Alcanza Clinical Research has acquired Tampa Bay Medical Research, a Florida-based clinical research center with nearly four decades of operational history. The acquisition adds TBMR's established community presence and specialized expertise to Alcanza's growing national network of research facilities.
The transaction represents a strategic expansion for Alcanza, which operates 25 dedicated research units across multiple U.S. regions and Puerto Rico. TBMR brings significant operational experience to the combined organization, having completed more than 600 clinical trials across broad therapeutic areas for over 70 pharmaceutical and medical device sponsors since its founding in 1984. The center operates from facilities totaling over 5,000 square feet in Clearwater and Largo, Florida.
This consolidation matters because it addresses critical challenges in clinical research accessibility and diversity. By integrating TBMR's community-focused approach with Alcanza's scalable infrastructure, the combined entity can potentially accelerate clinical trial timelines and improve patient access to innovative treatments. The acquisition specifically strengthens Alcanza's mission to reach underrepresented communities, a persistent gap in clinical research participation that affects treatment development and healthcare equity.
"Partnering with high quality clinical research businesses and operators remains a top priority for us," said Carlos Orantes, CEO at Alcanza Clinical Research. The organization maintains an online presence at https://alcanzaclinical.com where it shares information about its research network and therapeutic focus areas.
TBMR's leadership will continue under Dr. Sureka Bollepalli, a board-certified endocrinologist with over 20 years of experience conducting NIH and industry-sponsored trials. "This partnership strengthens our ability to support patients, deepen community engagement, and expand access to high-quality clinical research—allowing us to advance care and improve lives together," said Dr. Bollepalli, who serves as both CEO and Medical Director of TBMR.
The industry impact centers on how such consolidations may reshape clinical trial execution. Independent research centers like TBMR often provide specialized expertise and strong community relationships, while larger networks like Alcanza offer standardized processes and broader sponsor connections. Their integration could create more efficient pathways for bringing new therapies to market, particularly in therapeutic areas where TBMR has developed deep experience through hundreds of completed trials.
For patients in the Tampa Bay region and beyond, this acquisition may translate to increased access to cutting-edge treatment options through expanded clinical trial portfolios. The combined organization's enhanced resources could support more complex study designs and faster participant enrollment, potentially accelerating the development timeline for new medications and medical devices across multiple therapeutic areas.
