Despite being one of the oldest areas of drug development, the preclinical oncology market is growing and evolving. Innovative CROs are leading the way by embracing changes to meet the needs of the industry. These innovations range from bridging the gap between chemistry and biology using CROs’ in-house expertise to engaging their client base by making their clinical research efforts mobile.
Indeed, preclinical cancer research has a long history of innovative CROs. This article will look at three ways they are changing the preclinical oncology landscape.
Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)
Innovative CROs use AI to help identify potential new drug targets, develop predictive models to identify best-in-class treatments and streamline trial design and execution.
Employing big data analytics
Big data analytics is a powerful tool that can be used to gain an understanding of how different tumours respond to potential treatments. This information can help CROs identify novel therapeutic approaches and develop more effective clinical trials.
Utilizing advanced imaging techniques
Advanced imaging techniques are used to provide a more detailed view of how a tumour responds to treatment. This can help CROs better assess the efficacy of a potential treatment and inform decisions about which therapies to pursue.
Innovative CROs – making a significant impact on preclinical oncology.
The CRO industry has seen tremendous growth over the past few years, which is not slowing down. According to a recent study by Frost & Sullivan, the global CRO market will reach $24.6 billion by 2023. This growth is driven by a number of different factors, including:
- The emergence of new cancer types and targets
- Rapidly changing regulatory requirements.
- The growing importance of precision medicine
However, these factors alone do not explain why there are so many organizations looking to innovate in their respective industries. As we look to understand what makes innovative CROs different from the rest, we must first consider their impact on the broader landscape of preclinical oncology. Specifically, we must think about how oncology preclinical CRO is changing how researchers approach preclinical research and clinical trials for cancer patients.
What are the requirements for preclinical CROs?
Innovative CROs have been gaining prominence as more and more pharma companies are seeking to expand their portfolios beyond just their primary drug candidates. These new companies focus on discovering and developing medicines that may not be suitable for traditional development programs, meaning they often require different types of expertise. These include:
Biomarkers
These biomarkers can help predict or predict disease outcomes or guide treatment decisions in people with cancer or other diseases. CROs can use them to develop novel drugs or enhance existing ones.
Tumour microenvironment
The tumour microenvironment is the internal environment of a cancer cell that helps it grow and spread. This area includes immune cells, hormones, and oxygen levels. Researchers are trying to understand more about how these factors affect cancer growth and spread by studying human tumours in culture and in animal studies.
Functional genomics/epigenetics
Genomic sequencing can reveal genetic mutations that drive cancer development and progression. Still, it can also identify mutations that do not directly cause cancer but play a role in tumour initiation or progression – for example, by influencing gene expression or creating a more favourable microenvironment for tumour growth.
Data analysis and analytics
Innovative CROs have expertise in analyzing data from clinical trials and predicting drug outcomes. They can also provide insights on how to optimise a drug’s efficacy and safety.
Technology integration
Innovative CROs can help to integrate technology into clinical trials, such as leveraging digital health solutions, AI, machine learning, and data analytics. This helps to streamline the clinical trial process and reduce costs.
Final thoughts
Innovative CROs are a valuable resource for companies and researchers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. They provide essential services, such as in vivo and in vitro studies, necessary for developing and approving new drugs. In summary, Oncology preclinical CROs are an integral part of the drug development process and will continue to play an essential role in the future of cancer research.
Robert Haynes did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
