activity also stabilized, with the total number of clinical trials reaching 5,318, closely matching pre-pandemic levels. This stabilization follows the volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and marks a recovery in the industry, driven by increased trials from China-headquartered companies and rising activity among emerging biopharma firms.

The report notes an increase in clinical development productivity, particularly in Phase III success rates. Although late-stage success has improved, earlier-phase trials have seen a decline in success rates. Murray Aitken, Executive Director of the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science, commented, “Although geopolitical, economic, and other external ecosystem factors are increasing pressure on innovators, effective application of a range of productivity enablers has had a positive impact on the efficiency of clinical development.” The report further identifies a range of productivity enablers, including decision frameworks, clinical technologies, and advancements in artificial intelligence, that have helped companies streamline trial processes and improve success rates despite the ongoing geopolitical and economic challenges faced by the sector.

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