SCRS and Fortrea: A New Era of Collaboration in Clinical Research

The Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) and Fortrea, a leading global contract research organization (CRO), have joined forces to advance collaboration in the clinical research landscape. This strategic partnership, announced on February 20, 2025, aims to reduce administrative burdens, improve trial efficiency, and enhance the patient experience through enhanced site sustainability.

The Collaborate Forward working group, comprising 16 leading Global Impact Partner organizations, will explore and develop best practices to tackle challenges faced by clinical research sites. Fortrea's sponsorship marks a significant investment in fostering industry-wide innovation and reflects the company's commitment to placing sites at the forefront of clinical trial planning.

Mike Clay, senior vice president of Global Project Delivery at Fortrea, emphasized the importance of collaboration with clinical research sites in unlocking efficiencies and productivity gains that will streamline the clinical trial process. Sean Soth, senior vice president, Strategy and Global Business Partnerships, SCRS, highlighted the value of cross-industry collaboration in driving meaningful progress in creating a more connected and efficient clinical trial ecosystem.

The working group will initially focus on study startup, showcasing the advantages of collaboration through compelling stories, case studies, and data-driven insights. By improving internal processes, the group aims to make sites more sustainable and trials more efficient, ultimately leading to a smoother experience for patients.

SCRS invites sponsors and CROs committed to site sustainability to join this effort and contribute to shaping a more effective and synergistic clinical research landscape. For more information on how to participate, please contact Brian Egan.

In conclusion, the partnership between SCRS and Fortrea signals a new era of collaboration in clinical research, with a focus on study startup and site sustainability. By fostering transparency and collaboration across the clinical research ecosystem, this initiative aims to reduce administrative burdens, improve trial efficiency, and enhance the patient experience. As the working group continues to develop best practices and pragmatic tools, the industry can expect to see meaningful progress in creating a more connected and efficient clinical trial ecosystem.