Acurian

Uses large consumer and health databases to identify and contact likely-eligible patients at scale, including outbound telephone outreach, and can bolt onto its parent CRO's site network.

Enterprise programs, typically volume-based.

Whatever the structure, convert it to cost per randomized patient before you compare proposals. Cost per referral is the number vendors prefer to quote and the number that tells you least.

• Built for large Phase III programs needing national volume
• Database-driven targeting reaches patients who never search for trials
• Sits inside an established global CRO

• It is part of a CRO group. Ask how the recruitment scope is contracted and what your options are if you want to replace it mid-study
• Ask which outreach channels are used for your population and what response rates they produced in the same indication

Worth it when: Large, common-indication Phase III programs needing national volume.

Not worth it when: Rare disease, or sponsors wanting a vendor independent of their CRO.

• AutoCruitmentDirect-to-patient digital recruitment with a proprietary pre-screener.
• Continuum ClinicalRecruitment and retention with strong site-engagement programs.
• Elligo Health ResearchBrings trials to community physician practices and their patient records.

• Elligo Health Research vs Acurian — Community practice records versus consumer-data outreach.

Ask for the referral-to-randomization ratio on three studies resembling yours, in the same indication and the same countries. If a vendor will not give it, that is the answer. If your enrollment forecast itself is the shaky part, our sister publication Rock Enroll covers forecasting and rescue in depth.