Sydney, Australia – 24 June 2025: Contract Research Organization (CRO) supporting biotech and pharma companies globally, has officially won the “APAC CRO of the Year 2025” award by Medhealth Outlook.

The APAC award is a distinguished honor that recognizes the company’s excellence, innovation, and significant contributions to the medical and scientific fields throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

“This award is a reflection of the incredible talent and commitment across our team,” said David Lloyd, Founder & Managing Director of Southern Star Research. “We’re proud to support our clients in bringing important therapies to patients faster, while upholding the highest standards of quality and ethics.”

With ongoing innovations and technological advancements, the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors are steadily advancing the development of new therapies.

For many biotechs, the ability to conduct high-quality trials in a timely manner is critical to success. In this context, Southern Star Research has been recognised with the APAC CRO of the Year 2025 Award for its strong commitment to innovation, responsiveness, and scientific integrity.

Southern Star Research was founded in 2010 as a specialist team conducting cardiovascular trials in Australia. Over time, it has grown into a full-service Contract Research Organization (CRO) with an established presence across the Asia-Pacific region and a growing footprint in North America. The company is increasingly recognised for its contributions to global clinical research.

Southern Star Research offers comprehensive support across more than 35 therapeutic areas, providing end-to-end clinical trial services including project management, monitoring, regulatory strategy, medical writing, biostatistics, pharmacovigilance, and data management.

What sets Southern Star apart is its ability to compress clinical timelines while maintaining scientific and regulatory integrity. Each trial is tailored to the sponsor’s objectives, with thoughtful consideration of budget, recruitment strategies, and regulatory pathways. “We aren’t just ticking boxes—we’re designing trials strategically around real-world challenges,” added CEO Lloyd Prescott. “With decades of combined experience, our team is able to proactively manage risk and adapt quickly.”

A key driver of efficiency is the company’s use of Australia’s Clinical Trial Notification (CTN) scheme—an expedited regulatory pathway that enables trials to begin within weeks. Paired with generous R&D tax incentives, this framework makes Australia an attractive destination for U.S.-based biotech firms looking to generate quality data early.

Southern Star is especially experienced in supporting small to mid-sized biotechs. Its operating model is designed for agility and value, applying automation and workflow optimization to eliminate unnecessary steps. “We know the challenges small companies face,” said Rick Taylor, CFO. “Our approach supports sponsors from early-phase studies through to global multi-site trials—efficiently, compliantly, and collaboratively.”

With a focus on real-time communication and proactive project oversight, Southern Star enables sponsors to stay in control and adapt protocols as new insights emerge. This flexibility is critical in complex and evolving areas such as oncology, neurology, cardiovascular, and rare diseases—where the company continues to make a meaningful impact.

About Southern Star Research:

Southern Star Research is a full-service CRO dedicated to navigating the complexities of bringing new medical products to market. With a legacy of excellence that began 14 years ago in Sydney, we have grown from a small, passionate team into a global network of experts committed to delivering high-quality services in medical writing, clinical monitoring, project management, biostatistics, data management, safety and medical monitoring, and quality assurance.

Southern Star Research has been recognized for its outstanding contributions to the field, winning prestigious awards such as the Great Place to Work in Australia in 2024 and 2025, APAC CRO of the Year 2025, and the Frost and Sullivan 2024 Asia-Pacific Competitive Strategy Leadership Award. Our international team continues to deliver innovative clinical trial solutions across diverse therapeutic areas, ensuring the success of every study we manage.

APAC CRO of the Year 2025:

In recognition of this vision and the consistently outstanding results it delivers, Southern Star Research has been honored with the APAC CRO of the Year 2025 Award. This prestigious distinction bears testament to the company’s outstanding achievements in clinical research innovation, operational excellence, and client satisfaction across the Asia-Pacific region. This award re-establishes Southern Star’s enduring commitment to transforming clinical research and accelerating the delivery of life-changing medical breakthroughs.

About APAC CRO of the Year Award

The APAC Award stands as a prestigious recognition of excellence, innovation, and impactful contribution in the medical and scientific fields across the Asia-Pacific region. Presented by the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC), the award honors organizations and individuals who exemplify the highest standards in accredited conformity assessments, such – as laboratory testing, certification, inspection, and medical research. APAC supports global acceptance of validated medical and scientific results, significantly reducing the need for duplicate testing and promoting faster access to safe and effective healthcare solutions.

This award not only celebrates operational excellence and innovation but also underscores the crucial role of conformity assessments in enhancing public health, safety, and sustainable development. Further, it enhances the credibility and global integration of medical and clinical research.

As APAC continues its mission to harmonize accreditation practices and support international trade, the APAC Award serves as a symbol of leadership and vision for those driving scientific progress and regulatory trust within the healthcare landscape.