics—enabling pharmaceutical companies and sponsors to manage clinical trials from Phase I through commercialization across 50+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Packaging and Storage Comprehensive primary and secondary packaging solutions with temperature-controlled storage options (ambient 15-25°C, cold 2-8°C, freezer -80°C to -20°C, cryostorage -196°C) to safeguard clinical trial IMP materials throughout their lifecycle.
• Distribution and Logistics Efficient global distribution network ensuring timely, secure, and compliant deliveries of IMPs to clinical trial sites, hospitals, health centers, pharmacies, and patient homes worldwide with cold chain guarantee.
• Global Depot Network Strategic network of 30+ GDP-certified depots providing secure, compliant storage and distribution support across key global regions, with temperature-controlled capabilities spanning ambient to cryogenic (-196°C) storage.
• Comparator Sourcing Expert comparator drug and medical device sourcing services with 20+ dedicated sourcing experts leveraging manufacturer relationships and a 60+ partner vendor network to ensure reliable supply for clinical trials.
• Cell and Gene Therapy Services End-to-end advanced therapy support including MIA-enabled import/export, QP batch certification, regulatory assessment, manufacturer audit, and cryostorage for CGT/ATMP products across the product lifecycle.
• Importer of Record Services Documentation, customs clearance, and regulatory compliance services enabling smooth and compliant entry of IMPs into key markets across Europe, USA, Asia, and Africa.
• Product Return and Disposal Reverse logistics management services handling return and destruction of clinical materials including certified destruction of medication under special control, cytostatics, and biological products in compliance with regulations.
• Patient Support Services Personalized patient support programs providing country-specific contact information and assistance for patients enrolled in clinical trials across UK, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, and Spain.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.91% of CGT shipments delivered on time and within temperature range
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• CencoraflagshipOthersAlcura is a wholly-owned subsidiary and part of Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen), the world's #1 buyer of pharmaceutical products. As part of Cencora, Alcura benefits from exceptional drug sourcing capabilities, group buying power, and access to a global network spanning 50+ countries. Cencora provides strategic direction and integrated services including third-party logistics, regulatory consulting, market access, reimbursement support, and patient services.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sharp (Clinical Services): Sharp Clinical Services, part of UDG Healthcare/Aspen, provides clinical trial packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and comparator sourcing. Both companies compete for integrated clinical supply contracts from pharma sponsors and CROs globally.
• Catalent: Catalent (now owned by Novo Holdings) provides clinical supply services including packaging, storage, distribution, and comparator sourcing for global clinical trials. Both companies compete for clinical trial supply chain contracts from pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors.
• Marken: Marken, part of UPS Healthcare, is a direct competitor offering global clinical trial supply chain services including temperature-controlled logistics, packaging, storage, and direct-to-patient delivery. Both companies compete head-to-head for clinical trial logistics contracts from pharma, biotech, and CROs.
• Biocair: Biocair specializes in temperature-controlled logistics for clinical trials, cell and gene therapies, and advanced therapy medicinal products. Both companies focus on cryogenic and cold chain capabilities for life sciences clients.
• PCI Pharma Services: PCI Pharma Services offers clinical trial supply chain services including packaging, labeling, storage, and global distribution with specialized cold chain capabilities. Both companies serve as integrated clinical supply partners for pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors.
• World Courier: World Courier, also a Cencora subsidiary, is Alcura's sister company providing specialty logistics for cell and gene therapies and clinical trial materials. Both companies serve the same pharmaceutical and biotech customer base with temperature-controlled and cryogenic clinical supply capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• DHL Supply Chain (Life Sciences): DHL Supply Chain provides life sciences and healthcare logistics including clinical trial supply chain services as part of its broader global logistics portfolio. DHL offers overlapping capabilities but across a much wider range of industries and geographies.
• IQVIA: IQVIA is a leading global CRO that provides end-to-end clinical trial services including clinical supply chain management. As a broad incumbent, IQVIA offers overlapping capabilities with Alcura's clinical trial support services but as part of a much larger portfolio of CRO services.
• Kuehne+Nagel (Life Sciences Logistics): Kuehne+Nagel offers life sciences logistics including clinical trial supply chain, cold chain, and temperature-controlled transport as part of its broader global logistics operations. The company competes with Alcura on clinical trial logistics but as a diversified logistics provider.
• Eurofins Clinical Trial Services: Eurofins provides clinical trial laboratory testing, central laboratory, and bioanalytical services as part of its broader life sciences testing portfolio. The company competes with Alcura for clinical trial-related contracts but focuses on laboratory testing rather than supply chain logistics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alcura

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries6 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 Alcura