Thermo Fisher on Clinical Trial Carbon Footprint

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched a tool designed to assist pharmaceutical firms in measuring the environmental footprint of their clinical trials.

The Clinical Trial Carbon Calculator, created by Thermo Fisher Scientific's PPD clinical research business, offers an open-access framework for sponsors to estimate emissions throughout a study’s lifecycle.

The introduction of the calculator comes as the industry faces increasing examination of its carbon output. Research indicates a single large Phase 3 trial can produce up to 3,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent gases.

This figure is comparable to the annual emissions of 176 Americans. When this is scaled across the global clinical pipeline, the industry’s collective carbon footprint could be similar to that of small nations like the British Virgin Islands.

Quantifying clinical trial emissions

The calculator evaluates emissions from various sources, including the manufacturing of investigational products, patient travel, laboratory sample processing and the operations of trial sites.

By detailing emissions by activity, the tool allows sponsors to pinpoint "carbon hotspots" and assess different study designs for CO₂ efficiency.

"As an industry committed to improving human health, we also have a responsibility to protect the planet," explains Michael J. Cohen, Senior Director of Environmental Sustainability at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

He adds: "Our new Carbon Calculator gives sponsors the insights they need to make data-driven sustainable choices in trial design before the waste and fossil fuels are burned."

Thermo Fisher suggests that decentralised or hybrid trial models, which incorporate remote monitoring and virtual visits, could reduce emissions linked to travel and on-site activities.

Industry pressure and decarbonisation

The launch reflects wider pressure on the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries to manage their environmental effects.

Historically, clinical trials have focused on patient safety and data integrity, with sustainability not being a primary focus compared to regulatory compliance and scientific precision.

However, with healthcare systems worldwide making net-zero commitments and investors heightening their focus on ESG criteria, there are growing expectations for pharmaceutical companies to lower their operational carbon footprint.

"Sustainability in clinical development is a shared challenge that demands shared solutions," Michael says.
He adds: "By helping our customers start to understand the material sources of their carbon impact, we're equipping them with the information needed to make a change, ensuring the way we advance medicine also protects the world we live in."

The open-access nature of the tool could suggest Thermo Fisher is aiming to help shape industry standards for sustainability metrics in clinical trials.

Kellie Walker, Communications Manager at Thermo Fisher, adds: "I’m proud to be part of a company that’s leading the way in helping our customers advance medicine while protecting the world we live in."

Practical limitations and future considerations

The calculator's effectiveness will likely hinge on the precision of its underlying emissions data and the readiness of sponsors to alter trial designs based on carbon-related information.

Pharmaceutical companies must find a balance between reducing emissions and meeting regulatory requirements, ensuring patient access and maintaining scientific validity. These factors might restrict the practical use of measures designed to save carbon.

The tool does not appear to calculate Scope 3 emissions from supply chains beyond the immediate trial operations, which could account for a large part of the total carbon footprint.

There are also questions about whether strategies for carbon reduction could unintentionally affect the diversity of trial participants or access to trials, particularly if they deter patient involvement that requires travel to specific sites.

Nevertheless, the initiative signals an increasing acknowledgement within the contract research sector that environmental sustainability is set to become a standard element in the design and execution of clinical trials.