OBJECTIVES: Clinical trials are recognized as drivers of economic activity as well as mechanisms of scientific evidence. Industry-sponsored trials alleviate healthcare costs. We sought to examine the economic contribution of industry-sponsored trials in Northern Alberta, Canada. METHODS: We selected all phase two and three industry-sponsored trials that started in 2012 in Northern Alberta, Canada. We used trial-specific budget documents to estimate billing costs into three major groups: administration, ethic review and patient costs. We used the trial protocol obtained from the website ClinicalTrials.gov to identify drugs, average dosages and treatment lengths in each trial. Alberta Health Drug Benefit List (ADBL) and the US Department of Veteran Affairs Drug List (VADL) (adjusted for currency differences) were used to obtain drug prices. Price of a close substitute was used if the experimental drug was not listed in either ABDL or VADL. RESULTS: There were 40 trials initiated in Northern Alberta in 2012. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) trial length was 29.7 (SD: 14.5) months. 251 patients (75% on experimental arms) were enrolled. Five trials had an open label phase for 28 patients. 55 drugs were evaluated; of which, 15 were biological products. Total healthcare cost avoidance was Canadian $29 million. Of which, operating costs were $5.2 million, drug costs were $13.5 and $10.3 million during the trial period and the open label phase, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the medical advancement benefits, industry-sponsored clinical trials in Northern Alberta contribute a significant dollar amount to the Alberta healthcare system. Policy to motivate industry-sponsored trials should be in place to help alleviate health care costs.