Digital Clinical Trial Recruitment Market | Size, Share, Growth | 2024 2030

Digital Clinical Trial Recruitment Market Size (2024 – 2030)

The Digital Clinical Trial Recruitment Market, with a valuation of USD 4.07 billion in 2023, is anticipated to achieve a market size of USD 11.50 billion by 2030. Projected to grow at a CAGR of 16% from 2024 to 2030, this growth is attributed to the increasing popularity of digital clinical trials (DCTs) driven by the need for patient heterogeneity and enhanced data collection in clinical studies. The surge in research and development (R&D) for novel medicines and vaccines has led to a rise in trial volume and complexity. Traditional research studies encounter challenges such as delays in patient recruitment and time-consuming processes, prompting the widespread adoption of virtual clinical trials and, consequently, the growth of the digital clinical trial recruitment market.

PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

Pharmaceutical companies strive for efficient development and execution of clinical studies, which typically consume a significant portion of the research and development (R&D) budget. A study by the Tufts Center for the Study of Medicine Development (CSDD) indicates that the cost of bringing an approved prescription drug to market is USD 2.6 billion. To expedite trials, companies are integrating R&D data for informed decision-making and employing computational and predictive analytics techniques. As the healthcare ecosystem expands, opportunities arise for clinical trials to assess and refine patient-centric approaches. Digital technologies offer innovative avenues for reimagining clinical trials, addressing challenges such as patient recruitment delays, and fostering a paradigm shift in trial conception, implementation, and evaluation.

OUTSOURCING PATIENT RECRUITMENT

Facing challenges like scientific and operational complexity, patient recruitment delays, and data management issues, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly outsourcing their patient recruitment needs to specialized service providers. Contract service providers, utilizing outreach methods such as social media, mobile technologies, electronic health records (EHRs), and real-world evidence (RWE), play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of clinical research. Digital clinical trial recruitment solutions contribute to significant improvements in clinical research techniques, promoting a more patient-centric, cost-effective, and manageable approach.

COVID-19 IMPACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the global economy and industries, leading to a transformative shift in market players' strategies. Pharmaceutical industries adapted by leveraging digital health technology, including mobile devices, innovative applications, remote monitoring devices, telemedicine, and online social interaction platforms, to conduct virtual clinical trials. Clinical trials software, such as EDC, eCOA/ePRO, and eConsent integrated clinical study automation software, facilitated data collection, improved participant recruitment and retention, enabled eConsent, and monitored real-time clinical results during the pandemic.

MARKET DRIVERS

Digital platforms facilitate improved connectivity between patients and pharmaceutical companies, driving market growth.

Finding suitable patients for clinical studies is a challenging aspect of conducting research. Leveraging digital recruiting, patient recruitment companies can acquire opted-in patient information to share new trial opportunities with interested individuals. This approach enhances the identification of patients willing to participate and contributes to building a database of interested individuals for future clinical trials.

Digital recruitment reduces delays and costs associated with clinical trial recruiting, propelling market growth.

Virtual clinical trials eliminate traditional constraints, such as time-consuming processes and patient recruitment delays, leading to increased adoption in the pharmaceutical and research sectors. Digital platforms provide superior outreach compared to traditional methods, accelerating the growth of the digital clinical trial recruitment market.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Patient recruitment and retention challenges pose a threat to the global market.

Shifting focus to hereditary and rare disorders complicates finding suitable patient populations, while factors like patient fear of adverse effects, illiteracy, communication barriers, and documentation challenges contribute to low digital clinical patient recruitment, impeding market growth.

Privacy and security concerns hinder the growth of the digital clinical recruitment market.

The increased use of digital platforms raises concerns about security and privacy. The high risk of data breaches and unauthorized access poses threats to patient information, leading to a trust deficit. Evolving regulations aim to address these challenges, but the constant threat of cyber-attacks and data breaches acts as a hindrance to market growth.

DIGITAL CLINICAL TRIAL RECRUITMENT MARKET – BY STUDY TYPE

• Interventional
• Observational
• Expanded Access
• Others

In terms of study type, the digital clinical trial recruitment market can be categorized into Interventional, Observational, Expanded Access, and others. The Interventional segment took the lead in 2021, capturing more than 45% of the market share. It is poised to grow at a CAGR of 6% throughout the forecast period. The dominance of interventional studies in autoimmune/inflammation globally contributes to this high percentage, with nearly 7,000 such studies listed on clinicaltrials.gov. Over the projection period, Expanded Access studies, also known as compassionate use trials, are expected to experience a 4.5% CAGR. This is particularly relevant for individuals with critical illnesses who may opt for therapy outside the trial when no suitable medicines are available. The growth of the expanded access trials market is attributed to increased innovation in clinical trial approaches.

DIGITAL CLINICAL TRIAL RECRUITMENT MARKET – BY ENROLLMENT METHOD

• Social Media
• TV
• Radio
• Newspaper
• Others

Regarding enrollment methods, the digital clinical trial recruitment market is segmented into social media, TV, radio, newspaper, and other channels. The social media platform segment dominated the market, and this trend is expected to persist over the forecast period. Pharma companies and research institutes extensively utilized social media platforms, contributing to the recruitment of 60% of selected individuals for clinical trials. Traditional methods such as TV, radio, and newspapers ranked second as potential avenues for recruiting trial participants. Other outreach methods include print advertisements, patient advocacy groups, physician referrals, cold calls/call centers, patient networks, proprietary patient databases, direct mail/email, and electronic medical records (EMRs), pharmacy, and healthcare data.

DIGITAL CLINICAL TRIAL RECRUITMENT MARKET – BY PHASE

• PHASE I
• PHASE II
• PHASE III
• PHASE IV

The digital clinical trial recruitment market is divided into Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, and Phase IV based on phases. In 2020, the Phase III category led the market with a 53.2% share of total revenue. The high cost and extensive participant involvement in Phase III clinical studies contribute to this dominance. Phase II accounted for 19.6% of total revenue in 2020, representing the second most expensive phase. Phase II plays a crucial role in various trials, especially in cancer research, and is currently significant in the development of treatments and vaccines for COVID-19.

DIGITAL CLINICAL TRIAL RECRUITMENT MARKET – BY INDICATION

• Oncology
• Cardiovascular
• Immunology
• Respiratory
• Gastrointestinal
• Ophthalmology
• Others

In terms of indications, the digital clinical trial recruitment market includes Oncology, Cardiovascular, Immunology, Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Ophthalmology, and others. The Oncology category led in 2020, accounting for over 35% of the market share. It is projected to contribute significantly to market revenue, expanding at a CAGR of 6% due to the rising number of oncology clinical trials and global cancer cases. The Cardiovascular category is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period, driven by R&D investments in developing cost-effective treatments for heart-related conditions.

DIGITAL CLINICAL TRIAL RECRUITMENT MARKET - BY REGION

• North America
• Europe
• The Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• The Middle East Africa

North America dominated the virtual clinical trials market in 2021, accounting for 49.2% of total revenue. This dominance is expected to continue, attributed to increased R&D and the adoption of new technology in clinical research. The Asia Pacific is anticipated to have the fastest CAGR of 6.8%, driven by a large patient pool, increased adoption of digital technologies, and the growing use of telemedicine due to the coronavirus outbreak. Japan led the Asia Pacific market in 2020 due to high healthcare and R&D spending.

DIGITAL CLINICAL TRIAL RECRUITMENT MARKET- BY COMPANIES

The global virtual clinical trial market is highly competitive, driven by the rapid adoption of modern healthcare technologies. Major players include:

1. ICON, plc
2. Parexel International Corporation
3. IQVIA
4. Covance
5. Oracle
6. LEO Innovation Lab
7. CRF Health
8. PRA Health Sciences
9. Medidata
10. Clinical Ink
11. Medable Inc.

NOTABLE HAPPENINGS IN THE DIGITAL CLINICAL TRIAL RECRUITMENT MARKET

PRODUCT LAUNCH - Janssen Pharmaceuticals and PRA Health Sciences introduced the world's first decentralised, mobile, indication-seeking clinical trial in June 2020.

COLLABORATION - IQVIA and LMC Manna Research collaborated in July 2020 to establish the first Prime Site in Canada, streamlining processes for clinical studies.

COLLABORATION - Sanofi partnered with Science37 to adopt a digital approach to clinical trials, focusing on "site-less" or decentralised trials using mobile technology and telemedicine.

COLLABORATION - The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the US are leveraging digital technology to reduce clinical trial costs and enhance the patient-centered trial experience.