Contract Research Organizations

Research. Patients. Data. Results.

Contract research organizations (CROs) operate in many capacities to support the work of healthcare innovators and help move therapies from idea to market. CROs support pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies and research institutions with a wide range of services, including:

  • Clinical Trials Management

  • Patient Recruiting

  • Project Management

  • Regulatory Affairs

NCBiotech is working with statewide partners to drive strategy and support the CRO sector. By working together to expand the clinical-based workforce and awareness of the CRO community, North Carolina will continue to be a global leader in this key life sciences sector.

North Carolina Clinical Trial Management Companies and Support Organizations
Clinical Trial Management Companies and Support Organizations in North Carolina

North Carolina: The Birthplace of CROs

In the early 80s, contract research pioneers Quintiles, now IQVIA, and PPD were both founded in North Carolina.

Today, CROs are dispersed throughout the state, with major clusters in the Research Triangle and southeastern regions. They provide easy access to life sciences companies that are ready to move into the next stage of commercialization.

North Carolina's CRO industry includes companies and support organizations that have a strong focus in clinical trial management. The functions of these companies include clinical study management and monitoring, project management and patient recruitment.

View a complete list of clinical trial companies in NCBiotech's Company Directory.

Clinical Trial Management Landscape in NC

microscope icons
4,800+

open clinical trials

building
200

companies

people
14,000+

employees

Currently, in North Carolina, there are more than 4,800 open clinical trials. This includes trials that are active as well as enrolling by invitation and preparing to recruit. 

The state's clinical trial management industry includes 200 companies that are specialized in clinical trial management and support organizations that offer a variety of services. The companies that are specialized in clinical trial management employ more than 14,000 people.

 

The North Carolina CRO Collaborative

NCBiotech has convened a group of industry and academic partners in this sector, called the North Carolina CRO Collaborative, to address challenges and develop solutions that will strengthen the CRO sector in North Carolina. One goal of this dedicated initiative is to grow the clinical trial management workforce in North Carolina. Learn more about the Collaborative.

 

CROs With Headquarters In NC

Aperio Clinical provides clinical research services across multiple therapeutic areas, as well as consulting services in quality assurance, strategic resourcing, and practical application of the latest clinical trial technology.
Allucent
Caidya
CMED
Duke Clinical Research Institute
FHI Clinical
High Point Clinical Trials
ICON
IQVIA
NCCR
Parexel
PPD
PRA Health Sciences
Premier Research
Pulmonix logo
Rho
Syneos Health
TAB Clinical logo
Target RWE
Worldwide Clinical

North Carolina CRO Collaborative

The North Carolina CRO Collaborative was brought together to address and support the needs of the CRO industry. The immediate goals of the CRO  Collaborative are to improve and expand clinical-based workforce development in North Carolina through curriculum enhancement and development as well as increase awareness of CRO industry trends and career opportunities throughout the state.

The committee is comprised of representatives from eight CROs, eight academic institutes (both clinical research training programs and university-affiliated clinical site programs), and one hospital system. 

The CRO Collaborative has recently developed 10 job profiles that can be used to educate students about career opportunities in the CRO sector.

Industry Partners

  • Aperio Clinical

    Aperio Clinical provides clinical research services across multiple therapeutic areas, as well as consulting services in quality assurance, strategic resourcing, and practical application of the latest clinical trial technology.

  • Labcorp Drug Development

    The drug development business of LabCorp, provides a wide range of early-stage and late-stage product development services primarily to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

  • FHI Clinical

    FHI Clinical is a full-service contract research organization (CRO) with global expertise, responsive approaches and proven solutions to manage complex clinical research around the world.

  • ICON

    ICON partners with biotech and pharmaceutical companies to conduct clinical research and trial services for all phases of drug clinical development. In short, ICON does its part to ensure life-saving drugs get to market.

  • IQVIA

    IQVIA provides technology-enabled healthcare services to help biotech, medical device and pharmaceutical companies develop new therapies, identify unmet treatment needs and understand the safety, effectiveness and value of pharmaceutical products.

  • Parexel

    Parexel supports the development of innovative new medicines to improve the health of patients worldwide. We provide global clinical development services to help life science and biopharmaceutical clients transform scientific discoveries into new treatments for patients through a full suite of services, from clinical trials to regulatory and consulting services to commercial and market access.

  • PharPoint 

    PharPoint Research is a client-focused CRO that offers clinical operations, data management, biostatistics, and strategic clinical trial consulting services to sponsors of all sizes. With success founded on sponsor satisfaction, PharPoint's award-winning team has an impressive 95% repeat business rate.

  • PPD

    PPD is a global contract research organization that provides comprehensive, integrated drug development, laboratory and lifecycle management services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic and government organizations.

  • Premier Research

    Premier Research, a clinical research company, is dedicated to helping biotech, specialty pharma, and device innovators transform life-changing ideas and breakthrough science into new medical treatments. As a global company, Premier Research specializes in the use of innovative technologies for smart study design and trial management to deliver clean, conclusive data to sponsors. Whether it’s developing product lifecycle strategies, reducing clinical development cycle times, securing access to patients, navigating global regulations, maximizing the impact of limited rare disease data, or providing expertise in specific therapeutic areas, Premier Research is committed to helping its customers answer the unmet needs of patients across a broad range of medical conditions.

  • PSI

    PSI is a privately-owned, full-service clinical research organization operating globally. PSI’s global reach supports clinical trials across multiple countries and continents, and it is known to be highly selective about the work that they pursue. With an exceptionally high repeat and referral business rate combined with minimal staff turnover, PSI is committed to being the best CRO in the world as measured by its employees, sponsors, sites, and vendors.

  • Syneos Health

    Syneos Health is an end-to-end, fully integrated biopharmaceutical solutions company that works differently – bringing together the best clinical and commercial minds to create a better, smarter, faster way to get medicines into the hands of patients who need it most.

Academic Programs and Clinical Sites

  • Atrium Health

    Atrium Health medical faculty, affiliated physicians, residents and fellows are involved in clinical research targeting specific illnesses, from cancer and emergency medicine, to pediatrics and surgery, and more.

     

    Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is a robust educational institution that offers degrees in seven health science disciplines. The state-of-the-art campus is located on the grounds of Atrium Health Cabarrus where students learn in immersive healthcare environments.

  • Campbell University Clinical Research

    Campbell University provides foundational and advanced knowledge of Clinical Research through its Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree programs. Our programs include study and application in product development, clinical trial operations, study design, data management, regulatory affairs, medical ethics, scientific writing, and biostatistical literacy. The curricula represents a combination of scholarly theory and real-world experience. Graduates are qualified to work as clinical investigators, clinical research associates, clinical research coordinators, data research coordinators, project support, project managers, data managers, safety specialists, regulatory managers, and other relevant positions.

  • Durham Tech Community College

    Durham Tech offers a Clinical Trials Research Associate curriculum- accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)- that includes its AAS degree and several certificate program offerings. Durham Tech’s AAS degree remains the only clinical research AAS program in the nation to achieve CAAHEP accreditation. The Clinical Trials Research program was established at Durham Tech in 1998 and has evolved with the growth of the industry to prepare students to assist physicians and clinical researchers in the initiation, administration, coordination, and management of clinical research studies for the development of new drugs, clinical products, and treatment regimens. The majority of the AAS degree program and all of the certificate programs can be completed through online or on-campus classes.

  • University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)

    UNCW offers multiple nationally ranked clinical research programs within the College of Health and Human Services. Students gain a broad understanding of the science, regulatory, and business aspects of developing new therapies whether they are new to the field, looking for a career change, or seeking career advancement. UNCW provides students flexible, online learning experiences to complete a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Research, Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Clinical Research Operations, or Master of Science in Clinical Research and Product Development. Also, UNCW provides the clinical research community: FuseCR and the Center for Clinical Research Workforce Development.

  • NC Central University (NCCU)

    NCCU's Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE) offers students the knowledge and tools needed to function at a high level in clinical research positions in local and global industry.

  • Duke University

    Duke is one of the largest biomedical research enterprises in the country, with nearly $798 million in sponsored research expenditures annually. The Duke University School of Medicine includes the research efforts of more than 2,500 basic science and clinical faculty members who strive to transform medicine and health, locally and globally, through innovative scientific research and rapid translation of breakthrough discoveries. Their research, which extends from the bench to the bedside, has resulted in some of the world’s most significant medical and biological discoveries and has resulted in innovative new treatments for a wide range of human diseases.

  • Wake Forest University

    The Wake Forest University School of Medicine Office of Clinical Research focuses on protocol implementation, study coordination, data and regulatory management, clinical trial budget development, internal auditing and clinical trial education.

  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    The North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute (TraCS) is the academic home of the NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Awards at UNC Chapel Hill. Through improving the efficiency of research, training the research workforce, and sharing successful research methods, TraCS supports its mission to accelerate clinical and translational research from health science to discovery to dissemination to patients and communities. TraCS partners with the UNC Network for Research Professionals in efforts to improve knowledge about clinical research careers. The network promotes excellence in the conduct of clinical, social, and translational research at UNC through a forum of education, professional development and mentoring programs.

Supporting Institutions

  • NCBIO

    NCBIO is the trade association for the North Carolina life science industry. It’s members include clinical research organizations, pharmaceutical, biologics, and medical device companies, and other life science and supporting businesses.

  • North Carolina Biotechnology Center

    The North Carolina Biotechnology Center is a private, nonprofit corporation that transforms North Carolina’s life science opportunities into economic prosperity through innovation, commercialization, education and business growth. NCBiotech fosters growth in the life sciences through funding, research services, and targeted initiatives in addition to economic development and recruitment activities.

Academic Programs: Clinical Research

Clinical research is an integral part of the CRO industry. Whether you are just getting started in field of clinical research, or want to expand your expertise, North Carolina's academic institutions have a number of programs that can help advance your career in this growing industry.

 

  • Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

    Certificate

    Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is a robust educational institution that offers degrees in seven health science disciplines. The state-of-the-art campus is located on the grounds of Atrium Health Cabarrus where students learn in immersive healthcare environments.

  • Campbell University Clinical Research

    BS | MS

    The Campbell University Clinical Research programs equip students with the knowledge and training to pursue careers as clinical researchers in the contract research organization industry. Campbell University offers a bachelors and masters of science in Clinical Research, as well as dual master degree programs.

  • Durham Technical Community College

    Certificate | AAS

    Durham Tech offers a Clinical Trials Research Associate curriculum- accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)- that includes its AAS degree and several certificate program offerings. Durham Tech’s AAS degree remains the only clinical research AAS program in the nation to achieve CAAHEP accreditation. The Clinical Trials Research program was established at Durham Tech in 1998 and has evolved with the growth of the industry to prepare students to assist physicians and clinical researchers in the initiation, administration, coordination, and management of clinical research studies for the development of new drugs, clinical products, and treatment regimens. The majority of the AAS degree program and all of the certificate programs can be completed through online or on-campus classes.

  • Duke University

    MS

    Duke is one of the largest biomedical research enterprises in the country, with nearly $798 million in sponsored research expenditures annually. The Duke University School of Medicine includes the research efforts of more than 2,500 basic science and clinical faculty members who strive to transform medicine and health, locally and globally, through innovative scientific research and rapid translation of breakthrough discoveries. Their research, which extends from the bench to the bedside, has resulted in some of the world’s most significant medical and biological discoveries and has resulted in innovative new treatments for a wide range of human diseases.

  • Forsyth Technical Community College

    Certificate

    The Clinical Trials Certificate at Forsyth Technical Community College prepares individuals to assist with research studies in a variety of settings including medical centers, hospitals, pharmaceutical industries, clinics, research facilities, nanotechnology and biotechnology companies, and physicians’ offices. To enroll in this certificate program the student must have already completed a science or health related degree, certification, or license.

  • NC Central University (NCCU)

    Certificate | BS

    NCCU's Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE) offers students the knowledge and tools needed to function at a high level in clinical research positions in local and global industry.

  • University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)

    Certificate | BS | MS

    UNCW offers multiple nationally ranked clinical research programs within the College of Health and Human Services. Students gain a broad understanding of the science, regulatory, and business aspects of developing new therapies whether they are new to the field, looking for a career change, or seeking career advancement. UNCW provides students flexible, online learning experiences to complete a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Research, Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Clinical Research Operations, or Master of Science in Clinical Research and Product Development. Also, UNCW provides the clinical research community: FuseCR and the Center for Clinical Research Workforce Development.

  • Wake Forest University

    MS

    The Wake Forest University Master of Science in Clinical Research Management (CRM) program provides a systematic approach to clinical research that meets the needs of all students. Designed for those working in or entering the clinical research field, this degree program expands participants’ knowledge of both the macro and micro aspects of the clinical research ecosystem and is focused on an overarching vision to shape and impact the future of healthcare. 

Explore Careers in the CRO Industry

From foundational roles in clinical operations and research to biometrics and financial analysis, there are multiple ways to get started with a career in North Carolina's CRO industry. View the careers below to get more information on salary, on-the-job duties and educational requirements.

 

Find Your Element

There are hundreds of reasons a career in clinical research will help you find your element. Learn why clinical research is a great career choice, hear from professionals in the field, and sign up for more information about careers in clinical research on the Find Your Element website.

About the Find Your Element Campaign

Thanks to the support of the ACRP Partners in Workforce Advancement, the Association of Clinical Research Professionals launched ‘Find Your Element’ to help raise awareness of the clinical research profession among college students.

Resources

Upcoming events

 

 

 

Past events & materials

SCHOTT Pharma logo

SCHOTT Pharma USA, Inc., part of SHOTT Pharma AG, a global specialty glass manufacturer based in Germany, plans to invest $371 million over the next five years to build a new production facility in Wilson that would create 401 jobs and produce glass pre-fillable syringes and cartridges for biopharma companies.

Fortrea logo

Fortrea, a global contract research organization (CRO) that was spun off of Burlington-based Labcorp in 2023, will divest two of its businesses to focus more on supporting clinical drug development in phases 1 through 4.

Resilience RTP

National Resilience, Inc. (Resilience), a technology-focused biomanufacturing company dedicated to broadening access to complex medicines, announced the expansion of the company’s clinical and commercial drug product manufacturing capabilities across its network, which includes a biomanufacturing plant in Durham the company acquired in 2021. 

Novo logo , Catalent logo

Drug contract development and manufacturing company Catalent Inc., with operations in the Triangle and Greenville, is expected to become a part of Novo Holdings by the end of 2024 in a $16.5 billion deal that the companies announced Monday.

The transaction, however, does not specifically involve the North Carolina operations of Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical giant that’s 77% owned by Novo Holdings.

Advanced Medicine Partners logo

Jaguar Gene Therapy – which arrived in North Carolina in 2021 – is creating a new company to manage its chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) capabilities.

NightHawk logo

Morrisville-based NightHawk Biosciences is changing direction – and business strategy.

The company has announced the divestiture of its biodefense subsidiary, Elusys Therapeutics, and other related assets to become a pure play large molecule biomanufacturing contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). That means growing and expanding its new Scorpius Biomanufacturing business.

FUJIFILM HS plant

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies has the first tenant for its huge $2 billion contract biomanufacturing site under construction in Holly Springs, 20 miles southwest of Raleigh.

The company said Janssen Supply Group, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, has committed to a large-scale manufacturing suite at the new plant, which should be fully operational in 2025. FUJIFILM Diosynth, a division of FUJIFILM, said the commitment is an extension of an existing relationship and will support the manufacture of Janssen’s clinical and commercial pipeline.

Jayne Morgan

More than 250 women recently gathered in Research Triangle Park for the inaugural Women in Research Conference hosted by Black Women in Clinical Research (BWiCR). During the event, attendees learned about the dangers of clinical trials that lack equitable representation and what they can do to expand diversity in the research field.

BWiCR CEO and Founder Danielle Mitchell launched the organization in 2019 to grow diversity in the field. The event was held at the conference center at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in Research Triangle Park.

Cambrex High Point ribbon-cutting

Cambrex, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), celebrated this week the completion of its $38 million capacity expansion at its small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facility in High Point.

“We are extremely excited about this expansion in North Carolina, which would not have been possible without the support of the state’s leadership and economic development programs, and their focus on nurturing the region’s skilled and diverse workforce,” said Dan Bowles, Vice President and General Manager, Cambrex High Point.

Clinetic logo

Durham health technology startup Clinetic has secured a Series A round of financing that the company said would accelerate its work in clinical trials technology and patient recruitment.

Sopris Capital, a Colorado-based venture capital firm with investments in health tech, led the round, announced Tuesday. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

For more information, contact:

Laura Rowley

Laura Rowley, Ph.D.
Vice President, Life Science Economic Development
NCBiotech
919-549-8864 | laura_rowley@ncbiotech.org

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