Between 2019 and the end of 2020, there was a 40 percent decrease in the average number of sites per clinical drug trial worldwide. This statistic shows the average number of sites per clinical drug trial started worldwide from 2015 to 2020, by trial phase.
Average number of sites per clinical trial started worldwide from 2015 to 2020, by trial phase
Characteristic
Phase 1
Phase 2**
Phase 3**
2020 (as of November)*
2
9
24
2019
3
14
41
2018
3
16
58
2017
3
17
57
2016
3
16
48
2015
3
16
51
020406080100
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* Terminated trials were excluded from the
analysis. Trials not industry sponsored and device trials were excluded.
** Phase II includes Phases I/II, II, IIa, IIb. Phase III includes Phase II/III and III.
*** Final number to be determined in 2021.
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IQVIA. (February 22, 2021). Average number of sites per clinical trial started worldwide from 2015 to 2020, by trial phase [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 05, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1249066/average-number-sites-per-drug-trial-started-by-phase-worldwide/
IQVIA. "Average number of sites per clinical trial started worldwide from 2015 to 2020, by trial phase." Chart. February 22, 2021. Statista. Accessed June 05, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1249066/average-number-sites-per-drug-trial-started-by-phase-worldwide/
IQVIA. (2021). Average number of sites per clinical trial started worldwide from 2015 to 2020, by trial phase. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 05, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1249066/average-number-sites-per-drug-trial-started-by-phase-worldwide/
IQVIA. "Average Number of Sites per Clinical Trial Started Worldwide from 2015 to 2020, by Trial Phase." Statista, Statista Inc., 22 Feb 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1249066/average-number-sites-per-drug-trial-started-by-phase-worldwide/
IQVIA, Average number of sites per clinical trial started worldwide from 2015 to 2020, by trial phase Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1249066/average-number-sites-per-drug-trial-started-by-phase-worldwide/ (last visited June 05, 2025)
Average number of sites per clinical trial started worldwide from 2015 to 2020, by trial phase [Graph], IQVIA, February 22, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1249066/average-number-sites-per-drug-trial-started-by-phase-worldwide/
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