Founded in 2019 just before the global pandemic, Proxima Clinical Research entered the competitive contract research organization (CRO) market dominated by global giants such as LabCorp, IQVIA, ICON, and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Unlike traditional CROs, Proxima CRO was created to serve both underfunded innovators—MedTech, BioTech, Pharmaceutical, and Device inventors who could not typically afford CRO services—and large pharmaceutical and technology companies with budgets to bring new solutions to market. The Proxima CRO team positioned themselves as The Superheroes to The Superheroes: the sages who guide world-changing inventors through the FDA system to bring life-saving and life-enhancing innovations to market.
As a budding company, Proxima CRO faced two critical challenges:
- Building credibility in a conservative industry dominated by established players
- Creating visibility and awareness that would attract both startup inventors and big pharma deals
Engagement PR & Marketing’s Role
Proxima CRO turned to Engagement PR & Marketing to serve as its fractional VP of Marketing & Communications, coaching its in-house marketing team and building a powerful, credible brand footprint. Online, locally within the Houston Medical Center, and nationally within the life sciences industry.
Engagement PR & Marketing’s comprehensive program included:
- Strategic brand positioning and storytelling
- Media relations and analyst engagement
- Awards strategy and submissions
- Speaking, event, webinar, and thought leadership placements
- Digital marketing, creative development, and SEO
- Launch campaigns for new business units and platforms
Results
1. Media Visibility & Thought Leadership
- 65+ media placements in outlets including Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc., Houston Chronicle, MedTech News, MedCity News, Pharmaceutical Technology, Healthcare Business Today, Houston InnovationMap, and many others, including multiple industry podcasts.
- Placed CEO Kevin Coker on Forbes Council, securing 7 bylined articles in Forbes that drove SEO rankings, boosted visibility, and positioned Mr. Coker as a thought leader.
- Booked regular speaking opportunities at leading industry conferences, trade shows, and webinars.
2. Analyst Recognition
- Secured inclusion in 70+ analyst reports on CROs—positioning Proxima CRO alongside industry leaders like LabCorp, ICON, and IQVIA.
- In many cases, Proxima was not only listed next to industry giants but spotlighted as an innovative challenger brand, listed in the headlines of online reports.
3. Award-Winning Brand & Creative
25+ national and international awards recognizing the Proxima CRO brand, creative, industry education, and culture, including:
- Inc. 5000 & Inc. Best in Business, multiple years
- eHealthcare Leadership Awards (Gold: website design, Distinction: social media)
- MarCom Awards (2 Gold and an Honorable Mention: website and LinkedIn)
- Hermes Creative Awards (2 Platinum, 2 Gold, 5 Honorable Mentions: team, brand, culture, website, LinkedIn, creative, video education)
- AVA Digital Awards (2 Golds, 1 Honorable Mention: Creative, Company Brand Video, Video education)
- dotCOMM Awards (7 Platinum & Gold wins for branding, web design, and team achievement)
- Great Place to Work & Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work recognition, multiple years
- Merit Awards (Gold for Best Places to Work, Gold for Private Company, Bronze for Executive Leadership)
- Superhero branding campaign (Proxi and Mini Proxi mascots) recognized with international awards and became a cornerstone of Proxima CRO’s identity.
- Redesigned website and LinkedIn presence, each winning multiple creative awards and driving measurable engagement.
- Award-winning videos, including An Innovator’s Journey, which earned a Platinum dotCOMM Award.
4. Expansion & Launch Campaigns
- M1 MedTech Accelerator: Engagement PR & Marketing supported the launch of Proxima’s accelerator program for medical device startups, securing 10+ media features, guiding upcoming CEOs through their brand strategy, and positioning the accelerator as a leading destination for early-stage MedTech companies.
- Inventing Tomorrow Podcast: Coached and supported the team through development and launch of this innovative podcast, booking guests, creating visibility, and making the podcast seen, known, and found.
5. Leadership Positioning
Positioned Regulatory Affairs Director, Isabella Schmitt, as a national thought leader in MedTech and FemTech. She was named to:
- Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business list
- Stevie® Awards for Women in Business finalist
- Multiple media features, panel invitations, and speaking engagements
- A sought-after and well-respected member within the life sciences industry
Impact
In just three short years, Proxima CRO:
- Grew from a new entrant to a recognized authority in the CRO industry.
- Consistently ranked alongside and compared to global CRO giants, despite being a small startup.
- Built a trusted, award-winning brand that resonated with inventors, analysts, media, and investors alike.
- Achieved consistent recognition as one of the fastest-growing and most innovative companies in the Southwest.
Conclusion
Through strategic PR, branding, analyst relations, and creative storytelling, Engagement PR & Marketing transformed Proxima CRO from a little-known startup into a nationally recognized, award-winning brand competing head-to-head with industry giants.
Today, Proxima CRO is not just a CRO—it’s a movement for innovators bringing world-changing technologies to life.