In the ICT Summer 2026 edition, Clinilabs Executive Chairperson Gary Zammit, PhD (featured on page 17), explores why neurology clinical trials continue to experience some of the highest failure rates in drug development. While scientific challenges are often cited as the primary cause, Dr. Zammit argues that operational execution is frequently the true differentiator between success and failure. The article examines critical challenges including patient recruitment and eligibility, placebo response, rater variability, protocol complexity, project management, and data integrity, all of which can significantly affect study outcomes, timelines, and costs. Clinilabs believes operational excellence is achievable and can be strengthened through standardized processes, proactive risk management, rigorous training, cross-functional collaboration, and a culture of accountability. As CNS and Alzheimer’s disease research becomes increasingly complex, sponsors must invest as strategically in people, processes, and systems as they do in scientific innovation. The key takeaway: advancing successful neurological therapies requires not only groundbreaking science, but also operational rigor and disciplined execution.
