Headlands Research Acquires Clinical Trials Research, Bolstering Cardiometabolic Trial Capabilities in California
Key Insights
Headlands Research (search) has acquired Clinical Trials Research (CTR) (search), adding two Sacramento-area sites with over 25 years of cardiometabolic expertise to its network.
CTR brings a track record of more than 300 completed Phase I–IV clinical trials and a reputation for rapid study startup and high-quality data.
The acquisition strengthens Headlands' cardiometabolic therapeutic area, covering indications such as obesity (search), type 2 diabetes (search), hypertension (search), and fatty liver disease (search).
Headlands Research (search), a leading clinical trial site network, announced on June 30, 2026, the acquisition of Clinical Trials Research (CTR) (search), a privately owned clinical research organization with locations in Sacramento and Lincoln, California. The acquired sites will operate as Headlands Research – Sacramento and Headlands Research – CTR Lincoln, expanding the company's footprint in a key region for clinical development.
"CTR brings something distinct in an acquisition: two established sites, a 25-year history, and a team that sponsors already know and trust," said Kyle Burtnett, Chief Executive Officer of Headlands Research (search). "By pairing that depth with Headlands' infrastructure, we advance our objective of being the partner of choice for pharmaceutical companies and CROs by providing additional capabilities and scale to our cardiometabolic therapeutic area."
A Quarter-Century of Cardiometabolic Research
CTR has conducted more than 300 Phase I–IV clinical trials, building a consistent reputation for rapid study startup, strong patient recruitment, and high-quality data. The sites bring extensive experience across a broad range of cardiometabolic and related indications, including high cholesterol (search), hypertension (search), heart failure (search) prevention, obesity (search) and overweight, type 2 diabetes (search), diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (search), fatty liver disease (search), and chronic idiopathic constipation (search).
The organization is led by Jeffrey D. Wayne, MD, a board-certified internist who has served as a principal investigator since 1992. Dr. Wayne earned his medical degree from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and serves as clinical faculty at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. His research experience spans cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory conditions, and women's and men's health.
"Clinical research has been my career passion, and our team has built a trusted research practice," said Dr. Wayne. "Joining Headlands Research (search) gives us the infrastructure and network to bring more patients into research, expand the therapeutic areas that we can offer our community, and maintain the quality our sponsors rely on."
Strategic Expansion of Trial Infrastructure
The acquisition aligns with Headlands Research (search)'s mission to improve lives by advancing innovative medical therapies. The company operates a growing network of wholly owned clinical research sites across North America and Europe, providing sponsors and contract research organizations (CROs) with access to experienced investigators, diverse patient populations, and centralized operational support. Headlands conducts clinical trials across a broad range of therapeutic areas, including CNS, vaccines, metabolic diseases, obesity (search), respiratory disease, cardiometabolic disorders, and more.
By integrating CTR's established sites and investigator expertise, Headlands strengthens its position in the cardiometabolic space—a therapeutic area of increasing importance given the rising global prevalence of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The addition of two Sacramento-area sites also enhances the network's geographic diversity and patient access on the West Coast.