During the past four decades, reliance and use of contract research service providers for drug development capacity and expertise have increased dramatically. During this period, sourcing models have evolved due to rising protocol scientific and executional demands and company-specific outsourcing strategies and preferences. Despite the long-time horizon and extensive collaboration with CRO partners, until now virtually no research has assessed the impact of various sourcing models on drug development program and clinical trial performance, cost and quality.
In 2026, the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development (Tufts CSDD) conducted a robust study in collaboration with 13 pharmaceutical companies to gather empirical evidence characterizing outsourcing strategies and practices and their relationship with drug development performance, quality and cost. This session presents the results of this research and offers insights into optimizing drug development performance, cost and quality through more effective, fit-for-purpose use of sourcing models. This study also examined the relationship between sponsor choice of sourcing model and clinical trial performance; functions and capabilities typically outsourced, and clinical trial performance and number of vendors engaged.