Consorzio per Valutazioni Biologiche e Farmacologiche

What Consorzio per Valutazioni Biologiche e Farmacologiche does

CVBF (Consorzio per Valutazioni Biologiche e Farmacologiche) is an Italian not-for-profit consortium, established around 2001, that operates as a Contract Research Organization (CRO) specializing in clinical research for paediatric and rare disease populations. Headquartered in Bari, with operative offices in Pavia (Italy) and Tirana (Albania), the organization provides cutting-edge CRO services spanning Phase I–IV clinical trials, pharmacokinetic and efficacy/safety studies, regulatory submissions, and post-authorization studies. Its core service lines are Clinical Research Services, Health and Innovation partnerships, and Training and Advocacy programmes. The underlying capability stack rests on an integrated Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) system, continuous staff training, ICH-GCP E6 compliance, and engagement with European regulatory bodies (EMA, AIFA) and pediatric research networks (TEDDY, EPTRI, GRiP, DEEP, PedCRIN). CVBF's products include the ClinicalResearch.Education platform (launched June 2026 with a GCP R3 course), the ICH-GCP Training Course (with over 1,000 professionals trained), and coordination of large-scale European projects such as DEEP (6-year FP7 paediatric deferiprone study across 23+ recruiting centres) and GRiP (FP7 Network of Excellence, €12.6M budget).

The business model is professional services and grant-funded collaborative research. Revenue is generated through CRO service contracts with pharmaceutical sponsors, biotech firms, academic institutions, and public health authorities, alongside training course fees; earnings are reinvested into sponsoring innovative clinical studies rather than distributed as profit, consistent with the not-for-profit structure. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled on a contract basis. Marketing and distribution are content- and network-driven: scientific publications, newsletters, European conferences (TEDDY, EPTRI, DEEP assemblies), LinkedIn/Facebook presence, and earned media (Corriere della Sera, Il Sole 24 Ore). The go-to-market targets enterprise clients (pharma sponsors, EMA, AIFA, ECRIN) and academic/clinical institutions across Italy, Albania, and broader European research consortia, with delivery through multinational clinical trial networks.

Recent operational milestones include ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications achieved in April 2026 alongside the organization's 25th anniversary, recognition in the Financial Times FT 1000 Europe's Fastest Growing Companies list (ranked 832nd, 182% revenue growth between 2013 and 2016), and a planned CEO succession from Donato Bonifazi (CEO since 2012) to Mariagrazia Felisi effective 30 January 2026. The organization employs 11–50 people and reports no subsidiaries, no funding rounds, no acquisitions, and no public listing.

Name

Consorzio per Valutazioni Biologiche e Farmacologiche

Legal name

Consorzio per Valutazioni Biologiche e Farmacologiche

Website

https://www.cvbf.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CVBF is an Italian not-for-profit CRO providing paediatric and rare disease clinical research services, GCP training, and EU-funded multinational trial management through European networks (TEDDY, EPTRI, GRiP, PedCRIN) for pharmaceutical sponsors, academic institutions, and regulators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical Research 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 industry

Clinical Research Support (CRC/CTA) (EDAOAJAO)

Keywords

• Contract research organization
• Paediatric clinical research
• Rare disease trials
• Clinical trial management
• Good clinical practice training

Headquarters

HQ city

Pavia

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Clinical Research Services: CVBF provides CRO services to pharmaceutical sponsors, academic institutions, and public health authorities throughout the clinical development process, generating revenue through service contracts. As a not-for-profit organization, earnings are reinvested into sponsoring innovative clinical studies with a focus on paediatric and rare disease populations.
2. Training & Educational Programs: CVBF delivers educational programmes on medicines development and life science research, including GCP training courses (e.g., ICH-GCP training, ClinicalResearch.Education platform), generating revenue through course fees.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CVBF is a not-for-profit Contract Research Organization (CRO) that provides clinical research services across Phase I-IV clinical trials with a specialization in paediatric and rare disease populations. The organization also delivers GCP training programmes through its ClinicalResearch.Education platform and engages in regulatory science activities via European research networks. Earnings are reinvested into sponsoring innovative clinical studies targeting unmet medical needs in special populations.

Product overview

Consorzio per Valutazioni Biologiche e Farmacologiche (CVBF) is a not-for-profit Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing a portfolio of clinical research services focused on pediatric and rare disease populations. The organization's core offerings consist of Clinical Research Services (full-spectrum CRO capabilities), Health and Innovation partnerships, and Training and Advocacy programs. CVBF operates several digital education products including the ClinicalResearch.Education Platform with GCP R3 training courses, and manages major European research projects such as DEEP (DEferiprone Evaluation in Paediatrics), GRiP (Global Research in Paediatrics), and PedCRIN (Paediatric Clinical Research Infrastructure Network). The organization reinvests earnings into sponsoring innovative clinical studies with focus on unmet medical needs in special populations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clinical Research Services Cutting-edge CRO services and collaborative solutions throughout the entire clinical development process, covering Phase I-IV clinical trials, pharmacokinetic studies, regulatory submissions, and post-authorization studies, with particular focus on paediatric and rare disease populations.
• ClinicalResearch.Education Platform Online education platform offering GCP (Good Clinical Practice) R3 training courses and other educational programmes on medicines development and life science research, accessible to professionals across Europe.
• ICH-GCP Training Course Training course based on E6 ICH GCP guidelines providing practical insights on implementing Good Clinical Practice principles for clinical research professionals, with over 1,000 professionals having benefited.
• Health & Innovation Partnerships Partnership services with stakeholders and policy makers to strengthen the paediatric and rare diseases research ecosystem, including collaboration with regulatory bodies, patient advocacy groups, and European research networks.
• Training & Advocacy Programmes Educational programmes on medicines development and life science research combined with patient engagement initiatives, including youth advisory groups (KIDS Bari) and advocacy activities for paediatric and rare disease populations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 professionals trained through GCP courses
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• TEDDY (European Network of Excellence for Paediatric Clinical Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTEDDY is a European Network of Excellence for Paediatric Clinical Research that arose from the Task-force in Europe for Drug Development for the Young, funded within the Sixth Framework Programme. CVBF serves on the TEDDY Board of Directors and the network achieved category 1 membership in EnprEMA (European Network of Paediatric Research at the European Medicines Agency) in 2016. TEDDY enables CVBF to participate in multinational paediatric clinical trials and regulatory discussions across Europe.
• EPTRI (European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPTRI is a new European Research Infrastructure dedicated to paediatrics, funded within the INFRADEV-01-2017 H2020 call and involving 26 partners from EU and non-EU countries. CVBF's CEO Donato Bonifazi serves as EPTRI Coordinator. EPTRI aims to foster translational research in paediatrics and is presented by CVBF at regional and European events.
• GRiP (Global Research in Paediatrics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGRiP is a Network of Excellence funded under the EU Seventh Framework Programme (budget €12.6M, EU contribution €10.0M, 2011-2015) that brings together researchers in Paediatric Pharmacology from Europe, the U.S., Canada, Japan and other countries. CVBF serves as a partner contributing to training programs and methodological developments for paediatric clinical trials. The consortium includes 21 partners including major academic centres, EMA, NIH, and WHO.
• DEEP (DEferiprone Evaluation in Paediatrics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDEEP is a 6-year European Project (FP7) coordinated by CVBF, comprising 23 recruiting centres in European and non-European countries, scientific partners from several European countries, and a pharmaceutical group based in Canada. The project includes DEEP-1 (pharmacokinetic study), DEEP-2 (efficacy/safety study), and DEEP-3 (observational study) examining deferiprone in paediatric populations. The project also includes Albania, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Turkey as non-EU countries.
• PedCRIN (Paediatric Clinical Research Infrastructure Network)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPedCRIN is a three-year project launched in January 2017 by ECRIN (European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network) that brings together ECRIN and founding partners of the European Paediatric Clinical Trial Research Infrastructure (EPCT-RI). The project develops capacity for management of multinational paediatric clinical trials and is supported by CVBF as a partner organisation.
• ECRIN (European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerECRIN is a sustainable, not-for-profit, distributed European infrastructure (ERIC) that provides support for multinational clinical research projects. ECRIN has seven Member Countries (France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Norway) and two Observer Countries (Czech Republic and Switzerland). CVBF collaborates with ECRIN through PedCRIN and other multinational trial initiatives.
• Gianni Benzi Pharmacological Research Foundation (FGB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Gianni Benzi Pharmacological Research Foundation (FGB) is a key strategic partner of CVBF. Both organisations collaborate on EU-funded projects (FP7 and Health Programme) and share scientific missions focused on paediatric and rare disease research. A framework agreement for scientific collaboration was signed in December 2014 with the University of Bari, involving departments including Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, and Political Science.
• Ospedale Paediatrico Giovanni XXIII (Bari)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ospedale Paediatrico Giovanni XXIII in Bari is a key partner in multiple CVBF research projects, including DEEP and KIDS Bari YPAG. The hospital is involved in paediatric clinical trials and hosts the KIDS Bari youth advisory group, with its Psychology unit contributing to patient engagement activities.
• Policlinico di Bari (Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Policlinico di Bari is a partner of CVBF in various European research projects and is involved in many paediatric clinical trials. The hospital participated in the launch of KIDS Bari YPAG and is a recruiting site for the DEEP project.
• University of Bari Aldo Moro (UniBA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Bari Aldo Moro signed a framework agreement with CVBF and FGB in December 2014 for scientific collaboration in EU-funded projects. The collaboration involves multiple departments: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutical, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, and Department of Political Science.
• University Hospital Center Mother Teresa (UHCT), Tirana, AlbaniamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUHCT of Tirana, Albania's main hospital, partnered with CVBF on the DEEP project, representing Albania's first involvement in non-profit paediatric clinical trials following the entry into force of Albania's new clinical trial law in July 2014. CVBF also established an operative office in Tirana to support this collaboration.
• European Medicines Agency (EMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVBF is a selected EMA stakeholder and has been invited to participate in EMA meetings and working groups. CVBF's CEO Donato Bonifazi represents TEDDY in EnprEMA's Coordinating Group. CVBF participated in the Second International Awareness Session for International Regulators, Academia and NGOs held by EMA in March 2018.
• iCAN (International Children's Advisory Network)majorStrategic or Co-development PartneriCAN is an international network of youth advisory groups for paediatric clinical research. KIDS Bari, launched by CVBF in June 2017, is a member of iCAN. Charlie Thompson (iCAN President and Founder) and Claudio Fracasso (iCAN Scientific Advisory Committee member) have engaged directly with KIDS Bari members.
• GAPP (GAbapentin in Paediatric Pain)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAPP is a European FP7 project on paediatric chronic pain involving pharmacologists, clinical neurologists, and paediatricians from 9 European and extra-European countries. CVBF participates in this initiative as part of its portfolio of European-funded paediatric research projects.
• NEOMERO ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEOMERO is a European multicentre network evaluating PK, safety, and efficacy of meropenem in neonatal sepsis and meningitis. As of December 2013, 166 patients were randomised in the NM1 study and 25 in the NM2 study.
• AIFA (Italian Medicines Agency)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIFA is Italy's national medicines regulatory agency. CVBF engages with AIFA on regulatory activities, clinical trial oversight, and participates in discussions on access to medicines in Italy and Europe.
• AReSS (Strategic Regional Agency for Health and Social, Apulia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAReSS is the Strategic Regional Agency for Health and Social in Apulia, Italy. CVBF participates in AReSS-organised events such as the Biobanks meeting in Bari (May 2018) to present EPTRI activities at regional level.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Penta Foundation: Italian non-profit foundation focused on paediatric infectious disease clinical research. Highly comparable to CVBF in mission, geography, and paediatric CRO model, and a potential consortium partner or competitor for the same EU grants.
• TEDDY Network: European Network of Excellence for Paediatric Clinical Research. CVBF sits on TEDDY's board, and TEDDY is a structural peer in coordinating multinational paediatric trials across Europe.
• ECRIN (European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network): Pan-European distributed infrastructure supporting multinational clinical trials. ECRIN is both a CVBF partner (via PedCRIN) and a direct peer in providing multinational trial management services.
• EPTRI (European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure): European research infrastructure dedicated to paediatric translational research, coordinated by CVBF's former CEO. Operates in the same paediatric research ecosystem with overlapping consortium participants.

Broad incumbents

• ICON plc: Global CRO offering full-spectrum clinical development services including paediatric and rare-disease trials. Comparable as a CRO competitor with broader scale, geographic reach, and commercial (for-profit) structure versus CVBF's not-for-profit model.
• IQVIA: Largest global CRO and life sciences services company. Comparable through overlapping clinical trial management capabilities, including in paediatric populations, and represents the scaled competitor CVBF most directly competes with on enterprise sponsor contracts.
• Parexel International: Major global CRO with established paediatric and rare-disease clinical trial capabilities. Direct competitor for the same pharmaceutical sponsor contracts CVBF targets, though at much larger scale.
• Medpace Holdings: Mid-to-large global CRO with therapeutic expertise including paediatric and rare-disease indications. Comparable full-service CRO model serving pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors in clinical development.
• Charles River Laboratories: Global CRO and preclinical services organization. Comparable as a broad life-sciences services provider that competes for parts of the same sponsor budget for clinical research support.

Emerging players

• PSI CRO AG: Privately held global CRO with strong European footprint and full-service clinical development capabilities. Comparable mid-sized CRO competing for European pharma and biotech sponsor contracts, including in specialised indications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/consorziocvbf
• Facebookfacebook.com/consorziocvbf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/consorzio-per-valutazioni-biologiche-e-farmacologiche-cvbf-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Consorzio per Valutazioni Biologiche e Farmacologiche