Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Clinical Trials and Clinical Research

Clinical trials are prospective biomedical or behavioral research studies involving human subjects that aim to provide answers to particular questions about biomedical or behavioral interventions. These include both established and novel treatments (such as novel vaccines, drugs, dietary choices, dietary supplements, and medical devices) as well as interventions that have already been tried and tested but still require more research and comparison. The field of healthcare science known as clinical research evaluates the efficacy and safety of treatments, equipment, diagnostic tools, and drugs designed for human use. These may be employed in illness diagnosis, treatment, prevention, or symptom relief. Clinical practice is distinct from clinical research. While evidence is gathered to establish a treatment in clinical research, established treatments are employed in clinical practice.

• Pilot studies and feasibility studies
• Prevention trials
• Screening trials
• Treatment trials
• Multi-arm multi-stage (MAMS) trials
• Cohort studies