Clinical research is the study of health and illness in people. It is the way we learn how to prevent, diagnose and treat illness. Clinical research describes many different elements of scientific investigation. Simply put, it involves human participants and helps translate basic research (done in labs) into new treatments and information to benefit patients. Clinical trials as well as research in epidemiology, physiology and pathophysiology, health services, education, outcomes and mental health can all fall under the clinical research umbrella.

A clinical trial is a type of clinical research study. A clinical trial is an experiment designed to answer specific questions about possible new treatments or new ways of using existing (known) treatments. Clinical trials are done to determine whether new drugs or treatments are safe and effective. Clinical trials are part of a long, careful process which may take many years to complete. First, doctors study a new treatment in the lab. Then they often study the treatment in animals. If a new treatment shows promise, doctors then test the treatment in people via a clinical trial.

People often confuse a clinical research or clinical trials with medical care. This topic can be especially confusing if your doctor is also the researcher. When you receive medical care from your own doctor, he or she develops a plan of care just for you. When you take part in a clinical research study, you and the researcher must follow a set plan called the “study protocol.” The researcher usually can’t adjust the plan for you – but the plan includes steps to follow if you aren’t doing well. It’s important to understand that a clinical trial is an experiment. By its nature, that means the answer to the research question is still unknown. You might or might not benefit directly by participating in a clinical research study. It is important to talk about this topic with your doctor/the researcher.

According to Precedence Research, the global clinical trials market size is projected to be worth around US$ 84.43 billion by 2030 from at US$ 48.4 billion in 2020

The Indian clinical trials market size is expected to reach USD 3.88 billion by 2030. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2022 to 2030.

The clinical trials market is expanding because to the rising frequency of chronic disorders and the rising demand for clinical trials in developing nations. The clinical trials market is fueled by the increasing number of biologics on the market and the demand for contract research organizations to undertake clinical studies. In addition, various biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are now conducting clinical trials for severe chronic and infectious disorders such as HIV and cancer, which will help to expand the clinical trials market.

A Contract Research Organization (CRO) is a company that provides clinical trial services for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries.

A Contract Research Organization (CRO), sometimes known as a Clinical Research Organization, is an organization contracted by another company to take the lead in managing that company’s trials and complex medical testing responsibilities.

Career opportunities in the clinical research field are many and varied, with employment settings ranging from pharmaceutical and biotechnology, to medical device companies, contract research organizations, hospitals, educational institutions, independent contractors and wellness organisation.

Doctors can become Principal Investigator, Medical Advisor, Drug Developer, and Regulatory Affairs Manager. Paramedics, Pharmacists, and Life Science Graduates can pursue positions such as Medical Writers, Clinical Research Manager, Clinical Research Associate, Pharmacovigilance Executive, Drug Reviewer and more.