eClinical Solutions LLC, a global provider of digital clinical software and services, today unveiled insights from its 2025 Industry Outlook, an annual survey of clinical data experts from large, mid-sized, and small biopharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), and biotechnology companies. In its third year, the research looked to uncover how organizations are preparing for the future of clinical data and the role technology, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), is playing in this transformation. The insights from this year’s 135 participants provide a window into how leading organizations will prioritize improvements of clinical trial data in the coming year through innovation in people, processes, and technology. 

The 2025 Industry Outlook suggests that while organizations are continuing to experiment with AI use cases, the fervor indicated in last year’s report is waning. Fewer experts are in the exploratory phase of AI adoption, and while there is an increase in those who report having integrated or considering integrating AI across multiple applications (72%), there is also a surge in those who have no plans to integrate AI at all. Instead, the report suggests an increased focus on risk-based strategies which identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks to ensure trial quality and compliance. Specifically, nearly twice as many respondents noted risk-based strategies as poised for the greatest impact on efficiency and outcomes in the next 12 months, compared to 2024 data.  

In both cases, the data shows organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for the right processes and people in the need to succeed. Additional pivotal findings include: 

• 59% of clinical data professionals note providing real-time access to data across clinical teams is a high priority
• Only a third of respondents think their organization’s tech stack is very effective at managing risk

While nearly two-thirds of respondents are using or considering AI, 98% of these individuals are facing at least one challenge and on average, respondents identified 2.5 pain points. The research shows that experts are more challenged by the process of using AI than by the technology itself. Specifically, processes such as regulatory compliance, data privacy, and how to prove return on investment. The data suggests an inflection point with AI, though there are clear opportunities for life science leaders with the technology. These include strategic adoption to rethink traditional workflows and the ability to achieve efficiencies with how data is managed, analyzed, and applied across clinical trials. 

“As biopharma continues to struggle to meaningfully solve key challenges that have plagued the industry for years, including accelerating cycle times and boosting research and development productivity, only 26% of respondents are very satisfied with the speed at which their organizations are innovating their data strategies and processes,” said Raj Indupuri, CEO and co-founder of eClinical Solutions. “AI can support the industry in driving tomorrow’s breakthroughs, but to do so, organizations must establish an interoperable data and analytics infrastructure, creating a strong, well-designed foundation that empowers innovation.”

In addition to technology, partnerships are a key avenue for accelerating digital transformation. However, while 75% of organizations use outsourcing partners to manage their clinical trial data, those partners often fall short, the data reveals. Examples of expectation misalignment include meeting clinical data timelines, assigning experienced professionals, and delivering high-quality outputs. Ultimately, showing a disconnect between the complexity of clinical data and outsourcing capabilities. 

“The data is showing over 80% of industry leaders want their partner to do better at providing them with real-time data insights and 81% want their partner to do better at proposing innovative solutions,” said Diane Lacroix, vice president, clinical data management at eClinical Solutions. “As life science organizations continue to face data chaos problems, choosing vendors that are transforming data delivery with a focus on people, processes, and technology, will ensure improved efficiencies when handling more complex trial design and emerging data types.” 

To receive a copy of eClinical Solutions’ 2025 Industry Outlook report, visit: https://www.eclinicalsol.com/ebooks/clinical-data-industry-outlook/