CenExel

CenExel functions as a comprehensive, privately-owned network of clinical research sites across the United States, providing end-to-end services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as contract research organizations (CROs).

The company was formally established in 2018 through the strategic vision of Ryan Brooks and the private equity firm Webster Equity Partners. This was achieved by merging JBR Clinical Research, a facility in Salt Lake City, with the Atlanta Center for Medical Research (ACMR). Mr. Brooks, who now serves as the Executive Chairman and interim CEO, has a background that includes roles at Abbott, Boston Scientific, and in healthcare venture capital, and he played a key part in the company's founding after selling his interest in a research site that became CenExel's first. The company rebranded from JBR Clinical Research to CenExel in 2019 to reflect its "Centers of Excellence" model. Since its inception, CenExel has expanded through a series of strategic acquisitions of other established research centers. In April 2025, BayPine, a private equity firm, acquired a majority stake in CenExel, with Webster Equity Partners retaining a minority share, a move intended to accelerate the company's digital transformation.

CenExel's business model is centered on its network of 18 "Centers of Excellence," which are wholly owned research sites located in major metropolitan areas. This integrated structure allows the company to offer services for Phase I-IV clinical trials. The firm generates revenue by managing these trials for its clients, covering everything from protocol development and patient recruitment to conducting medical procedures, data collection, and monitoring. CenExel specializes in complex therapeutic areas, including Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders, psychiatry, neurology, post-operative pain, and vaccine studies. By uniting multiple experienced research units, the company aims to streamline clinical development, reducing timelines and costs for bringing new therapies to market.

The company's core service is the execution of complex clinical trials across its nationwide network. Clients benefit from access to experienced principal investigators, a large and diverse patient pool, and state-of-the-art facilities. A key feature is the company's focus on scientific expertise and operational efficiency to ensure the generation of high-quality, reliable data. CenExel also emphasizes patient engagement and has developed digital tools, such as a mobile app, to enhance patient recruitment and participation in trials. This approach provides pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors with a centralized and efficient partner for outsourcing their clinical development programs.

Keywords: clinical research sites, contract research organization, Phase I-IV trials, patient recruitment, clinical trial management, pharmaceutical services, biotech services, CNS research, neurology clinical trials, psychiatry clinical trials, pain research, vaccine studies, clinical data collection, protocol development, site network, private equity, BayPine, Webster Equity Partners, drug development, therapeutic areas, outsourced clinical trials