In the pharmaceutical industry, accurate translation is a no-brainer. Every document, from clinical trial protocols to regulatory submissions, patient information leaflets, labelling, and safety materials, must be written in clear and appropriate language.
Any mistake in translation can lead to serious consequences such as regulatory delays, misinterpretation of safety instructions, product bans, or even risks to patient health. With agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), and National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) raising their standards and regulations growing more complex, pharmaceutical translation companies have become essential partners for businesses seeking to reduce risk, maintain compliance, and succeed in global markets.
This article highlights eight of the best pharmaceutical translation companies in 2025. Each has built its reputation in different ways, whether through expertise, compliance, or the ability to handle complex, large-scale projects. Reviewing their strengths will help you identify what matters most when selecting a reliable provider.
8 Best Pharmaceutical Translation Companies in 2025
Here are eight companies doing strong work in pharmaceutical translation and related life sciences fields. Each has strengths in different areas, including clinical, regulatory, tech, speed, or geographic coverage.
1. EC Innovations Life Sciences
Founded: 1997
Short Background: EC Innovations (also ECI) is a global translation company with a strong focus on pharmaceuticals and life sciences. It helps clients translate documents such as regulatory submissions, drug labels, clinical trial papers, back-translations, and patient information materials. Over time, ECI has built a reputation for helping pharmaceutical and biotech organizations handle complex documentation that regulators and patients can trust.
Key Strengths:
- Regulatory and Compliance Expertise: Experience with documents submitted for approval to the FDA, EMA, PMDA, NMPA, and other regulatory bodies.
- Quality Checks: Multi-step reviews including proofreading, in-country validation, and back-translation, supported by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certified processes to ensure accuracy.
- Wide Service Range: Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPCs), Patient Information Leaflets(PILs), patient-reported outcomes, clinical study protocols, patents, websites, and multimedia content.
- Technology & Turnaround: Uses translation memory tools and secure platforms to deliver quickly and consistently.
2. TransPerfect Life Sciences
Founded: 1992
Short Background: TransPerfect is one of the world’s largest translation providers, with a life sciences division. It works with pharmaceutical and biotech firms to translate clinical research, regulatory filings, marketing content, and safety materials.
Key Strengths:
- Compliance and Quality: ISO-certified workflows, carefully chosen translators, and multiple reviews to protect accuracy.
- Technology: Tools like GlobalLink and Trial Interactive for faster, secure projects with consistent results.
- Lifecycle Support: Services cover all stages from early research and trials to approval, marketing, and post-market safety updates.
3. RWS Group (Life Sciences & Pharma)
Founded: Mid-20th century, expanded through acquisitions
Short Background: A UK-based provider of translation and content management. Its life sciences division supports pharmaceutical and medical device companies with regulatory submissions, technical and post-market safety documents.
Key Strengths:
- Approval & Post-Launch Documentation: Handles drug approval files such as New Drug Applications (NDAs) and Marketing Authorisation Applications (MAAs), along with safety reports, risk management plans, and follow-up documents after launch.
- Content Management: Uses structured systems to speed updates, ensure consistency, and maintain audit trails for inspections.
4. Lionbridge Life Sciences
Founded: 1996
Short Background: Lionbridge is one of the large global localization/translation firms, well established in life sciences translation for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and clinical research.
Key Strengths:
- Clinical and Regulatory Support: Translates clinical trial documents, regulatory filings, outcome assessments, patient-reported outcomes, and plain-language patient summaries.
- Quality & ISO Standards: Rigorous quality assurance (QA), use of computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, translation memory (TM), and specialized medical linguists.
- Global Reach & Scale: Wide translator network covering many languages, with capacity for high volumes and quick turnaround.
5. Welocalize
Founded: 1997
Short Background: Welocalize offers translation for life sciences and pharmaceuticals, combining expert linguists, technology, and regulatory-focused workflows.
Key Strengths:
- Regulatory Focus: Handles trial protocols, safety reports, product labels, and patient materials.
- Certified Quality: Holds multiple ISO certifications for translation accuracy, medical devices, and machine-assisted translation.
- Scale and Speed: Proven record of delivering large projects quickly and consistently.
6. LanguageLine Solutions
Founded: 1982
Short Background: LanguageLine Solutions is best known for its interpreting services but also provides translation for healthcare and life sciences. It works on patient documents, clinical records, and regulatory files.
Key Strengths:
- Healthcare and Life Sciences Expertise: Decades of experience with hospitals, pharma, and public health agencies..
- Compliance: Processes built to meet healthcare regulations and protect patient safety.
- Global Network: Professional linguists in over 290 languages, enabling scalability and fast turnaround.
7. Morningside
Founded: 2000
Short Background: Morningside is a U.S.-based provider focused on accurate medical and regulatory translations for pharmaceutical, biotech, and clinical research clients.
Key Strengths:
- Clinical and Regulatory Expertise: Experienced in translating trial documents, regulatory filings, and patient materials.
- Certified Quality: ISO-certified processes with strict quality reviews.
- Global Reach: Works with subject-matter experts across many languages.
8. AWISEE
Founded: 2018
Short Background: Awisee is a newer agency specializing in life sciences and medical translation. It is known for its focus on compliance and accuracy in high-risk, technical content.
Key Strengths:
- Regulatory Alignment: Supports clinical trial documents, medical device instructions, and regulatory filings.
- Quality Assurance: Detailed review processes to prevent errors in critical materials.
- Specialization: Tailored specifically for complex pharmaceutical and medical documents.
Choose the Right Pharmaceutical Translation Companies
Choosing the right partner is as important as the translations themselves. The best pharmaceutical translation agencies ensure accuracy, compliance, and clarity that regulators and patients can trust. Here are the key factors to consider:
| FACTOR | WHY IT MATTERS | WHAT TO LOOK FOR |
| Industry Expertise and Subject Knowledge | Translators need to understand medical terminology and regulatory language, not just words. | Ask if the provider has life sciences specialists and proven experience with pharmaceutical clients. |
| ISO Certifications and Compliance | Clinical trial protocols, device manuals, and patient information all have different risks and audiences. Trials must be exact, manuals must be clear, and patient materials must be easy to understand. | Look for ISO 17100 (translation services), ISO 13485 (medical devices), or similar certifications. |
| Experience with Different Content Types | Clinical trial protocols, device manuals, and patient information all have different risks and audiences. Trials must be exact, manuals must be clear, and patient materials must be easy to understand. | Providers should have examples of clinical, technical, and patient-related projects. Ask about processes for linguistic validation. |
| Security and Confidentiality | Pharma content includes sensitive data like trial results or patient records. IP breaches are risky. | Secure platforms, encrypted file transfer, and strict confidentiality agreements. |
| Technology Support | Tools improve speed, consistency, and quality across projects. | Use of computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, translation memory (TM), and machine translation with human review. |
| Client References and Global Reach | A proven track record and worldwide coverage build trust. | Client references in your sector and qualified linguists in target regions. |
Conclusion
Choosing the right pharmaceutical translation company in 2025 is a critical decision. Accurate translations protect patients, satisfy regulators, and support smooth entry into global markets. The wrong partner can lead to delays, extra costs, or even product bans.
The eight companies featured here show the importance of expertise, compliance, and reliable processes. Among them, EC Innovations stands out for its ISO-certified quality systems, regulatory knowledge, and ability to manage complex projects across many languages.
If you are seeking trusted pharmaceutical translation services, explore our solutions, read about global regulatory requirements, or contact us to discuss your needs.
