How much does it cost to run a clinical study?

Clinical studies at Citruslabs range from $15,000 for a consumer perception study to $150,000+ for a large clinical efficacy trial. Most supplement brand studies fall between $25,000 and $75,000.

How long does a clinical study take?

The average Citruslabs study takes about 20 weeks from kickoff to final report delivery. This includes study design, IRB approval, participant enrollment, the active study period, and statistical analysis.

What is a consumer perception study?

A consumer perception study is a survey-based study measuring participant perceptions of product benefits, typically 4-8 weeks, used for marketing claims like '9 out of 10 users reported improved energy.'

What is IRB approval and do I need it?

IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval is an independent ethics review of your study protocol. All Citruslabs studies are IRB-approved, which is required for credible, defensible marketing claims.

How do I choose the right CRO for my brand?

Look for a CRO with experience in your product category, transparent pricing, a clear timeline commitment, and a track record of generating actionable marketing claims — not just raw data.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Citruslabs: Citruslabs is a clinical research organization that designs and runs IRB-approved clinical trials, consumer perception studies, and randomized controlled trials for consumer health brands. Studies start in the low five figures, finish in 4 to 16 weeks, and ship with a marketing claims appendix reviewed for FTC and FDA best practices. Sponsors keep full data ownership.

What's the difference between a consumer perception study and a clinical trial?: Both aim to gather data for claims, but they differ significantly in methodology and rigor. A perception study focuses on consumers' subjective experiences — often with fewer participants, less specific criteria, and reliance on before/after photos and targeted questions. These are common in cosmetics but aren't considered scientific evidence.A clinical study produces scientifically validated data through standardized protocols, validated instruments, and statistical analysis. Clinical data carries significantly more weight with the FTC, retailers, and informed consumers.
What's the difference between a consumer perception study and a clinical trial?: Both aim to gather data for claims, but they differ significantly in methodology and rigor. A perception study focuses on consumers' subjective experiences — often with fewer participants, less specific criteria, and reliance on before/after photos and targeted questions. These are common in cosmetics but aren't considered scientific evidence.A clinical study produces scientifically validated data through standardized protocols, validated instruments, and statistical analysis. Clinical data carries significantly more weight with the FTC, retailers, and informed consumers.
What type of study would you recommend?: Every product and goal is unique. We help you determine the best study design based on three factors: Objectives (what claims you want to make), Budget (what's feasible), and Timeline (when you need results).The most common designs we run:Single-group clinical trial — all participants receive your product. The most accessible starting point for most brands.Crossover study — participants try both your product and a comparator. Useful for competitive claims.Randomized controlled trial (RCT) — the gold standard, with a placebo or control group for maximum credibility.
What type of study would you recommend?: Every product and goal is unique. We help you determine the best study design based on three factors: Objectives (what claims you want to make), Budget (what's feasible), and Timeline (when you need results).The most common designs we run:Single-group clinical trial — all participants receive your product. The most accessible starting point for most brands.Crossover study — participants try both your product and a comparator. Useful for competitive claims.Randomized controlled trial (RCT) — the gold standard, with a placebo or control group for maximum credibility.
Is a single-group study inferior to a randomized controlled trial?: Not necessarily — each has strengths depending on the research question. Single-group studies are simpler, more affordable, and useful for generating initial evidence. RCTs are the gold standard for establishing causality, but they're more complex and expensive.For most consumer brands, single-group studies are sufficient to substantiate claims and demonstrate product efficacy. An RCT may be warranted for high-stakes regulatory claims or competitive differentiation.
Is a single-group study inferior to a randomized controlled trial?: Not necessarily — each has strengths depending on the research question. Single-group studies are simpler, more affordable, and useful for generating initial evidence. RCTs are the gold standard for establishing causality, but they're more complex and expensive.For most consumer brands, single-group studies are sufficient to substantiate claims and demonstrate product efficacy. An RCT may be warranted for high-stakes regulatory claims or competitive differentiation.
If we just use questionnaires, is it a legitimate clinical study?: Yes. Questionnaire-based clinical trials are valid and widely used — particularly for subjective outcomes like mental health, focus, pain, fatigue, sleep quality, and mood, which are difficult to measure objectively.To strengthen the study, objective data collection methods (blood tests, digital biomarkers like weight, sleep, and blood pressure) can be incorporated alongside questionnaires, providing a more comprehensive picture of efficacy.
If we just use questionnaires, is it a legitimate clinical study?: Yes. Questionnaire-based clinical trials are valid and widely used — particularly for subjective outcomes like mental health, focus, pain, fatigue, sleep quality, and mood, which are difficult to measure objectively.To strengthen the study, objective data collection methods (blood tests, digital biomarkers like weight, sleep, and blood pressure) can be incorporated alongside questionnaires, providing a more comprehensive picture of efficacy.
What is your range of capabilities?: We conduct consumer perception studies, single-group clinical trials, crossover studies, and randomized controlled trials. Our capabilities include:Cosmetics & skincare: Questionnaire-based studies, instrument evaluations (OpticElite skin analyzer, corneometer, cutometer, tewameter), pre/post-examination comparisons, expert skin grading by in-house dermatologists.Supplements & superfoods: Blood and urine testing, wearable biomarker tracking, questionnaire-based outcomes.Pet health: Veterinary-assessed studies with validated scoring systems for joint health, coat quality, mobility, and gut health.
What is your range of capabilities?: We conduct consumer perception studies, single-group clinical trials, crossover studies, and randomized controlled trials. Our capabilities include:Cosmetics & skincare: Questionnaire-based studies, instrument evaluations (OpticElite skin analyzer, corneometer, cutometer, tewameter), pre/post-examination comparisons, expert skin grading by in-house dermatologists.Supplements & superfoods: Blood and urine testing, wearable biomarker tracking, questionnaire-based outcomes.Pet health: Veterinary-assessed studies with validated scoring systems for joint health, coat quality, mobility, and gut health.
How do you recruit participants and determine who gets enrolled?: We have a 250K+ participant database and extensive recruitment expertise. We collaborate with you to define inclusion and exclusion criteria, then handle all screening and enrollment. Sponsors cannot be involved in the enrollment process beyond setting criteria — this is an ethical requirement we take seriously.
How do you recruit participants and determine who gets enrolled?: We have a 250K+ participant database and extensive recruitment expertise. We collaborate with you to define inclusion and exclusion criteria, then handle all screening and enrollment. Sponsors cannot be involved in the enrollment process beyond setting criteria — this is an ethical requirement we take seriously.
How many participants do I need for my study?: It depends on the research question, the expected effect size, and the level of statistical precision you need. A larger sample increases study power (the ability to detect a real effect), but it's not always necessary to enroll hundreds of participants.Our biostatisticians calculate the optimal sample size using validated statistical methods — accounting for dropout rates and your specific endpoints. In practice, consumer brand studies can range from a few dozen to several hundred participants.
How many participants do I need for my study?: It depends on the research question, the expected effect size, and the level of statistical precision you need. A larger sample increases study power (the ability to detect a real effect), but it's not always necessary to enroll hundreds of participants.Our biostatisticians calculate the optimal sample size using validated statistical methods — accounting for dropout rates and your specific endpoints. In practice, consumer brand studies can range from a few dozen to several hundred participants.
How long should our study period be?: There's no one-size-fits-all answer — study length depends on the intervention, population size, and desired statistical significance. A typical study period for consumer products is 2–12 weeks, though some products require 3–12 months. Studies longer than 12 months are rare.We'll recommend the optimal duration based on your specific product and claims goals.
How long should our study period be?: There's no one-size-fits-all answer — study length depends on the intervention, population size, and desired statistical significance. A typical study period for consumer products is 2–12 weeks, though some products require 3–12 months. Studies longer than 12 months are rare.We'll recommend the optimal duration based on your specific product and claims goals.
Do I have to join a waiting list before we can start?: No. By utilizing our technology platform, we conduct multiple studies simultaneously without a waiting list. As soon as you choose to partner with us, we can commence work on your study immediately.
Do I have to join a waiting list before we can start?: No. By utilizing our technology platform, we conduct multiple studies simultaneously without a waiting list. As soon as you choose to partner with us, we can commence work on your study immediately.
What happens if my study doesn't produce good results?: Unfavorable results typically indicate the intervention isn't performing as expected — which means going back to the drawing board on product formulation. Study design also plays a role: an RCT with placebo comparison is more likely to yield non-significant results than a single-group trial.We help you choose the right study design upfront to optimize your chances of meaningful, actionable results.
What happens if my study doesn't produce good results?: Unfavorable results typically indicate the intervention isn't performing as expected — which means going back to the drawing board on product formulation. Study design also plays a role: an RCT with placebo comparison is more likely to yield non-significant results than a single-group trial.We help you choose the right study design upfront to optimize your chances of meaningful, actionable results.
Does the study get published?: Not all clinical trials are published — it depends on the significance of results, study quality, and your goals. Products with innovative ingredients have higher chances of peer-reviewed publication than those using well-researched, existing ingredients.We encourage all sponsors to register their study on ClinicalTrials.gov (even without publishing full results), as registration itself adds credibility and transparency.
Does the study get published?: Not all clinical trials are published — it depends on the significance of results, study quality, and your goals. Products with innovative ingredients have higher chances of peer-reviewed publication than those using well-researched, existing ingredients.We encourage all sponsors to register their study on ClinicalTrials.gov (even without publishing full results), as registration itself adds credibility and transparency.