At Ambassador Buenos Aires 2025, one of the most relevant events for clinical research sites in the region, the Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) presented the results of the Latin American Landscape Survey 2025, a comprehensive analysis of the current state of clinical research in Latin America and the major operational challenges affecting site performance.
The survey gathered insights from sites across Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and other countries. Participants included university hospitals, private research centers, site networks, nonprofit organizations, and independent medical practices, offering a broad snapshot of the LATAM research ecosystem.
The findings reveal a dual reality:
- Strong technical and scientific capabilities, paired with persistent operational and structural gaps that limit competitiveness.
- At the same time, the data highlights clear opportunities to improve processes, shorten timelines, and strengthen financial sustainability.
This article summarizes the most relevant results from the 2025 Landscape Survey and their implications for the future of clinical research sites in LATAM.
A Diverse and Growing Ecosystem That Requires Standardization
The survey depicts a heterogeneous research environment with multiple site typologies.
This diversity fuels regional growth — but it also exposes a major challenge: operational maturity varies significantly among sites.
A rising number of centers are evaluating joining research networks to gain:
- Better access to studies
- Process support
- Operational standardization
The trend is clear: sites want to grow, but they need stronger and more consistent operational structures in place.
Increasing Complexity: The Most Common Causes of Delays and Cancellations
Sites reported recurring obstacles that impact study execution, including:
- More complex protocols
- Insufficient or inflexible budgets
- Contract negotiation challenges
- Regulatory delays (IRB/EC)
- Supply chain and logistics issues
Together, these issues create an environment where sites need more effective planning, monitoring, and traceability to keep studies on schedule.
What Do Successful Sites Do to Reduce Delays?
SCRS identified key strategies associated with better operational outcomes:
- Clear, frequent communication with Sponsors/CROs
- Structured and well-documented negotiations
- Internal process optimization
- Increased operational capacity (staff + technology)
- Faster access to study supplies
In short, sites that rely on visible workflows and robust digital tools reduce rework, improve compliance, and accelerate study timelines.
The Silent Challenge: Late Payments and Manual Financial Reconciliation
One of the survey’s most concerning findings:
Many sites in LATAM have accounts receivable exceeding 90 days.
Primary causes include:
- Slow administrative processes from sponsors
- Delays in visit reconciliation
- Dependence on spreadsheets
- Lack of integrated financial tracking tools
This issue directly affects financial sustainability, especially for small or emerging sites.
Key Capabilities Sites Need Today
While some percentages could not be fully reconstructed, the patterns are consistent across the survey:
Sites need:
- Full operational digitalization
- Integrated systems that consolidate study information
- Better management of:
- Scheduling
- eSource / electronic source documentation
- Regulatory logs
- Financial workflows
- Real-time visibility into study progress
- Traceability for audits and quality oversight
In essence, LATAM research sites require unified platforms that can coordinate the entire operational lifecycle of a clinical study.
Final Reflection: A Region with Enormous Potential — and Clear Operational Gaps
The Landscape Survey 2025 confirms what many already know:
LATAM has the talent, scientific expertise, and willingness to grow — but operational limitations continue to hinder progress and slow its global competitiveness.
Closing these gaps requires:
- Digitalization
- Standardized processes
- Robust traceability
- Integrated financial management
- Real-time operational visibility
These capabilities are no longer optional. They are essential for improving timelines, strengthening sponsor/CRO relationships, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
How Can Trial360 Support These Needs?
Without turning these findings into a sales pitch, it’s clear that many of the needs identified by SCRS — digitalization, standardized workflows, financial reconciliation, traceability, and study visibility — align closely with the functionalities offered by unified platforms like Trial360.
For sites seeking to modernize operations and overcome the challenges highlighted in the Landscape Survey 2025, an integrated solution can become a strategic ally for building more agile, efficient, and sustainable processes.
