A CRO is a Contract Research Organization. It is a type of company contract by another company to offer its clinical trial (Oncology Clinical Trials, Ophthalmology Clinical Trials, Gastroenterology Clinical Trials) and study management services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnological or food industry.
Companies and organizations that contract the services of CROs do so to acquire specific experience and knowledge without the need to hire permanent staff. When companies or public entities outsource to a CRO (Contract Research Organization) the time need to conduct a clinical trial (Oncology Clinical Trials, Ophthalmology Clinical Trials, Gastroenterology Clinical Trials) or study is reduced compare to conducting a trial or study in-house.
This translates into significant cost savings for the company itself, since the infrastructure or manpower is not need to carry out clinical trials (Oncology Clinical Trials, Ophthalmology Clinical Trials, Gastroenterology Clinical Trials).
Some CROs handle almost every aspect of a clinical trial (Oncology Clinical Trials, Ophthalmology Clinical Trials, Gastroenterology Clinical Trials) or study, from study design and monitoring to final regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.
Although the sponsor who subcontracts to a CRO (Contract Research Organization) can transfer and delegate all the aspects to be carry out in a clinical trial (Oncology Clinical Trials, Ophthalmology Clinical Trials, Gastroenterology Clinical Trials), it remains responsible for the integrity of the trial data to ensure that the standards of Good Clinical Practice and the Guidelines that are apply to ensure the quality of the study.
Read more: Preclinical Oncology CRO Market Outlook 2022
What is your function?
Its main function is to plan, coordinate, execute and supervise the processes involve in the development of a clinical trial (Oncology Clinical Trials, Ophthalmology Clinical Trials, Gastroenterology Clinical Trials), being a central point of contact between the sponsor and other actors in the trial (for example, ethics committees, regulatory agencies, providers and hospitals).
CROs are key players in clinical research, as they have the knowledge and skills necessary for the proper development of a clinical study. CRO (Contract Research Organization) help promoters reduce their workload, guaranteeing trial quality and compliance with national and international standards. At the same time, they provide innovative technological tools to increase efficiency in study processes, which translates into cost reductions.
Without a doubt, CROs play a crucial role in the success of a clinical trial (Oncology Clinical Trials, Ophthalmology Clinical Trials, Gastroenterology Clinical Trials). Developers shall carefully assess the particular needs of their projects, and find the CRO (Contract Research Organization) that best suits their budget and technical requirements.