IQVIA
IQVIA Holdings Inc. stands as the world’s largest clinical research organization (CRO) and is a leading global provider of advanced analytics, technology solutions, and clinical research services to the life sciences industry. Formed by the merger of Quintiles and IMS Health, the company reported an impressive full-year 2024 revenue of $15.4 billion. IQVIA’s core offering in CRO services is centered on its unique “Connected Intelligence™,” which integrates extensive data, advanced analytics, and domain expertise to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative medical treatments. The company provides end-to-end clinical development solutions, including decentralized trials, consulting, and functional services, and is instrumental in optimizing all phases (I-IV) of clinical trials, site selection, and patient recruitment globally.
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ICON
ICON PLC is an Irish-headquartered global clinical research organization that has solidified its position as the second-largest player in the market, with full-year 2024 revenue of $8.28 billion. The company significantly expanded its capabilities through the strategic acquisition of PRA Health Sciences, further harmonizing its teams across a vast global network spanning 55 countries. As a full-service CRO, ICON offers a comprehensive range of consulting, clinical development, and commercialization services. The company is committed to leveraging digital technologies and adaptive trial designs to enhance the speed and efficiency of clinical development. ICON’s service portfolio includes biosimilars, laboratory services, and functional service provision (FSP) with strong expertise in therapeutic areas like oncology, immunology, and CNS, making it a critical partner in the drug development lifecycle.
PPD (a subsidiary of Thermo Fisher Scientific)
PPD, now a core part of Thermo Fisher Scientific following a $17.4 billion acquisition in 2021, is one of the world’s largest full-service Contract Research Organizations. Leveraging Thermo Fisher’s vast resources as a global leader in scientific solutions, PPD provides comprehensive clinical development services that span the full lifecycle of product development, from early design to product approval and site selection. PPD specializes in over 20 therapeutic areas and utilizes its extensive global network to offer robust and technologically advanced clinical trial solutions for pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The integration allows PPD to link its clinical research business directly with industry-leading analytical and laboratory services, providing a seamless and efficient path for drug development and accelerating the time to market for new medicines.
Parexel
Parexel International Corporation is one of the world’s largest contract research organizations, providing full-service clinical research services for over 40 years. Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, and with a global workforce of approximately 21,000 employees, Parexel specializes in complex areas across Phase I-IV clinical trials. The company’s CRO services are delivered through a forward-thinking medical expertise model, offering strategic insight and operational excellence across a wide array of therapeutic areas, including oncology, infectious disease, neuroscience, and hematology. Parexel is distinguished by its intentional approach to designing trials and patient recruitment, working to accelerate the time to market for new therapies by leveraging its robust global presence and deep therapeutic area knowledge.
Syneos Health
Syneos Health Inc. is a leading American biopharmaceutical solutions organization that uniquely integrates both Contract Research Organization (CRO) and Contract Commercial Organization (CCO) capabilities to accelerate product development. Formed from the merger of InVentiv Health and INC Research, Syneos supports sponsors throughout the entire clinical development process and through to commercial delivery. The company specializes in clinical solutions such as early to late-phase clinical trials, bioanalytical services, and clinical data management. By blending medical affairs, clinical development, and commercial expertise, Syneos Health offers a customized and comprehensive solution for partners, with a strategic focus on supporting decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) to bring research closer to patients and streamline the drug development process.
Charles River Laboratories
Charles River Laboratories is a leading global CRO, distinguished by its strong specialization in preclinical research, drug discovery, and early-phase development services since its founding in 1947. The company offers a comprehensive services portfolio that includes Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA) services, preclinical and clinical laboratory services, and specialized capabilities in gene and cell therapy. Charles River’s CRO model provides essential support for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the foundational stages of therapeutic progression. In addition to core research services, the company provides regulatory advisory consulting and contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) services, reinforcing its role as an integrated partner that helps clients expedite the transition from therapeutic discovery to full-scale manufacturing.
Labcorp Drug Development
Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, through its Drug Development segment, is a major global CRO with over five decades of experience in the sector. Headquartered in Burlington, North Carolina, Labcorp provides comprehensive full-service solutions, encompassing preclinical, nonclinical, clinical, and commercialization services for biotech and pharmaceutical companies. With a vast global network managing over 5,000 protocols and 186,000 clinical investigator sites, the company leverages its integrated Biopharma Laboratory Services (BLS) and Diagnostics Laboratories (Dx) segments. This comprehensive model allows Labcorp to offer end-to-end support for drug development, with strategic initiatives focused on enhancing decentralized clinical trial capabilities to improve efficiency and patient access.
Medpace Holdings, Inc.
Medpace is a prominent, mid-sized global clinical research organization based in Cincinnati, Ohio, that is noteworthy for its rapid organic growth, having avoided major acquisitions to maintain a consistent, quality-focused culture. Medpace operates as a full-service CRO, specializing in Phase I-IV clinical development services. The company’s core strength lies in its medical expertise, providing continuous insights from its experts across all major therapeutic areas, including oncology, rare diseases, cell and gene therapy. Medpace is particularly adept at serving small and mid-sized biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies, offering a high-touch, individualized relationship model that delivers local expertise with global resources across six continents.
WuXi AppTec
WuXi AppTec is a global pharmaceutical and medical device R&D and manufacturing services provider that acts as a major CRO and CDMO. With offices globally, including in mainland China and the U.S., the company offers an integrated, end-to-end platform for the life science industry. Its services span from initial discovery research through development and manufacturing, providing a comprehensive solution that includes chemistry, biology, and various testing solutions. WuXi AppTec’s CRO services are built on an integrated model that helps companies accelerate drug and medical device development, making it an essential partner for those seeking a one-stop-shop for their research and development needs.
Fortrea Holdings, Inc.
Fortrea is a full-service global contract research organization that was established in 2023 following a spin-off from Labcorp. Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, Fortrea leverages decades of clinical development experience with over 19,000 staff operating in more than 90 countries. The company is committed to providing pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device customers with a wide array of clinical development, patient access, and technology solutions. Fortrea’s focus on scientific rigor and operational excellence allows it to deliver full-service capabilities across more than 20 therapeutic areas, striving to transform drug and device development through its global footprint and experienced team.
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