Drug Development

How Drug Development Works

April 20, 2015

It can take 10 to 15 years for scientists to begin the journey of understanding a disease, to creating a drug that fights it.

  • IND Application: File Investigational New Drug application with the FDA before clinical testing.
  • Phase 1Clinical Trial: Perform human testing in a small group of healthy volunteers to determine if the drug is safe for people. (20-100 people)
  • Phase 2 Clinical Trial: Test in a small group of patients with a disease to evaluate drug effectiveness. (100-500 patients)
  • Phase 3 Clinical Trial: Test in a larger group of patients to determine safety, efficacy and risk/benefit (1,000-5,000 patients)
  • NDA: Submit New Drug Application to the FDA.
  • Manufacture the drug on a small or large scale
  • Phase 4 Trial: Pharma companies continue to monitor the drug and submit reports to the FDA re: any adverse effects.
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