Experience, Longevity, Quality and Service.
CenExel HRI provides cutting-edge treatment while advancing medical research.
With two large campuses in Berlin, New Jersey, and Marlton, New Jersey (both just 20 minutes from Philadelphia), CenExel HRI, formerly Hassman Research Institute, is a leading clinical research organization that conducts studies in a wide variety of therapeutic areas. CenExel HRI’s highly trained and experienced staff, including four board certified clinical investigators, is dedicated to maintaining the highest standard of quality results in the trials they conduct.

Hundreds of clinical trials conducted since 2010.
View Current Studies

CenExel HRI offers 27,000 square feet of facility space with several dedicated units.

CenExel HRI exceeds 100% of patient target in recruitment.

Full-service, Phase I CRO capabilities provided through strategic partnerships.

CenExel HRI centralizes budgeting and contracting for faster study start-up.

CenExel HRI serves a broad and diverse demographic.
Center Leadership

Howard Hassman, D.O., AOBFP
Chief Executive Officer, Apex Innovative Sciences Chief Executive Officer, Principal Investigator, Hassman Research Institute, Board Certified Family Practitioner
Dr. Hassman has over 37 years of experience in clinical research. His strategic vision and commitment to the highest standard of quality has helped establish HRI as a leading clinical research organization since its founding in 2015. The growth of HRI is highlighted by the opening of the Marlton location, where Dr. Hassman currently conducts trials, in 2019.
With decades of experience as an investigator and an extensive background in psychopharmacology, pain management, and addiction medicine, Dr. Hassman provides scientific leadership and operational expertise to ensure the success of each trial. He also provides a broad range of expert consulting services to clients for early drug development, developing creative, de-risked solutions for a variety of clinical programs.
Work History
Dr. Hassman has served as an investigator in over 500 trials, including a wide range of early drug development trials from First-in-Human through Proof-of-concept. Specialized in central nervous system disorders, his diverse therapeutic expertise includes psychiatry, pain, addictions, sleep, and neurology.
Prior to HRI, Dr. Hassman was in a similar capacity at Comprehensive Clinical Research (CCR). Before that he was Chief Scientific Officer of CRI Lifetree from 1999 to 2013 when it was acquired by PRA Health Sciences. Dr. Hassman worked as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania from 1984 to 1993. From 1984 to 1998, he was a General Practitioner at Family Practice Associates of San Diego while also serving as Medical Director of his research facility, Clinical Managed Care Research.
Dr. Hassman holds multiple advisory board memberships and has authored numerous articles that have been published in leading scientific journals.
Education
Dr. Hassman is board certified in family practice. He received his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. His undergraduate degree is from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He completed his Fellowship at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, working collaboratively with Karl Rickles, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and President of the Private Practice Research Group.

Michael Hassman, D.O., AOBFP
Principal Investigator, Hassman Research Institute, Board Certified Family Practitioner
Dr. Hassman has been in his current role with HRI since it was established in 2015. He serves as a principal investigator for studies conducted at the Berlin location. His responsibilities include overseeing medical procedures and patient care teams to ensure complete medical continuity throughout the research process. Dr. Hassman provides expert medical review of safety protocols, assessing medical, scientific, and clinical feasibility.
Work History
Dr. Hassman has served as an investigator in over 400 trials. His study experience includes a wide variety of therapeutic areas, with a significant percentage focusing on pain, addictions, internal medicine, and dermatology. Dr. Hassman provides the appropriate medical direction to ensure HRI’s research is conducted in accordance with the investigational plan and all applicable regulations while protecting the safety and welfare of study participants.
Prior to HRI, Dr. Hassman was in a similar capacity at Comprehensive Clinical Research (CCR) for over 15 years. Dr. Hassman has also been a family practitioner for Advocare Berlin Medical Associates since 1998, providing high-quality health care to his patients.
Dr. Hassman stays abreast of current medical trends through his professional affiliations with the American Osteopathic Association, the American College of Osteopathic Family Practitioners, the New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, and Lambda Omicron Gamma National Medical Society.
Education
Dr. Hassman is board certified in family practice. He earned his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Maryland, College Park.
2018 – 2020 Statistics
Therapeutic Areas
Clinical Trials
Patients Enrolled
%
Enrollment
Looking for a Center of Excellence?
Reaching new heights in clinical research
Our Centers of Excellence provide unparalleled medical and scientific support in the design and execution of clinical trials. Our attention to detail assures quality, reliable results, and has helped CenExel to consistently achieve and exceed patient recruitment goals. We deliver the expertise, engagement, and results to ensure our clients achieve their clinical research goals.
To speed up study implementation, we provide centralized budgeting and contracting for sponsors engaging multiple Centers of Excellence. The geographic diversity of our network offers strong access to roughly 35 million subjects while our broad therapeutic expertise enables a variety of clinical trial strengths.
Top Therapeutic Areas of Expertise
CNS
Alzheimer’s Disease
Anxiety Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Depressive Disorders
Parkinson’s Disease
Schizophrenia
Vaccine
Pediatric
Seasonal Influenza
Pandemic Influenza
COVID-19
Analgesia
Acute Post-op Pain:
Abdominoplasty
Bunionectomy
Open Hernia Repair
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Other
Dermatology
Diabetes
Healthy Volunteer (all ages)
Insomnia
Asian-bridging
Ophthalmology
Sleep Apnea
Women’s Health
Meet our Centers of Excellence
Click on any highlighted state to see our Centers of Excellence
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