Consolidation among contract research organizations (CROs), the emergence of disruptive digital technologies and a continuing emphasis on "patient centricity" and risk-based monitoring (RBM) have featured in the news in the past 12 months.

Over the past 12 months, the CRO industry has continued to make its mark in drug development. The IPO of the largest player in the market and the merger of two competitor companies are just two of the brushstrokes that make up the CRO portrait to date. Jo Shorthouse steps back and takes in the view.