Accel Research Sites was chosen as one of Orlando Business Journal's 2022 Fire Awards honorees, who were featured in OBJ's April 29-May 5, 2022, weekly edition.
The Lake Mary-based network of clinical research sites partners with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies on human clinical trials across the Southeast. Last year was full of growth for Accel, which hired 99 new employees and added 36,646 new patients to its database.
Here's more from Accel Research Sites CEO Lora Parahovnik:
What was your company’s biggest accomplishment of 2021? Accel is one of the key players in today’s most vital clinical research trials in the United States and one of the largest site management networks in the U.S. Partnering with the top clinical research partners, we are at the forefront of U.S. and global efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic by testing and developing cutting-edge vaccines and treatments for patients of all ages.
How did you get it done? Over the past 20-plus years, we have proven ourselves as a leading site network, earning special status with many major sponsors, pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organizations. Accel’s 25-plus sites give us convenient access to diverse, densely populated areas and are supported by a platform of expert services for a fast, consistent and high-quality experience for our study team partners. To date, we have conducted over 1,500 studies with over 200,000 enrolled patients, and we support most types of medical research efforts including bio-sample and bio-specimen collection, medical device trials, vaccine trials, pragmatic trials, patient surveys, device trials, data collection efforts and decentralized/virtual clinical trials
How does your company stay innovative? We use scientific and human precision expertise to deliver the best clinical trial results for our clients, providers and patients. The Accel Research Sites network will set the industry standard for patient-centered clinical research delivered in the modern healthcare ecosystem. Each study is supported by experienced Investigators who are highly engaged, accessible, and passionate about pursuing new treatment options for their patients.
What strategies have you implemented to recruit and/or retain talent in a competitive labor market? Agile recruitment strategies, focusing on the candidate experience, employee referral programs, shorter time to hire the candidate, broader job vacancy and flexibility, training and educational paths contributing to the professional roadmap and personal development of the employees.
What is the biggest challenge facing your industry? Limited patient participation and missed clinical research timelines
What is your company’s top goal for 2022? To expand organically and inorganically, enter the additional multi-therapeutic areas of focus and onboard more professionals in clinical research.
In the past year, what progress have you seen in the growth of Central Florida’s entrepreneurial and tech ecosystems? In the past several months, a vast number of biotech companies opened their offices and headquarters in the Florida biotech ecosystem, opening multiple vacancies in the biosciences industry.
What is the local technology and innovation sector’s biggest obstacle to more growth? Recruiting and retaining the talent
Accel Research Sites
- Top executive: Lora Parahovnik, CEO
- Year founded: 1998
- 2021 YOY revenue growth: 74%
- Capital raised since founding: NA
- Number of employees in Central Florida: 147
- Number of employees company-wide: 196
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