Better Treatments Can’t Wait

And neither should you. Every day, someone is waiting for a better or safer treatment. It might be a loved one, a friend, or even you. We work to make that wait as short as possible without compromising data quality or participant care.

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For Participants

Help develop better or new treatments

New treatments only become possible when people take part in clinical trials. By joining a study, you could help develop safer or more effective medicines. You may also get early access to potential treatments, receive study-related medical care at no cost, and be compensated for your time. Learn what it’s like to take part.

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For Sponsors / CROs

Quality results at speed and scale

Let’s accelerate your next late phase study with high quality results at speed and scale. We offer you a safe pair of hands known for frequently achieving FPI and highest recruitment. With over 20 therapeutic areas, specialising in metabolic and vaccines, ISO 9001 certification and FDA audit success, we’re a part of NZCR Group – Australasia’s largest clinical trials group offering complete Phase 1–4 capability.

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New Zealand Trial Advantage

New Zealand delivers what many assume only large markets can achieve, making it a growing favourite in APAC for sponsors and CROs. It offers a trial-ready ecosystem, fast start-ups (4–6 weeks, no IND requirement), globally recognised workforce, R&D tax benefits, and a diverse population with 72% willing to take part and high vaccine uptake. Get in touch to receive a copy of the country comparison for trial readiness.

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We are with you, for good.

At Optimal Clinical Trials, we understand that research is more than just data points and statistics - it’s about people, their lives, and the challenges they face. We believe every discovery deserves support and everyone deserves a chance to improve their life.

That’s why we’re here to help develop safer, better treatments that enable people live healthier and happier. We do this by delivering high-quality results at speed and scale for our sponsors and CROs, while prioritising participant care and recognising the valuable contribution they make.

our mission

A New Zealand leader in late phase clinical trials

Speed and Scale

Known for delivering high-quality results at speed and scale, we often achieve first-patient-in and highest recruitment globally. We’re part of the NZCR Group, the largest clinical trials network in Australasia offering complete Phase 1–4 capability.

Quality and Care

Our ISO 9001 certification, FDA audit success, and NPS of 97 reflect our focus on quality. Sponsors gain access to KOLs, PIs and 450+ professionals, across 20+ therapeutic areas including metabolic, vaccine and older adult studies.

Efficiency

We’re a government-approved R&D incentives provider. As a proven rescue site, we can turn around underperforming studies, enabling sponsors to achieve their recruitment goals with high-quality data, keeping trial timelines moving forward.

People

With a people-first approach, we frequently achieve 95–100% participant retention in studies. We have access to around 75% of New Zealand’s primary care database and a diverse patient pool of over 153,000 (Optimal: 60% older adults).

What our participants say

“I felt welcomed and very comfortable with the staff. Communication, instructions, explanation at every visit reinforce having volunteered for this clinical trial - my first ever, best decision to volunteer.”

- Participant

There is no power imbalance, there is equity. There is power sharing as professionals work with, for, and by me. As a Māori, that is so very important. Thank you all.”

- Participant

What our sponsors say

“Optimal have consistently been the fastest and highest recruiting site we have ever worked with.”

US Biotech Sponsor

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

Director, Global CRO

Trusted By Sponsors and CROs Worldwide

Over the past decade, Optimal Clinical Trials has earned the trust of some of the world’s largest and most innovative sponsors and CROs by redefining what late-phase research can deliver - high-quality results at speed and scale. Our work supports global studies under FDA and EMA regulations.