Study Startup: New Battleground In CRO Differentiation Strategy

The drug development process is long, arduous, and costly, driving many sponsors to expand their use of contract research organizations (CROs). This move reflects sponsors’ sharper focus on core competencies as they shift the management and conducting of clinical trials to CROs. Research suggests a 7.4% compound annual growth rate for the CRO market through 2019,1 and a market penetration rate of 72% by 2020.2 Yet, at the same time, there are clues that this hefty market penetration signals a maturing market,3 leading to eventual slowing of revenue growth, possible reduction in the number of CROs, and fewer new customers.