Europe Clinical Trials Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Study Design (Interventional, Observational, Expanded Access), By Phase (Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, Phase IV), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The Europe clinical trials market size was valued at USD 12.2 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to exhibit a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2022 to 2030. Growing demand for personalized medicines in the region due to significant research funding for personalized therapies by public organizations is the prime factor driving the market in the region. The technological advances for clinical trials have significantly improved in recent years, further exhibiting a positive impact on the market. Apart from this, the COVID-19 pandemic had created an urgent demand for COVID-19 therapeutics and diagnostic devices which has significantly improved the demand for clinical trials in the region.

A significant number of people in the region suffer from chronic diseases. For instance, the Robert Koch Institute states that around 40.0% of deaths in Germany are due to cardiovascular diseases. The high prevalence of chronic diseases in the region is promoting the demand for clinical trials in the region. The region has also witnessed an increase in the demand for CROs for conducting clinical trials. In-house clinical trials require are expensive and consumes more time for the pharmaceutical company, which is one of the prime reason that pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are outsourcing clinical trials. The collaboration and partnership of pharmaceutical agreements of the pharmaceutical companies with the CROs are likely to have a positive impact on the market.

The COVID-19 pandemic had affected a significant number of people in the region which had improved the demand for vaccines and medical devices in Europe. The public organizations in the region had made significant funding’s for promoting the clinical trials in the country. For instance, In January 2021, the European Commission stated that over USD 723.6 million were funded to support the research of COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics. At the start of the pandemic, there was a shutdown of research sites owing to the lockdown implemented by the government authorities to control the spread of the virus. Owing to this, several research organizations opted for virtual clinical trials. Such adoption of technology is likely to have a positive impact on market growth

Study Design Insights

The interventional trials segment dominated the market and held a substantial market share of 78.6% in 2021 as a significant number are studies are performed by this study design, owing to the greater accuracy and relevance observed by interventional studies, as compared to observational study design. The majority of interventional studies are done for drugs and biologics, and the growing demand for these drugs is further contributing to segment growth. This type of study design consists of large randomized clinical trials, thus helping to detect small to moderate effects of drugs. Interventional studies provide the best means of minimizing the effect of confounding, thus improving its adoption, as compared to other clinical study designs.

The observational study design segment is anticipated to witness a remunerative growth of 5.8% during the forecast period. The observational study is usually considered when intervention study designs are unfeasible or unethical. These studies provide greater proximity to real-life situations and are cheaper than randomized clinical trials. These studies are used to investigate rare outcomes and to detect unusual side effects of a drug in the trials. Observational studies are used for creating new hypotheses, and for proving the external validity of randomized clinical trials already performed. Such advantages of observation studies are driving its demand in the market. During the pandemic the, European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the researchers for high-quality observational research for developing safe and effective vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. Such actions by the EMA are likely to have a positive impact on the market.

Phase Insights

The phase I segment is anticipated to expand at the fastest CAGR of 6.2% over the forecast period. This is due to the significant R& D investments by public organizations and private firms for clinical trials in the region. The demand for new treatments and biologics in the region is further contributing to the growth of the segment. On segments by phase include phase II, phase III, and phase IV. The phase III segment registered the largest revenue share of53.2% in 2021. Phase III clinical trials are more complex than other phases.

Although the number of drugs in this phase is relatively low, the complexity associated with this phase is the highest. This phase witnesses the highest failure rate due to complexities in study design and a huger sample pool. This, in turn, leads to difficulty in preparing an optimum level dosing regime. Phase III trials require a huge patient population, which is one of the prime reasons for the high cost of this trial. These factors are attributed to the cost-intensive nature of this segment. Moreover, the studies in phase last for a longer time, as compared to phase I and II, which further increases the cost of the trial and boosts the segment share in the market. 

Country Insights

Germany dominated the Europe clinical trials market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 23.9% in 2021. Germany is an ideal location for clinical trials with a population of over 84 million people. Germany has proved to be an attractive site for outsourcing clinical trials owing to advanced medical expertise and easy access to patients. For instance, in July 2020, PCI Pharma announced the creation of a new clinical center in Western Europe at its site in Berlin, Germany. This has significantly boosted the company’s expansion of its clinical supply chain network into other European countries.

Furthermore, in November 2021, ICON plc announced that its Accellacare Site Network for clinical trials has expanded in reach and capabilities through new partnerships with six research sites across four countries, i.e., Germany, Spain, Poland, and the U.S. In Italy, the market is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR of 6.1% over the forecast period. Italy is striving for years to become a major player in the clinical trials market owing to top-level research institutions and hospitals in the country. As per Farmindustria, around 20% of the clinical trials in Europe are run in Italy. Italy also ranks first for the number of value-based, Management Entry Agreements (MEAs) signed with pharmaceutical companies. Italy invested USD 3.3 billion in R&D in 2018. Three out of ten advanced therapies in Europe are developed in Italy.

Key Companies and Market Share Insights 

The market for clinical trials in Europe is competitive as key players are constantly implementing strategies for improving their share in the market. Various strategies adopted by the players are acquisitions, new trial launches, and collaborations. For instance, in July 2021, Charite Research Organisation GmbH conducted a randomized phase II clinical trial to study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in women by using either licogliflozin or placebo. Similarly, in April 2021, the Novo Nordisk A/S announced that it is initiating a phase3 trial for the development of oral Semaglutide 50 mg in the treatment of obesity. Market players have also tried to expand their market share through partnerships. For instance, In November 2021, Clariness announced its partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim to digitally engage and recruit patients through the patient portal. Some of the prominent players in the Europe clinical trials market include:

• IQVIA HOLDINGS, INC.

• PAREXEL International Corporation

• Pharmaceutical Product Development, (PPD) LLC.

• Syneos Health Inc.

• Eli Lilly and Company

• Novo Nordisk A/S

• Pfizer, Inc.

• Dr. Notghi Contract Research GmbH

• Charite Research Organisation GmbH

• Janssen Global Services, LLC

• Mondosano GmbH

• KFGN

• Clariness

• Invisio clinical studies consulting 

Europe Clinical Trials Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at regional and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 - 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the Europe clinical trials market report on the basis of study design, phase, and region:

• Study Design Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Interventional Trials

  • Observational Trials

  • Expanded Access Trials

• Phase Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Phase I

  • Phase II

  • Phase III

  • Phase IV

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain