Hunter-Hopkins Center

What Hunter-Hopkins Center does

Hunter-Hopkins Center is a physician-owned specialty medical practice headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, founded in 1995 by Dr. Charles W. Lapp. The practice exclusively treats Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME), Fibromyalgia (FM), and related conditions including Long Covid, operating as one of only two U.S. clinics authorized to administer Ampligen (rintatolimod), an FDA-approved experimental antiviral and immune modulatory drug, on a cost-recovery basis continuously since 1997. The center runs from a freestanding clinic with onsite phlebotomy, cardiopulmonary and autonomic laboratories, and an infusion suite, employing approximately 5-6 staff including two physicians.

Revenue is generated through medical consultations, diagnostic services, the high-value Ampligen treatment program, and clinical research conducted independently or with pharmaceutical sponsors including Pfizer, Hemispherx Biopharma (now AIM Immunotech), Cephalon, Sepracor, and Eli Lilly. Ampligen treatment costs approximately $4,000 per month per patient ($400 per 400mg dose plus infusion, medical visit, and laboratory fees), and Medicare does not cover investigational therapies. The practice uses the proprietary CNS Vital Signs computerized cognitive testing battery for neurocognitive assessment and participates in biobanking initiatives with Columbia University and the CDC's Multisite Clinical Assessment of CFS/ME study. Following Dr. Lapp's retirement in March 2024 after 50 years of medical practice, Dr. Vincent F. Hillman continues operations as Director.

The go-to-market is primarily referral-driven, supplemented by patient testimonials, an "Ask The Doctor" content section, ME Letter newsletter distribution, IACFS/ME conference presence, and the practice's Facebook page. Patients seeking Ampligen treatment often relocate temporarily to Charlotte because travel beyond an hour can undo treatment benefits, giving the single-site practice an effective national catchment area for its highest-value service line.

Name

Hunter-Hopkins Center

Legal name

Hunter-Hopkins Center, P.A.

Website

https://drlapp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hunter-Hopkins Center is a Charlotte, NC physician-owned specialty medical practice founded in 1995, exclusively treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Long Covid. It is one of only two U.S. clinics authorized to administer Ampligen on a cost-recovery basis since 1997 and conducts sponsored clinical research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ampligen Treatment Program: Cost-recovery based treatment where patients bear the cost of the drug, safety monitoring, and administration. Ampligen costs approximately $400 per 400mg dose ($3,200/month). Infusion costs, medical visits, and laboratory add approximately $1,200-1,400 monthly, totaling over $4,000/month. Medicare does not cover investigational therapies. Some insurers may reimburse medical visits, lab, and infusion costs.
2. Medical Consultations and Treatment: Standard medical practice revenue from patient consultations, diagnostic testing, and ongoing treatment for CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia patients. Includes onsite phlebotomy, cardiopulmonary testing, autonomic function testing, and infusion services.
3. Clinical Research: Conducts clinical trials, nutraceutical trials, and clinical research independently or collaboratively with researchers worldwide. Studies performed for pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Hemispherx Biopharma, Cephalon, Sepracor, Eli Lilly, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hunter-Hopkins Center is a freestanding specialty medical clinic in Charlotte, NC that diagnoses and treats Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME), Fibromyalgia (FM), and related post-viral conditions including Long Covid. The center provides evidence-based traditional medicine complemented by holistic therapies, onsite diagnostic services (phlebotomy, cardiopulmonary and autonomic labs), an infusion suite for Ampligen administration, and clinical research participation.

Product overview

Hunter-Hopkins Center is a free-standing medical clinic offering a unified suite of specialized healthcare services for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FM). The center provides medical consultations incorporating traditional and complementary therapies, behavioral support, and disability assistance, complemented by onsite laboratory services (phlebotomy, cardiopulmonary/autonomic labs, and infusion suite). The center also operates a research division conducting clinical trials and offers an Ampligen treatment program as an FDA-approved cost-recovery therapy. CNS Vital Signs computerized cognitive testing is used for neurocognitive assessment. Founded in 1995 and nationally recognized, the center serves as both a clinical care facility and a research site.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Medical Consultation Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of patients experience significant improvement in their condition (based on retrospective studies)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Participated in the Multisite Clinical Assessment of CFS/ME (MCAM) study initiated by the CDC in 2011. HHC was one of seven expert clinical centers chosen to participate in this longitudinal study designed to document a comprehensive picture of CFS patients and describe expert approaches to diagnosis and management. Study officially closed in 2019 but data is still being compiled.
• AIM Immunotech (formerly Hemispherx Biopharma)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturer of Ampligen (rintatolimod). AIM Immunotech has provided FDA approval for Hunter-Hopkins to administer Ampligen on a cost recovery basis since 1997. Hunter-Hopkins was the first U.S. clinic to offer such a program and has been continuously providing Ampligen therapy. Currently conducting Long Covid study (AMP-511) evaluating Ampligen as therapeutic for Post-COVID conditions.
• Open Medicine InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHunter-Hopkins joined with several well-known practices to form the Open Medicine Institute, using Electronic Medical Records for collaborative research and clinical care.
• Columbia University (Dr. Ian Lipkin's team)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Ian Lipkin's team at Columbia University is actively researching the cause of CFS/ME. Hunter-Hopkins participates in biobanking efforts that support such research initiatives.
• IACFS/ME (International Association for CFS/ME)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in biennial IACFS/ME conferences. Dr. Lapp serves on the Primer committee and has presented extensively at these conferences. The organization hosts clinical and research conferences where novel therapies are shared.
• CFIDS Association of AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Lapp served as Medical Advisor to CFIDS Association of America (1992-2013). Participated in their biobank project and webinar programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cleveland Clinic: Major academic medical center with dedicated Fibromyalgia and CFS treatment programs. Comparable target patient population but offers these services as part of a comprehensive multi-specialty hospital system rather than as an exclusive specialty focus.
• Mount Sinai Health System: New York-based academic medical system with established CFS and post-viral illness clinical programs including Long Covid care. Comparable in patient population focus but operates at significantly larger scale and broader service portfolio.
• Mayo Clinic: Major academic medical center with established CFS/FM clinical and research programs. Comparable as a destination site for complex CFS/FM patients but operates as part of a much broader multi-specialty portfolio rather than as a niche specialty practice.
• Stanford Medicine: Academic medical center with active CFS research program (historically led by Dr. Jose Montoya). Operates as part of broader enterprise with significant CFS research funding and clinical trials, comparable research activity to Hunter-Hopkins but at vastly larger scale.
• Mass General Brigham: Major Northeast academic medical system with dedicated Long Covid and CFS treatment programs. Comparable as a destination for complex post-viral and CFS patients but operates as part of a large multi-hospital system rather than specialty boutique.

Direct peers

• Bateman Horne Center: Specialty clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah focused on CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia diagnosis and treatment. Operates research and clinical care programs similar to Hunter-Hopkins, serving as one of the few dedicated specialty centers for these conditions in the U.S.
• Open Medicine Institute: Collaborative network of CFS/FM specialty practices (including Hunter-Hopkins) using Electronic Medical Records for clinical research and care. Directly comparable as a multi-site CFS specialty organization with research capabilities.

Others

• Solve ME/CFS Initiative: Non-profit advocacy and research organization dedicated to ME/CFS. Operates the You + M.E. Registry and funds research, comparable in mission focus on CFS but operates as advocacy/research entity rather than direct clinical care provider.
• Columbia University Medical Center: Academic research institution where Dr. Ian Lipkin's team conducts CFS/ME cause research. Hunter-Hopkins participates in biobanking efforts supporting this research. Comparable in CFS research mission but operates as academic research entity rather than clinical practice.
• AIM Immunotech: Manufacturer of Ampligen (rintatolimod) and core strategic partner of Hunter-Hopkins since 1997. Connected as the drug supplier enabling Hunter-Hopkins' signature treatment program; currently collaborating on the AMP-511 Long Covid study.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HunterHopkinsCenterFans
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hunter-hopkins-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Hunter-Hopkins Center