CRO Overview

Clinical trial, medical study, contract research organization, CRO, sponsors, preclinical research.... Many people have only a vague idea of what these words mean. And even those familiar with the contract research organization (CRO) industry might want to refresh their memories.

Here’s your chance. Our CRO podcast covers the basics: What are clinical trials and where do they take place? Who volunteers for them and why? Who conducts and pays for trials? What does a CRO do and how does it work with a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic or government organizations? Why do these organizations hire CROs in the first place?

The podcast also shares information about PPD, one of the largest CROs in the world. In addition to highlighting the variety of services PPD offers, it informs you about the company’s employees, clients and global presence.

This CRO podcast is only one source of basic information about clinical trials and PPD that is available on this site. The About Drug Discovery and Development page includes easy-to-understand information on what happens before and during the testing of an investigational drug on humans, while the rest of the About PPD section focuses on the company’s history, mission, vision and values, and core principles.