Altasciences Earns EcoVadis Gold Medal for ESG Excellence, Placing Among Top 5% of Global Companies
Altasciences, a leading contract research organization (CRO) dedicated to providing comprehensive drug development solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, has proudly announced that it has received a Gold Medal in sustainability from EcoVadis. This achievement places the company in the 96th percentile and among the top 5% of more than 130,000 companies evaluated worldwide, underscoring its commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and sound governance practices.
This recognition not only highlights Altasciences’ dedication to sustainability but also cements its reputation as a trusted partner in the life sciences sector, where operational responsibility and ethical practices are increasingly recognized as critical components of long-term business success.
Understanding the EcoVadis Recognition
EcoVadis is widely regarded as the world’s most reliable and trusted provider of business sustainability ratings. It evaluates companies across a range of industries using a robust, evidence-based methodology that measures the depth and effectiveness of an organization’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.
The assessment process is comprehensive and rigorous, designed to hold organizations accountable while promoting continuous improvement. Companies are evaluated across four key categories:
- Environment – Measuring policies, practices, and performance related to energy use, carbon emissions, resource conservation, and climate action strategies.
- Labor and Human Rights – Evaluating employee welfare, workplace diversity and inclusion, health and safety, and respect for international human rights standards.
- Ethics – Assessing governance structures, anti-corruption practices, transparency, and integrity across business operations.
- Sustainable Procurement – Reviewing how companies manage supply chains to ensure responsible sourcing, supplier engagement, and long-term sustainability alignment.
In each of these areas, Altasciences earned scores above 75 out of 100, positioning the company significantly above industry averages. This achievement reflects consistent effort across multiple fronts rather than success in a single domain.
Leadership Reflections on the Milestone
Commenting on the award, David Grégoire, Chief Quality and Compliance Officer at Altasciences, emphasized the significance of this recognition:
“We have made great strides in our ESG initiatives, and these scores demonstrate our team’s hard work and commitment to ESG principles and a sustainable future. At Altasciences, responsibility is a guiding value, and the results from EcoVadis reflect how deeply this is embedded in our culture and daily operations.”
Grégoire’s remarks capture the company’s philosophy: sustainability and governance are not treated as check-the-box compliance requirements, but rather as core elements of its identity as a modern, ethical life sciences partner.
A 30% Improvement in One Year
One of the most remarkable aspects of Altasciences’ achievement is the substantial improvement in its sustainability rating. From 2024 to 2025, the company increased its EcoVadis score by 30%, a leap that reflects both accelerated implementation of new initiatives and the strengthening of existing programs.
The year-over-year improvement demonstrates a sustained organizational focus on ESG rather than a short-term campaign. It also positions Altasciences as a fast-moving company that recognizes the importance of aligning with evolving global standards, such as those set by the United Nations Global Compact and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Commitment to the United Nations Global Compact
Altasciences is a committed participant in the UN Global Compact, a voluntary initiative based on CEO commitments to implement universal sustainability principles. By joining this global network, Altasciences has pledged to uphold and advance principles in the areas of:
- Human Rights – Protecting and respecting fundamental rights throughout its workforce and partnerships.
- Labor Standards – Upholding fair employment practices and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) across operations.
- Environmental Stewardship – Taking action to minimize environmental impact, reduce emissions, and conserve natural resources.
- Anti-Corruption – Promoting transparent governance and maintaining zero tolerance for corruption, bribery, or unethical practices.
This alignment with the UN Global Compact reflects Altasciences’ ambition to contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable and equitable world—an increasingly important expectation for global CROs that serve multinational pharmaceutical clients.
Advancing Science-Based Targets for Emissions Reductions
In addition to its work with EcoVadis and the UN Global Compact, Altasciences has committed to aligning its emissions reduction efforts with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company is working toward achieving science-based emission reductions by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement’s climate objectives.
This commitment requires Altasciences to not only reduce direct emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) but also to consider its indirect footprint across the supply chain (Scope 3). For a company heavily engaged in laboratory and clinical operations—both energy-intensive sectors—this goal represents a meaningful and ambitious step toward climate responsibility.
Integrating ESG into Operations
Altasciences’ approach to ESG is holistic and embedded throughout the organization. The company has adopted a philosophy that integrates sustainability into the very fabric of its daily business operations. Examples of its initiatives include:
- Sustainable Facilities – Implementation of energy-efficient systems, reduced reliance on single-use materials, and investments in green infrastructure across research and development sites.
- Employee Well-Being – Programs designed to enhance safety, inclusion, mental health, and professional development opportunities for all staff.
- Ethical Governance – Transparent oversight structures, accountability measures, and compliance systems to uphold industry-leading standards of integrity.
- Responsible Supply Chains – Partnering with vendors and suppliers that meet strict sustainability and ethical sourcing criteria.
By adopting this integrated approach, Altasciences ensures that ESG is not a peripheral initiative but a core business strategy that drives both corporate growth and positive societal impact.
Industry Context: Why ESG Matters in Drug Development
The pharmaceutical and biotech industries are uniquely positioned at the intersection of science, public health, and social responsibility. As such, contract research organizations like Altasciences have a dual obligation: delivering high-quality research outcomes while ensuring ethical and sustainable business practices.
Clients increasingly expect CROs to demonstrate strong ESG commitments, both to mitigate risks and to align with the growing demands of regulators, investors, and patients. Receiving the EcoVadis Gold Medal sends a clear message to current and prospective partners that Altasciences operates with integrity and accountability at every stage of collaboration.
About Altasciences
For more than 30 years, Altasciences has served as a trusted partner to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, offering integrated and flexible solutions to accelerate drug development. The company’s portfolio of services spans:
- Preclinical Safety Testing – Ensuring the safety of drug candidates through robust laboratory evaluations.
- Clinical Pharmacology and Proof of Concept Studies – Supporting the transition from laboratory research to clinical application.
- Bioanalysis – Providing advanced analytical services to measure and validate drug properties.
- Program Management and Research Support – Coordinating complex studies and managing sponsor relationships effectively.
- Medical Writing and Biostatistics – Delivering high-quality data interpretation and documentation.
- Clinical Monitoring and Data Management – Overseeing trial integrity and ensuring compliance with global standards.
This integrated service model allows sponsors to make faster, better-informed decisions during early-stage drug development. By combining scientific expertise with operational excellence—and now recognized ESG leadership—Altasciences is uniquely positioned to help get life-changing drugs to patients more efficiently and responsibly.
The EcoVadis Gold Medal is both a recognition of past efforts and a springboard for future initiatives. Altasciences has signaled that it will continue investing in programs that enhance sustainability, strengthen governance, and protect the rights and well-being of people across its operations and supply chain.
As sustainability becomes a defining factor in how life sciences organizations are evaluated, Altasciences’ achievement places it in a leadership position among global CROs. By combining its scientific mission with ESG principles, the company not only strengthens its competitive advantage but also contributes to a healthier, more sustainable future.
Altasciences’ recognition with the EcoVadis Gold Medal for ESG excellence marks a significant milestone in its journey toward responsible and sustainable growth. Achieving placement in the top 5% of companies evaluated worldwide reflects the strength of its integrated ESG strategy and the dedication of its global team.
Through its commitments to the UN Global Compact, the Science Based Targets initiative, and continuous operational improvements, Altasciences demonstrates that corporate responsibility and scientific innovation are not mutually exclusive—but rather, mutually reinforcing.
As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, Altasciences’ achievement reinforces its role not just as a trusted partner in drug development, but also as a leader in shaping a more sustainable and ethical future for healthcare innovation.
