Otis Johnson, PhD, MPA, founder and principal consultant at Vantix Operations, discusses how ESG is evolving from a reporting exercise into an auditable measure of operational readiness, and what that shift means for sponsor expectations, vendor qualification, and supplier governance discipline.
In a video interview with Applied Clinical Trials at the 2026 SCOPE Summit, Otis Johnson, PhD, MPA, founder and principal consultant at Vantix Operations, discussed how expectations around environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance are evolving across the clinical trial vendor ecosystem. Johnson explained why ESG is no longer treated as a supplemental reporting exercise but increasingly viewed by sponsors as a readiness and reliability indicator. He also highlighted growing supplier frustration with inconsistent ESG questionnaires and outlined why integrating ESG assessments into existing vendor qualification and control systems may be the most effective path forward.
Editor's note: This transcript is a lightly edited rendering of the original audio/video content. It may contain errors, informal language, or omissions as spoken in the original recording.
ACT: What conversations or themes are you noticing here at SCOPE about ESG in clinical development?
Johnson: I’m noticing a clear shift in how ESG is being viewed. It’s no longer seen as a side report, as it was in the past. It’s now being treated as a readiness test. In one conversation I had with a supplier, they told me they thought they had ESG covered until a sponsor asked a very specific question: Can you show me evidence that I can audit?
That’s the theme I’m seeing. Sponsors want to ensure they’re working with suppliers that have a credible ESG control system in place and that they’re operating with discipline. That’s how sponsors know they can rely on those suppliers.
I’m also noticing some frustration from suppliers around inconsistent ESG requirements and questionnaires that they’re frequently asked to complete. The most productive conversations, however, are about integration—bringing ESG assessments into existing vendor control systems and qualification processes so there’s no additional burden or bureaucracy.
