Headlands Research acquires San Juan-based CMRCenter to expand trials

Headlands Research has entered the Caribbean market by acquiring CMRCenter (CMRC), a research site based in San Juan. The move brings Headlands’ total number of sites to 22 across the United States, Canada and now Puerto Rico, offering pharmaceutical sponsors greater access to diverse patient populations under U.S. Food and Drug Administration oversight.
According to the announcement, the acquisition will help accelerate trial enrollment in areas such as vaccines, central nervous system (CNS) disorders and specialty conditions.
The addition of CMRC gives biopharma sponsors a streamlined, single-contract entry point into one of the largest Hispanic patient markets regulated by the FDA.
“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 Headlands Research CEO Kyle Burtnett.
Founded and led by Carmen D. Navarro, CMRC has exceeded enrollment targets in Phase II–IV pediatric and adult trials, with a 90% participant retention rate, according to the company.
The company has a bilingual clinical team and an active database of more than 10,000 participants, according to the announcement. It is recognized for work in early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatology, migraine and infectious disease vaccines.
The deal integrates CMRC’s local knowledge of Puerto Rico’s medical, cultural and regulatory landscape with Headlands Research’s centralized infrastructure, quality systems and technology platforms. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The combined approach is expected to improve trial execution and speed the delivery of new therapies.
“CMRC has been dedicated to advancing the well-being of Puerto Ricans through quality, patient-centric clinical research,” said Navarro. “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.”
CMRC’s leadership team includes investigators such as Carmen C. Deseda, and the site brings decades of clinical trials and public health expertise. With this acquisition, Headlands adds a high-performing, culturally connected site to its network, increasing its capacity to serve patients and sponsors with speed and consistency.
The integration will also allow CMRC to scale through access to shared resources, expanded therapeutic areas and participation in larger global studies, the company stated.