Common Data Architecture
for Life Sciences™

Creating an industry standard for operational data

Improving industry efficiency and interoperability

As life sciences companies continue to introduce new data and software into their organizations, different names and formats are often used to describe the same information. This makes efficiency and interoperability an increasing challenge for the industry.

The Common Data Architecture (CDA) for Life Sciences™ is an open and freely available standard for software applications, data products, and people to talk to each other with greater consistency and accuracy. CDA will help create a common understanding within and between organizations that increases speed, efficiency, and quality of data management.

What is the Common Data Architecture for Life Sciences?

The Common Data Architecture for Life Sciences is a simple set of data structures that are small, easy to understand, and easy to implement. CDA is organized into kernels, which consist of component definitions for a related set of entities, attributes, and picklist items that together create a standardized data structure.

CDA currently contains kernels for Healthcare Professionals (HCPs), Healthcare Organizations (HCOs), and Commercial Content. Additional kernels for Affiliations, Clinical Operations, and Products and Diseases (PD) will be developed over time.

CDA Version 24.10 Documents (October 21, 2024)

HCP Kernel
HCO Kernel
Commercial Content Kernel
Prior Versions

Frequently asked questions

Currently no other industry standards exist for operational data about HCPs, HCOs, Clinical Operations, and Products and Diseases. The Common Data Architecture for Life Sciences is the only industry standard for this type of information.

By establishing standard names, data types, and definitions, CDA creates a common understanding within and between organizations that increases speed, efficiency, and quality. For example, as more products in the life sciences industry adopt CDA, integrations and analytics projects will become faster to build, easier to maintain, and more accurate.

No other organization has a stronger technology footprint within life sciences companies. Veeva is in a unique position to drive broad industry adoption of a common data architecture. The Common Data Architecture for Life Sciences is aligned with our vision and values, and our purpose to improve the industry as a PBC.