Sponsors, Biotechs & CROs

Optimal Clinical Trials is New Zealand's top performing late phase clinical research group.

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Speed. Quality. Patients. Results.

Your trusted partner in New Zealand for late-phase global clinical trials.

You can trust Optimal Clinical Trials to provide you with rapid startup, high recruitment, unmatched quality and exceptional results for clinical research success.

Our reliability speaks for itself:

  • Part of NZCR Group, combined the most experienced Phase 1–4 capability in Australasia with comprehensive coverage (450+ research professionals and access to KOLs and PIs)
  • Frequently achieves 'first-patient-in’ and 'highest-recruiter'
  • Quality data, ISO 9001 certification, FDA audit success
  • Access to diverse patient population; 153,000+ database (Optimal database: 60% older adults), 95% patient retention
  • Average NPS of 97 (Sponsors & CROs 2024)
  • Government-approved R&D provider


How we support you

We believe in the power of research to transform lives and make a positive impact. That’s why we put people first—you and our study participants —creating value through strong partnerships, outstanding research experiences, high performance, and continuous improvement.

To top it off, we are located in New Zealand - which offers you a diverse patient population, R&D incentive program, reverse seasonal advantage, and swift regulatory system, allowing us to keep your clinical trials on track and moving forward.

“Optimal Clinical Trials provided us with world-class recruitment: 123% recruitment target in one third of the time allocated to the study.”

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, NOVOTECH

With us, your clinical trials are set up for success in New Zealand

With us, your clinical trials are set up for success in New Zealand

Why Global Sponsors Choose NZ?

Speed & Success

  • Rapid Startup: 4-6 weeks regulatory and ethics approval, no IND requirement
  • Quality: Globally recognised workforce and KOLs
  • Patients: Disease profile similar to USA & Europe, low vaccine hesitancy
  • High Engagement: 72% willing to participate in trials
  • Mature Ecosystem: world-class lab processing, integrated public-private health infrastructure
  • Reverse Seasonality: Expanding your recruitment options
  • Strategic Head Start: New Zealand operates a day ahead
  • Convenience: Time zone that complements the U.S.
  • Efficiency: Up to 43% Research and Development tax incentives and highly favourable exchange rate
Vaccine & Metabolic Expertise

Vaccine & Metabolic Expertise

We are experts in a wide range of therapeutic areas but we excel in metabolic and vaccines:

  • Rapid start-up
  • Frequently achieve 'First-Patient-In' and 'Highest recruiter'
  • 95% patient retention
  • Quality Data
View Vaccine Case Study
Rescue Site

Rescue Site

Slow patient recruitment? Increase your chance of success:

  • Our agility, speed to start-up, seamless transition, and proven record make us your ideal choice as a clinical trials rescue site.
  • New Zealand’s reverse seasonality also offers you a unique advantage: the ability to pivot and extend your timelines.
View Rescue Site Case Study

Research Facilities & Capabilities

Optimal Clinical Trials gives you easy access to specialists, key opinion leaders, and principal investigators across a wide range of therapeutic areas.

This is further enhanced by our recent partnership with early phase leader, New Zealand Clinical Research (NZCR).

Phase 1 to 4 Clinical Trial Capability

Phase 1 to 4 Clinical Trial Capability

Our partnership with NZCR enables us to offer you the largest, most experienced Phase 1 to 4 capability in Australasia.

Research Locations

Research Locations

NZCR & Optimal Clinical Trials have seven dedicated clinical research sites across New Zealand’s major cities:

  • Auckland
  • Hamilton
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch
Laboratory & Pharmacy

Laboratory & Pharmacy

  • 24-hour temperature monitoring
  • Ambient & Refrigerated centrifuge
  • Secured temperature-controlled drug storage
  • Electronic specimen tracking & stock alert system
  • PBMC processing & biosafety cabinet facility

Nearby Access

  • Radiology modalities: X-RAY, Ultrasound, MRI, CT
  • DEXA
  • Treadmill for cardiac testing
  • Large hospital-based lab with extensive facilities if needed

In-house

  • Phase Ib - III
  • 12 Lead EKG/ECG
  • Spirometry
  • Venepuncture
  • Long PKs
  • Esource
  • Variety of procedures (e.g. LPs, Biopsy, Photography)
  • Large dedicated research centre
  • IV cannulation
  • Infusion chairs
  • Day stay facilities
  • CTMS System
  • Sitedocs + SOPs

Patient Recruitment

Patient Recruitment

You can rely on our comprehensive recruitment strategies to find and retain healthy volunteers and those with existing health conditions for your clinical trials:

  • 153,000+ diverse patient database
  • Large team of patient engagement specialists
  • Expert Marketing Department

Therapeutic Areas

In addition to vaccine and metabolic studies we have expertise in a wide range of therapeutic areas to suit your clinical research needs

  • Analgesia
  • Cardiovascular
  • Dermatology
  • Diabetes &
  • Endocrinology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Orthopaedics
  • Rheumatology
  • Paediatrics
  • Geriatric
  • Rare/Orphan Diseases
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Vaccines
  • Metabolic
  • CNS/ Neurology
  • ENT
  • Gastroenterology
  • Women’s Health
  • Respiratory
  • Plant & Natural
  • Psychiatry
  • Family Medicine

Testimonials

“The team at Optimal Clinical Trials was instrumental in achieving our recruitment targets. Optimal came on as a rescue site and worked hard to enrol the most patients in New Zealand. They are a friendly, enthusiastic and committed team who respond quickly and go the extra mile to ensure outstanding patient recruitment and retention and quality data. We look forward to working with Optimal on the next study and unreservedly recommend them to CROs and sponsors who want a top performing reliable research site.”

SENIOR CRA, CLINICAL TRIALS NETWORK

“With the study deadline approaching, Optimal Clinical Trials worked incredibly hard and randomised most of the remaining patients which meant that we were able to reach our target number with one day to spare and avoided a costly and time consuming extension of the study, saving us and the sponsor a considerable amount of money and resources.”

SENIOR CRA, NOVOTECH

“Pharmaceutical Solutions has worked closely with Optimal on a large and complex clinical trial. Barney Montgomery and his team have always worked as a professional unit and exceeded their expected recruitment target and have delivered all milestones associated with the trial’s progress. The team at Optimal is an absolute pleasure to work with and we would not hesitate to work with them again on future clinical trial projects.”

GENERAL MANAGER, PHARMACEUTICAL SOLUTIONS

Who We've Worked With


Sponsors

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CROs

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Get in Touch

Let's set up your clinical studies for success with us in New Zealand.

Together, we’re here to make a difference - with you, for good.

Your Name

Case Study: Delivering Excellence in a Large-Scale Late-Phase Vaccine Trial