Musculoskeletal Disorders

In musculoskeletal research, you need deep expertise. At NBCD, it’s all we do.

Understanding Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide and are among the leading causes of disability and reduced quality of life. These disorders include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic back pain, and other degenerative or inflammatory conditions – many of which have limited treatment options and high unmet need.

As populations age and the burden of these disorders grows, the demand for new and effective therapies is accelerating. But advancing treatments in this field requires more than operational support – it demands deep therapeutic understanding, scientific precision, and a partner who knows the complexities inside and out.

And that’s where NBCD comes in.

NBCD

Leading the Way

At NBCD, musculoskeletal research is all we do. We specialize exclusively in the design and execution of clinical trials for musculoskeletal disorders, bringing together decades of experience, scientific leadership, and operational excellence.

We help sponsors navigate the complexity of the trials, and deliver high-quality, efficient studies – whether you’re developing symptom relief, DMOADs, or novel mechanisms of action.

Key Indications

Navigating the Complexity

Clinical trials for musculoskeletal disorders come with a unique set of challenges – from slow disease progression and placebo response to regulatory uncertainty and long timelines. Designing effective, efficient studies requires both scientific depth and operational precision.

Common barriers include:

  • Subtle disease progression that makes efficacy harder to demonstrate
  • Ambiguity around disease-modifying claims and imaging endpoints
  • High patient variability and complex inclusion criteria
  • Recruitment challenges, particularly for early-stage patients
  • Pressure to meet timelines and fixed-budget expectations

 

At NBCD, we work closely with sponsors to navigate these complexities – combining indication-specific trial design, risk-based monitoring, and deep therapeutic expertise to drive better outcomes.

Osteoarthritis

A Global Burden

Osteoarthritis is the most common musculoskeletal disorder, affecting over 500 million people worldwide. As a progressive, painful condition with no current cure, it remains one of the most urgent areas in clinical research.

NBCD is the most experienced CRO in osteoarthritis clinical development—having conducted more OA trials than any other CRO globally. We bring unmatched knowledge of endpoints, biomarkers, trial methodology, and regulatory expectations—ensuring every study is designed for success and impact.