Clinical trials have been a cornerstone of the medical field for decades, serving as a critical foundation for the development and advancement of treatments across a wide range of diseases and health conditions.
Beyond establishing the safety and effectiveness of new treatments, clinical trials also play a vital role in exploring ways to enhance care, including improving the quality of life for those living with chronic illnesses.
With nearly 50 years of experience, Simbec-Orion specialises in delivering comprehensive clinical trial management services across a range of therapeutic areas and trial phases. In this article, we delve deeper into clinical trials and highlight how Clinical Trials Day promotes awareness of the vital role of ongoing research.
What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are a type of research that explores new tests and treatments, assessing their impact on human health outcomes. Volunteers participate in clinical trials to evaluate a variety of medical interventions, including drugs, surgical procedures, radiological techniques, devices, preventative care, and behavioural treatments. People of all ages can participate in clinical trials, including children.
What Happens in a Clinical Trial?
All clinical trials go through a series of phases in order to test their safety and effectiveness. This includes:
- Phase I – these trials are usually small, involving a limited number of participants (often healthy volunteers). This marks the first time the drug is tested in humans, focusing on identifying side effects and determining safe dosage levels. Participants are given small initial doses, which are gradually increased only if side effects are minimal or non-existent.
- Phase II – Phase II trials focus on evaluating the drug’s effectiveness for a specific disease or condition and are conducted with a larger group of patients. These trials provide valuable insights into the drug’s short-term effects and efficacy.
- Phase III – Phase III trials test drugs that have passed Phases I and II on larger patient groups, comparing them to existing treatments to assess effectiveness and identify side effects. These trials often last over a year and include thousands of participants.
- Phase IV – Phase IV involves continued monitoring of a drug’s safety, side effects, and effectiveness. This phase is not required for every medicine, and is only conducted for drugs that have passed all previous stages and received marketing approval.
What are the Benefits of Participating in a Clinical Trial?
There are several advantages of participating in a clinical trial, some of which include:
- You might have access to treatment which is only available as part of a trial
- By participating, you can support scientists in discovering new methods to prevent and treat diseases, paving the way for future generations to benefit from scientific breakthroughs
- You may have an improved understanding of the disease, and how best to treat it
Clinical Trials Day 2025
Clinical Trials Day is celebrated annually in May to honour and reflect on the significant advancements made possible through clinical trials.
Clinical Trials Day is the only global awareness campaign dedicated to recognising and celebrating the vital contributions of clinical research professionals.
The History of Clinical Trials Day
Clinical Trials Day was established by ACRP (Association of Clinical Research Professionals) in 2014. Celebrated on 20th May, Clinical Trials Day commemorates the day in 1747 when James Lind, a British Navy ship’s surgeon, conducted what is widely regarded as the first randomised clinical trial.
In this case, James Lind’s study focused on the effects of different treatments for scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. By conducting a clinical trial with 12 participants, two of whom received citrus fruits as the active treatment, Lind discovered the cure. Many historians believe that the use of citrus for the prevention and treatment of scurvy was the single most important factor in improving the physical health of the British fleet.
How to Get Involved in Clinical Trial Day
- Educate yourself – The first step to help raise awareness on the importance of clinical trials, is to research and understand the impact for yourself.
- Use social media – You can use social media to spread awareness about clinical trial professionals and the impact they have.
- Share facts – Share information about clinical trials with others, and educate the public about common misconceptions of clinical trials.
The Role of Clinical Trials in Advancing Healthcare
Clinical trials are essential for advancing healthcare. By producing reliable, evidence-based data, clinical trials enable researchers to deepen their understanding of diseases, improve existing treatments, and develop innovative solutions to enhance patient outcomes. Without clinical trials, medical progress would slow, leaving many diseases and conditions without effective treatments or cures.
Clinical trials are conducted for a wide range of conditions, including rare diseases, cancers, and neurological disorders. As of 2024, over 515,000 clinical studies were registered worldwide—a huge increase compared to the 2,119 studies in the year 2000, reflecting significant growth over the past two decades.
Clinical Trials at Simbec-Orion
Simbec-Orion specialises in oncology and rare diseases, offering full-service clinical research solutions from first-in-human studies to Phase III trials. As a clinical research organisation, we take a flexible, specialised approach, supported by a team of experienced leaders, researchers, and scientific advisors. Together, we deliver expert-driven, customised clinical development solutions. Contact us today to learn more.