What is a clinical trial?

There are very different clinical studies.

Clinical studies usually mean that research is carried out on humans and not on individual cells, cell clusters, tissues or animals. Clinical studies are then further differentiated according to the products, such as drugs, medical devices for treatments or as diagnostics, or purely scientific questions to generate new knowledge about the causes of diseases, for example. A further distinction must then be made as to whether the products in question are approved or non-approved, or whether, for example, already approved products are to be tested for a new indication (disease). A distinction is also made as to whether the clinical studies evaluate existing data, whether the research is generally simple and without pre-formulated assumptions (hypotheses), or whether existing assumptions are tested. Finally, the design of the study is determined. Elements such as randomization, blinding, multicentre, prospective, controlled, control group, decentralized, digital are used here.

Ultimately, the best possible study must be scientifically designed for each product and each issue in order to generate scientific evidence that will convince the experts and authorities and take into account the dignity and safety of all study participants.