INC Research, LLC, a therapeutically focused contract research organization (CRO) with a trusted process for delivering reliable results, today announced it has been rated one of the world’s top CROs in the 2011 CenterWatch Global Investigative Site Survey.

The company earned a number nine ranking among CROs in CenterWatch’s first ever global survey, which included input from clinical research professionals at investigative sites across 74 countries.

"To be identified as one of the top 10 rated CROs globally is truly an honor and a reflection of the hard work and dedication from our high-performing teams worldwide," said James Ogle, CEO, INC Research. "Through our proven Trusted Process methodology, which we apply and maintain through our locally based teams, and our extensive therapeutic expertise, we’re able to deliver a high level of investigative site support and reliable deliverables to clinical trial sponsors globally."

CenterWatch, a leading publishing and information services company focused on the clinical trials industry, conducted the survey, which included 1,205 respondents from 74 countries, in February and March 2011. Principal investigators comprised 65 percent of respondents while 13 percent were subinvestigators, and the remaining responses were from study coordinators and nurses. Of the 29 relationship attributes ranked, INC Research scored highest for its professional medical staff and its knowledgeable and professional monitors and CRAs. It also received high marks for maintaining open communication, effectively working with sponsors and holding informative investigator meetings.

"CenterWatch has been tracking and evaluating the quality of sponsor, CRO and investigative site relationships for the U.S., European, Asia-Pacific and Latin American markets since 1997, so expanding our survey globally was a logical extension, especially considering how clinical research has evolved into such a global enterprise," said Joan A. Chambers, COO for CenterWatch. "We received our best response rate ever with more than 1,200 sites worldwide responding. This shows how effective interactions between sponsors, CROs and their investigative sites have always been an important factor in the conduct of successful clinical trials and, ultimately, achieving accelerated clinical development cycle times. By being identified and rated as a top CRO worldwide, INC Research has clearly been able to extend its high-quality reputation on a global scale."