Are Contract Research Organizations Best for Preclinical Research? A Smarter Alternative.
When outsourcing preclinical research, many companies turn to Contract Research Organizations (CROs). These organizations handle preclinical studies on behalf of biotech and pharmaceutical companies, managing study protocols, materials, and data to deliver research results.
But is outsourcing to a CRO always the best choice for preclinical research? While CROs can be suitable for some companies, they may not address the full scope of your specific needs. Before committing to a CRO, it’s critical for biotech and life science companies to evaluate their limitations, such as reduced control over studies, slower timelines, higher costs, and risks of irreproducible data.
A Contract Research Organization (CRO) conducts preclinical research and provides data to support drug or device development in early stages, before clinical trials involving human subjects.
In the CRO model, a contract research organization conducts preclinical research on behalf of a biotech or life science company. CROs are hired as contractors by companies who choose to outsource their preclinical studies to a third-party team. By outsourcing to CROs, biotech and pharmaceutical companies can access expertise and resources without needing in-house infrastructure.
CROs are often used for preclinical studies in fields such as cell and gene therapy, oncology, and immunology. While this model eliminates the need for in-house lab space and personnel, it may come with challenges like limited customization, control, and flexibility—factors critical for preclinical success.
Preclinical research is a pivotal stage in the development pipeline, and its success depends on several key factors:
While CROs offer specialized expertise, they often lack the adaptability and control required to optimize preclinical research outcomes. Contract vivaria (CVs) present a compelling alternative, blending the benefits of in-house research with the compliance and support typically associated with CROs.
A Contract Vivarium provides shared, semi-private, and private lab spaces for biotech and pharmaceutical companies to conduct their own preclinical in vivo research studies with mice and rats. Instead of outsourcing preclinical studies to a third-party team, like you would in the CRO model, companies maintain direct control of their studies in state-of-the-art vivarium labs while benefiting from expert husbandry, veterinary services, and regulatory compliance oversight provided by the contract vivarium.
CVs offer a turnkey solution, allowing researchers to:
While both CVs and CROs provide resources for preclinical research, CVs deliver distinct advantages:
Here are some ways in which CROs fall short and how the contract vivarium approach can help address these challenges.
Hiring a contract research organization for preclinical studies may not be the best option. By offering customizable lab spaces, expert support, and compliance oversight, CVs empower companies to achieve preclinical success while retaining full control over their research.
“Our experience working with Mispro has surpassed our previous experiences with CROs in every way. We have accelerated timelines, produced robust and reproducible datasets, all while reducing infrastructure and overhead costs. Without a doubt, I can say that Mispro is an extremely efficient choice for preclinical R&D." - Sr. In Vivo Scientist
Mispro provides flexible lab space and comprehensive services to support preclinical research. Our facilities include fully equipped lab space, expert in-house support, and compliance with regulatory standards, ensuring your studies progress smoothly and effectively.
Choose a smarter, more flexible path for your preclinical research.
