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Sustainability in Clinical Trials: How ISS Nexus Reduces Waste and Optimizes Resources

Updated: Oct 10



As the world moves toward a more sustainable future, industries are increasingly being called upon to reduce waste, optimize resources, and lower their environmental footprint. The pharmaceutical and biotech sectors are no exception. While clinical trials are vital for developing life-saving treatments, they can also contribute to excess waste, overuse of resources, and inefficient supply chain practices.


At ISS, we believe sustainability and innovation go hand in hand. ISS Nexus empowers clinical trial teams to adopt more sustainable practices by reducing waste, optimizing resource allocation, and creating more environmentally friendly supply chains. Let’s take a closer look at how ISS Nexus drives sustainability in clinical trials.


Reducing Clinical Supply Waste Through Smarter Forecasting


One of the key contributors to waste in clinical trials is over-ordering of supplies. When demand is miscalculated, supplies can sit unused, resulting in significant waste—not just of materials, but also of the energy and resources required to manufacture, store, and eventually dispose of them.


ISS Nexus helps to drastically reduce waste by offering advanced forecasting tools that allow teams to predict supply needs with precision. With real-time data on patient enrollment, trial progression, and site performance, ISS Nexus ensures that clinical teams only order what they need, when they need it. This minimizes the risk of over-ordering and avoids the accumulation of excess, unused materials.


Optimizing Resource Allocation to Minimize Environmental Impact


Clinical trials require extensive coordination across multiple locations, with supplies, personnel, and logistics all needing careful planning. Poor resource management can result in unnecessary energy consumption, excess transportation, and inefficient use of human resources.


ISS Nexus optimizes resource allocation, ensuring that every supply, site, and shipment is used efficiently. By leveraging real-time data, the platform allows teams to synchronize supply chain activities with clinical milestones, avoiding last-minute adjustments that can result in rushed shipments or wasted energy. This precision planning reduces the carbon footprint of trials by making resource use more efficient.


Supporting Green Logistics for Global Trials


Running global clinical trials comes with logistical complexities that, if not managed effectively, can lead to higher emissions and wasted energy. Whether it’s temperature-sensitive shipments, delayed transfers, or excess packaging, inefficient logistics often increase a trial’s environmental impact.


With ISS Nexus, clinical teams have full visibility over their supply chains, allowing them to manage logistics in a way that reduces environmental strain. The platform helps avoid unnecessary shipments by ensuring that supplies are delivered exactly when and where they are needed. Additionally, ISS Nexus supports streamlined routing for temperature-sensitive products, minimizing the need for high-energy cooling during transportation.


Sustainable Packaging and Shipping Practices


Clinical trial supplies often require specialized packaging, especially when dealing with temperature-sensitive products. However, without proper planning, excess packaging can lead to environmental waste and increased energy consumption in shipping.


ISS Nexus tracks shipments and packaging needs to ensure that the right materials are used without excess. By optimizing packaging based on real-time data, the platform helps avoid overuse of materials and reduces the risk of product damage, which would otherwise require reshipment and generate more waste. This level of control helps promote more sustainable packaging and shipping practices across the board.


Conclusion: A Greener Future for Clinical Trials


Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity for industries across the board, including clinical trials. With ISS Nexus, pharmaceutical and biotech companies can take meaningful steps toward reducing their environmental impact while maintaining the precision, efficiency, and compliance required for successful trials.


By minimizing waste, optimizing resource allocation, and supporting sustainable logistics, ISS Nexus enables clinical teams to not only meet their trial goals but also contribute to a more sustainable future. At ISS, we believe that innovation and sustainability should work together to improve both healthcare outcomes and the environment.



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