Accelagen’s Dynamic Approach to Clinical Research
Accelagen was born from the desire to make a difference to the future of human health. For 15 years, we have played a critical role in Australia’s growing clinical research sector, distinguishing ourselves as a leading CRO with our agile approach, forward thinking and commitment to client success. Recognising the needs of our existing clients and the opportunity to expand our impact on a global scale, Accelagen is excited to embark on a new chapter of global expansion.
Expansion to begin with the US
While there are many benefits to conducting early phase clinical studies in Australia, we recognise the importance of considering other countries for later phase studies. This is particularly true in the US, where having local data is advantageous when it comes to FDA approval.
“Our team saw an opportunity to extend the relationship we have with existing clients by providing end-to-end support, which may include servicing them in other countries,” says Greg Plunkett, founder and CEO of Accelagen. “Over the years, we’ve developed a large client base in the US, so this feels like a natural next step for Accelagen.”
The company’s expansion into the US began with the establishment of a US subsidiary late last year, and we recently appointed our first team member there, with operations to expand over 2025.
Because North America is the biggest market and our biggest client base, we’re excited to use the US as our first major launching pad. However, this is just the beginning; we hope that our expansion into the US will help set us up for other international jurisdictions.
Leveraging the “Australian Advantage”
Of course, we want to continue to leverage the benefits of conducting research in Australia, and where possible utilise the attractive R&D tax incentives offered by the Australian government. To do this, we will retain considerable amount of research activities for multinational studies from our Australian base, including data management, biostatistics, and global project management. At the same time, we will have Accelagen team members in the country to manage local activities. This allows our clients to maintain the highest quality support while maximising the unique Australian advantages.
Another benefit our team will bring to the foreign market? Access to some of Australia’s most talented workforce. This global expansion provides an opportunity for our team to bring forward our passion for research and commitment to bringing value throughout the development pipeline.
Greg says that he’s looking forward to supporting his clients further down the development journey. “In expanding our team and our capabilities, we’ll be able to support larger, more complex international studies. We won’t be limited by size and scope—we’ll be able to pour ourselves into programs that continue to create value and bring new treatment options to patients around the world.”
A Focus on Sustainable and Strategic Growth
Accelagen’s immediate focus is on solidifying the US operation. Once we feel confident there, we will start evaluating other opportunities. With the Asia Pacific region at our doorstep, we may look to build a presence in this important region.
However, trying to grow too fast in unsustainable, so we’re careful to do everything in a strategic and stepwise fashion.
“The most important thing to me,” adds Greg, “is that our expansion happens organically. We want to ensure that we always maintain our Accelagen team, culture and values – as we refer to as the Accelagen DNA. This means maintaining a commitment to our team’s well-being, a proactive and collaborative approach with our clients and an agile approach to the industry. These values are woven into the Accelagen DNA, and we will carry them forward irrespective of where we are.”
Building A Legacy for the Future of Clinical Research
When asked about the legacy he wishes to leave with Accelagen, Greg was clear: “I want people to look back and say that we’ve helped patients around the world. It’s not about the size or scale of the company; it’s about the people. With motivation and talent, the Accelagen team delivers results that improve patient outcomes in some way, whether it’s improving quality of life or providing more time to spend with their loved ones.”
At Accelagen, it has always been about making a positive impact on patients’ lives. That is what gets us up in the morning, and we will take that with us wherever we go next.
Accelagen 2.0
As Accelagen embarks on this exciting new chapter, the focus remains firmly on better serving our clients by capitalising on Australia’s research advantages, offering global services and extending our mission of improving patient outcomes. Accelagen is hopeful that its global presence can continue to drive meaningful progress in clinical research. With a robust yet intentional expansion strategy and highly motivated team, the company is ready to step into Accelagen 2.0. We look forward to the next 15 years of delivering exceptional outcomes to clients and patients around the globe.