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What is a CRO, and why would you want to work for one? : London Blog

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What is a CRO, and why would you want to work for

one?
01 Oct 2008 | 15:48 BST | Posted by Matt Brown | Category: Uncategorized
The second of four posts on alternative careers, based on presentations at the Source Event 2008
A simplistic view of lab-based careers might split the options into academic research or work in the industrial
sector. Either route, but particularly the latter, can encompass a broad spectrum of roles and goals. Working in
industry need not mean that youre part of a big pharma company like Glaxo or Pfizer, as Elizabeth Allen
explained at this years Source Event.
Allen designs Phase I clinical trials for a living. She works for Quintiles, a contract research organisation (CRO)
that partners with pharma companies to speed up the drug development process. In Allens estimate, the typical
drug costs 900 million through the development stages, which can take 1012 years. With increasing costs
and more stringent regulations, chunks of the development pipeline are increasingly handled by contractors.
This is where CROs come in.
So what is a CRO?
A CRO is an independent organisation that steps into the development process once a pharma company has
identified a promising new molecule. Examples of CROs include Quintiles, Covance, Icon and HMR. Typically, a
CRO will organise and conduct clinical trials to test the new molecule in humans. As independent companies,
they offer an objective assessment of a new drug in the clinical setting and, because they partner with many
companies, typically offer broader experience than if the pharma company organised the trials themselves.
Allen bigged up the UK as a leader of clinical research, stating that around a quarter of the worlds top 100
medicines were developed in this country. Allens company, Quintiles, has worked on 50% of the UKs top 10
drugs.
Whats it like?
Allen described her role as highly rewarding, playing a key part in improving the lives of thousands of people. I
can live with that, she says, I can sleep at night knowing Ive made a difference.
She admitted that the role might be stressful for some, and certainly requires a high degree of responsibility.
We are dealing with peoples lives, so we have to be very careful. When Im designing a trial I have a simple
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What is a CRO, and why would you want to work for one? : London Blog

rule. If Im not completely sure about something, I dont do it.

How do I get in?
To get a job at a CRO, you should have a first degree or higher, or have relevant experience (for example, several
years in a clinical setting). Naturally, you should read everything you can get your hands on about clinical
research and regulation. A starting tip, from Allen, is to "look up what GCP, GLP and GMP are, and learn all
you can about them.
Entry level clinical research associates might expect a salary in the high 20K to low 30K range, and this can
soon increase to >50K with experience and extra responsibilities. And if designing a clinical trial sounds a little
scary after the safety of the academic lab bench, plenty of on-the-job training will be offered to ease the
transition. Youll also gain plenty of project management and business skills that are highly transferable to other
organisations.
To find out more: MRC, UKCRC, ICR, ABPI

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Comments
01 Oct 2008 20:18 BST
Martin Fenner said: Working for a CRO can be interesting and rewarding. But because of all the
regulations involved (GCP, etc.), you shouldnt be afraid of lots of paperwork, and a pedantic personality is
certainly a big help.

01 Oct 2008 21:51 BST

Helen Jaques said: This is really interesting, thanks. Im fascinated by clinical trials and have often thought
it could be good to be involved in conducting one. Im wary of just being a cog in the machine of a huge
multinational pharmaceutical company though, so working for a CRO might suit me well.

02 Oct 2008 11:20 BST

Frank Norman said: Coincidentally theres an article in the October issue of The Scientist about working
for CROs Life in a rent-a-lab .

05 Oct 2008 23:29 BST

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Helen Jaques said: Thanks for the link Frank, the article in The Scientist looks interesting.

Comments are closed.

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