Which Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) are the best in America? The US is home to a number of different companies that provide support for clinical research initiatives to pharmaceutical companies. Each has its own strengths and areas of expertise. Whether you are looking for a company that specializes in toxicology testing or one that is known for fast turnaround times, understanding what each one offers can help you make the best choice for your organization.
Charles River Laboratories
A global leader in the field of biomedical research and drug development, Charles River Laboratories has provided crucial services for over 80% of drugs approved by the FDA in the last year alone. It operates facilities across 20 countries and on 5 continents to help customers from all walks of life live better lives through therapeutic innovation.
Covance
Covance (LabCorp) is a company that offers pre-clinical, clinical, and commercialization services for the pharmaceutical industry. Labcorp offers fast turnaround times for drug screening samples with its automated platform technology. Founded in 1996 with headquarters located on-site at Princeton University’s medical school campus, Labcorp’s revenue was $11 billion last year. A truly global company, they employ more than 50 thousand people in 60 nations worldwide.
Icon
Icon is a company that specializes in the development and commercialization of drugs, devices, and other healthcare innovations. They offer services to clients at any stage of the drug research and development process, focusing on accelerating progress toward bringing new, life-saving treatments into clinical trials while also improving patients’ quality of life through improved technologies. Icon has offices in 37 countries around the world.
IQVIA
Focusing on creating connections between client needs, their services, and the general healthcare climate, IQVIA is a multinational CRO that provides accelerated outcomes for clients. IQVIA stands out as a specialist with cardiovascular health interventions, such as drugs used against high cholesterol levels. With more than 58,000 employees worldwide and a revenue that reached $10 billion dollars last year, IQVIA bills itself as “The Human Data Science Company”.
Medspace
With services including the provision of scientific guidance, efficient clinical trial management, and global regulatory leadership, Medspace is a company with experience. They aim to deliver high-quality results for drug development and other types of products undergoing trials through all phases. Medspace is a global force with offices and expertise on six continents.
Parexel
Parexel is a global CRO and clinical trial management service provider for the pharmaceutical sector that was founded in 1982. They have central offices located in Waltham, Massachusetts as well as other locations across 51 countries around the world. Parexel provides services related to clinical trial supplies and logistics, innovation, drug safety, cell and gene therapy, and more.
PPD
Pharmaceutical Product Development—PPD—is a global CRO that provides comprehensive drug development services to the pharmaceutical industry. Based out of central offices in North Carolina, the company has around 23,000 employees and over $2 billion annual revenue as of 2018. PPD has particular expertise in the Asia-Pacific region.
PRA Health Sciences
PRA Health Sciences, a multinational CRO specializing in biopharmaceutical research and development for international companies, is headquartered in Raleigh, NC and has been around since 1982. In 2018 they had an annual revenue of $2.8 billion, which makes them one of North America’s leading providers in this market sector.
Syneos
Syneos Health is a global CRO that specializes in integrated biopharmaceutical solutions. Founded by merging INC Research and inventiv health, Syneos provides services for over 110 countries around the world with its 24,000 employees. Syneos Health excels at studying complex metabolic disorders associated with mental illness, including diabetes.
WuXi AppTec
WuXi AppTec Group, headquartered in the USA and China, maintains 18 facilities that provide services from small molecule research and development to cell therapy manufacturing. Operations include biologics development, medical device testing, as well as genomics research for prescription drugs. The WuXi group has been around since 1979 when it first started out trying its hand at chemical synthesis. Since then, they’ve expanded into other fields, such as biomedical technologies.
While there are other CROs providing excellent service to pharmaceutical companies, these rise to the top with their experience, expertise, services offered, and global reach.