Bayer HealthCare posts trial information online

As of July 1, 2005, Bayer HealthCare (BHC) has been posting information concerning its clinical trials at www.clinicaltrials.bayerhealthcare.com.

After the initial stage, which will see information on 10 trials that commenced after 6 January 2005 being posted, the database will be constantly updated, with all trials starting after 1 July 2005 being listed within three weeks of commencement.

Bayer plans to list all ongoing trials on the site by mid-September 2005, concentrating primarily on Phase III and IV trials. In exceptional cases, such as cancer trials, trials in other life-threatening disease states and trials of major medical significance, data on Phase II trials will also be made available to the public. As of March 2006, all completed trials that started after 1 October 2002 will be listed.

The website is divided into a static and a dynamic part: the main elements of the static part are the information about clinical trials, questions and answers and various links to associations and organizations; while the dynamic part comprises a 'trial finder', provides information about trial status, and features descriptions of the trials in language that is comprehensible to a lay audience, providing the reader with information about the substance, indication, purpose of the trial and the conditions stipulated for participation. Visitors also have the opportunity to make trial-specific inquiries.

The database is in English, 'as it is the intention of the pharmaceutical industry to provide a public-access database in which all companies worldwide can publish information on their international and national clinical trials'.