Welcome to Clinical Investigation

摘要

The clinical development of a new therapeutic agent is a long and complex process that begins with the translation of basic science and preclinical data to potential applications in humans, followed by the design and conduct of clinical trials, the evaluation and publication of results, and continuing through the regulatory approval process and postmarketing surveillance. Those who are involved at any level of drug development are familiar with the immense opportunities and the many challenges of such an undertaking. The total cost of bringing a new drug to market can be as high as USDollars 1.3 billion, with much of this incurred during clinical evaluation; only one of every 10,000 potential medicines survives the development and approval process. To optimize the probability of success in this increasingly globalized endeavor, it is essential that stakeholders in many disciplines have an easily accessible platform for rapid and effective communication. This is an introduction to the first issue of a journal intended fill this need.