The global neurology clinical trials market size was valued at USD 5.84 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 8.42 billion by 2030, exhibiting a steady CAGR of 6.39% from 2025 to 2030. This growth is primarily driven by an increasing burden of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, coupled with a rising need for effective therapeutic solutions. The market is witnessing notable expansion as outsourcing models become more prevalent, enabling pharmaceutical and biotech companies to optimize operational costs and enhance research efficiency. Furthermore, the rise of decentralized clinical trials and improvements in digital technologies, such as remote monitoring tools and data management platforms, are streamlining trial processes and enhancing patient participation. Demand for disease-modifying therapies continues to grow, as existing treatments often provide only symptomatic relief rather than addressing underlying neurological damage. Additionally, increased R&D activities are enabling companies to strengthen their expertise, accelerate drug discovery, and introduce innovative molecules into clinical pipelines.

The growing global prevalence of neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and stroke, has significantly increased the requirement for neurology-focused clinical research. With aging populations expanding across developed and emerging economies, age-related neurological conditions are expected to witness a substantial rise, further driving demand for clinical trials. Outsourcing offers significant cost advantages compared to in-house studies, allowing companies to access specialized expertise, advanced infrastructure, and global patient pools, which collectively boost trial productivity. As a result, contract research organizations (CROs) are increasingly becoming strategic partners for sponsors seeking efficient trial execution.

According to an IQVIA research article published in March 2024, CNS drugs represented 14% of the total pipeline and ranked as the second-largest therapeutic segment in active trials. This demonstrates strong development momentum and continued investment in neurology research. For instance, in March 2025, Novartis announced its participation at the American Academy of Neurology, showcasing seven-year disability progression and safety outcomes from the ALITHIOS open-label extension study of Kesimpta (ofatumumab) in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) patients. The company also plans to highlight pipeline candidates such as remibrutinib and iptacopan, reflecting a deep commitment to advancing innovative neurological therapeutics. Ongoing pipeline expansions, continuous trial initiations, and strong commercial focus by leading players are expected to further accelerate industry growth.

Key Market Trends & Insights:

• North America held the largest share of 46.96% in 2024, driven by a high prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases and well-established clinical research infrastructure. Strong regulatory frameworks for drug development, the presence of leading CROs, and increasing government funding for neuroscience research contribute to regional dominance. The U.S. accounted for the largest portion of the regional market due to high clinical trial activity and a strong base of pharmaceutical manufacturers.
• The Asia Pacific neurology clinical trials sector is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Factors such as large patient pools, rising incidence of neurological disorders, improving healthcare research facilities, and lower trial execution costs make APAC an attractive region for clinical study expansion. Aging demographics and lifestyle-induced neurological issues further support future trial growth in countries like China, Japan, and India.
• By phase, Phase III dominated the market with 42.14% revenue share in 2024. This phase typically involves large patient populations and is crucial for assessing long-term safety and efficacy before regulatory approval. Modern approaches like adaptive trial design and targeted recruitments are improving Phase III outcomes and reducing study timelines. Phase I trials are also gaining momentum, driven by the rise in new molecule development and increased interest in early-stage neurological research.
• Based on study design, the interventional segment held the largest revenue share in 2024. These trials include drug-based therapies, surgical interventions, biologics, behavioral treatments, and device-based approaches intended to evaluate direct treatment outcomes in neurological conditions. Meanwhile, observational studies are expected to register significant growth, supported by an increase in real-world patient data monitoring and post-approval surveillance needs.
• By indication, Alzheimer’s disease led the market in 2024 due to a high global patient base and the need for effective disease-modifying treatments. Huntington’s disease is expected to witness significant growth, as focus intensifies on targeted therapies for this rare but severe hereditary disorder marked by cognitive, psychiatric, and motor decline.
• Within the value chain, the in-house segment held the largest share in 2024, supported by the rising number of sponsors especially pharmaceutical companies and academic research institutes preferring to retain core operations internally to maintain direct oversight. However, CROs are expected to experience strong future growth as outsourcing becomes more strategic for cost optimization, global trial reach, and operational scalability.

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Market Size & Forecast:

• 2024 Market Size: USD 5.84 Billion
• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 8.42 Billion
• CAGR (2025-2030): 6.39%
• North America: Largest market in 2024
• Asia Pacific: Fastest growing market

Key Companies & Market Share Insights:

Leading market players are adopting strategies such as collaborations, acquisitions, new trial launches, and geographic expansion to strengthen their competitive presence. In April 2024, Alzheon, Inc. initiated dosing of the first participant in the long-term extension of the APOLLOE4 Phase 3 trial. The trial investigates ALZ-801/valiltramiprosate, a 265 mg oral tablet administered twice daily for early-stage Alzheimer’s patients carrying two APOE4 alleles. Targeting mild cognitive impairment and mild AD populations, this trial highlights the focus on precision-based neurological therapeutics. The continuous development of novel therapeutics and progressing trial pipelines is expected to significantly support market growth in the years ahead.

Key Players

• Syneos Health
• Icon Plc
• Lindus Health
• AbbVie
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Aurora Healthcare
• Labcorp Drug Development
• Pfizer
• AstraZeneca
• Biogen
• Eli Lilly
• Alzheon
• GAP Network
• BDD Pharma
• Re:Cognition Health

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Conclusion:

The neurology clinical trials market is poised for consistent expansion, supported by rising neurological disease prevalence and increasing demand for effective, disease-modifying therapies. Growing R&D investments, coupled with advancements in trial technology and a shift toward outsourcing, continue to accelerate drug development pipelines. Regional momentum remains strong, particularly in North America, while Asia Pacific is emerging rapidly as a high-potential hub for cost-efficient and large-scale clinical testing. The dominance of interventional studies and Phase III trials reflects the industry's focus on validating treatment efficacy and achieving regulatory approval. As major companies advance innovative molecules and strengthen collaboration networks, the market is expected to see sustained growth over the coming years, improving therapeutic outcomes for patients worldwide.