Clinical trials

Leading funders of clinical research around the world say they will require grant holders to register trials in advance and to publish data in full, regardless of whether the results are positive or not

Shortcomings in the framework for clinical trials, little knowledge of intellectual property law and an awkward relationship between scientists and technology transfer offices are holding back science-industry collaboration, but work is in hand to change things

Europe’s attempt to unify rules on clinical trials in the 2001 Directive is widely acknowledged to be a disaster. After years of debate, the Commission’s proposals for reform are getting a favourable reception, but it is critical the new regulation takes account of emerging technologies

Current regulation and governance of UK clinical trials hold up medical advances, says the Academy of Medical Sciences.

The UK is setting up a national network to carry out clinical trials of paediatric medicines, filling the gap left by pharmaceutical companies which usually test drugs only on adults.

Time and money are driving the world’s pharmaceutical companies east for their clinical trials. With its huge population, new helpful regulations and growth outstripping China, India plans to become the world leader in the clinical research business by the end of the decade.