Academic Research Organisations (AROs)

Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) and Academic Research Organizations (AROs) serve distinct roles in clinical research, despite some overlapping functions.

CROs are commercial, for-profit entities that primarily partner with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies, offering standardised processes and comprehensive services for large-scale, multi-centre trials. They excel in regulatory compliance and meeting strict sponsor timelines, providing end-to-end services from site selection to data management.

In contrast, AROs are typically affiliated with universities, medical schools, or teaching hospitals, operating on a non-profit basis and focusing on investigator-initiated trials and academic research. Their strong connections to academic medical centres and specialist networks make them particularly suited for complex or novel trial designs requiring deep academic expertise. While CROs prioritise efficient trial delivery for commercial sponsors, AROs tend to emphasize advancing medical knowledge and scientific understanding, often operating with lower overhead costs and greater flexibility in study design.

Here you can find a break down of Academic Research Organisations (AROs) conducting phase I-IV clinical trials.

Duke University

The Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI), located in Durham, North Carolina within Duke University's medical campus, is one of the world's premier Academic Research Organisations. Operating from state-of-the-art facilities integrated with Duke University Medical Center, DCRI provides comprehensive clinical research services including protocol development, site management, and data solutions. Their expertise spans multiple areas, with particular strength in cardiovascular research, pediatric studies, and precision medicine.

The institute leverages its position within the Duke University Health System to access diverse patient populations while maintaining extensive educational programs and fellowships. Through their global network of research sites, DCRI conducts hundreds of clinical trials annually, collaborating with pharmaceutical companies and government agencies, while their integration with Duke's facilities and academic expertise ensures high-quality research delivery and innovative trial designs.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

The Institute for Clinical Trials and Research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, located in New York City's Upper East Side, operates as a leading Academic Research Organisation within one of the nation's premier medical institutions. The institute leverages Mount Sinai's extensive healthcare network, which serves one of the most diverse patient populations in the United States, to conduct innovative clinical research across multiple therapeutic areas. Their expertise is particularly strong in cardiovascular medicine, cancer research, neuroscience, and genomics, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and advanced clinical research infrastructure.

The organization provides comprehensive clinical trial services, including protocol development, regulatory support, and data management, while maintaining close integration with Mount Sinai's extensive network of hospitals and outpatient facilities. Their research capabilities are enhanced by collaboration with Mount Sinai's various specialized research centers and institutes, offering access to cutting-edge technologies and diverse patient populations across New York City's five boroughs. The institute maintains strong partnerships with industry sponsors and government agencies, while their academic foundation ensures rigorous scientific methodology and innovative trial designs.

Vall d'Hebron University Hospital

The Clinical Research Support Unit at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, situated in Barcelona, Spain, stands as one of Europe's leading Academic Research Organisations within a major tertiary care centre. The institute operates from their comprehensive medical campus, which is Catalonia's largest hospital complex, and leverages their position as a prominent public healthcare provider to conduct innovative clinical research. Their expertise spans multiple therapeutic areas, with particular strength in oncology, rare diseases, pediatric research, and advanced therapies, supported by state-of-the-art facilities including specialized research laboratories and a dedicated clinical trials unit.

The organisation provides full-service clinical trial support, from study design through data management, while maintaining strong connections to both the European medical research community and their diverse urban patient population. Through their academic foundation and integration with the Autonomous University of Barcelona, they combine rigorous scientific methodology with practical clinical expertise, conducting numerous trials annually and maintaining significant collaborations with both industry sponsors and European research networks.

Monash University

The Clinical Trials Centre at Monash University, located in Melbourne, Australia, serves as one of the Asia-Pacific region's prominent Academic Research Organisations, operating across multiple campuses throughout Victoria. The centre leverages Monash's extensive healthcare network, which includes partnerships with major teaching hospitals and research institutes across Melbourne, to conduct comprehensive clinical research. Their expertise is particularly notable in cardiovascular disease, women's health, neuroscience, and cancer research, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and strong connections to both the Australian medical research community and international partners.

The organisation provides full-spectrum clinical trial services, including protocol development, regulatory support, and data management, while benefiting from Monash's position as Australia's largest university and its diverse patient population base. Their research capabilities are enhanced by integration with specialised research centres and institutes within Monash, including the prestigious Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The centre maintains strong relationships with industry sponsors and government agencies, while their academic foundation ensures innovative trial designs and rigorous scientific methodology, particularly in early-phase clinical trials and investigator-initiated studies.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC)

The Clinical Research Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), located in Boston's Longwood Medical Area, operates as a leading Academic Research Organization within Harvard Medical School's teaching hospital network. The center leverages BIDMC's position as a major academic medical center to conduct innovative clinical research across diverse therapeutic areas, with particular expertise in cardiovascular medicine, oncology, neurology, and digital health innovations. Their research infrastructure supports comprehensive clinical trial services, from protocol development through data analysis, while benefiting from integration with Harvard Medical School's extensive research network and Boston's rich biomedical ecosystem.

The organisation maintains state-of-the-art facilities and access to a diverse urban patient population, while their academic foundation ensures rigorous scientific methodology. Working closely with industry sponsors, government agencies, and through investigator-initiated studies, the centre conducts numerous clinical trials annually, supported by specialized core facilities and expertise in both early and late-phase clinical research, making them a significant contributor to medical advancement in the New England region.

Charité Research Organisation (CRO)

The Charité Research Organisation (CRO), based in Berlin, Germany, operates as a unique hybrid between an academic research organisation and a commercial CRO, leveraging its direct connection to the prestigious Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, one of Europe's largest university hospitals. The organisation specialises in early-phase clinical trials and complex study designs, with particular expertise in first-in-human studies, proof-of-concept trials, and biomarker research. Their state-of-the-art Phase I unit, located in the heart of Berlin, supports intensive clinical trials requiring complex procedures and close patient monitoring.

The organisation's capabilities span multiple therapeutic areas, with notable strength in neurology, cardiovascular medicine, immunology, and rare diseases. Benefiting from Charité's extensive academic network and patient population, they provide comprehensive clinical trial services while maintaining the scientific rigor of an academic institution combined with the efficiency of a commercial CRO. Their unique positioning allows them to bridge the gap between academic research and industry requirements, offering sponsors access to both cutting-edge scientific expertise and professional trial management capabilities.

Baim Institute for Clinical Research

The Baim Institute for Clinical Research, formerly known as Harvard Clinical Research Institute (HCRI), located in Boston, Massachusetts, operates as a leading Academic Research Organisation with strong ties to Harvard Medical School and other prestigious Boston-area medical institutions. The institute specialises in cardiovascular and vascular research, with particular expertise in medical device trials, though their capabilities extend across multiple therapeutic areas. Their services encompass comprehensive trial management, from study design through regulatory submission, supported by advanced statistical and data management capabilities.

The organisation leverages its position within Boston's rich medical ecosystem to access diverse patient populations and maintain collaborations with leading academic medical centres. Under the leadership of distinguished clinical researchers, the Baim Institute conducts numerous pivotal trials annually, particularly excelling in complex medical device studies and registry-based research. They maintain strong relationships with industry sponsors and regulatory authorities while preserving their academic foundation, ensuring both scientific rigor and practical trial execution. Their expertise in regulatory pathways, particularly for medical devices, makes them a preferred partner for both established manufacturers and innovative startups in the cardiovascular space.

Cleveland Clinic (C5Research)

The Cleveland Clinic Coordinating Center for Clinical Research (C5Research), based in Cleveland, Ohio, operates as a prestigious Academic Research Organisation within one of the world's most renowned medical institutions. The centere specialises in cardiovascular research, building on Cleveland Clinic's historical strength in heart and vascular medicine, while also supporting trials across multiple therapeutic areas including neurological disorders, oncology, and orthopedics. Their research capabilities are enhanced by access to Cleveland Clinic's extensive healthcare network, which spans multiple states and international locations, providing diverse patient populations and specialised expertise.

The organisation offers comprehensive clinical trial services, including protocol development, site management, data analysis, and regulatory support, while maintaining state-of-the-art facilities and advanced imaging capabilities. C5Research's integration with Cleveland Clinic's clinical and research departments ensures access to leading medical experts and innovative trial designs. The centre manages numerous high-impact clinical trials annually, collaborating with industry sponsors, government agencies, and through investigator-initiated studies, while their academic foundation and reputation for excellence makes them a preferred partner for pivotal trials in cardiovascular medicine and other specialized therapeutic areas.

CPC Clinical Research (CPC)

CPC Clinical Research, affiliated with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado, operates as a specialized Academic Research Organisation with particular expertise in cardiovascular and vascular medicine. The organization has established itself as a leading clinical trials group, specializing in thrombosis, anticoagulation, vascular disease, and cardiology research. CPC provides comprehensive clinical trial services including protocol development, study design, data management, biostatistics, and core laboratory services, while maintaining strong connections to both academic and industry partners. Their capabilities are enhanced by their integration with the University of Colorado's medical facilities and research infrastructure, providing access to diverse patient populations and specialized expertise.

The organisation is particularly known for its anticoagulation and vascular core laboratories, which provide centralized testing and analysis for multi-centre clinical trials. CPC manages numerous clinical trials annually, working with pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and government agencies, while their academic foundation ensures rigorous scientific methodology and innovative trial designs. Their specialised focus and extensive experience in cardiovascular research makes them a preferred partner for sponsors conducting trials in this therapeutic area.

Imperial College London

The Imperial Clinical Trials Unit (ICTU) at Imperial College London, situated in the heart of London, operates as a leading Academic Research Organisation within one of the UK's most prestigious research institutions. The organisation leverages Imperial College's extensive healthcare network, which includes multiple teaching hospitals across London, to conduct innovative clinical research across diverse therapeutic areas, with particular expertise in cardiovascular medicine, respiratory diseases, cancer, and public health interventions. Their capabilities include comprehensive trial management, from study design through data analysis, supported by specialized statistical units and data management systems.

The organisation maintains strong connections with the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and European research networks, while their integration with Imperial College's various specialised research centres provides access to cutting-edge technologies and diverse patient populations across London. ICTU excels in both early and late-phase clinical trials, with notable strength in complex study designs and novel methodologies. Their academic foundation, combined with efficient trial management capabilities, makes them a preferred partner for both industry sponsors and government-funded research, particularly for studies requiring sophisticated methodology or access to specialized patient populations in the UK healthcare system.

University of Oxford

The Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit (OCTRU) at the University of Oxford is a major Academic Research Organisation. Located within one of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities, OCTRU operates across Oxford's medical campus and its affiliated NHS hospitals. The organisation specialises in surgical trials, musculoskeletal studies, and trauma research, while also maintaining significant expertise in oncology, rare diseases, and pediatric research. Their capabilities include full trial support services, from protocol development through data analysis, benefiting from Oxford's extensive academic network and integration with the UK's National Health Service.

The organisation houses specialized units including the Oxford Clinical Trials Unit, the Surgical Intervention Trials Unit, and the Oxford Trauma Unit, providing comprehensive support for both industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated trials. OCTRU's position within Oxford University ensures access to leading academic experts and innovative trial designs, while their close relationship with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides access to diverse patient populations. The organisation maintains strong connections with industry sponsors and government agencies, particularly the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), making them a significant contributor to clinical research in the UK and internationally.