As 2024 concludes, insights from Velocity Clinical Research highlight how clinical trial operations next year will be shaped by emerging technologies, budgetary pressures, and evolving regulatory landscapes.
As 2024 comes to a close, industry experts are casting a thoughtful eye toward the challenges—and opportunities—that clinical research will confront in 2025. According to Paul Evans, Ph.D., CEO of Velocity Clinical Research, the road ahead promises both technological promise and operational uncertainty.
Rising R&D Costs and Regulatory Uncertainty
The clinical trials sector is expected to be squeezed by escalating development expenses and unclear regulatory pathways. These pressures could force stakeholders to re-evaluate protocols, budgets, and timelines as the year unfolds.
Innovation with AI and Tech-Driven Efficiencies
On the brighter side, novel technologies—especially artificial intelligence—are emerging as potent tools to enhance trial operations. AI can streamline recruitment, improve data quality, and reduce administrative burdens, helping to offset cost pressures. In addition, clinical trial site networks are expanding, underscoring a shift toward better collaboration and resource sharing.
Industry Transition and Workforce Impacts
The combination of budget constraints and shifting demand has already led some major contract research organizations to implement layoffs. This signals a broader recalibration in the industry as companies strive for leaner, more efficient operations while maintaining trial momentum.
What to Monitor in 2025
| Focus Area | What to Watch |
| Tech Adoption | Will AI and digital tools become standard in trial operations? |
| Regulatory Clarity | Can smoother, more predictable frameworks emerge globally? |
| Financial Strategy | How will sponsors balance quality with cost-efficiency? |
| Operational Resilience | Will site networks and CRO models adapt successfully? |
In summary, as we step into 2025, the clinical research field finds itself at a crossroads: pressured by rising costs and opaque regulations, yet buoyed by the transformational potential of AI and collaborative site models. The balance struck between innovation and fiscal discipline may well define the pace and quality of medical progress in the year ahead.
Keep in touch with our news & offers
