Competing in the U.S. Contract Research Market: What Pharma & Biotech Companies Want and How to Compete for Their Business

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan's Healthcare Division will be releasing an end-user study later this month on the increasingly competitive landscape of the CRO market. The study, entitled "Competing in the U.S. Contract Research Market: What Pharma & Biotech Companies Want and How to Compete for their Business" is the result of extensive interviews conducted across Pharmaceutical and Biotech companies, and provides insights on how CROs are evaluated within a scenario of tightening outsourcing budgets.

Outsourcing to CROs by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies continues to be a growing trend with more than 20 percent of cardiovascular and oncology clinical development currently being outsourced. Additionally, therapeutic areas such as metabolic diseases are likely to be increasingly outsourced in the next 12-24 months.

Due to increased globalization of clinical trial activity, there is indication of a possible slight shift in clinical trial activities from North America to other regions. North America's share of clinical trials is expected to decrease from 61% to 53% in the next 3-5 years.

The primary reasons for outsourcing include a reduction in manpower required by pharmaceutical and biotech firms, greater geographic coverage provided by CROs, better access to patients for clinical trials and an enabling of R&D in non-core therapeutic areas.

Furthermore, there is some indication of a trend towards significant reductions in outsourcing / CRO budgets in the next 12 to 24 months for the majority of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies surveyed. The source of this reduction appears to be an overall expectation of decline in outsourcing costs, most likely due to intensifying competition, rather from a decline in the rate of outsourcing itself.

Frost & Sullivan's comprehensive end-user study on the CRO Market will include the following elements:

   *  Analysis of various Contract Research Organization (CRO) market
      segments: The study identifies and describes 3 market segments,
      derived statistically, in terms of their breadth, scope and intensity
      of outsourcing, perceived motives for outsourcing, and criteria for
      CRO selection.
   *  Perceived strengths of the largest CROs: The study evaluates the
      perceived positioning of 11 large CROs, based on how they are
      associated with various key attributes.
   *  Data and Information on Selection Criteria of CROs: This study
      encompasses vital feedback allowing CROs to gain insight into current
      and future outsourcing patterns and trends, to better understand
      motives and perceived benefits of outsourcing, criteria for CRO
      selection and current and future technology requirements.
   *  Varied sample of respondents: The sample includes representatives of
      both Pharmaceutical (65%) and Biotechnology Companies (35%). The 180
      respondents were involved either in R&D, Clinical Development, Product
      Management, Purchasing, Quality Control, or Regulatory functions.
   *  Proven survey methods: The study includes survey methods such as
      ANOVA, MaxDiff, Cluster Analysis, Factor Analysis, Correspondence
      Analysis, Multiple Regression, and Logistic Regression.

If you are interested in a complimentary brochure, which provides an overview of this informative End-User Study on the CRO Market, please send an e-mail to Melina Trevino - Corporate Communications at melina.trevino@frost.com with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state, and country. We will send you the information via e-mail upon receipt of the above information.

Additionally, respond by November 21st to receive promotional pricing on a CRO research bundle, which includes the End-User study as well as a CRO Market Engineering study.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.frost.com/ .

   Contact:
   Melina Trevino
   Corporate Communications - North America
   P: 210.247.2440
   F: 210.348.1003
   E: melina.trevino@frost.com