ISG Releases New Digital Services Report for Life Sciences Sector

Information Services Group (ISG) III, a global research and advisory firm specializing in AI, has launched a study focused on service providers delivering specialized expertise and technology solutions to life sciences companies globally.

The findings will be compiled in an ISG Provider Lens™ report titled Life Sciences Digital Services, set to be released in June 2025. This report will analyze both digital service providers and contract research organizations (CROs) that support clinical development, patient management, and the manufacturing supply chain.

Enterprise buyers will find the report useful for evaluating current vendor relationships and exploring potential new partnerships. Additionally, ISG advisors will leverage these insights while recommending providers to their clients.

The life sciences sector is experiencing significant digital transformation, spurred by the urgent need to improve research and address regulatory challenges. Technologies like AI, machine learning (ML), and automation are crucial, but obstacles such as outdated and low-quality data hinder smooth integration of processes.

To decrease time-to-market, industry collaboration is on the rise. However, conventional data management practices often lead to data duplication, raising security concerns.

“Leaders in life sciences must navigate a changing environment where innovation costs have often escalated dramatically,” explained Iain Fisher, director at ISG Provider Lens Research. “There is an urgent need for these organizations to embrace large-scale innovation, especially to enhance the efficiency of AI-driven business models.”

ISG has surveyed over 130 providers in the global life sciences services market. Collaborating with ISG’s advisors, the research team will develop eight assessment quadrants. Five quadrants will evaluate service providers, while three will focus on CROs, drawing from ISG’s extensive experience with clients. The five service provider quadrants include:

• Clinical Development, which reviews providers offering technologies for patient recruitment, data collection, monitoring, analysis, and compliance. These providers integrate innovations like AI and analytics to enhance patient identification and ensure safety and regulatory adherence.
• Patient Engagement, assessing providers adept in utilizing digital tools, such as mobile apps and telehealth platforms, to improve communication between patients and healthcare professionals, thus fostering a collaborative healthcare environment.
• Manufacturing Supply Chain, covering providers using IoT, AI, blockchain, and advanced analytics to enhance operational visibility and efficiency. Innovations in supply chain management cultivate a resilient ecosystem while ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Pharmacovigilance and Regulatory Affairs — Digital Evolution, evaluating providers that enhance patient safety monitoring and regulatory reporting through platforms powered by AI and ML, leading to improved operational efficiency.
• Commercial Operations — Digital Evolution, assessing providers that are transforming life sciences commercial operations with data analytics and personalized medicine through digital channels for better consumer engagement.

The three CRO-related quadrants are:

• Clinical Development, focusing on CROs that support life sciences through various phases of clinical trials. Given the high costs and complexities involved, CROs are vital in optimizing patient safety and ensuring compliance with global standards.
• Patient Engagement, which evaluates CROs that develop tailored strategies for outreach and recruitment, leveraging digital platforms and AI to enhance clinical trial experiences while adhering to privacy regulations.
• Pharmacovigilance and Regulatory Affairs — Digital Evolution, assessing CROs that assist in ensuring drug safety while managing adverse event reporting and regulatory compliance.

The study will cover the worldwide life sciences and digital services market, detailing products and services accessible on a global scale. ISG analyst Rohan Sinha will be the report’s lead author.

Further information about included providers and details of the study can be found in a digital brochure. Companies that wish to be recognized as life sciences digital service providers should reach out to ISG for inclusion in the study.

All evaluations in the 2025 ISG Provider Lens™ series will incorporate customer experience (CX) data drawn from ISG’s ongoing CX research. Enterprise customers are encouraged to share their experiences with specific providers through an online survey, with a copy of the report provided in exchange for their feedback.