Site Networks Market Dynamics

Report Overview

Unless you’ve been too busy using ChatGPT or other AI tools, you’ve probably noticed that 2025 was the Year of the Site Network. Major investments were made to create/merge larger and larger site networks. Both CROs and standalone sites worked to expand their site footprint. Why?

Since the beginning of clinical trials, the hardest part of completing a clinical trial on time is patient recruitment. While “patient recruitment” has many different aspects to it, it all starts with finding where the patients are. Finding patients is the first step, then you can see if they qualify, ensure the informed consent is signed, enroll/randomize them into the study, and do everything you can to keep them in the study.

With that in mind, our Site Networks Market Dynamics report was developed with two main goals:

1. Help CROs and pharmaceutical sponsor organizations understand why their peers are using site networks:

• This report contains a wealth of information on the site network selection process, including the criteria that are most important in choosing site networks and the functions and factors that influence these decisions.

2. Help Site Networks optimize operational and marketing strategies:

• This research describes how respondents view site networks and measures selection criteria, the benefits of using site networks, and current leaders in the field. It also delves into respondent preferences around site networks, contracting practices, sources of clinical sites, and top challenges when working with clinical sites.

We surveyed 125 respondents from biopharmaceutical sponsor companies familiar with site networks. Respondents define site networks, indicate how the vendor selection process is formed, share their awareness, familiarity, and use of various site networks, and describe what they want from a site performance standpoint.

As an executive summary, included in the report are “Top 8 Questions You Should Ask a Site Network and Site Networks Should be Prepared to Answer.” Welcome to the 1st edition of ISR’s Site Networks Market Dynamics.

What you will learn:

Sponsors and CROs:

• Understand the site network selection process, including the criteria that are most important in choosing site networks and the functions and factors that influence these decisions
• Learn the 8 key questions you should ask when evaluating a site network
• Identify top challenges when working with clinical sites

Site Networks:

• Understand how your brand is perceived in the marketplace, including recent usage and awareness
• Help with marketing messages as this research describes how respondents define this market and view site networks
• Define the benefits of using site networks, and current leaders in the field. It also delves into respondent preferences around site networks, contracting practices, and sources of clinical sites

Major Sections:

• Summary – Top 8 Questions You Should Ask a Site Network
• Site Network Definition and Use
• Site Network Selection
• Appendix
• Demographics

Respondents were required to pass several screening criteria to qualify and participate in this survey:

• Must work at a pharmaceutical company or biotech company
• Must have responsibility in at least one of several relevant areas such as Clinical project management, Executive
  management / C-Suite, Medical Director, Outsourcing / Procurement, Patient recruitment / engagement, R&D
• Management, Site feasibility / site operations, or Therapeutic Area / Program Management
• Must have been involved with at least one trial in Phase II or Phase III over the past 12 months
• Must be familiar with site networks