Alcura

What Alcura does

Alcura is a Spain-based (Viladecans, Barcelona) clinical trial support services provider operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cencora, formerly AmerisourceBergen. Founded in 1994, the company delivers end-to-end clinical trial materials management for pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and contract research organizations (CROs) across Europe. Its service portfolio spans packaging and storage, distribution and logistics, global depot management, comparator sourcing, specialized cell and gene therapy logistics, importer of record services, and product return and disposal, alongside patient support and reverse logistics.

The operating platform combines a multi-country depot network in the UK, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, France (via Locapharm Sante), and Spain with regulatory expertise and access to Cencora's pharmaceutical sourcing infrastructure. The service differentiator centers on time-sensitive advanced therapy (cell and gene) handling, where narrow delivery windows demand precise execution. In July 2024, Alcura secured manufacturing and importation authorization from AEMPS, Spain's medicines regulator, broadening its regulatory footprint for importing clinical trial materials.

The business operates as a managed-services B2B enterprise sales motion, with quote-based pricing, regional field/enterprise sales teams, and localized country websites. Customers include pharmaceutical sponsors, biotech firms, and CROs, with public testimonials highlighting CRO supply chain operators and sponsor leadership. The revenue model is service-based across packaging, logistics, comparator sourcing, advanced therapy handling, and regulatory services, supported by Cencora's group buying power.

Name

Alcura

Legal name

Alcura

Website

https://alcura-health.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Alcura is a Spain-based, Cencora-owned clinical trial support services provider delivering packaging, depot, logistics, comparator sourcing, and cell and gene therapy logistics to pharmaceutical, biotech, and CRO clients across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical Trial Logistics Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Patient Recruitment, Site Feasibility & Trial Enablement CROs (HLAGAAAI)

Keywords

• Clinical trial logistics
• Pharmaceutical distribution
• Comparator sourcing
• Cell therapy logistics
• Clinical supply chain

Headquarters

HQ city

Not specified

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Clinical Trial Support Services: Services-based revenue from packaging and storage, distribution and logistics, global depot management, comparator sourcing, cell and gene therapy support, importer of record services, and product return and disposal for pharmaceutical companies and CROs conducting clinical trials.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Alcura provides clinical trial support services for pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and contract research organizations (CROs). Its core offerings include packaging and storage of trial materials, global distribution and logistics, a multi-region depot network, comparator sourcing, and specialized cell and gene therapy logistics. Supporting services encompass importer of record documentation and customs clearance, product return and disposal, and patient support for clinical trial participants.

Product overview

Alcura offers a unified platform of clinical trial support services organized around logistics management, regulatory compliance, and specialized therapy handling. The core portfolio includes Packaging and Storage, Distribution and Logistics, Global Depot Network, and Comparator Sourcing, complemented by specialized Cell and Gene Therapy services for advanced treatments. Additional regulatory services encompass Importer of Record Services and Product Return and Disposal. All services are unified under Cencora's global pharmaceutical supply chain infrastructure, enabling seamless end-to-end clinical trial support from packaging through final disposition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Packaging and Storage Comprehensive packaging solutions and flexible storage options that safeguard clinical trial materials throughout the supply chain for pharmaceutical companies and CROs.
• Distribution and Logistics Efficient global distribution network that supports timely, secure, and compliant deliveries of clinical trial materials worldwide for pharmaceutical companies and CROs.
• Global Depot Network Secure and compliant storage infrastructure positioned across multiple regions to support clinical trials wherever they take place for pharmaceutical companies and CROs.
• Comparator Sourcing Expert sourcing support that streamlines clinical trials by helping overcome complexities in acquiring comparator drugs and therapies for pharmaceutical companies and CROs.
• Cell and Gene Therapy Support Tailored, comprehensive solutions designed to support advanced therapies through the complex journey from development to market, including time-sensitive delivery requirements for cell and gene therapy developers.
• Importer of Record Services Documentation, customs clearance, and regulatory compliance services that facilitate new market entry for clinical trial materials.
• Product Return and Disposal Reverse logistics management services that handle the return and destruction of clinical materials in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100th patient randomized in a clinical trial managed by Alcura and involved depots

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• CencoracoreOthersAlcura is a Cencora company, providing it access to Cencora's position as the world's #1 buyer of pharmaceutical products with exceptional drug sourcing and group buying capabilities. This parent-subsidiary relationship provides strategic sourcing guidance, manufacturer relationships, and country insights through deep expertise.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Marken (UPS Healthcare): Marken is a direct competitor in clinical trial supply chain logistics, offering global depot, packaging, and distribution services for pharma and CRO customers under UPS Healthcare — closely overlapping with Alcura's core portfolio.
• Movianto (Owens & Minor): Movianto provides specialty pharmaceutical logistics, warehousing, and distribution across Europe, directly competing with Alcura's European depot and distribution footprint for clinical trial customers.
• World Courier: World Courier is a sister company under Cencora/Alliance Healthcare that delivers specialty pharma logistics and clinical trial supply chain services globally — directly comparable to Alcura's depot and distribution offerings.
• Biocair: Biocair is a specialty courier and logistics provider for clinical trials, cell therapies, and biotech samples, with strong overlap with Alcura's distribution and advanced therapy services.
• Yourway Biopharm Services: Yourway provides clinical trial logistics, depot, and biological sample courier services globally — a focused direct competitor in clinical trial material distribution adjacent to Alcura.
• Sharp (CLARK): Sharp provides clinical trial packaging, labelling, storage, and global distribution services for pharma and biotech, operating as a focused direct competitor in the same niche as Alcura.
• PCI Pharma Services: PCI Pharma Services offers clinical trial supply, packaging, storage, and global distribution to biopharma sponsors — directly comparable to Alcura's core clinical trial support services.
• Fisher Clinical Services (Thermo Fisher Scientific): Fisher Clinical Services provides clinical trial packaging, storage, and distribution within Thermo Fisher's pharma services group, competing head-to-head with Alcura on global supply chain and comparator services.

Broad incumbents

• Catalent (Novo Holdings): Catalent is a large CDMO that also offers clinical supply services alongside its broader drug development and manufacturing business, providing a wider portfolio alternative to Alcura's clinical trial support focus.
• DHL Supply Chain Life Sciences: DHL Supply Chain provides life sciences and healthcare logistics as part of a much broader supply chain portfolio, comparable in function but operating as a diversified incumbent rather than a clinical trial specialist.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alcura-europe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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