Global clinical trials activity increases 16.6% in Q4 2020 over 4Q average

The global clinical trials activity saw an increase of 16.6% in Q4 2020, when compared with the rolling average of the last four quarters (Q4 2019 to Q3 2020), according to GlobalData.

Of the overall activity, industry sponsored trials accounted for a 55.6% share in Q4 2020, marking a increase of 8.2% in the total share when compared with the four-quarter average.

Non-industry sponsored trials accounted for a 44.4% share of all the clinical trials globally in Q4 2020, marking an decrease of 8.2% in the overall share when compared with the four-quarter average.

Top therapy areas for industry and non-industry sponsored clinical trials in Q4 2020

Oncology was the leading therapy area for industry sponsored clinical trials in Q4 2020, accounting for a 30.8% share of all trials.

This was followed by the following therapy areas: Infectious Disease with an 18.5% share, Central Nervous System with a 12.1% share, Metabolic Disorders with a 7.0% share and Respiratory with a 6.4% share.

In the last four quarters, Oncology held a lead over other therapy areas for industry sponsored clinical trials with a 26.6% share, followed by Infectious Disease with an 18.9% share, Central Nervous System with a 13.3% share, Respiratory with an 8.9% share, and Metabolic Disorders with a 7.8% share.

Industry sponsored trials activity: 4-Quarter Avg. vs Q4 2020
Therapy Area	4-Quarter Avg.	Q4 2020	Activity
Oncology	26.6%	30.8%
Infectious Disease	18.9%	18.5%
Central Nervous System	13.3%	12.1%
Metabolic Disorders	7.8%	7.0%
Respiratory	8.9%	6.4%
Immunology	5.0%	5.6%
Cardiovascular	7.5%	5.3%
Gastrointestinal	6.9%	5.1%
Dermatology	4.4%	3.9%
Musculoskeletal Disorders	3.6%	3.8%
Hematological Disorders	2.8%	3.2%
Ophthalmology	2.7%	3.2%
Genito Urinary System And Sex Hormones	2.7%	2.3%
Genetic Disorders	1.6%	2.2%
Women’s Health	2.0%	1.5%
Ear Nose Throat Disorders	1.6%	0.7%
Male Health	0.9%	0.6%
Hormonal Disorders	0.6%	0.4%
Nutritional Disorders	0.4%	0.4%
Mouth and Dental Disorders	0.6%	0.3%
Non Malignant Disorders	0.2%	0.1%

Oncology was the leading therapy area for non-industry sponsored clinical trials in Q4 2020, accounting for a 26.4% share of all trials.

This was followed by the following therapy areas: Central Nervous System with a 22.7% share, Infectious Disease with a 16.6% share, Cardiovascular with a 9.6% share, and Gastrointestinal with a 6.4% share.

In the last four quarters, Oncology held a lead over others for non-industry sponsored clinical trials with an average share of 21.4%, followed by Infectious Disease with a 21.3% share, Central Nervous System with a 20.9% share, Respiratory with an 8.4% share, and Cardiovascular with an 8.1% share.

Non-Industry sponsored trials activity: 4-Quarter Avg. vs Q4 2020
Therapy Area	4-Quarter Avg.	Q4 2020	Activity
Oncology	21.4%	26.4%
Central Nervous System	20.9%	22.7%
Infectious Disease	21.3%	16.6%
Cardiovascular	8.1%	9.6%
Gastrointestinal	6.1%	6.4%
Metabolic Disorders	4.9%	5.8%
Respiratory	8.4%	5.6%
Musculoskeletal Disorders	4.5%	4.3%
Women’s Health	4.7%	4.0%
Hematological Disorders	2.8%	2.9%
Immunology	3.0%	2.9%
Dermatology	2.9%	2.8%
Genito Urinary System And Sex Hormones	2.9%	2.6%
Mouth and Dental Disorders	2.1%	1.6%
Ophthalmology	1.6%	1.6%
Nutritional Disorders	0.6%	0.9%
Hormonal Disorders	0.6%	0.8%
Ear Nose Throat Disorders	1.1%	0.6%
Genetic Disorders	0.6%	0.6%
Male Health	0.6%	0.5%
Non Malignant Disorders	0.3%	0.4%

Top regions in industry and non-industry sponsored clinical trials activity in Q4 2020

Asia-Pacific held the top position for industry sponsored clinical trials activity in Q4 2020 with a 45.5% share, compared to 53.1% in the last four quarters.

North America stood at second place with a 40.0% share in Q4 2020, over 31.8% in the last four quarters, followed by Europe with a 30.0% share in Q4 2020, as against 28.2% in the last four quarters.

Single country studies held an 82.3% share in industry sponsored clinical trials in Q4 2020 when compared with 84.5% of average recorded in the last four quarters. Multinational trials accounted for a 17.7% share in Q4 2020, as against the four-quarter average of 15.6%.

Asia-Pacific region held the top position in non-industry sponsored clinical trial activity in Q4 2020 with a 47.0% share, over 47.4% in the last four quarters.

North America held the second position with a 25.4% share in Q4 2020, over 17.0% in the last four quarters, followed by Europe with a 15.0% share in Q4 2020, as against 15.3% in the last four quarters.

Single country studies held a 98.6% share for non-industry sponsored clinical trials in Q4 2020, compared to 98.7% in the last four quarters. Multinational trials accounted for a 1.4% share in Q4 2020, as against 1.3% in the last four quarters.

Industry and non-industry sponsored clinical trials by Phase in Q4 2020

Phase II trials outnumbered all other studies with a 39.1% share for industry sponsored trials in Q4 2020, compared to 34.9% average in the last four quarters.

The share of Phase I trials stood at 31.6% in Q4 2020, as against the four-quarter average of 36.3%. Phase III trials held a 19.2% share in Q4 2020, registering an increase of 2.3% over the last four quarters average, followed by Phase IV trials with a 10.1% share in Q4 2020, as against the four-quarter average of 11.8%.

Phase II trials outnumbered all other trials with a 47.4% share for non-industry sponsored clinical trials in Q4 2020, compared to 42.5% in the last four quarters.

Phase IV trials stood at second place with a 19.3% share in Q4 2020, compared to 19.6% in the last four quarters. Phase III trials held a 16.8% share in Q4 2020, as against 21.4% in the last four quarters, followed by Phase I trials with a 16.5% share in Q4 2020 over 16.4% average recorded in the last four quarters.