Help & support
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is Clinical Vendor Compare?
Clinical Vendor Compare (CVC) is an independent platform that helps biotech and pharma sponsor teams find, evaluate, and compare clinical trial vendors � including CROs, central labs, eClinical platforms, biometrics providers, patient recruitment specialists, and other service partners.
Is CVC free to use?
Yes. Browsing the vendor directory, comparing vendors, and reading reviews are all free. Sponsors can submit RFPs at no charge. Vendors can claim and enhance their profiles through a subscription model.
Who runs CVC?
CVC is an independent platform. It is not owned by or affiliated with any CRO, vendor, or sponsor. See our Sponsorship Disclosure page for details on any commercial relationships.
For Sponsors
How do I find the right vendor for my study?
Use the Find a Vendor directory. You can filter by category (CRO, central lab, eClinical, etc.), region, study phase, and review score. Add vendors to your compare list to view them side by side.
What is the Sponsor RFP feature?
The Sponsor RFP tool lets you submit a request for proposal describing your study needs. Relevant vendors can then review your requirements and express interest, helping you build a qualified shortlist faster.
How are vendor review scores calculated?
Review scores combine platform-submitted reviews (weighted 70%) with publicly available online review signals (weighted 30%). Our methodology is documented on the Methodology page.
For Vendors
How do I get my company listed on CVC?
CVC aggregates vendor information from public sources. If your company is not listed, you can submit a request through the vendor contact page. Verified vendors can claim and enhance their profiles.
Can I respond to reviews about my company?
Yes. Vendors can post public responses to reviews. This is encouraged � responses provide context and demonstrate responsiveness to sponsor teams evaluating your services.
What vendor subscription options are available?
Vendors can subscribe for enhanced profile features, priority placement in search results, and access to sponsor-submitted RFPs. Visit the vendor subscription page for current plans.
Reviews & Trust
Can reviews be posted anonymously?
Yes. CVC allows anonymous reviews to encourage honest feedback from industry professionals. All submissions are screened by AI to help confirm they come from valid sources before publication. See our Review Policy for details.
How do you prevent fake or biased reviews?
Every submission is screened by AI before publication. The system looks for indicators of authenticity and flags suspicious content for human review. We also publish our methodology so users understand how evidence is weighted.
What does "evidence-backed" mean?
Reviews and vendor profiles reference verifiable data � publicly available information, platform-submitted reviews, and documented experience. We distinguish between verified platform reviews and aggregated public signals so users can assess confidence levels.
Data & Privacy
Where does vendor data come from?
Vendor listings are compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, published trial information, and industry databases. Platform reviews are submitted directly by users. Online review scores are aggregated from public third-party sources.
How is my data handled?
See our Privacy Policy for full details. Account information is stored securely. Anonymous reviews are not linked to publicly identifiable personal information.
How do I request a correction or takedown?
If you believe information on CVC is inaccurate or should be removed, please use our complaints and takedown page. We review all requests promptly.
How do I compare CROs for my therapeutic area?
Use the Find a Vendor directory and filter by therapeutic area (oncology, CNS, rare disease, etc.). Then add promising CROs to your compare list to see scores, capabilities, and specialisations side by side.
What's the difference between a full-service CRO and a functional service provider (FSP)?
A full-service CRO manages the entire clinical trial on your behalf. A functional service provider (FSP) provides specific services (e.g. data management, biostatistics, monitoring) that integrate with your internal team. See our FSP vs Full-Service guide for a detailed comparison.
How many vendors does CVC list?
CVC lists over 900 clinical trial vendors across categories including CROs, central labs, eClinical platforms, biometrics providers, patient recruitment agencies, medical writing firms, regulatory consultants, and pharmacovigilance providers.
Can I use CVC for vendor due diligence before a bid defence?
Yes. CVC profiles include therapeutic experience, regulatory compliance indicators, review scores, and operational capabilities. This makes it a strong starting point for vendor due diligence and bid defence preparation.
Does CVC cover vendors outside the UK?
CVC primarily focuses on vendors serving the UK and European markets, but many listed vendors operate globally. You can filter by region to find vendors with specific geographic coverage.
Still have questions?
Get in touch through the sponsor contact or vendor contact page and we'll get back to you.