Top 5 Neurology CROs for Brain Research
Who are the top neurology CROs (Contract Research Organizations) currently making strides in the clinical research world? This article aims to shed a spotlight on brain research, highlighting the pressing need to address neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as the organizations that are actively working to progress new therapies in the field of neuroscience.
Brain research has increasingly received attention over the past 80 years, with the 1990s identified as “The Decade of the Brain.” The individual, societal, and global burden of neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions is high and, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), accounts for approximately 9 million deaths each year, the second largest cause of death worldwide. TFS HealthScience gives a nod to Brain Awareness Week 2024, the global initiative that began almost 30 years ago, by supporting efforts to promote public interest and support for brain science and neurology CROs. Scientists and researchers have consistently participated in forging meaningful connections with communities to ensure that brain research remains relevant and brings value to communities in need.
Let’s examine the top 5 Neurology CROs (Contract Research Organizations) as key players in brain research and developing therapies for people with neurological conditions.
Brain Disorders & Research
Brain disorders can be described as neurological conditions that cause cognitive and motor dysfunction, e.g., Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS), and neuropsychiatric conditions characterized by disturbed behavioral and emotional states such as depression and addiction. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke indicates that 1 in 5 adults lives with a neurological illness, e.g., dementia or MS. A recent survey revealed that the majority of Americans surveyed (82%) reported that they or someone close to them had had at least one brain health condition, the most frequent being depression (55%), AD or dementia (48%), and substance use disorder or addiction (42%).
Recent advances in brain research include the sequencing of the human genome, tools for mapping neuronal connections, improvements in neuroimaging, and nanoscience, which have created avenues to understand how the brain works in health and disease. Simard et al. found that the number of brain-related papers has grown faster than that of all disciplines combined over the past 30 years. Study results also indicate the steady decline of the U.S. as a major player in brain research and China’s rise over the past 20 years (with a growth of 2,750%).
Global Neurology CROs Market
The global neuroscience market can be segmented into diagnostic solutions, drug therapies (conventional and refined therapies targeting newly discovered molecular targets), and non-drug therapies. Neurology CROs worldwide partner with pharmaceutical, biopharma, and medical device companies and academic and research institutes to support the development of these interventions. Coming out of the post-pandemic contraction of R&D investment, industry observers are cautiously optimistic about neurological clinical research in 2024 due to recent successes in neurology, namely the new generation AD drugs by Biogen (aducanumab) and Eisai (lecanemab).
The global Neurology CROs market is estimated to be $7.9 billion in revenue in 2024, growing to $13.8 billion by 2031. The rapid expansion of neurology CROs can be attributed to outsourcing by sponsors as it is demonstrably more efficient and cost-effective. In addition, the growing prevalence of neurological disorders has led to an increased demand for pharmacological therapies. The U.S. Neurology CROs market is growing due to the increasing prevalence of neurological disorders, particularly AD, and the lack of adequate diagnostic solutions. Neurology CROs market includes indications: AD, brain tumors, epilepsy and seizures, schizophrenia, depressive disorder, MS, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s Disease (PD), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), stroke, cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CALD), and sleep apnea/sleep dysfunction.
Top 5 Neurology CROs
Below is a curated selection of five CROs, each distinguished for their profound expertise in the field of neuroscience research. While presented in no particular order, these organizations have garnered acclaim for their comprehensive understanding and specialized focus on advancing neurological science. From pioneering clinical trials to innovative methodologies, these CROs stand at the forefront of neurology, driving forward breakthroughs that shape the future of brain health and wellness.
1. IQVIA
Founded: 1982
Headquarters: Durham, NC, USA
Company Size: 86,000 employees
IQVIA provides advanced analytics, technology solutions, and clinical research services. It operates in over 100 countries and has approximately 86,000 employees. With over 30 years of experience in neurology, neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatry, sleep, central nervous system (CNS) rare diseases, and pain, IQVIA has a team equipped to design and deliver complex CNS clinical trials. In addition to regional regulatory expertise, IQVIA’s CNS team has board-certified neurologists on staff and experts in neuroscience clinical research, specifically in neurology, psychiatry, neuropathic pain, and rare diseases. Leveraging its analytics, tech, big data resources, and domain expertise, IQVIA says that it has more data and insights than ever before to drive innovation in CNS research. In the past ten years, IQVIA has supported more than 800 CNS clinical trials.
Mindful of challenges such as the global variability in data collection and reporting that may affect study findings, IQVIA helps clients manage risk using its Connected IntelligenceTM platform. The platform enables the IQVIA CNS team to deliver data-driven models, decentralized and hybrid trials, and adaptive trials, as well as provide global site and device and wearable capabilities. IQVIA creates connections across different aspects of healthcare and helps accelerate clinical development and commercialization of innovative interventions.
2. PPD (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.)
Founded: 1985
Headquarters: Wilmington, NC, USA
Company Size: 35,000 employees
PPD has grown from a one-person consultancy to a global CRO with more than 35,000 employees across 46 countries. PPD supports sponsors in navigating the complexities of neuroscience research and clinical trials and improving patient outcomes through diagnostics or therapies. PPD’s track record in neuroscience includes over 450 neuroscience clinical studies and over 50 rare neurological disorder studies in the past five years. These studies involved more than 60,400 global patients across 9,150 global sites. The neuroscience experience of PPD covers every stage of R&D, including early development, Phase I and Phase IIb – III, peri- and post-approval, labs, regulatory strategy, and strategic evidence generation. The neuroscience clinical research expertise of PPD is evidenced by seven out of 10 neuroscience therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years being supported by PPD.
Supported by expert scientists, project managers, and clinical managers, PPD’s specialized expertise helps sponsors address the complexities of neuroscience research, e.g., having access to proven methods for achieving a biologics license application approval. The PPD team also studies the evolving neuroscience clinical trial landscape to anticipate the response of patients, investigators, regulatory authorities, and payors to a study drug and advise sponsors on their study strategy.
3. TFS HealthScience
Founded: 1996
Headquarters: Lund, Sweden
Company Size: 800 employees
TFS HealthScience (TFS) is a premier and innovative global mid-size CRO that partners with biotech and pharmaceutical companies throughout their clinical development. With nearly 800 professionals located across more than 20 countries in North America, Spain, Europe, and Asia Pacific, TFS partners with clients to deliver tailored clinical research services that match their needs when and where they need them. TFS Neuroscience CRO provides full-service support from the early Phase through Phase III, post-authorization, and real-world (RWE) studies. TFS can manage small, medium, and large global neuroscience clinical trials with deep regional expertise, rigorous operational oversight, and adherence to international and regional standards to ensure successful delivery. The global operations teams are experienced in the unique challenges posed by neurology, psychiatry, and pain studies.
TFS Neuroscience CRO has broad experience across a range of neuroscience indications in neurology and CNS (including AD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), MS) and non-neurology, psychiatry, and pain (including addiction, schizophrenia, neuropathy). TFS Neuroscience CRO has conducted nearly 150 studies on neurology, psychiatry, and pain, with over 50 ongoing projects. In the last five years, there have been more than 12,000 patients and more than 1,000 specialized sites. Recognizing the importance of partnerships, TFS is aligned with neuroscience-specialized academic research organizations, patient advocacy organizations, and consultancies in Europe and the U.S. that provide valuable advice and support for studies.
4. Medpace
Founded: 1992
Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Company Size: 5,900 employees
Medpace is a global, full-service CRO founded by passionate and dedicated professionals envisioning a better way to conduct clinical research. Through its high-science and disciplined operating approach, Medpace provides Phase I-IV clinical development services to the biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. From emerging biotechs to global pharmaceutical companies, sponsors have worked with Medpace to lead their Phase I-IV neuroscience trials in various indications for adult and pediatric populations. As of December 31, 2023, Medpace employed approximately 5,900 people across 42 countries.
Medpace helps sponsors drive their neuroscience clinical trial success through its well-established site relationships, clinical operations, cross-functional, neuroscience-focused study teams, specialized imaging for neuroscience studies, and centralized neuroimaging expertise. Medpace covers neurodegenerative conditions, neuromuscular conditions, pain, psychiatry, substance use disorder, and stroke. The Medpace global team of neuroscience-dedicated medical, clinical, and regulatory experts leverage their real-life experience to address the unique challenges of neuroscience research and specialized expertise in designing and managing complex neuroscience trials to help stay on time and on budget. Further, in-house neuroscience physicians provide strategic direction for study design, planning, and execution. Medpace also engages with patient advocacy groups to help ensure clinical trials are designed and executed with patients in mind.
5. Ergomed
Founded: 1997
Headquarters: Surrey, U.K.
Ergomed has a global footprint of over 100 countries and offers tailored clinical solutions for every stage of development, from proof-of-concept to late-stage programs. Ergomed has provided clinical development, trial management, and pharmacovigilance services for over 300 clients, including top 10 pharmaceutical and generics companies and small and mid-sized companies. With a long history of trials in neuroscience, including neurology, pain, and psychiatry, Ergomed has conducted more than 170 studies in neuroscience indications involving 20,000 patients across Europe, the U.S., the Middle East and North Africa, and Asia Pacific. The Ergomed team, which includes a certified neurologist, maintains strong relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs), sites, and patient advocacy groups to help develop the best strategies for studies.
Ergomed has been involved in rare and orphan neurological diseases, e.g., Status epilepticus, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, ALS, type 1 spinal atrophy, Huntington’s Disease, and fragile X syndrome. Psychiatry trials include major depressive disorder, postpartum depression, depression and anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), opioid dependency, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In pain, Ergomed has been involved in trials for neuropathic pain, migraine, musculoskeletal chronic pain, acute post-surgery pain, oncology pain, and post-surgery acute pain.
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