More than 2,000 global investigative sites rated the best CROs to work for in a new study conducted by CenterWatch, a provider of global clinical trials information. Detailed results of the study were released in the May issue of The CenterWatch Monthly.

Investigative sites gave the highest ratings to their clinical trial relationships with INC Research, PPD and inVentiv Health Clinical. These CROs received top average ratings across 36 relationship attributes evaluated in CenterWatch’s bi-annual 2013 Global Investigative Site Relationship survey. In the fourth spot was Covance, followed by Quintiles, PRA, Parexel and Icon.

According to the results, CRO effectiveness overall in managing their relationships with sites has declined slightly over the past two years, and the average CRO rating has fallen below performance expectations in several critical areas, including protocol/study design planning and project support.

“Sites want to voice their opinions and share insights with sponsors and CROs on areas in which progress has been made, along with areas that may need improvement,” said Joan Chambers, COO of CenterWatch. “Sponsors and CROs take this feedback very seriously given its importance to successful global clinical trial performance. These insights provide sponsors and CROs the opportunity to work with their internal teams to strengthen and enhance their site relationships.”

The survey also asked sites to evaluate CROs on their overall reputation in the industry. Sites gave the top ranking to PPD, followed by Covance, Quintiles, Icon and INC Research.

The CenterWatch 2013 Global Investigative Site Relationship Survey was conducted online from November 2012 through January 2013. The survey, launched 16 years ago, had an unprecedented response from sites this year, with a total of 2,032 global sites responding.

In March, CenterWatch released the first part of this global study, in which investigative sites evaluated their relationships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide.

To read the full CRO report, subscribe to The CenterWatch Monthly or purchase the May issue.