Headlands Research, a leading multinational clinical trial site network, has acquired CMRCenter (CMRC), a high-performing research site in San Juan, Puerto Rico, marking the company's entry into the Caribbean market. The acquisition expands Headlands' footprint to 22 sites across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, providing pharmaceutical sponsors with enhanced access to diverse patient populations under FDA oversight.
Strategic Access to Hispanic Patient Population
The deal positions Headlands Research to offer sponsors a turnkey, single-contract gateway to one of the largest Hispanic patient populations under FDA regulation. This expansion is particularly significant for accelerating enrollment in vaccine, central nervous system (CNS), and specialty studies, where diverse patient representation is crucial for regulatory approval and global applicability.
"CMRC's proven performance in CNS, vaccine, and specialty trials, combined with its deep ties to Puerto Rico's diverse, FDA-regulated patient community, gives sponsors a seamless, single-contract path to high-quality enrollment in a priority market," said Kyle Burtnett, CEO of Headlands Research.
CMRC's Clinical Excellence and Infrastructure
Founded and led by Carmen D. Navarro, CMRC has established a distinguished track record in clinical research, supported by a team of investigators including Dr. Carmen C. Deseda. The site combines deep clinical and public health expertise with a bilingual team and maintains an active database of over 10,000 engaged participants.
CMRC consistently exceeds pediatric and adult Phase II–IV enrollment targets while sustaining a 90% retention rate across multiple therapeutic areas, including vaccines, early Alzheimer's disease, rheumatology, and migraine studies. This exceptional retention rate demonstrates the site's ability to maintain patient engagement throughout lengthy clinical trials, a critical factor for study success and data quality.
Enhanced Capabilities Through Integration
The acquisition integrates CMRC's deep knowledge of Puerto Rico's medical, cultural, and regulatory landscape with Headlands' centralized quality systems, technology platforms, and network-wide infrastructure investment. This combination is expected to scale CMRC's impact and accelerate the delivery of novel therapies to patients.
"CMRC has been dedicated to advancing the well-being of Puerto Ricans through quality, patient-centric clinical research," said Carmen D. Navarro, Founder and CEO of CMRC. "By joining the Headlands Research site network, we expand that commitment, offering our community earlier access to innovative therapies, broadening the therapeutic areas we serve, and adding Puerto Rico's diverse voice to global studies that will benefit patients everywhere."
Network Expansion and Global Impact
With this acquisition, Headlands Research has successfully completed more than 5,000 clinical trials across its network. The addition of CMRC's capabilities in early-stage Alzheimer's disease, rheumatology, migraine, and infectious disease vaccines strengthens the network's therapeutic expertise and geographic reach.
The integration allows CMRC to scale through access to shared resources, expanded therapeutic areas, and participation in larger global studies. This enhanced capacity is expected to improve trial execution speed and consistency while maintaining the high-quality standards that both organizations have established in their respective markets.
