10 Tips For Enabling Better Sponsor-CRO Collaborations

The outsourcing of clinical research activities is expected to increase to 72% by 2020, as sponsors seek to reduce costs and increase speed and agility. However, trust and empowerment are often lacking in the client/vendor relationship between sponsors and CROs. To ensure successful collaborations, both parties should learn each other's processes and culture, establish a communication plan, perform risk assessments, define business processes and roles, establish KPIs, and invest in software tools.

Investing in software tools that facilitate communication, management, and automation of activities is crucial for leveraging project plans, communication plans, KPIs, and risk management plans effectively. Cloud-based platforms that allow for immediate data sharing among partners are particularly beneficial.

To foster successful collaborations, clear communication channels should be established, expectations should be set, a culture of trust should be built, project goals and objectives should be defined, a detailed project plan should be developed, progress should be regularly assessed, collaboration and teamwork should be encouraged, technology and data sharing platforms should be utilized, a governance structure should be established, and continuous evaluation and improvement should be prioritized.

Overall, see why the success of the clinical research industry relies on improving the collaboration between sponsors and CROs. By following these tips and investing in software tools, sponsors and CROs can optimize their partnerships and achieve greater success in their studies, leading to increased resource productivity and cost savings.