A clinical trial is a research study conducted to answer specific questions about new treatments, or to investigate new ways of using known treatments.
In most cases, the therapies and drugs investigated in clinical trials are not approved by Regulatory Agencies (such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States), and the benefits and risks of taking the treatment are not known. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new treatments are safe and effective. The clinical testing of experimental treatments or drugs is generally done in three phases, each successive phase involving a larger number of people. The knowledge gained from years of clinical trials regarding the safety and efficacy of new treatments or drugs ultimately may allow pharmaceutical companies to offer new and better options to patients.
At anytime Biogen Idec is conducting numerous clinical trials in a variety of therapeutic areas. Information about clinical trials, such as the condition and intervention being studied, the phase, the study type and more is available at the US National Institutes of Health clinical trials website. To view those being conducted by Biogen Idec, click here.
