Regarding Clinical Trial Information

Clinical trials are studies conducted on human subjects for the purpose of evaluating the safety and efficacy of medications and medical devices. Among them, research conducted for the purpose of obtaining manufacturing and marketing approval is a clinical trial for regulatory submission.

Many clinical trials are conducted throughout the world to address diseases and their symptoms. Websites are available for the public, health care professionals, and researchers to search for information on the trials that interest them.
Patients often search for clinical trial information, and in the interest of transparency, clinical trials are required to be registered in clinical trial databases. Here, we will introduce some of the most representative websites and how to use them (please refer to the manual of each site for details on their use).

We introduce not only the public websites in Japan but also the websites containing publicly available information on clinical trials in the US and Europe, global trials for which Japan is likely to be among the countries participating. In addition, there are many other websites that have been set up by various organizations. Please refer to these websites to help you find a site that is easy to use and is specialized in the area of your interest.

The sites mentioned in this article will provide you with mainly the following information.

• Name of medication^* used and its administration
• Whether the trial is currently recruiting subjects
• Conditions for participation (target age, symptoms, etc.)
• Participating medical sites
• Responsible trial personnel and contact information

^*Medication: Includes study medications

Clinical Trial Information Databases

● jRCT (Japan Registry of Clinical Trials): A system for disclosing clinical research protocols and synopses

This is a public site where you can find information on all clinical trials conducted in Japan (completed trials are included). However, the timing of when trial information is updated varies depending on the company and researcher.
To search for information on medical research in general, the Clinical Research Information Portal Site, another public website, collects and publishes a wide range of information.

Go to external site

Please note that the linked websites are not operated by MEDIPAL Group.

To the external sites

How to use it:

1. 1Open the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (external site), and you will see a search field in the top of the page. No login is required.

   Go to external site

   Please note that the linked websites are not operated by MEDIPAL Group.

   To the external sites

2. 2Set your preferred search criteria and click on the “Search” button. When the desired trial is displayed, click the “View” button to see the details of the trial. You can also perform detailed searches.

   

jRCT (Japan Registry of Clinical Trials):
A system for disclosing clinical research protocols and synopses

Go to external site

Please note that the linked websites are not operated by MEDIPAL Group.

To the external sites

● ClinicalTrials.gov

This is a database maintained by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) that registers current and previous clinical trials. Some trials conducted in Japan are also registered.

How to use it:

1. 1Open ClinicalTrials.gov (external site).

   Go to external site

   Please note that the linked websites are not operated by MEDIPAL Group.

   To the external sites

2. 2A screen for entering search criteria will open. Enter the search criteria of your choice, including “Condition/disease”, “Other terms”, “Intervention/treatment”, or “Location.”

Go to external site

Please note that the linked websites are not operated by MEDIPAL Group.

To the external sites

ClinicalTrials.gov

Go to external site

Please note that the linked websites are not operated by MEDIPAL Group.

To the external sites

● EU Clinical Trials Register (CTR)

This database is maintained by the European Medicine Agency (EMA) for registry of clinical trials of pharmaceutical products conducted in the EU and EEA regions. Note that Phase 1 trials in adults only are not available in this database.
The process of migrating to a new system, the Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS), is currently ongoing; full migration will be completed on January 31, 2025. Clinical trials initiated after January 31, 2023 are required to be registered in CTIS.

Go to external site

Please note that the linked websites are not operated by MEDIPAL Group.

To the external sites

How to use it:

1. 1Open the “EU Clinical Trials Register (CTR)” (external site) and you will see a search field in the middle of the page. Search by disease name, company name, or any other words of your choice.

   Go to external site

   Please note that the linked websites are not operated by MEDIPAL Group.

   To the external sites

2. 2For CTIS, select “Search for clinical trials” from the “Search clinical trials and report” menu bar. After the search box appears, enter the words you want to search. You can refine your search by clicking on “Advanced Criteria.”

*As of the time of writing this article, little information has been transferred from the CTR to CTIS; therefore, differentiation as to which system to use may be required.

EU Clinical Trials Register (CTR)

● Other: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA): Information on main clinical trials conducted from humanitarian perspective (expanded clinical trials)

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA)

Go to external site

Please note that the linked websites are not operated by MEDIPAL Group.

To the external sites

(2024.01.22 release／2024.04.01 update)