Cerulea Clinical Trials
Cerulea Clinical Trials is a Melbourne-based not-for-profit ophthalmic clinical trials centre conducting Phase 1-IV trials for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech sponsors worldwide, with specialist expertise in gene and cell therapies for eye diseases.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersEast Melbourne, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Cerulea Clinical Trials does
Cerulea Clinical Trials is a not-for-profit ophthalmic clinical trials centre based in East Melbourne, Australia, operating as a fully owned subsidiary of the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA). The organisation conducts Phase 1-IV clinical trials for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device sponsors globally, alongside investigator-initiated studies for CERA researchers and University of Melbourne collaborators. Its core indications include age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, uveitis, retinal diseases, and rare inherited eye conditions. Customers are served through three channels: direct industry partnerships with trial sponsors, an online participant registry combined with healthcare provider referrals for participant recruitment, and an Eye Research Network extending to regional and remote Australian communities through satellite sites and mobile study coordinators.
The centre's core technology consists of purpose-built ophthalmic clinical trial facilities co-located on Level 7 of the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne's Parkville biomedical precinct. Infrastructure includes eight vision lanes, an imaging suite with three imaging rooms, dark rooms for dark adaptation testing, laser rooms, and dedicated treatment rooms. Specialist capabilities centre on gene and cell therapy delivery via sub-retinal injection, supported by an onsite Class 2 biosafety cabinet for receipt, storage, preparation, and disposal of advanced therapeutics. Imaging modalities span Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography, Spectral Domain OCT, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, microperimetry, fundus autofluorescence, electroretinogram, and dark adaptation perimetry. Medical device trial experience covers bionic eye, biodegradable implants, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery devices, and laser treatments.
Revenue is generated through professional services contracts with industry sponsors and via infrastructure support for investigator-initiated studies. All revenue is reinvested into CERA vision research and improvements to participant experience, equipment, and services. The organisation was established with a $10 million AUD investment from Breakthrough Victoria, the Victorian Government's innovation investment fund, and is governed by a separate board that includes representatives of CERA, Breakthrough Victoria, and independent directors with global clinical trials expertise. Plans articulated at launch target delivery of clinical trials to more than 2,500 Victorians annually over the next decade and creation of approximately 50 jobs.
Cerulea Clinical Trials firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cerulea Clinical Trials
- Legal name
- Cerulea Clinical Trials
- Website
- https://ceruleaclinicaltrials.org.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cerulea Clinical Trials is a Melbourne-based not-for-profit ophthalmic clinical trials centre conducting Phase 1-IV trials for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech sponsors worldwide, with specialist expertise in gene and cell therapies for eye diseases.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cerulea Clinical Trials industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Clinical Trial Services
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Medical Laboratories (621511), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Clinical Trial Site Operations & Study Coordination (HLAGACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Clinical Development (Phase I–III Trial Design & Execution) (HLAIALAE), Imaging Core Labs & Clinical Endpoint Adjudication (HLAGAEAH), Investigator & Site Training / GCP Support (HLAGACAF), Clinical Research & Trial Central Laboratories (HLAFAMAL)
Keywords
Where Cerulea Clinical Trials is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- East Melbourne
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cerulea Clinical Trials business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Industry-Sponsored Clinical Trials: Cerulea generates revenue by conducting Phase 1-4 clinical trials for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech companies. All revenue is reinvested into vision research at CERA and into improving participant experience, equipment, and services.
- Investigator-Initiated Studies: Cerulea provides infrastructure and services for investigator-initiated clinical research conducted by CERA researchers and university partners, supporting the translation of research discoveries into clinical applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Clinical trial participation is free for eligible participants |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Cerulea Clinical Trials product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cerulea Clinical Trials is a specialist ophthalmic clinical trials site that runs Phase 1-IV industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical trials for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device sponsors. It delivers end-to-end services including study design, ethics and regulatory submissions, participant recruitment, advanced ophthalmic imaging and outcome assessments, gene and cell therapy administration, and data management, with all revenue reinvested into vision research at its parent organisation, CERA.
Product overview
Cerulea Clinical Trials operates as a not-for-profit ophthalmic clinical trials centre offering a unified platform of clinical research services. The core offering consists of Phase 1-IV ophthalmic clinical trials for biopharmaceutical and medtech companies, complemented by investigator-initiated studies for the Centre for Eye Research Australia. Key service pillars include Gene and Cell Therapy Services, Decentralised Clinical Trials through the Eye Research Network, and Clinical Trial Management Services. The facility provides advanced imaging and diagnostic capabilities including OCT-A, SD-OCT, fluorescein angiography, and electroretinogram testing, along with medical device trial capabilities for bionic eyes, implants, and laser treatments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ophthalmic Clinical Trials Services (Phase 1-IV)
Companies that use Cerulea Clinical Trials
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cerulea Clinical Trials technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Cerulea Clinical Trials partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA)coreCerulea is a fully owned not-for-profit subsidiary of CERA. They share CERA's vision of a world free from vision loss and blindness. Cerulea is the home of investigator-initiated studies for CERA. All revenue is invested back into vision research at CERA.
- Royal Victorian Eye and Ear HospitalcoreCerulea is co-located on Level 7 of the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne's Parkville biomedical precinct. The hospital provides clinical environment and access to specialist testing facilities. This is the largest biomedical precinct in the southern hemisphere.
- University of Melbourne Department of SurgerycoreCerulea collaborates with the University of Melbourne's Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology) for research and post-graduate research opportunities. CERA is affiliated with the University and leads ophthalmic research within the department.
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical DiscoverysupportingCerulea is within walking distance of the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, which provides facilities for bench to bedside translational research. This proximity supports collaboration in medical innovation.
- Pharmaceutical and Medtech Companies (Global)coreCerulea partners with pharmaceutical and medtech companies from around the world to bring new therapies to market. They conduct Phase 1-IV trials for industry sponsors and are a trusted recruitment partner delivering trials safely, efficiently and effectively.
- Private Ophthalmology Clinics (Eye Research Network)supportingCerulea operates an Eye Research Network with growing network of private practices specializing in eye research. Mobile study coordinators support these sites with feasibilities, HREC submissions, recruitment, and quality control in line with Cerulea's Quality Framework.
- Bellberry Ethics CommitteessupportingCerulea works with Bellberry Ethics Committees for human research ethics submissions, alongside St Vincent's Health Institutional Biosafety Committee and Ethics Committees.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cerulea Clinical Trials competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- CMAX Clinical Research: Adelaide-based Phase 1-2 clinical trial unit co-located with a teaching hospital. Comparable as an Australian specialist trial site operating on a hospital-research precinct model analogous to Cerulea’s Parkville Precinct positioning.
- Linear Clinical Research: Perth-based early-phase clinical trial site affiliated with the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. Comparable as a research-anchored Australian trial site, though focused on oncology and general early-phase rather than ophthalmology.
- Nucleus Network: Australian early-phase clinical trial specialist with Phase 1 units in Melbourne and Brisbane. Comparable as an Australian SMO/Phase 1 CRO, though not ophthalmology-specialised; competes for the same pool of regional sponsor trials and clinical talent.
Broad incumbents
- Syneos Health: Global biopharmaceutical services organisation with established ophthalmic clinical trial capabilities. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for the same industry-sponsored Phase 2-4 trials Cerulea targets.
- Medpace: Mid-sized global CRO with strong ophthalmology and medical-device trial expertise. Comparable as a competitor for industry-sponsored ophthalmic trial work, particularly medical device studies in MIGS and laser treatments where Cerulea also operates.
- IQVIA (Ophthalmology Franchise): Largest global CRO with dedicated ophthalmology clinical operations. Comparable as a competing delivery vehicle for industry-sponsored ophthalmic trials, but operating at vastly greater scale and without Cerulea’s specialist gene/cell therapy niche.
Direct peers
- Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA): Parent organisation and Australia’s leading ophthalmic research institute. Closely comparable as Cerulea serves as CERA’s clinical trial delivery arm for investigator-initiated studies, sharing investigators, infrastructure, and strategic direction.
- Moorfields Eye Hospital Clinical Trials Unit: UK-based specialist ophthalmic clinical trial centre attached to one of the world’s leading eye hospitals. Directly comparable as a globally-recognised ophthalmic trial site competing for the same multinational gene/cell therapy trials.
- Wills Eye Hospital Clinical Trials Office: US-based ophthalmic clinical research operation at one of America’s premier eye hospitals. Comparable as a specialist ophthalmic trial site with deep investigator base and Phase 1-IV capability targeting pharma and biotech sponsors.
Others
- Bellberry Limited: Australian private ethics review body that reviews the majority of Australian clinical trials. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant — Cerulea relies on Bellberry for HREC submissions, and Bellberry’s review timelines directly affect Cerulea’s startup KPIs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cerulea Clinical Trials social profiles
Digital presenceCerulea Clinical Trials compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Cerulea Clinical Trials financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cerulea Clinical Trials leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Cerulea Clinical Trials funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cerulea Clinical Trials 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 Cerulea Clinical Trials
What does Cerulea Clinical Trials do?
Cerulea Clinical Trials is a specialist ophthalmic clinical trials site that runs Phase 1-IV industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical trials for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device sponsors. It delivers end-to-end services including study design, ethics and regulatory submissions, participant recruitment, advanced ophthalmic imaging and outcome assessments, gene and cell therapy administration, and data management, with all revenue reinvested into vision research at its parent organisation, CERA.
Is Cerulea Clinical Trials a public or private company?
Cerulea Clinical Trials is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Cerulea Clinical Trials founded?
Cerulea Clinical Trials was founded in 2024. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cerulea Clinical Trials based?
Cerulea Clinical Trials is headquartered in East Melbourne, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Cerulea Clinical Trials make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Industry-Sponsored Clinical Trials are the primary driver. The others are investigator-Initiated Studies.
Who are Cerulea Clinical Trials's main competitors?
Regional players on record are CMAX Clinical Research, Linear Clinical Research and Nucleus Network. Broad incumbents are Syneos Health, Medpace and IQVIA (Ophthalmology Franchise). Direct peers are Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), Moorfields Eye Hospital Clinical Trials Unit and Wills Eye Hospital Clinical Trials Office. Bellberry Limited is listed as an others.
Does Cerulea Clinical Trials have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cerulea Clinical Trials.
What industry is Cerulea Clinical Trials in?
Cerulea Clinical Trials's product category is Clinical Trial 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 5417 and its SIC code is 8731.