Recent advances in veterinary science mean that pharma companies can reap the benefits of health-related quality of life (HRQL) surveys and electronic data capture (EDC) for animal clinical trials, as well as those targeted at the human drug market. In the context of clinical trials, scientific standards demand a degree of consistency, characterised by well-defined measurement using standardised instruments. According to Jacky Reid, BVMS, PhD, DVA, DipECVAA MRCA, MRCVS, founding director and CEO of NewMetrica, as well as providing a more complete picture of the animals’ true experience, this has potentially huge implications for the outcomes, effectiveness and costbenefit profile of trials.