Korea Sets the Stage, C&R Research Holds Asia’s Clinical Master Key
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Driven by advanced medical infrastructure and high recruitment rates, South Korea is becoming a premier hub for global clinical trials with local CRO C&R Research leading the way.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, September 7 -- South Korea is gaining attention as a solution to high costs and patient recruitment delays, two major challenges in global clinical trials.
Korea’s emergence as a key hub for multi-regional clinical trials (MRCTs) is largely driven by its strong patient recruitment capabilities, supported by a high prevalence of certain target diseases and advanced medical infrastructure. Its national health insurance system covers 99.6% of the population, while more than 200 clinical trial institutions designated by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) support rapid patient recruitment.
Trial start-up can also be completed in approximately 4.5 to 5 months, while zero Official Action Indicated (OAI) classifications in U.S. FDA inspections reflect high standards of regulatory compliance and data integrity.
Fully leveraging these advantages requires a partner with deep expertise in the local clinical ecosystem. C&R Research, Korea’s first CRO, has built the country’s only end-to-end model, emerging as a master key across the drug development journey.
Proven Track Record and Deep Local Network
Over 29 years, C&R Research has built Korea’s largest CRO track record, with more than 2,800 clinical trials. This extensive experience is a key competitive strength, helping the company anticipate and manage unexpected risks. Its strong network with Korea’s top-tier clinical trial institutions also helps accelerate progress from protocol planning to patient enrollment. The company further demonstrated its capabilities by achieving the highest-ever score in the Korea National Enterprise for Clinical Trials (KoNECT) Innovative CRO evaluation.
Global Network and Strategic Regulatory Expertise
C&R Research has led multinational clinical trials across more than 25 countries through its global offices and network, including the U.S., Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. Its dedicated regulatory affairs team has experience with FDA and EMA requirements and develops strategies to meet specific development needs. Global inbound contracts in 2025 reached 2.6 times the 2023 level, demonstrating the value of this approach. What further sets C&R Research apart is its integration of an AI-powered eClinical platform to accelerate drug development and improve clinical trial success rates.
