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Clinical Trials That Made History

HomeClinical Trials That Made History
February 7, 2023

As CDM's and clinical trial professionals, the work you do plays a critical role in the development of new treatments and the advancement of medicine. Ready to refresh your motivation on the life-changing machinery you are part of?

Join us as we revisit ten clinical trials that revolutionized medicine and transformed the future of healthcare.
1. Penicillin
The first clinical trial of penicillin was conducted in 1942 by Australian physician Howard Florey and his team. The trial, which was conducted in Oxford, England, proved that penicillin was effective in treating bacterial infections. This discovery revolutionized medicine and saved countless lives by providing a safe and effective treatment for bacterial infections.
2. Polio Vaccine
The first clinical trial of the polio vaccine was conducted in 1954 by Dr. Jonas Salk. The trial, which involved over 1.8 million children, proved that the vaccine was safe and effective in preventing polio. This discovery eradicated one of the most feared diseases of the 20th century and saved countless lives.
3. Birth Control
The first clinical trial of the birth control pill was conducted in the 1950s by Dr. John Rock. The trial, which involved over 10,000 women, proved that the pill was safe and effective in preventing pregnancy. This discovery revolutionized women's health and gave women more control over their reproductive lives.
4. CT Scans
The first clinical trial of CT (computed tomography) scans was conducted in 1972 by Dr. Godfrey Hounsfield. The trial, which was conducted in London, England, proved that CT scans were a safe and effective way to diagnose and monitor a wide range of medical conditions. This discovery revolutionized diagnostic imaging and has saved countless lives.
5. HIV/AIDS Theraphy
The first clinical trial of antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS was conducted in the 1990s by Dr. David Ho. The trial, which was conducted in New York City, proved that antiretroviral therapy was effective in slowing the progression of HIV/AIDS. This discovery changed the course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and saved countless lives.
6. Stem Cell Therapy
The first clinical trial of stem cell therapy was conducted in the 1990s by Dr. James Thomson. The trial, which was conducted in Wisconsin, proved that stem cells had the potential to treat a variety of diseases and injuries, including spinal cord injuries, diabetes, and heart disease. This discovery has opened up new avenues for treatment and has led to ongoing research and development in the field of regenerative medicine.
7. CRISPR
The first clinical trial of CRISPR-cas9 gene editing technology was conducted in 2016 by Dr. Lu You. The trial, which was conducted in China, proved that CRISPR-cas9 could safely and effectively treat cancer by editing the patient's own cells. This discovery opens new doors in the field of genetic medicine and has the potential to treat a wide range of genetic disorders.
8. CAR-T Cell Therapy
The first clinical trial of CAR-T cell therapy was conducted in 2010 by Dr. Carl June. The trial, which was conducted in Philadelphia, proved that CAR-T cell therapy was safe and effective in treating leukemia. This discovery revolutionized the field of cancer immunotherapy and has saved countless lives.
9. Gleevec
The first clinical trial of Gleevec, a drug used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), was conducted in 1998 by Dr. Brian Druker. The trial, which was conducted in Oregon, proved that Gleevec was safe and effective in treating CML. This discovery revolutionized the way we treat cancer.
10. Rituximab
The first clinical trial of Rituximab, a drug used to treat lymphoma, was conducted in the 1990s by Dr. Steven R. Treon. The trial, which was conducted in Boston, proved that Rituximab was safe and effective in treating lymphoma. This discovery revolutionized the way we treat cancer and has saved countless lives. As we continue to work towards a healthier world, it's important to remember the impact and importance of clinical trials. The discoveries listed in this article are just a small sample of the many breakthroughs that have been made thanks to clinical research.