ACRO 2024 Member Demographics Survey
A demographics survey of ACRO member companies demonstrating the impact of the industry on drug development.
Overview Trials and Participants Revenue and Companies Represented AI Adoption Vaccines Statistics
Overview & Methodology
In early 2025, ACRO conducted an online survey of its member companies. The survey was held among 15 ACRO member companies in order to establish a baseline of member impact. The aim of this project is to better understand the activities and demographic makeup of ACRO member organizations and to demonstrate the impact of our industry on drug development. Below are the key findings from the survey.
Trials & Participants
In 2024, ACRO members conducted or participated in 8,854 studies involving 1.7 million patients and volunteers across a wide range of therapeutic areas and geographies that provide drugs, biologics, and medical devices integral to delivering better health outcomes.
Staff Metrics
ACRO member companies employ over 410,000 individuals worldwide, conduct research in every global region, and generate an estimated $98 billion in revenue. The largest number of ACRO member staff are in the U.S. (125,908), Asia (72,717), the European Union (39,713), and the UK (33,304).
Note: Totals and percentages do not represent roughly 100,000 employees reported by member companies but not specified by region.
Revenue & Companies Represented
In 2024, ACRO member companies generated nearly $98 billion in revenue, supporting the work of an estimated 716 sponsor companies.
Use of AI
ACRO members are employing the assistance of artificial intelligence to improve their processes. AI helps CROs and CTOs streamline data management, launch new projects and studies, and research and select new study sites.
deploy AI to improve efficiencies
How Members are Using AI
Vaccine Trial Metrics
Nearly 600 of the total 2024 studies were active vaccine trials. ACRO CROs members contributed to the development or commercialization of several key vaccine markets: 83% of ACRO CROs contributed to COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines and 50% contributed to the pneumococcal conjugate and Hepatitis B vaccines.
Additional Metrics
Of the 8,854 total studies participated in or conducted by ACRO member CROs in 2024, the largest proportion of trials by therapeutic area was oncology (35%) followed by CNS/neurology (16%), dermatology (11%), infectious diseases (7%), and metabolic/endocrine (6%).
Most of the customers of ACRO member CROs customers are described as Pharma (48%) or Biotech (39%).
For more information about ACRO and membership in our organization, please contact us.