Episode

Strategic CRO Selection & Vendor Partnerships: Real-World Approaches for Emerging Biopharma

Podcast
The COG Review: Building Better Clinical Studies
Published
May 12, 2026
Duration seconds
2309
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https://the-cog-review.captivate.fm/episode/strategic-cro-selection-vendor-partnerships-real-world-approaches-for-emerging-biopharma
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https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/e0e317d6-f7d0-4ae2-9375-7ebbe8b186d2.mp3
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Summary

Learn practical strategies and insights from experts on how to outsource clinical trials and choose CROs, aimed at helping clinical operations leaders improve study execution and strengthen relationships with vendors. Speakers Nara Daubany – CEO & Co-Founder, Phaim Pharma Graeme Duncan – Head of Clinical Development, Neurocentrix Claire Herholdt – VP Clinical Operations, Levicept Bradley Norton – VP Clinical Operations, Gylden Pharma Sarah Whalley – Director Clinical Operations, Uploid Biotechnologies Deirdre Flaherty – VP Product Strategy & Clinical Operations, Alchemab Therapeutics Julia Vassiliadou – VP Clinical Operations, F2G Episode Overview Recorded live at COG UK, this panel brings together senior clinical operations leaders from emerging biopharma and specialty biotech companies to share their operational realities, decision frameworks, and lessons learned in clinical trial outsourcing and CRO selection. Panelists reveal how small, lean teams evaluate CRO fit beyond price, integrating clinical operations best practices to ensure continuity, ownership, and transparency throughout the study lifecycle. The discussion examines differences in working with small- and mid-sized CROs versus the Big Five providers, including non-negotiables in vendor selection and the impact of global studies on CRO partnership decisions. Key questions addressed include: How do sponsors prioritize CRO selection criteria beyond cost? What practical signals indicate a CRO’s operational capacity, therapeutic expertise, and partnership mindset? How do sponsors manage global clinical outsourcing, regional complexity, and adapt outsourcing models for rare disease, vaccines, or novel therapeutic areas? The session offers a real-world look at study startup, site activation, patient rec…