What is a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safe use of a drug, medical device (e.g. diagnostic equipment) or any other medical technology (e.g. treatments). The most common research focuses on new or already known drugs but which are assessed in terms of a new application. Clinical trials are a cornerstone of progress in medicine.

Clinical trials are conducted on behalf of international pharmaceutical companies before launching a given drug, so that the research participants can have access to new generations of medicinal products often many years before they enter the market.

Each clinical trial subject has the potential to improve the health and life of other patients suffering from similar diseases.

Potential benefits from participation in clinical trials:

• active participation in improving one's own health and life
• access to innovative treatments available on the market
• the highest level of medical care for free
• helping other patients by actively contributing to the development of medicine

Some research studies take place with the participation of people with a specific disease. Other research studies include totally healthy individuals. Only a person who meets predetermined requirements can participate in the study. Research participants are volunteers who do not receive any compensation for their participation in the study. In return, all tests, study visits and drug samples are free of charge.

The key element of clinical trials is the safety of the subjects and the protection of their rights. Research is conducted in accordance with study protocols, which are approved by the independent Bioethics Commission. At our center, all studies are conducted in accordance with the principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and ethical principles laid out in the Declaration of Helsinki.