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Clinical Research Organisations (CROs) play a crucial role in bringing medical innovations from the lab to the clinic. They manage the many moving parts of clinical trials, from protocol design and ethics submissions to regulatory approvals and data management. Yet, for many sponsors, working with CROs can be a mixed experience: slow timelines, limited communication, and rigid structures often get in the way of meaningful collaboration.
That’s where Ascend CRO steps in with a fresh perspective. The company offers a boutique CRO service designed to deliver a more productive sponsor–CRO relationship and trial execution. Many of its executive team have been on the sponsor side themselves and understand exactly what sponsors want and need in a CRO+ partnership. “We like to say we’re the CRO for those who don’t like working with CROs,” said Joseph Panetta, Chief Marketing Officer at Ascend CRO, in conversation with MedTech World.
Ascend provides all the traditional CRO services, and then some. Their suite extends beyond clinical trial operations to include protocol development, ethics submissions, multinational regulatory support, therapy development, clinical field services, and even in-country sponsor support to help clients tap into Australia’s government tax incentives.
Ascend’s strength lies in how closely it works with both sponsors and research sites. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, the team focuses on building strategies around each sponsor’s commercial and scientific goals.
“We’ve spent decades forming deep relationships within the APAC region, with investigators, ethics committees, and site staff, and those relationships fuel everything we do,” Panetta explained.
“We work with sponsors to strategically target the sites and investigators that can actually deliver the patients and data they need, based on the study’s end goals.”
This close-knit, boutique model allows Ascend to stay nimble and results-driven. The numbers speak for themselves: 95% of Ascend’s sponsors reach their next milestone, whether that’s securing funding, advancing to the next study phase, or obtaining indication approval. And when it comes to budgeting, Panetta added, “We are never more than 5% off from the initial budget we deliver.”
In the last year alone, Ascend managed 25 trials for 14 sponsors across four countries, all with a team of just 20 staff members.
Australasia is quickly becoming a sought-after destination for MedTech clinical research. Several factors contribute to this rise.
First, research is embedded in physician training and incentives across the region, which naturally drives engagement in clinical studies. Secondly, there’s the financial advantage, between the favourable exchange rate for the Australian dollar and a 43.5% government tax rebate, conducting a US$300,000 trial in Australia could cost less than US$178,000.
Most importantly, the FDA recognises Australia as a “Centre of Excellence”, meaning data generated there is considered Tier 1 quality, a major advantage for companies planning to submit to global regulatory bodies.
“Australia’s regulatory framework closely mirrors the FDA’s, making it clear, predictable, and efficient,” said Panetta. “And with a diverse patient population, world-class infrastructure, and no language barrier, the region consistently outperforms others in patient recruitment and outcomes.”
Despite these strengths, many global sponsors still overlook Australasia, not due to misconceptions, but a lack of awareness.
“First-time CEOs or clinical affairs leaders often don’t realise the range of advantages the region offers, from world-class animal labs to robust First-in-Human (FIH) and Pivotal Trial capabilities,” said Panetta.
“As a result, they default to more familiar but often more expensive or slower regions.”
Ascend is helping bridge that gap, not just by delivering trials but by educating sponsors about why Australasia deserves a closer look.
Looking ahead, Panetta sees AI and robotics playing an increasing role in Australasia’s clinical research scene. “Australia is a large country with many remote towns and underserved patient populations,” he said.
“We’re working with sponsors using technology to democratise healthcare, improving access, speeding up diagnosis, and enhancing procedural precision. The next generation of MedTech will build on what exists today, not replace it.”
At MedTech Malta 2025, Panetta will moderate the panel “Australasia: A Clinical Research Destination,” alongside seasoned clinical affairs executives. The discussion will centre around what he calls the five Ps: Process, Predictability, Pace, Pricing, and People, all key to understanding what makes the region such an attractive hub for research.
And what’s he most looking forward to at the event? “Learning about all the new technologies in the pipeline,” he said. “That’s always the best part: seeing what’s next.”
For global MedTech innovators eager to explore opportunities in Australasia, Panetta keeps the advice simple: “Talk to us. If Ascend isn’t the right fit, we’ll point you in the right direction.”
MedTech Malta serves as a platform for meaningful conversations, bringing together leaders, innovators, and visionaries who are advancing healthcare. Book your ticket now, if you haven’t already.
