Thermo Fisher Launches Carbon Calculator for Clinical Trials

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched a carbon calculator designed to help pharmaceutical companies quantify and reduce the environmental impact of their clinical trials.

The Clinical Trial Carbon Calculator, developed by the company's PPD clinical research business, provides an open-access framework for estimating emissions across every phase of a study.

The tool arrives as the industry faces growing scrutiny over the carbon footprint of clinical development, with research indicating that a single large Phase 3 trial can generate up to 3,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent gases – comparable to the annual emissions of 176 Americans.

When scaled across the global clinical pipeline, the industry's collective carbon footprint rivals that of small nations such as the British Virgin Islands or Turks and Caicos.

How Thermo Fisher is quantifying the problem

The calculator assesses emissions from multiple sources including investigational product manufacturing, patient travel, laboratory sample processing and site operations.

"As an industry committed to improving human health, we also have a responsibility to protect the planet," explains Michael J. Cohen, Senior Director of Environmental Sustainability at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

"Our new Carbon Calculator gives sponsors the insights they need to make data-driven, sustainable choices in trial design, before the waste and fossil fuels are burned."

By breaking down emissions by activity, the tool enables sponsors to identify high-impact "carbon hotspots" and compare different study designs for CO₂ efficiency.

The company suggests that decentralised or hybrid trial models – incorporating remote monitoring and virtual visits – could significantly reduce emissions tied to travel and on-site activity.

How to decarbonise science as a sector

The launch reflects broader pressure on the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors to address their environmental impact.

Clinical trials have historically prioritised patient safety and data integrity, with sustainability considerations taking a back seat to regulatory compliance and scientific rigour.

However, as healthcare systems globally commit to net zero targets and investors increase focus on environmental, social and governance criteria, pharmaceutical companies face mounting expectations to reduce their operational carbon footprint.

The tool's open-access nature suggests Thermo Fisher is positioning itself to shape industry standards around clinical trial sustainability metrics, rather than keeping the methodology proprietary.

"Sustainability in clinical development is a shared challenge that demands shared solutions," Michael says.

"By helping our customers start to understand the material sources of their carbon impact, we're equipping them with the information needed to make a change, ensuring the way we advance medicine also protects the world we live in."

"I’m proud to be part of a company that’s leading the way in helping our customers advance medicine while protecting the world we live in," adds Kellie Walker, Communications Manager at Thermo Fisher.

The practical limitations of the carbon calculator initiative

The calculator's effectiveness will depend on several factors, including the accuracy of the underlying emissions data and sponsors' willingness to modify trial designs based on carbon considerations.

Pharmaceutical companies must balance emissions reduction with regulatory requirements, patient access and scientific validity – factors that may limit the practical application of carbon-saving measures.

The tool does not appear to address Scope 3 emissions from supply chains beyond direct trial operations, which could represent a significant portion of the total carbon footprint.

Questions also remain about whether carbon reduction strategies might inadvertently impact trial diversity or access, particularly if they discourage patient participation requiring travel to specialised sites.

Nevertheless, the launch signals growing recognition within the contract research sector that environmental sustainability will become a standard consideration in clinical trial design and execution.