Sarah Tucker, Chief Operational Officer at Phastar, explores the evolution of Functional Service Provider (FSP) models in modern drug development, highlighting the shift from headcount-driven outsourcing to performance-led delivery. In this latest article for the Journal of Clinical Studies, she outlines how sponsors are redefining success through measurable outcomes such as cycle time, right-first-time quality, and cost per deliverable.
The piece examines how next-generation FSP models are built on three key pillars: resource optimization, embedded automation, and flexible capacity design. As clinical trials become increasingly complex, data-driven, and globally distributed, Sarah argues that FSP partnerships must move beyond staffing to deliver tangible efficiency, scalability, and strategic value across the development lifecycle.