Red-Institut

What Red-Institut does

Red-Institut (RED-Institut GmbH) is a Germany-based contract research organization (CRO) founded in January 2014 by Dr. med. Thomas Schaum and Dr. Lars Hecht, headquartered at Markt 15, 23758 Oldenburg in Holstein, Schleswig-Holstein. The institute operates as a named clinical trial site, executing Phase II and Phase III studies for major pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors across four therapeutic areas: diabetology/endocrinology, gastroenterology, sleep medicine, and cardiovascular disease. Its disclosed sponsor roster includes Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Amgen, Novo Nordisk, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Moderna, and it has conducted or is conducting trials on investigational compounds including tirzepatide, semaglutide, retatrutide, orforglipron, baxdrostat, maridebart cafraglutide, cagrilintide, vicadrostat, and the mRNA-1647 CMV vaccine.

The company's core technology and infrastructure centers on a certified clinical research facility operating under German and EU clinical trial regulations, supported by a proprietary patient database and a public website (red-institut.de) that lists open studies with eligibility criteria. It pairs direct patient care with trial execution — offering enrolled participants nutritional counseling, intensive medical supervision from in-house physicians (including a Fachärztin für Innere Medizin), and attendance allowances (Aufwandsentschädigung). A dedicated team of study nurses, project coordinators with M.Sc. nutrition science credentials from Kiel and Lübeck, an IMP manager, and a data manager handles protocol execution, regulatory documentation, and quality management. The institute's scientific credibility is anchored by its co-founders: Dr. Schaum is a diabetologist who heads the diabetes center at AMEOS Klinik Oldenburg and sits on the board of the Schleswig-Holsteinische Gesellschaft für Diabetologie (SHGD), while Dr. Hecht is a health scientist, VDBD board member, and scientific director of the VDBD-Akademie.

Red-Institut operates a B2B professional services revenue model, generating income through per-study contracts with pharmaceutical sponsors for trial execution, patient recruitment, data collection, and regulatory documentation. There is no public pricing; terms are negotiated individually with each sponsor. Patient recruitment is conducted through the institute's own website, an Instagram presence (@red_institut), a free newsletter registration system, and a network of cooperating specialty practices and sleep laboratories in Schleswig-Holstein and surrounding regions — including Schwerpunktpraxis Gastroenterologie Lübeck, the sleep laboratories in Kiel and at AMEOS Oldenburg, and various Hausarzt and Facharzt referral practices. Distribution to enterprise sponsors is direct, with no resellers or intermediaries. The institute's differentiation rests on its diabetology specialization — formally recognized by Sanofi-Aventis as a 'Diabetes Center of Excellence' and by Bristol-Myers Squibb with a 'Certificate of Compliment' — and on the integrated clinical-research-plus-direct-patient-care model that supports patient recruitment and retention in metabolic-disease trials.

Name

Red-Institut

Legal name

RED-Institut GmbH

Website

https://red-institut.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Red-Institut is a German contract research organization founded in 2014 that conducts Phase II and Phase III clinical trials in diabetology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and sleep medicine for pharmaceutical sponsors including Eli Lilly, Sanofi, AstraZeneca, Amgen, and Novo Nordisk.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Clinical Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAGAAAA

Clinical CROs (Phase I–IV)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Life Science Tools & Services (CRO/CDMO/Lab Services)/Contract Research Organizations (CRO)

SECONDARYHLAGACAE

Clinical Trial Site Operations & Study Coordination

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Life Science Tools & Services (CRO/CDMO/Lab Services)/Clinical Trial Services & Site Management (SMO)

SECONDARYHLAGAAAL

Specialty Therapeutic-Area CROs (e.g., oncology/rare disease)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Life Science Tools & Services (CRO/CDMO/Lab Services)/Contract Research Organizations (CRO)

Keywords

• Contract research organization
• Clinical trial services
• Diabetology research
• Pharmaceutical trial conduction
• Phase II III trials

Headquarters

HQ city

Oldenburg in Holstein

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Contract Clinical Research Services: Red-Institut generates revenue by conducting clinical trials on behalf of pharmaceutical and biotech companies. As a contract research organization (CRO), it is commissioned to run Phase II and Phase III clinical studies. The institute receives compensation for study execution, patient recruitment, data collection, and regulatory documentation across multiple therapeutic areas, particularly diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and sleep disorders.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Red-Institut operates as a contract research organization (CRO) that conducts Phase II and Phase III clinical trials on behalf of pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors in diabetology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and sleep medicine. Sponsors including Lilly, Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Amgen, Novo Nordisk, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Moderna commission the institute to execute trials on investigational compounds such as tirzepatide, semaglutide, retatrutide, cagrilintide, orforglipron, baxdrostat, vaccines, and other IMPs. Patients register in an in-house database and are matched to applicable studies; participants receive attendance allowances (Aufwandsentschädigung) as compensation.

Product overview

Red-Institut is a clinical research institute (Auftragsforschungsinstitut) founded in 2014 by Dr. Thomas Schaum and Dr. Lars Hecht. The organization operates as a Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing two core services: (1) Clinical trials for patients, recruiting participants for diabetes, cardiovascular, and sleep apnea studies with compensation provided, and (2) Contract research services for pharmaceutical companies, conducting Phase II and Phase III clinical trials. The institute specializes in diabetology and has received recognition as a 'Diabetes Center of Excellence' from Sanofi and a 'Certificate of Compliment' from Bristol-Myers Squibb. They partner with gastroenterology practices and sleep laboratories in Germany for expanded research capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Phase II and Phase III Clinical Trial Services for Pharmaceutical Sponsors Contract research organization (CRO) service executing Phase II and Phase III clinical trials on behalf of pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors in diabetology, obesity, cardiovascular, sleep medicine, and gastroenterology. Covers site operations, patient recruitment, data collection, regulatory documentation, and laboratory/PK support across multiple therapeutic compounds including injectable peptides (tirzepatide, semaglutide, retatrutide, cagrilintide), oral small molecules (orforglipron, baxdrostat), vaccines, and other IMPs. Pharmaceutical sponsors include Lilly, Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Amgen, Novo Nordisk, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Moderna.
• Clinical Study Participation Program for Patients Patient-facing enrollment into Red-Institut's ongoing sponsored clinical trials across diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. Patients register through the institute's website or newsletter and are matched to applicable studies, with attendance allowances (Aufwandsentschädigung) provided. Functions as the recruitment engine for the institute's contracted CRO pipeline rather than a standalone paid service.

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Sanofi-AventiscoreOthersSanofi-Aventis commissioned Red-Institut to conduct clinical research in diabetology, leading to the formal recognition of Red-Institut as a 'Diabetes Center of Excellence' by Sanofi's research department. This designation signifies a high-level, trust-based research partnership with a major global pharmaceutical company.
• Bristol-Myers SqibbcoreOthersBristol-Myers Sqibb awarded Red-Institut a 'Certificate of Compliment' following successful clinical research collaboration, recognizing the institute's research quality and medical competence.
• Schwerpunktpraxis Gastroenterologie Lübeck (Prof. Dr. Jürgen Büning, PD Dr. Florian Bär)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose partnership for conducting Phase II and Phase III clinical trials in gastroenterology. The practice in Lübeck provides advanced care for digestive tract, pancreas, and liver diseases. Prof. Büning serves as außerplanmäßiger Professor at University of Lübeck and chairs DACED (German Working Group on Inflammatory Bowel Disease).
• Schlaflabor Kiel (Janusz Ingwersen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the sleep laboratory at Klinik Flechsig, Städtisches Krankenhaus Kiel, operated by ENT specialist Janusz Ingwersen. Additional cooperation with the ZIP Kiel sleep laboratory. Focus on diagnosis and treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea. The sleep lab is involved in MARITIME-OSA clinical studies conducted at Red-Institut.
• AMEOS Klinikum Oldenburg (Schlaflabor)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSleep laboratory of AMEOS Klinikum Oldenburg, accredited by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Schlafmedizin (DGSM). Used as a cooperation partner for sleep medicine clinical studies. AMEOS also provides internal medicine capabilities relevant to Red-Institut's research.
• Hausarztpraxis LensahnminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCooperation with a general practitioner practice in Lensahn for patient referral and shared care in clinical studies.
• Facharztpraxis für Innere Medizin, Gastroenterologie-Kardiologie, MVZ Nieren-, Apherese- und Dialysezentrum MalenteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCooperation with an internal medicine, gastroenterology, and cardiology specialty practice in Malente, also operating a nephrology, apheresis, and dialysis center. Used for patient referral and specialist consultations in clinical studies.
• Orthopädie Chirurgie OHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrthopedic surgery practice listed as a cooperation partner, likely providing referral of patients or specialist expertise for clinical studies involving musculoskeletal or inflammatory conditions.
• Diabetes Schwerpunkt Praxis Dr. Schaum (Dr. Thomas Schaum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Thomas Schaum, co-founder and CEO of Red-Institut, also leads the Diabetes Zentrum Dr. Schaum and the diabetes center at AMEOS Klinik Oldenburg. This practice serves as both a patient referral source and an extended clinical research infrastructure.
• pm athleticsminorOthersFitness and athletics partner, likely involved in providing exercise and activity support for clinical study participants, particularly in obesity and diabetes studies.
• VDBD (Verband der Diabetesberatungs- und Schulungsberufe in Deutschland e.V.) und Universitätsklinikum JenamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation project for the development and evaluation of a training program (Schulungsprogramm) for relatives of people with diabetes mellitus. Funded by the German federal government (Bundestag). Dr. Lars Hecht serves as Vorstand (board member) of VDBD and scientific director of the VDBD Academy.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Celerion: Specialty clinical research organization focused on early-stage clinical pharmacology and Phase II trials, with significant metabolic and endocrine trial experience. Comparable as a similarly-sized specialist CRO serving the same sponsor pipeline in diabetes/obesity.
• Advanced Clinical: Mid-sized US-headquartered CRO providing clinical research services across multiple therapeutic areas including endocrinology and metabolic disease. Comparable as a similar-sized specialty CRO pursuing mid-size pharma sponsors.
• Worldwide Clinical Trials: Mid-sized global CRO with concentrated expertise in metabolic, endocrine, and cardiovascular trials. Directly comparable in scale and therapeutic focus to Red-Institut, and competes for similar sponsor assignments in diabetes and obesity.

Broad incumbents

• SGS Health Science: Global CRO with significant Phase II–IV operations, including metabolic disease trials across European sites. Comparable as a competing CRO that sponsors evaluate alongside Red-Institut for European diabetes/obesity trial placements.
• Syneos Health: Global biopharmaceutical solutions provider offering full-service clinical development and commercial services. Competes with Red-Institut for Phase II/III trial placements, though typically as a full-service alternative rather than a specialty site.
• Medpace: Mid-to-large full-service CRO with strong presence in metabolic and endocrine trials including diabetes and obesity. Competes for the same pharma sponsors and trial protocols as Red-Institut, though at much greater scale and geographic reach.
• ICON plc: Global full-service CRO offering Phase II–IV clinical research services across all major therapeutic areas including endocrinology and metabolic disease. Comparable as an alternative sponsor partner running large multi-site diabetes and obesity programs.
• IQVIA: World's largest CRO with extensive Phase II–IV capabilities including large diabetes and obesity programs. Comparable as an incumbent sponsor partner offering full-service alternatives to specialty site networks like Red-Institut.

Regional players

• Nuvisan: Germany-headquartered full-service CRO conducting Phase I–IV trials across multiple therapeutic areas, including diabetes and metabolic disease. Directly comparable as a German-based CRO competing for the same regional pharma trial placements as Red-Institut.
• Charité Research Organisation (CRO): Germany-based academic CRO affiliated with Charité Berlin, running Phase II–IV trials and providing site management in diabetes, cardiovascular, and other specialties. Comparable as a German site-based CRO pursuing sponsor trial work in similar indications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/redinstitut
• Instagraminstagram.com/red_institut/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/red-institut

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Red-Institut