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Contract Pharma’s 20th Anniversary Retrospective: Drug Development

A look back at the role of CROs in drug development and what we can expect for the future

Kristin Brooks, Contract Pharma10.16.19

Among the many industry changes over the years, regulatory efforts and data analytics have had a major impact on drug development and clinical research this past decade. Regulatory Breakthrough Therapy and Orphan Drug designations, and new and increasingly innovative ways to collect and evaluate data have both advanced and alleviated some of the road blocks in getting drugs to market. The challenges rare diseases present, and the growing regulatory evidence needed for drug approval, have necessitated change in clinical research. For example, Real World Evidence (RWE) and virtual trials have become important tools to evaluate safety and efficacy, particularly in an age where more personalized therapeutics for smaller patient populations have prevailed. Additionally, small and virtual biopharma have become more numerous, and with their unique needs, have a greater reliance on CROs. These and other industry developments have pharma and biopharma seeking out more advanced and comprehensive services across the drug development continuum.

Richard Staub, President of Research & Development Solutions global business unit at IQVIA, discusses how CRO services have ev