Written by: Paige McGarry, Scientist.com

The recent blog (“5 Key Questions to Ask Before You Launch a Value & Evidence Plan”) we published in June outlines five essential questions every team should ask before launching a Value & Evidence (V&E) plan. It’s a fantastic guide—but what does it actually look like to follow those steps in the real world?

The following 5 case examples illustrate how aligning operational decisions with these five questions can result in measurable impact—from cost savings and faster timelines to improved supplier selection and expanded vendor networks. These are not theoretical best practices—they reflect real outcomes achieved across industry settings when teams take a deliberate, strategic approach to evidence planning and research outsourcing.

1. Who Are the Decision-Makers?

Example: Time Savings Through Early Internal Alignment

By implementing Scientist.com as an Enterprise sourcing solution for Value, Evidence and Access (VEA) services, a large pharma company saved time and money while establishing preferred payments terms.

Impact:

• ~$1.1M in savings across four VEA orders by multi-sourcing instead of single-supplier contracting
• Estimated 388 FTE hours saved annually by centralizing sourcing
• Up to $500K in projected annual savings by shifting away from preferred suppliers with shorter payment terms

2. Which Sourcing Decisions Should Be Timed to Maximize Value?

Example: Multi-Sourcing a Complex Study Cuts Costs by $400K

A researcher launched a complex discrete choice experiment to assess stakeholder preferences in hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite multiple milestones and niche expertise requirements, competitively sourcing the project through Scientist.com led to substantial savings.

Impact:

• ~$400,000 saved by multi-sourcing the project
• 4 distinct proposals received, enabling comparison on price, timeline, and approach

Why speed, access, and strategy matter more than ever in R&D

In this episode of INsights & OUTcomes, Matt McLoughlin, SVP of Compliance & Categories at Scientist.com, explains how today’s researchers are navigating tighter budgets, accelerating timelines, and rising evidence demands.  Listen below!

3. What Supplier Insights Are Needed to Choose the Best Fit?

Example: Multi-Sourcing Enables Confident Supplier Selection

A researcher at a top pharma company submitted a feasibility request for secondary data in lung cancer. Multi-sourcing the request surfaced a wide array of suppliers and datasets that the researcher had not previously considered.

Impact:

• 10+ capable suppliers identified through the platform
• 4 suppliers engaged in direct conversations
• Final supplier selected with confidence based on fit and data expertise

4. When Should You Start Sourcing to Access More Options?

Example: Early Multi-Sourcing Unlocks $600K in Savings and Efficiency
To support global payer submissions for an approved asthma therapeutic, a pharma sponsor needed both a Global Reimbursement Dossier and Global Value Pack. By initiating the request early and opening it to multiple qualified suppliers, the team enabled rapid selection and fast onboarding.

Impact:

• 3 qualified suppliers identified despite complexity
• ~$600,000 saved by selecting the most cost-effective quote
• Project initiated in under 14 days

5. Does Your Sourcing Strategy Support Broader Access and Value Goals?

Example: Market Visibility Through Multi-Sourcing Enables Better Supplier Fit
For a retrospective EU cohort study in ovarian cancer, a pharmaceutical company received six diverse quotes via multi-sourcing. This market insight empowered the team to negotiate more effectively and select a preferred supplier at a lower rate.

Impact:

• 7 capable suppliers surfaced for a high-complexity project
• 6 detailed proposals received
• Final quote negotiated downward, with a ~$650,000 range between lowest and highest bids

Across these five examples alone:.

• Sponsors realized over $2.5 million in direct cost savings
• Identified 30+ capable suppliers, often beyond the preferred vendor list
• Saved hundreds of FTE hours through centralized and efficient sourcing

As research budgets tighten and timelines compress, getting the most out of every research dollar means asking the right questions and choosing sourcing strategies that match your evidence plan. Multi-sourcing isn’t just a procurement tactic—it’s a strategic advantage.

Whether planning an extensive clinical program or a targeted evidence generation study, the questions you ask at the beginning shape the success you see at the end.

How Scientist.com Can Help

Scientist.com is the world’s leading R&D marketplace, used by over 20 of the top 30 global pharma and biotech companies, and with over $150M in HEOR, RWE, and Market Access research sourced. The Value, Evidence, and Access Marketplace was built specifically to connect buyers with trusted HEOR, RWE, and market access service providers—securely and efficiently.

Click the button below to connect with our RWE & HEOR Marketplace specialist today!