BOSTON, Jan. 3, 2011—CenterWatch today reports that the fragmented U.S. investigative site market is poised for acquisitions that may be driven by the most unlikely of sources: large European site management organizations (SMOs). The report, released in the January issue of The CenterWatch Monthly, provides an in-depth look at the infrastructure and strategies of the European companies likely to drive this wave of consolidation. The report signals opportunity and change for clinical research professionals in the U.S.
U.S. investigative sites experienced an intense period of consolidation in the mid-to-late 1990s. At that time, venture-backed companies were on a buying spree to build large networks of physician investigators and standardize the management and conduct of industry-funded clinical trials. Since 2004, however, nearly all SMOs in the U.S. have either exited the clinical research market or diversified into other business areas. The investigative site landscape in the U.S. has become more fragmented, comprised of several thousand small research centers and two dozen medium-sized regional networks of practicing physicians participating in clinical trials.
CenterWatch now reports that a new type of SMO has been quietly growing in Europe, expanding into emerging regions including Latin America, India and China during the late 2000s with ambitious plans to enter the U.S. market in 2011. The complete report can be found in The CenterWatch Monthly, released today. Coverage includes detailed profiles of and interviews with the European SMOs driving this consolidation, and reaction from U.S. clinical research professionals.
The CenterWatch Monthly is an in-depth newsletter covering the clinical trials industry, offering professionals at investigative sites, CROs and drug sponsors the latest news, trends and grant opportunities. For subscription information visit the Store at www.centerwatch.com.
To receive a complimentary special report on this featured story along with registering for a 3-month trial to The CenterWatch Monthly, visit www.centerwatch.com/cwm_trial.
About CenterWatch
Founded in 1994, CenterWatch is a trusted source and global destination of clinical trials information for both professionals and patients. CenterWatch provides a wide variety of information services including grant leads for investigative sites, business development leads for contract service providers, career opportunity postings, listings of clinical trials actively seeking patients, advertising and promotional opportunities, and proprietary business analysis and data about the global clinical trials industry. Visit www.centerwatch.com.
Contact:
Cheryl Rosenfeld Editor-in-Chief (617) 948-5172 cheryl.rosenfeld@centerwatch.com
