preclinical trial
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A preclinical trial is a scientific study conducted in a laboratory setting to test a new drug, medical device, or therapeutic procedure on animal subjects. Its primary purpose is to collect data on safety, biological activity, and efficacy to determine if the intervention is sufficiently promising and safe to justify testing in human subjects through a clinical trial.
Usage
The term is used specifically in the context of medical and pharmaceutical research to describe the essential phase of testing that occurs before human studies can begin. - It is a standard, countable noun (e.g., a preclinical trial, several preclinical trials). - It is often part of a larger research and development process.
Examples
- Noun:
- The promising results from the preclinical trial allowed the company to apply for permission to start human testing.
- Researchers are analyzing data from a series of preclinical trials on the new vaccine candidate.
- Before a new surgical device can be used, it must undergo rigorous preclinical trials in animal models.
Advanced Usage
- "to enter/advance to preclinical trials": Describes when a potential drug or device moves from basic laboratory research into this formal testing phase.
- After successful in vitro tests, the compound will enter preclinical trials next quarter.
- "preclinical trial data/evidence/results": Common collocations referring to the information generated by these studies.
- The FDA reviewed the preclinical trial data before approving the Investigational New Drug application.
Variants and Related Words
- Preclinical study (n): Often used synonymously with "preclinical trial," though it can sometimes refer to a broader range of non-human research.
- Preclinical phase/stage (n): The period of time during which preclinical research is conducted.
- Preclinical (adj): Relating to the period or research done before clinical trials.
- The drug showed excellent preclinical efficacy.
Synonyms
- Animal trial/study: Emphasizes the use of animal subjects.
- Non-clinical trial/study: Emphasizes that the testing is not yet on human ("clinical") subjects.
- Preclinical testing: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably.
Related Phrases
- Lead to a clinical trial: Describes the successful outcome of a preclinical trial.
- Positive findings in the preclinical trial are expected to lead to a clinical trial next year.
- Fail a preclinical trial: Describes when a candidate intervention does not meet safety or efficacy standards in animal tests.
- The drug candidate failed its preclinical trial due to observed toxicity.
Noun
- a laboratory test of a new drug or a new invasive medical device on animal subjects; conducted to gather evidence justifying a clinical trial