R&D Process

The Research Process: The research process includes all early research to identify a new medicine candidate and testing it in the lab. The process takes approximately 3-6 years. By the end, researchers hope to have a promising candidate medicine to test in people.
The Development Process: A candidate medicine must go through extensive studies in humans, and it must prove to be safe and effective before the regulatory authorities will approve it. This process involves a series of clinical trials, each with its own specific goals and requirements. Physicians carry out each trial working with patients in hospitals, offices and clinics, and coordinating closely with the sponsor company. The clinical trials process is both expensive and time-consuming, and ends more often in failure than success. From start to finish it takes an average of 6-7 years.