Excel PharmaStudies

Excel PharmaStudies, established in 2000, operates as a contract research organization (CRO) serving the biopharmaceutical industry. The company was founded by Mark Engel and is headquartered in Beijing, China. Before its acquisition, Excel had established itself as a significant CRO in China, with a staff of over 300 employees and experience working with numerous global pharmaceutical and biotech companies across more than 15 cities in the country.

The firm's business model is centered on providing a comprehensive suite of discovery and development services to biopharmaceutical clients. This includes a wide array of Phase II-IV clinical services such as regulatory affairs, patient recruitment, protocol design, feasibility studies, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training. Revenue is generated by delivering these specialized research and operational services. The company also operates a vaccine research center and a biometrics center in Taizhou.

In a significant milestone, Excel PharmaStudies was acquired by Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. (PPD) in a deal expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2009. Following the acquisition, Excel was set to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PPD, with co-founder Mark Engel transitioning to a role as a strategic consultant. This strategic move was intended to combine Excel's operational expertise and established relationships in China with PPD's global capabilities, thereby enhancing service delivery for biopharmaceutical companies in the rapidly expanding Asia-Pacific markets.

Keywords: contract research organization, CRO, clinical research services, biopharmaceutical services, pharmaceutical development, regulatory affairs, patient recruitment, protocol design, feasibility studies, biometrics, vaccine research, China life sciences, clinical trials, drug development, PPD subsidiary, Mark Engel