Phase

A step in the overall clinical research process to test a new drug, device, or treatment.

Each phase of clinical research is important to help learn about the safety of new treatments and how well they work.

Phases of research studies build on each other. Each phase has a separate goal.

Phase 1 studies are often the first to enroll humans and test for safety.

Phase 2 studies test if the drug, device or treatment works.

Phase 3 studies compare the study treatment to the usual, standard treatment.

Phase 4 studies continue to collect data after a study treatment is approved. These are sometimes called post-marketing studies.

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