Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) provide independent product development services, primarily for sponsors in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. Initially, the CRO industry offered a relatively narrow scope of support and services. Over the years, CROs invested in new facilities and technologies to drive efficiencies in drug development. CROs now bring sponsors – from the largest global pharmaceutical companies to highly specialized niche organizations – the required drug development services, including studies of new molecules, all phases of clinical testing, and periapproval and post-marketing research.
CROs are recognized as experts in the clinical research process and continue to enhance their value to sponsors by actively addressing the current needs of pharmaceutical and medical device R&D. In its “2004 Year in Review” edition, The CenterWatch Monthly concludes “…2004 was a big year for those companies [that are helping to make the drug development process more efficient], in terms of offerings, growth and doing what they do best – helping to provide cleaner data faster.” 1 A survey by the prestigious Tufts Center for Study of Drug Development (CSDD) covering the 2000-2002 period “details how the CRO industry, responding to the needs of sponsoring drug companies, has experienced a marked global expansion.”2 At present, CROs are involved in approximately two-thirds of Phase I-III clinical trials. By using CROs, sponsors gain expertise, experience and flexibility in clinical work. Outsourcing R&D can help control costs and reduce the R&D timeline.
1 “2004 Year in Review,” The CenterWatch Monthly, Thomson CenterWatch, 2004, page 1.
2 PAREXEL’s Pharmaceutical R&D Statistical Sourcebook 2004/2005, page 114. |
