Columbus-based Centricity Research expands with new facility & acquisition of NC company
A clinical research network with headquarters in Columbus and Toronto, Canada, is expanding locally and nationally with a new research facility in Muscogee County and acquiring a North Carolina-based research company.
Centricity Research launched in Nov. 2021 following the merger of IACT Health and LMC Manna Research expanded last month by acquiring Lucas Research that has five research sites in North Carolina.
Lucas Research shared core values with Centricity and is focused on exceptional quality, CEO Will Furness told the Ledger-Enquirer.
“Because of that, we knew it would be a great part of our future,” Furness said.
This acquisition allows Centricity to offer contract research organizations and sponsors access to more than 35 research sites, reaching over 8.5 million geographically and ethnically-diverse patients across North America, according to a news release.
Centricity has over 155 investigators who perform trials in more than 20 therapeutic areas that include infectious disease, endocrinology, oncology, vaccines and more, according to the release.
Lucas Research Principal Investigator Dr. Jeannie Lucas founded the company with her husband and CEO Seth Medlin in 2004 as a hybrid clinical research organization and medical practice.
The company specializes in advancing research and treatment in immunology, inflammation, diabetes, weight loss and other endocrine diseases, according to the release. Lucas Research team members completed more than 250 clinical trials in therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, endocrine and metabolic and women’s health among others.
“We will continue to offer our patients world class care, but now with the extensive resources of an international team to ensure that we are delivering the top advances in care,” Lucas said in the news release.
Centricity’s acquisition of Lucas Research comes after the research network acquired companies True North and Aventiv Research.
“Great clinical research is focused on a diversity of patient backgrounds,” Furness said. “And with continued growth, we can help create the very best medicine while allowing for the best experience for our researchers.”
Growing in Columbus
Centricity is growing internationally, Furness said, but it is also growing its presence in Columbus as well.
“We’re currently in the development of a 25,000 square foot state-of-the-art research facility in Columbus, GA,” Furness said.
It will be located at the former Azalea Trace Nursing Center on the corner of Talbotton Road and 10th Avenue, spokesperson Gail Bergman told the Ledger-Enquirer. The facility is completing the demolition phase and construction begins in a few weeks.
The new facility is expected to be move-in ready by the end of 2024, Bergman said.
Centricity has nine research sites in Georgia, with seven of those located in Columbus including John B. Amos Cancer Research and Acute Care Emergence Research.
Its founder, Dr. Jeff Kinglsey, relocated to Columbus from Pennsylvania for his residency following medical school, Furness said. He made the city his home after the residency program hired him as a faculty member before his graduation.
Kingsley went on to found an urgent care center and performed several clinical research studies during that time, he said.
“Our clinical research site was formed as a way of delivering free healthcare to the community,” Furness said. “That site has continued to this day and is the reason Centricity’s US headquarters are in Columbus, Georgia.”
