Cmax Clinical Research
CMAX Clinical Research, founded 1993 in Adelaide, is one of Australia's longest-established independent early-phase (Phase I-II) clinical trial facilities, operating a 78-bed inpatient clinic and conducting first-in-human, SAD/MAD, bioequivalence, and PK/PD studies for international pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and digital health sponsors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersAdelaide, Australia
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Cmax Clinical Research does
CMAX Clinical Research is an Australian early-phase clinical trial facility headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1993, the company operates a custom-built 78-bed inpatient clinic together with a 14-bed screening and outpatient unit, three PC2-certified processing laboratories, ambulatory cardiac telemetry, secure pharmacy rooms, and an eight-bed low-acoustic suite — purpose-built infrastructure for first-in-human (FTIH), single-ascending-dose (SAD), multiple-ascending-dose (MAD), bioequivalence, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies. CMAX sits inside Adelaide's BioMed City precinct opposite the Royal Adelaide Hospital, with established relationships to local universities, research institutes, and imaging providers for biomarker and diagnostic support. The organization reports more than 400 professionals and 800+ early-phase trials completed across diverse therapeutic areas.
The company is US FDA audited, ICH GCP compliant, and its studies meet the registration requirements of the EMA, Japan's PMDA, NMPA, and Health Canada. Sponsors benefit from Australia's Clinical Trial Notification (CTN) pathway (avoiding IND filings, with HREC approval typically within six weeks) and eligibility for the Australian R&D Tax Incentive of up to 43.5% on qualifying spend. More than 90% of trials are run for international sponsors across the USA, China, Europe, South Korea, and Japan. A 71,000+ healthy volunteer database and a self-serve online registration portal support participant recruitment, alongside a tiered refer-a-friend program.
CMAX generates revenue through contracted, customized study fees from pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and (via the Fusion division) digital health sponsors. The go-to-market model combines a dedicated Business Development team with senior Clinical Project Managers, attendance at national and international industry events, and an in-house marketing and participant engagement function for recruitment. In 2020, CMAX established Fusion Clinical Research as a wholly-owned division extending services into Phase II-III domestic trials via GP and specialist networks. In 2025, CMAX and Fusion were acquired by New Zealand Clinical Research (NZCR Group), forming a trans-Tasman network with 150+ combined trial beds and a recruitment population of approximately 30 million. Founder Jane Kelly continues as CEO. The company reported 20% revenue growth in 2025 and won the Australian National Professional Services Export Award and the SA Premier's Professional Services Export Award.
Cmax Clinical Research firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cmax Clinical Research
- Legal name
- CMAX Clinical Research Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://cmax.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- CMAX Clinical Research, founded 1993 in Adelaide, is one of Australia's longest-established independent early-phase (Phase I-II) clinical trial facilities, operating a 78-bed inpatient clinic and conducting first-in-human, SAD/MAD, bioequivalence, and PK/PD studies for international pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and digital health sponsors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cmax Clinical Research industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Clinical Research Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Medical Laboratories (621511)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Clinical Trial Site Operations & Study Coordination (HLAGACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Clinical Development (Phase I–III Trial Design & Execution) (HLAIALAE)
Keywords
Where Cmax Clinical Research is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Adelaide
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cmax Clinical Research 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 Trial Services for Sponsors: CMAX conducts early-phase clinical trials (Phase I-II) for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and digital health companies. Revenue is generated through contracted study fees based on trial complexity, duration, and scope. With over 90% of trials conducted for international sponsors, the company delivers internationally-approved data meeting global regulatory requirements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Participant reimbursement per night: $300-$400 average |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Refer-a-Friend Program: $500-$1,000 per successful referral |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Cmax Clinical Research product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CMAX Clinical Research operates a 78-bed purpose-built early-phase clinical trial facility in Adelaide, Australia, conducting Phase I and II clinical trials and first-in-human (FTIH) studies for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and digital health sponsors. The company also delivers single-ascending dose (SAD) and multiple-ascending dose (MAD) studies, food-effect, bioequivalence, and PK/PD studies. Its domestic Phase II-III arm, Fusion Clinical Research, extends reach through a network of GPs, specialists, and patient populations.
Product overview
CMAX Clinical Research is a single, unified clinical trial service offering early-phase clinical research services. The core offering is CMAX's 78-bed clinical trial facility conducting Phase I-II and first-in-human (FTIH) studies across diverse therapeutic areas. A subsidiary division, Fusion Clinical Research (founded 2020), extends reach into Phase II-III studies through a network of GPs and specialists. Both entities were acquired in 2025 by parent company NZCR Group, which now operates the combined trans-Tasman network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Fusion Clinical Research: A division of CMAX offering Phase II-III clinical trial services, connecting pharmaceutical, biotech, digital health and clinical research organisations with GPs, specialists and patients for domestic clinical trial research.
Products and services
- CMAX Clinical Research (Early-Phase Trial Services)
Quantifiable outcome
- HREC approval typically occurs within six weeks of submission
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Cmax Clinical Research
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Cmax Clinical Research technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Cmax Clinical Research partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supportive.
- New Zealand Clinical Research (NZCR)coreIn 2025, CMAX and Fusion were acquired by New Zealand Clinical Research. The acquisition brought four clinical research companies together under one trans-Tasman organisation, significantly expanding breadth of capability across the region. NZCR Group now has capacity of more than 150 trial beds and extensive specialisations for both early and later phase trials.
- Fusion Clinical ResearchcoreFounded in 2020, Fusion Clinical Research is a division of CMAX. It connects pharmaceutical, biotech, digital health and clinical research organisations with a trusted network of general practitioners (GPs), specialists and patients for clinical trial research in domestic settings.
- Health Industries South AustraliasupportiveGovernment agency providing support and accessibility for companies like InCarda expanding R&D in Australia. Very accessible and ready to help smaller companies.
- BioMed City Adelaide InstitutionssupportiveCMAX has long-established relationships with medical specialists across BioMed City institutions including Royal Adelaide Hospital, universities, research institutes and imaging providers. This provides access to comprehensive diagnostic laboratory and biomarker testing services.
- Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC)supportiveStudies are initiated on local HREC approval which typically occurs within six weeks of submission. HREC comprises medical professionals, community and lay people who sanction clinical trial safety.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cmax Clinical Research competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Novotech: Australia-headquartered CRO specializing in early-to-late phase clinical trials across Asia-Pacific. Comparable as a regional early-phase specialist leveraging Australian regulatory and demographic advantages, competing for the same international biotech sponsor base.
- Celerion: Specialized early-phase clinical research organization with extensive FTIH, SAD/MAD, and PK/PD capabilities across US and UK sites. Directly comparable to CMAX as a Phase I-dedicated CRO serving pharma and biotech sponsors globally.
- Quotient Sciences: UK/US-based CRO focused on early-phase clinical trials and integrated drug development. Comparable as a specialized FTIH/formulation service provider for international pharma sponsors with similar translational development offerings.
- Richmond Pharmacology: UK-based clinical research organization specializing in FTIH and early-phase clinical trials. Comparable as a specialized Phase I unit for international sponsors, offering similar SAD/MAD and experimental medicine capabilities.
- Optimal Clinical Research: New Zealand-based clinical research organization that, along with CMAX and Fusion, was consolidated into the NZCR Group in 2025. Operates as a sister entity providing comparable early-phase services in a complementary geography under shared ownership.
Regional players
- Linear Clinical Research: Perth, Australia-based early-phase clinical trial facility operating Phase I unit. Comparable as an Australian Phase I competitor leveraging similar regulatory and tax incentives, though smaller in bed capacity.
- Clinical Network Services (CNS): Australia-based CRO offering clinical trial services and bioanalytical laboratory support. Comparable as an Australian regional early-phase services competitor leveraging similar R&D Tax Incentive positioning.
Broad incumbents
- ICON plc: One of the world's largest CROs offering full-service Phase I-IV clinical research. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for the same sponsor pipeline but with substantially larger scale, geographic reach, and integrated service offerings.
- Syneos Health: Global biopharmaceutical solutions organization providing clinical development and commercial services. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering Phase I-III services to pharma/biotech, including early-phase trial execution across multiple geographies.
- Parexel International: Global CRO with deep early-phase and FTIH capabilities across multiple continents. Comparable as a broad incumbent providing early-phase services that compete with CMAX for international biotech and pharma trial placement.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cmax Clinical Research social profiles
Digital presenceCmax Clinical Research compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Cmax Clinical Research financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cmax Clinical Research leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Cmax Clinical Research subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Cmax Clinical Research funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cmax Clinical Research M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cmax Clinical Research
What does Cmax Clinical Research do?
CMAX Clinical Research operates a 78-bed purpose-built early-phase clinical trial facility in Adelaide, Australia, conducting Phase I and II clinical trials and first-in-human (FTIH) studies for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and digital health sponsors. The company also delivers single-ascending dose (SAD) and multiple-ascending dose (MAD) studies, food-effect, bioequivalence, and PK/PD studies. Its domestic Phase II-III arm, Fusion Clinical Research, extends reach through a network of GPs, specialists, and patient populations.
Is Cmax Clinical Research a public or private company?
Cmax Clinical Research is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Cmax Clinical Research founded?
Cmax Clinical Research was founded in 1993. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Cmax Clinical Research based?
Cmax Clinical Research is headquartered in Adelaide, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Cmax Clinical Research make money?
One revenue line is on record: clinical Trial Services for Sponsors.
Who are Cmax Clinical Research's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Novotech, Celerion, Quotient Sciences, Richmond Pharmacology and Optimal Clinical Research. Regional players are Linear Clinical Research and Clinical Network Services (CNS). Broad incumbents are ICON plc, Syneos Health and Parexel International.
Does Cmax Clinical Research have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cmax Clinical Research.
What industry is Cmax Clinical Research in?
Cmax Clinical Research's product category is Clinical Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGACAE, Clinical Trial Site Operations & Study Coordination, with a secondary code of HLAIALAE, Clinical Development (Phase I–III Trial Design & Execution). Its NAICS code is 54171 and its SIC code is 8731.