How to Find a Clinical Trial
Locating Clinical Trials:
Made Simple
Clinical trials are essential for advancing medical knowledge and bringing innovative treatments to patients. If you're interested in participating, there are several reliable resources to help you find relevant trials. These platforms not only provide detailed information on ongoing studies but also offer tools to search based on medical condition, drug name, or trial phase. By exploring official sources, you can access a wealth of opportunities to contribute to scientific research, receive advanced medical care, and play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare.
To find a clinical trial for you or a loved one, looking online is a great place to start. As with any online search, it is important to be aware of the sites you are using. We recommend starting with the websites listed below. They are well-known, free, and independent search engines for finding clinical trials.
Below, you'll find a comprehensive guide to the primary platforms available for locating clinical trials.
Clinical Trials in the European Union
You can find clinical trials in the European Union through several official sources:
1. EU Clinical Trials Register
The EU Clinical Trials Register offers detailed information about interventional trials conducted in EU member states and the European Economic Area (EEA). Users can explore trials using various filters, including medical condition, drug name, or trial phase, to find the most relevant studies. Additionally, the platform provides access to trial results, enabling users to review findings from past studies and stay informed about the progress of clinical research.
2. European Medicines Agency (EMA)
The EMA plays a crucial role in regulating and overseeing clinical trials across the EU. Its website serves as a valuable resource, offering detailed guidance for researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare professionals on the regulatory aspects of trials. It provides insights into how clinical trials are conducted and monitored in compliance with EU regulations, ensuring ethical standards and scientific integrity throughout the process.
3. Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS
The CTIS was created to optimise the application and management process for clinical trials within the EU. It enables sponsors to submit trial applications and provides regulators with tools to process approvals more efficiently. This streamlined system also benefits participants, allowing them to discover relevant trials and monitor ongoing studies across various EU countries, making the clinical research process more accessible and transparent.
4. European Union’s clinical trial registry
EU ClinicalTrials.eu is the European Union’s clinical trial registry, managed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). It provides public access to clinical trials across the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) since January 31, 2022, ensuring transparency and regulatory compliance through the Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS). It aims to improve public awareness and trust in medical research by making trial data easily accessible. Information on individual clinical trials initiated in the European Union and the European Economic Area before 31 January 2022 can be found in the European Union Clinical Trials Register.
5. National Registries
Some EU countries maintain their own registries, offering detailed lists of national clinical trials. These registries may include opportunities that are not featured in broader EU databases. Notable examples include Germany's Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien and France's Répertoire des Essais Cliniques. Exploring these country-specific resources can uncover additional trial opportunities and provide more localised information tailored to participants within those nations.
Clinical Trials in the UK
1. NHS Clinical Trials
The NHS offers comprehensive guidance on clinical trials, covering key aspects such as participation, safety, and ethical considerations. NHS trials adhere to strict regulations to safeguard patient well-being and ensure the integrity of research. The website provides detailed explanations of trial phases, potential risks and benefits, and the methods healthcare professionals use to conduct trials. Additionally, it offers valuable advice on informed consent, ensuring participants fully understand the trial details before deciding to take part.
2. Be Part of Research
This UK-based platform, managed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), connects patients, researchers, and healthcare providers with clinical trials. It allows users to search for trials based on medical conditions, treatments, and locations. The platform provides detailed information about eligibility criteria for each trial, as well as trial results and patient stories, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about participation.
www.bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk
3. MHRA Clinical Trials Database
The MHRA is responsible for regulating clinical trials in the UK, ensuring they adhere to strict ethical guidelines and maintain scientific integrity. It oversees various aspects of clinical trials, including drug development, trial approvals, and ongoing safety monitoring. The agency also provides valuable insights into recent changes affecting UK trials, such as updates to regulations and collaborations with international partners, enhancing the effectiveness and accessibility of clinical research.
Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
4. ISRCTN – The UK’s Clinical Study Registry
ISRCTN International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number is a primary clinical study registry recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). It accepts all clinical research studies, whether proposed, ongoing, or completed, and provides content validation, curation, and a unique identification number necessary for publication. The registry supports transparency in clinical research, helps reduce selective reporting of results, and ensures an unbiased and complete evidence base. It aims to include all interventional and non-interventional clinical studies that prospectively involve UK participants and evaluate biomedical or health-related outcomes. Studies conducted outside the UK or considered non-clinical (such as public health studies) can also be registered
United Kingdom’s Clinical Study Registry
5. UK Clinical Trials Regulations & Recent Updates
Recent updates to UK clinical trial regulations are designed to make the approval process more efficient while prioritising patient safety. By reducing bureaucracy, these changes aim to support researchers in conducting studies without compromising high ethical standards. New policies are expected to accelerate trial timelines, enabling patients to access experimental treatments more quickly. Additionally, the UK is fostering collaboration with global organisations, which enhances the accessibility of clinical trials to international participants and strengthens the overall research landscape.
Clinical Trials in the US
1. ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov is the most extensive database of clinical trials in the United States and worldwide, managed by the National Library of Medicine. It hosts hundreds of thousands of trials, covering a vast array of diseases and medical conditions. Users can search for trials based on various criteria, such as location, medical condition, treatment type, trial phase, or sponsor (e.g., universities, hospitals, or pharmaceutical companies). Each listing provides comprehensive details, including eligibility criteria, study design, expected outcomes, and contact information for researchers, making it a valuable resource for participants and professionals alike.
2. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The NIH plays a key role in funding and conducting medical research, including clinical trials for various conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and rare genetic disorders. NIH trials are highly regulated, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and scientific integrity. They are typically funded by government agencies or prominent research institutions. The NIH website provides valuable resources to help participants understand the informed consent process, their rights, and what to expect during the trial. Additionally, NIH trials often grant access to innovative treatments or experimental therapies, allowing participants to benefit from advancements in medicine before they are widely available.
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The FDA plays a vital role in overseeing and regulating clinical trials to ensure that drugs meet rigorous safety and efficacy standards before reaching the market. Its website offers detailed information about trial phases, regulatory requirements, and the drug approval process. Researchers can find guidance on filing investigational new drug (IND) applications, which are necessary before testing new treatments. Additionally, the FDA actively monitors ongoing trials for safety concerns and tracks reports of adverse effects linked to experimental drugs, safeguarding public health throughout the research process.
Clinical Trials Around the World
Beyond the resources already mentioned, locating clinical trials often involves consulting global registries and country-specific databases. Here are some invaluable options:
- World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP)
The WHO ICTRP (accessible at Trialsearch.who.int) provides a comprehensive global database of clinical trials. Trials are categorised by country, region, and income group, and the reg try includes both interventional and observational studies conducted worldwide.
- Pharma IQ’s Global Clinical Trials Overview
This resource highlights countries with the highest number of clinical trials and delves into why certain locations are preferred for medical research. Understanding these trends can be particularly useful when identifying trials that may be accessible across different regions.
- National Clinical Trial Registries
Many countries maintain their own registries to list and manage clinical trials conducted within their borders. Here are some examples:
China: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry
India: Clinical Trials Registry – India
Australia: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR)
Japan: Japan Primary Registries Network
These country-specific registries can be excellent resources for finding trials tailored to local populations and conditions. Let me know if you'd like help with anything else!
If you have concerns about the security of certain registries, it is advisable to review the World Health Organization’s (WHO) criteria for primary registries. These criteria ensure that registries meet essential standards for transparency, accessibility, and reliability. Additionally, consulting official government sources in the relevant country can provide reassurance and authoritative guidance.
Should you require assistance in locating clinical trials for a specific medical condition or region, we are here to help make the process easier and more efficient for you! Let us know how we can support you further.
