Our Story
The story of Omega Research began in 1997 in Ankara, when two physicians recognized a scientific need.
Omega Research was established in March 1997 on Güniz Street, one of Ankara's iconic addresses, at a time when clinical research was still an emerging field in Turkey. The corporate culture we carry today as Omega CRO was built upon science, ethical responsibility, methodological rigor, and a commitment to creating lasting value in healthcare.
Our founding story began with the shared vision of two academics at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine: Associate Professor Dr. Murat Hayran, specializing in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, and Associate Professor Dr. Oktay Özdemir, pursuing an academic career in Internal Medicine and Hematology.
The two physicians believed that clinical research was not merely a scientific activity, but a strategic field that directly shapes access to new treatments, patient safety, health policies, and the country's research capacity.
Our Founders' Vision
Doç. Dr. Murat Hayran
Associate Professor Dr. Murat Hayran was one of the pioneering figures who led the understanding, proliferation, and scientific conduct of clinical research in Turkey.
Born in 1960, Dr. Hayran graduated from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 1984. He completed his specialization in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology in 1991. He joined Hacettepe University in 1992 and was appointed associate professor in 1995.
His decision to leave academia in 1997 to establish Omega Research was not merely an entrepreneurial step, but a strong mission to advance Turkey's clinical research ecosystem. Dr. Hayran led numerous clinical phase studies with national and international pharmaceutical companies, as well as epidemiological research.
Dr. Hayran's influence extended far beyond Omega. He served as the founding president of the Association of Contract Research Organizations to unite CROs under a common professional umbrella in Turkey. We remember our founder, who passed away on December 3, 2013, with respect, love, and longing.
Prof. Dr. Oktay Özdemir
Professor Dr. Oktay Özdemir played a decisive role during Omega's founding and development period with his strong analytical approach, interest in research, and scientific problem-solving competence.
A graduate of Ankara Science High School, Özdemir entered Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 1980 as the top-ranked student in the national university entrance exam. He completed his medical education in 1986, then specialized in Internal Medicine and Hematology, rising to associate professor in his academic career.
Having participated in hundreds of projects across clinical research planning, execution, data analysis, and reporting, Prof. Dr. Özdemir combined his academic expertise with an entrepreneurial perspective. In Omega's early years, he contributed to addressing scientific research quality alongside operational competence.
After his tenure at Omega, Prof. Dr. Özdemir founded Yorum Danışmanlık to continue leveraging his expertise in clinical research and biostatistics through independent consulting. We remember Prof. Dr. Oktay Özdemir, who passed away on August 21, 2021, with respect and longing for his contributions to science, research, and Omega's founding.
Pioneering a First in Turkey
From its very first day, Omega did not aim to be merely a project-executing organization. Our goal was to establish a trust-based working model among research sponsors, investigators, hospitals, healthcare professionals, volunteers, and regulatory authorities.
At a time when the CRO concept was not yet widely known in Turkey, we developed the systems, processes, and competencies necessary to manage clinical research in compliance with international standards. We adopted a holistic service approach across critical areas including site selection, field operations, investigator and site training, monitoring, data management, biostatistics, pharmacovigilance, quality assurance, regulatory processes, and final reporting.
The fundamental approach Omega has carried since its founding is this: The success of a clinical study cannot be measured merely by its timely completion. Research must be scientifically sound, conducted in accordance with ethical principles, prioritize participant safety, produce reliable data, and evaluate results in a way that contributes to public health.
With this understanding, Omega began offering clinical and epidemiological research management services to domestic and multinational pharmaceutical companies and various stakeholders in healthcare. Our institution's historical focus has included Phase I–IV clinical trials, observational studies, epidemiological research, and post-marketing field studies.
A Model Bridging Academia to the Field
Omega's founding story is one of bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world needs. This scientific pursuit, which began at Hacettepe University, transformed through the independent structure established on Güniz Street into a sphere of influence reaching research centers, healthcare institutions, researchers, and thousands of participants across Turkey.
This model contributed to clinical research no longer being confined to major cities or a limited number of centers. Through partnerships established with hospitals and researchers in different regions, it became possible to address Turkey's clinical research potential from a broader perspective. Omega's early field network and project management approach played an effective role in developing the country's research capacity.
Our institution also actively participated in epidemiological and observational projects concerning public health, in addition to research supporting drug development processes. These studies created value in understanding disease burden, evaluating the outcomes of treatment approaches in real-world conditions, and planning healthcare services with more accurate data.
A Legacy Carried to Today
Omega CRO today continues its work by carrying the responsibility of the pioneering vision set forth by its founders. The journey that began in 1997 as Turkey's first CRO has grown through experience in comprehensive project management, clinical and epidemiological research, observational studies, and post-marketing research.
Our past has taught us this: Sustainable progress in healthcare is possible not only through innovative products, but through reliable research, strong ethical principles, accurate data, and qualified partnerships. For this reason, Omega upholds scientific quality, regulatory compliance, participant safety, and operational excellence together in every project.
Today, while preserving the entrepreneurial spirit of our earliest days, we are advancing with a structure that adapts to the evolving requirements of clinical research, digitalization, data-driven decision-making processes, and new technologies in life sciences. Our goal is not merely to conduct research. It is to strengthen Turkey's clinical research ecosystem, contribute to health innovations reaching patients more safely and quickly, produce knowledge at international standards, and leave a stronger research infrastructure for future generations.
Omega's story began when two physicians recognized a scientific need in Ankara. Today, this story continues to grow through the collective effort of our researchers, team members, business partners, and all the healthcare professionals we work with.
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