The document outlines the 5 phases of clinical research:
Phase 0 involves microdosing a small number of healthy volunteers with a subtherapeutic dose to gather preliminary pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data.
Phase I studies a drug's safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics in 20-80 healthy volunteers or patients. It determines the maximum tolerated dose and identifies side effects.
Phase II evaluates efficacy in 100-300 patients to determine effective doses for Phase III. It further explores safety and side effects.
Phase III confirms therapeutic benefits in 300-3,000 patients compared to standard treatments. It provides a basis for marketing approval.
Phase IV involves post-marketing surveillance of 1,000