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Clinical Trial Facts & Figures

These charts are exerpts from The Gift of Participation: A Guide to Making Informed Decisions About Volunteering for a Clinical Trial.

top 5 reasons volunteers participate in clinical trials

This graph details the top 5 reasons why volunteers participate in clinical trials. These include:

- To advance medicine: 51%
- To find a better treatment for my condition: 46%
- To help others with my condition: 39%
- To earn extra money: 36%
- My doctor recommended it: 31%

Source: Harris Interative, 2005

Most Research Volunteers Would Participate in a Clinical Trial Again

In 2001, out of 5,348 research participant interviewed, 84% responded that they would participate in a clinical trial again, where 16% would not. In 2005, out of 2,261 research participants, 88% said they would participate in a clinical trial again, where only 12% said they would not.

Source: Harris Interactive

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Total Research Volunteers Completing Clinical Trials in 2006

In 2006, there were 2,405 volunteers participating in clinical trials.

- Government-Funded Clinical Trials: 775
- Industry-Funded Clinical Trials (Phases I-III): 880
- Industry-Funded Clinical Trials (Phase IV): 750

Source: CISCRP and NIH, 2007

Total Spending on Biopharmaceutical Research and Development

Between 2000 and 2005, total spending on biopharmaceutical research and development has increased slightly each year.

Source: Tufts CSDD, 2006 based on NIH and PhRMA data

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Companies Doing the Most Research in 2005

In 2005, these organizations had the most drugs in Research and Development:

- Sanofi-Aventis: 325
- GlaxoSmithKline: 289
- Roche: 263
- Pfizer: 222
- Novartis: 187

Source: IMS Lifecycle R&D Focus, 2005

Investigational Drugs Worldwide

This graph charts the number of Drugs in the Research and Development pipeline worldwide since 1995.

1995: 5,492
1997: 5,786
1999: 7,494
2001: 8,912
2003: 9,924
2005: 12,423
2007 (predicted): 14,653

Source: IMS Lifecycle, R&D Focus

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The Total Cost of Developing a Drug

This graph compares the total cost of developing a drug which includes out-of-pocket costs and the cost of capital between 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

Source: Tufts CSDD, the Office of Technology Assessment, 2001

A Long and Complex Process

This graph details how long the it takes to develop a new drug from Discovery through to the New Drug Application submission.

Source: FDA, Tufts CSDD

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Investigational Drug Success Rates by Stage

This chart details how many drugs have success in each stage of drug development. As shown, a high number of drugs enter the Discovery and Screening stage, but significantly less drugs go beyond Pre-Clinical Testing.

Source: PhRMA, Tufts CSDD

Average Time to Develop Drug by Disease Category

This graph details the average time in years it takes to develop a drug from the IND (Investigational New Drug) Filing to the NDA (New Drug Application) Submission.

Therapeutic Area
Fastest 5
Companies
Middle 5
Companies
Slowest 5
Companies
Average All
Companies
Anesthetic/Analgesic
10.7 yrs
4.4 yrs
4.8 yrs
5.82 yrs
Anti-infective
3.9
5.9
6.9
5.5
Anti-neoplastic
5.5
6.9
9.2
6.9
Cardiovascular
5.1
5.6
6
6.2
CNS
NA
NA
13.2
8.6
Endocrine
4.6
5.7
9.7
7.1
Gastrointerstinal
NA
9.8
9.4
7.9
Immunologic
5.3
11.4
8.1
5.45
Miscellaneous
4.8
6
10.5
6.2

Source: Tufts CSDD, 2006

Examples of Size and Scope of Clinical Trials

This graph provides several examples of the size and scope of clinical trials for a variety of drugs and medical conditions. Each trial takes several years in clinical trials and have different number of study volunteers.

Source: FDA

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Distribution of Volunteer Participation by Clinical Phase

In 2004, Thomson CenterWatch reported on the distribution of volunteer participation by clinical phases. A high number of study volunteers participated in Phase III trials (65%) where as Phase II had 21% and Phase I had 14%.

How Professional are Clinical Research Staff?

In 2004, Thomson CenterWatch surveyed 1,050 study volunteers regarding the professionalism of the clinical research staff and 84% responded the staff was very professional.

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What is the Quality of Care that Volunteers Receive in Clinical Trials?

In 2004, Thomson CenterWatch surveyed 1,050 study volunteers regarding the quality of care they received in clinical trials and 72% said they received 'excellent' care. 18% responded they received 'good' care.

Distribution of All Active Clinical Trials by Geographic Regions in the US

Active clinical trials which take place throughout the United States are detailed by geographic region in this graph.

- South: 42%
- Northeast: 19.5%
- West: 19.2%
- Midwest: 19.2%

Source: Tufts CSDD, 2006

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Top 5 Ways People Learn about Clinical Trials

This graph shows the top 5 ways people learn about clinical trials:

- The media: 38%
- Internet: 22%
- My Doctor: 14%
- Friends: 11%
- Family: 9%

Source: Harris Interactive, 2005

Examples of Compensation Offered for Research Volunteer Participation in Clinical Trials

This chart lists examples of compensation offered for volunteer participation in clinical trials.

- Bipolar Disorder - 6 weeks/10 visits, investigational drug - $300
- Diabetes - 8 weeks/4 visits, investigational drug plus MRIs - $1,860
- Psoriasis - 6 weeks/4 visits, investigational drug - $160
- Hormone Replacement - 7 weeks - $600
- Overactive Bladder - investigational delivery system of FDA approved drug - $500
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea - 6 months, investigational airway pressure treatment - $500
- High Glycerides Study (NY) - 16 weeks/10 visits, oral medication - $300
- Elevated Triglcerides (MI) - 4.5 months/7 visits, oral medication - $280

Source: Listings in major newspapers

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Top Areas Where Drugs are in Clinical Trials Specifically for Older Adults (Age 65+)

This chart lists the top areas where drugs are in clinical trials specifically for older adults (age 65+):

    Number of Drugs in Trials
Lung/Respiratory Illnesses  
52
Diabetes  
48
Pain  
41
Rheumatoid Arthritis  
38
Alzheimer's Disease  
27
Gastrointestinal Disorders  
23
Eye Disorders  
23
Osteoporosis  
20
Depression  
19
Parkinson's Disease  
17