CenterWatch Study Shows Signs of Clinical Recovery

A new 2012 CenterWatch study benchmarking global investigative site workload, staffing and financial performance, revealed that investigative sites worldwide are showing signs of financial recovery. According to the study, sites are rebounding, with growth in both headcount and revenue during the past year. CenterWatch analyzed financial and operating data from 257 global sites.

According to the report, investigative sites saw a 9.4% average operating margin. However, reports of annual profit growth were mixed, with North American sites declining in profitability and European sites increasing 3.4% between 2010 and 2011. The study also found that the typical investigative site saw growth in clinical trial activity and patient volume, as well as improved cash flow.

“The good news is that conditions are improving, but investigative sites are approaching the prospect of economic recovery with caution,” said CenterWatch chief operating officer Joan Chambers. “Although clinical grant spending and activity overall has increased, sites have been forced to manage in a tumultuous economic climate, and to do more with fewer dollars under ever tighter regulatory guidelines.”