Strategic CRO Automation: $50M+ Annual Savings for a Global CRO

Client

A Global Force in Clinical Research

The client is one of the world’s leading clinical research organizations (CROs), trusted by pharma and biotech innovators to run trials that shape the future of medicine. With a global footprint, a commitment to scientific excellence, and relentless focus on speed and safety, the organization was poised for a digital leap.

By 2018, they knew they couldn’t scale innovation without transforming operations, and automation in clinical trials was key. But ambition alone wouldn’t get them there. They needed a partner who could match their pace, understand the complexities of clinical operations, and deliver value—fast.

Challenge

Disconnected Systems, Derailed Progress

The CRO launched a comprehensive enterprise-wide automation program to improve cost-efficiency and streamline operations. But soon, progress stalled.

Here’s what they were up against:

• Their internal Center of Excellence (CoE) couldn’t scale to meet enterprise needs
• Different business units used disconnected technologies and siloed processes
• There was no unified governance model or strategic roadmap
• And worst of all, automation wasn’t aligned with broader business goals

What started as a promising initiative risked becoming just another IT program without meaningful outcomes.

That’s when they turned to Hexaware.

Solution

Automation with Intent, Intelligence, and Impact

Hexaware, a trusted partner for over 15 years, stepped in—not just to fix what was broken, but to reimagine what was possible. Our team brought not just tools, but a transformation mindset: one rooted in domain expertise, scalable frameworks, and the power of AI.

Together, we deployed over 50 automation projects across:

• 3 global business units
• 6 regional business units
• Multiple corporate functions

Here’s what made the difference:

• Task-level automation to streamline repeatable, manual processes
• Business process automation using RPA, APIs, and Python—designed for flexibility and speed
• Advanced cognitive automation with AI, ML, NLP, OCR, and deep learning—powering complex decision-making
• Generative AI applications to accelerate clinical trial management, optimize IT operations, and elevate service delivery

Crucially, every solution was grounded in a multi-year roadmap, tightly aligned to enterprise strategy, with clear KPIs to measure success. No wasted cycles. No siloed efforts. Just intelligent automation—designed for impact.

Benefits

Real Cost Savings, Real Sustainability, Real Scale

The transformation had a massive impact—and even bigger numbers.

• $50M+ in annualized savings across business units
• 50+ automation projects delivered across global and regional teams
• Elimination of legacy systems and redundant processes
• Faster decision-making and accelerated operations
• Lower carbon footprint, contributing to long-term sustainability goals

Summary

Driving Efficiency, Fueling Sustainability

What began as a stalled automation effort turned into a multi-million-dollar success story. Hexaware’s AI-first approach and deep clinical domain knowledge delivered enterprise-wide automation, cutting $50M+ in costs, and building for the future.

This case study is a clear win—operationally, financially, and in the eyes of the life sciences industry.

Want to see what automation at scale really looks like?

Explore our life sciences and healthcare services and let’s talk about how Hexaware can help you unlock millions in savings—with intelligent automation designed to move your business forward. Contact us now.