Within the WIRB-Copernicus Group (WCG) family of companies, our subject matter experts are always watching regulatory and practice trends. Their observations, combined with a deep understanding of the science and practice of clinical research, provide the basis for our strategic planning. In this way, we support both our biopharma partners and our institutional partners to be prepared for not only what’s happening in clinical research now, but what’s going to happen in the future. In this paper, some of our thought-leaders provide their insights on what they are watching for and what they anticipate in 2017 in clinical trial technology, regulatory changes, and scientific developments.