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Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) Market Research Report Information By Type (Drug Discovery, Preclinical, Clinical), By Services (Clinical Trial Services, Regulatory Service, Clinical Data Management & Biometrics, Medical Writing, Pharmacovigilance, Site Management Protocol and Others) And By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And The Rest Of The World) –Market Forecast Till 2032


ID: MRFR/HC/10838-HCR | 128 Pages | Author: Rahul Gotadki| December 2024

Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) Market Overview


The Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) Market Size valued at USD 44.4 Billion in 2022. The Global Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) market industry is projected to rise from USD 51.2 Billion in 2023 to USD 162.4 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound yearly growth rate (CAGR) of 15.50% during the forecast period (2023 - 2032). Increasing complexity and cost of drug development and advancement in biomedical research and technology are the key market drivers improving market growth.


Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing Market


Source: The Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review


Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) Market Trends




  • Increasing complexity and cost of drug development is driving the market growth




Market CAGR for healthcare contract research outsourcing is being driven by the increasing complexity and cost of drug development. Drug development has become more expensive over the years due to the need for extensive clinical trials, regulatory compliance, and increased complexity. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are seeking ways to control costs and enhance efficiency. The development of novel therapies often requires specialized knowledge and expertise in various scientific and clinical areas.


CROs offer access to these experts, enabling pharmaceutical companies to tap into specialized skills without the need for in-house resources. Drug discovery and development are increasingly reliant on advanced technology, such as genomics, proteomics, high-throughput screening, and data analytics. CROs invest in these technologies and provide pharmaceutical companies with access to cutting-edge tools and platforms. The pharmaceutical industry faces intense competition, and getting new drugs to market quickly is essential. 


CROs can expedite the drug development process by offering dedicated resources and streamlined operations, reducing time-to-market for new therapies. Drug development carries inherent risks, including clinical trial failures and regulatory hurdles. CROs help mitigate these risks by providing comprehensive risk assessment, quality assurance and regulatory compliance services. Many CROs have a global presence and can conduct clinical trials and research in multiple regions. This global reach helps pharmaceutical companies tap into diverse patient populations and regulatory environments, enhancing the generalizability of trial results.


Outsourcing various aspects of drug development, such as clinical trials, data management, and regulatory affairs, can be cost-effective for pharmaceutical companies. CROs offer flexible pricing models, enabling companies to manage their budgets more efficiently. Pharmaceutical companies can scale their research and development efforts up or down based on project needs by partnering with CROs. The flexibility allows them to allocate resources as required, reducing fixed overhead costs. CROs are experienced in navigating complex regulatory landscapes. They ensure that clinical trials and research adhere to regulatory guidelines, reducing the risk of regulatory setbacks and costly delays.


Outsourcing non-core activities, such as clinical trial management and data analysis, allows pharmaceutical companies to focus on their core competencies, like drug discovery and commercialization. CROs often bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to drug development, contributing to more efficient and effective research processes. CROs extend their services beyond the development phase to include post-market surveillance, pharmacovigilance, and real-world evidence generation, helping pharmaceutical companies. Thus driving the Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) market revenue.


Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) Market Segment Insights


Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing Type Insights


The Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) Market segmentation, based on type, includes Drug Discovery, Preclinical, and Clinical. The clinical category dominates the market, accounting for the largest market revenue. The clinical trials are subject to strict regulatory requirements and oversight by health authorities. Therefore, pharmaceutical and biotech companies often require specialized expertise and support in conducting clinical trials to ensure compliance, making clinical services a critical component of CRO offerings. Further, clinical trials are a pivotal phase in the development of pharmaceuticals and biologics. The preclinical type is expected to rise at a rapid CAGR during the forecast years due to an increase in preclinical studies and the growing requirement to control research and development costs. 


Figure 1: Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) Market, by Services, 2022 & 2032 (USD Billion)


Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing Market, by Services, 2022 & 2032


Source: The Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review


Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing Services Insights


The Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) Market segmentation, based on services, includes Clinical Trial Services, Regulatory Services, Clinical Data Management and biometrics, Medical Writing, Pharmacovigilance, Site Management Protocol and Others. The clinical trial services category dominates the market as clinical trials are at the core of drug development, and they encompass a wide range of activities essential for testing the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals and biologics in human subjects. Other services, such as regulatory services, clinical data management and biometrics, medical writing, pharmacovigilance, site management protocol, and others, play vital roles in supporting the clinical trial process.


Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing Regional Insights


By region, the study gives market insights into the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. The North American Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) market dominates the market as it is home to a large and well-established pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Further, North America boasts a highly advanced healthcare infrastructure, including world-class medical centers, research hospitals, and academic institutions and invests significantly in healthcare research and innovation.


Further, the prime countries studied in the market report are The US, Canada, Germany, France, the U.K., Italy, Spain, Japan, India, China, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.


Figure 2: HEALTHCARE CONTRACT RESEARCH OUTSOURCING MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (USD Billion)


HEALTHCARE CONTRACT RESEARCH OUTSOURCING MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022


Source: The Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review


Europe's Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) market, accounts for the second-largest market share as the region has witnessed a significant increase in clinical trial activity in recent years and has a well-trained and experienced healthcare workforce, including clinical researchers, medical professionals, and scientists. Further, the German Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing market held the biggest market share, and the U.K. Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.


The Asia-Pacific Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) Market is expected to grow at the rapid CAGR from 2023 to 2032. This is due to a significant increase in clinical trial activity, driven by factors such as large and diverse patient populations, lower trial costs and streamlined regulatory processes in some APAC countries. Moreover, China’s Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing market held the largest market share, and the Indian Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.


Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing Key Market Players & Competitive Insights


Leading market players are investing hugely in research and development in order to expand their product lines, which will help the Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) market grow even more. Market players are also undertaking a variety of strategic activities to spread their global footprint, with important market developments including contractual agreements, new product launches, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. To spread and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate, the Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing industry must offer cost-effective items.


Manufacturing locally to minimize the operational costs is one of the key business tactics used by the manufacturers in the global Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) industry has offered some of the most significant advantages to the healthcare industry. Major participants in the Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing market, including ICON Plc, Charles River Laboratories, Syneos Health, IQVIA Inc., GVK Biosciences Private Limited, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Parexel International Corporation, Medidata Solutions, Inc., Pharmaron GMBH, and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in the research and development operations.


ICON plc is a global contract research organization that offers a broad range of services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. ICON is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and it operates in numerous countries around the world. This company has invested in technology and data analytics to improve the efficiency and the effectiveness of clinical trials. This includes the use of electronic data capture, ePRO (electronic patient-reported outcomes), and other innovative technologies. In September 2023, ICON and Parexel, two of the world's leading CROs, announced a partnership to develop and deliver integrated clinical trial solutions. The partnership will put together the two companies' expertise in the clinical trial design, conduct, and analysis to provide clients with a more comprehensive and efficient service.


Catalent, Inc. is a global pharmaceutical services and drug delivery technology company headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, USA. Catalent provides a wide range of services and solutions to help pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and consumer healthcare companies develop and deliver innovative therapies and products to patients around the world. Catalent invests in developing new drug delivery technologies and enhancing existing ones to address the evolving needs of the pharmaceutical industry. In March 2023, Catalent, a leading provider of advanced delivery technologies and development solutions for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and consumer health industries, acquired Paragon Clinical Development Services, a leading CRO that specializes in late-stage clinical trials. The acquisition expanded Catalent's portfolio of clinical trial services and strengthened its position in the late-stage clinical trial market.


Key Companies in the Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) Market Include



  • ICON Plc

  • Charles River Laboratories

  • Syneos Health

  • IQVIA Inc.

  • GVK Biosciences Private Limited

  • Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings

  • Parexel International Corporation

  • Medidata Solutions, Inc.

  • Pharmaron GMBH


Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing Industry Developments


August 2023: Biognosys AG and Bruker Corporation announced a strategic partnership for biologics-based clinical research. The partnership will enable Biognosys AG to open its first laboratory for advanced proteomics outsourcing services in the U.S.


April 2023: Alira Health announced a partnership with Cognizant to provide decentralized clinical trial services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The partnership will combine Alira Health's expertise in decentralized clinical trials with Cognizant's digital technology and data analytics capabilities.


February 2023: Parexel and Microsoft announced a strategic partnership to develop and deliver new digital solutions for clinical trials. The partnership will leverage Microsoft's Azure cloud platform and Azure AI services to develop new tools and technologies that can help streamline clinical trials and improve patient outcomes.


Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing (CRO) Market Segmentation


Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing Type Outlook



  • Drug Discovery

  • Preclinical

  • Clinical


Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing Services Outlook



  • Clinical Trial Services

  • Regulatory Service

  • Clinical Data Management & Biometrics

  • Medical Writing

  • Pharmacovigilance

  • Site Management Protocol

  • Others


Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing Regional Outlook


North America



  • US

  • Canada


Europe



  • Germany

  • France

  • UK

  • Italy

  • Spain

  • Rest of Europe


Asia-Pacific



  • China

  • Japan

  • India

  • Australia

  • South Korea

  • Australia

  • Rest of Asia-Pacific


Rest of the World



  • Middle East



  • Africa



  • Latin America


Report Attribute/Metric Details
Market Size 2022 USD 44.4 Billion
Market Size 2023 USD 51.2 Billion
Market Size 2032 USD 162.4 Billion
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) 15.50% (2023-2032)
Base Year 2022
Market Forecast Period 2023-2032
Historical Data 2018- 2022
Market Forecast Units Value (USD Billion)
Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, The Market Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends
Segments Covered Type, Services, and Region
Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World
Countries Covered The US, Canada, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Japan, China, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil
Key Companies Profiled  ICON Plc; Charles River Laboratories; Syneos Health; IQVIA Inc.; GVK Biosciences Private Limited; Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings; Parexel International Corporation; Medidata Solutions, Inc.; Pharmaron GMBH
Key Market Opportunities ·       Advancement in biomedical research and technology.
Key Market Dynamics ·       Increasing complexity and cost of drug development.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

The Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing market size was valued at USD 44.4 Billion in 2022.

The global market is foreseen to rise at a CAGR of 15.50% during the forecast period, 2023-2032.

North America had the highest share of the global market

The key players in the market are ICON Plc, Charles River Laboratories, Syneos Health, IQVIA Inc., GVK Biosciences Private Limited, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Parexel International Corporation, Medidata Solutions, Inc., Pharmaron GMBH.

The clinical category dominated the market in 2022.

The clinical trial had the highest share in the global market.

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