Glossary

What are you looking for?

A

ADR -

Adverse Drug Reaction

An unwanted or harmful reaction that occurs after the administration of a drug or medical product.

AE -

Adverse Event

Any untoward medical occurrence or side effect that happens to a participant during the course of a clinical trial or after the administration of a drug.

B

BYOD -

Bring Your Own Device

Allowing participants to use their own smartphones, tablets, or other electronic devices for data collection in a clinical trial.

C

CCI -

Clinical Coordinating Institution

An organization responsible for coordinating and managing the activities of multiple clinical trial sites.

CDISC -

Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium

A global nonprofit organization that develops and promotes standards for data collection, representation, and exchange in clinical research.

CDM -

Clinical Data Management

The process of collecting, cleaning, validating, and managing clinical trial data to ensure its quality and integrity.

CFR -

Code of Federal Regulations

A set of regulations issued by various government agencies that govern the conduct of clinical trials in the United States.

CMC -

Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls

The branch of pharmaceutical development that focuses on the chemistry, manufacturing processes, and quality control of drug products.

CRO -

Contract Research Organization

A company that provides various services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies to support their clinical trial activities.

CTA -

Clinical Trial Agreement

A legally binding agreement between the sponsor and the clinical trial site, outlining the terms and conditions of the trial.

CTMS -

Clinical Trial Management System

A software system that facilitates the management and tracking of various aspects of a clinical trial, such as participant enrollment, data collection, and study timelines.

D

DCF -

Data Clarification Form

A document used to resolve discrepancies or clarify queries related to data collected during a clinical trial.

DDI -

Drug-Drug Interaction

The effect of one drug on the efficacy or toxicity of another drug when they are administered together.

DDC -

Direct Data Capture

The process of electronically capturing and entering data directly into a database or electronic system, eliminating the need for manual transcription.

DMC -

Data Monitoring Committee

An independent committee responsible for monitoring the safety and efficacy data during a clinical trial and providing recommendations to ensure participant welfare.

DSV -

Data Surveillance Visit

A visit conducted by the sponsor or monitor to review and ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of data collected during a clinical trial.

E

EDC -

Electronic Data Capture

The use of electronic systems to capture, store, and manage clinical trial data, replacing traditional paper-based methods.

eCOA -

Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment

The use of electronic devices or platforms to collect patient-reported outcomes, clinician-reported outcomes, observer-reported outcomes, or performance outcomes in a clinical trial.

eCOA Library -

Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment Library

A repository or collection of electronic clinical outcome assessment instruments, resources, and information to support the implementation of eCOA in clinical trials.

eConsent -

Electronic Informed Consent

The use of electronic platforms or systems to present and obtain informed consent from participants in a clinical trial.

EMA -

European Medicines Agency

The regulatory agency responsible for the evaluation and approval of medicines in the European Union.

F

FDA -

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The regulatory agency responsible for protecting and promoting public health by regulating and supervising food, drugs, medical devices, and other products in the United States.

G

GCDMP -

Good Clinical Data Management Practices

A set of principles, guidelines, and standards that define best practices for data management in clinical trials.

GCP -

Good Clinical Practice

International ethical and scientific quality standards for the design, conduct, recording, and reporting of clinical trials.

GVP -

Good Pharmacovigilance Practices

A set of guidelines and practices that ensure the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problems.

H

HRQoL -

Health-Related Quality of Life

The impact of a medical condition or treatment on a person's physical, mental, and social well-being.

I

ICF -

Informed Consent Form

A document that provides potential participants with comprehensive information about the clinical trial, including its purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits, and seeks their voluntary agreement to participate.

ICH -

International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use

An international organization that develops and promotes harmonized guidelines for the registration, evaluation, and post-approval of pharmaceutical products.

IMP -

Investigational Medicinal Product

A pharmaceutical form of an active substance or placebo being tested or used as a reference in a clinical trial.

IND -

Investigational New Drug

A new drug or biologic that is being investigated in a clinical trial but has not yet been approved by regulatory authorities for marketing.

IRB -

Institutional Review Board

An independent ethics committee responsible for protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of human subjects participating in clinical trials.

IRT -

Interactive Response Technology

A computerized system used to manage and control the randomization, drug supply, and data collection aspects of a clinical trial.

M

MDD -

Maximum Tolerated Dose

The highest dose of a drug or treatment that can be administered without causing unacceptable side effects or toxicity.

P

PK/PD -

Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics

The study of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body, as well as their pharmacological effects.

PI -

Principal Investigator

The individual responsible for the overall conduct and management of a clinical trial at a specific site.

PBO -

Placebo-Controlled

Refers to a clinical trial design where one group of participants receives a placebo (inactive substance) while another group receives the active treatment being studied.

PerfO -

Performance Outcome

Objective measurements or assessments used to evaluate a participant's physical or functional abilities in a clinical trial.

PRO -

Patient-Reported Outcome

Measures of health or treatment outcomes reported directly by the patient or participant, capturing their subjective experiences and perspectives.

Q

QC -

Quality Control

The processes and procedures implemented to ensure that data, materials, products, or services meet defined quality standards.

QA -

Quality Assurance

The systematic processes and activities implemented to ensure that quality standards are met throughout the conduct of a clinical trial.

R

R&D -

Research and Development

The process of creating and improving products or processes through scientific and technological innovation.

RMP -

Risk Management Plan

A documented plan that describes the identification, assessment, and control of risks associated with the use of a drug or medical product.

S

SAE -

Serious Adverse Event

Any untoward medical occurrence or effect that results in death, is life-threatening, requires inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, results in persistent or significant disability or incapacity, or is a congenital anomaly or birth defect.

SDV -

Source Data Verification

The process of reviewing and confirming the accuracy and completeness of data entered into a clinical trial database by comparing it with the original source documents.

SIV -

Site Initiation Visit

A visit conducted by the sponsor or monitor to initiate a clinical trial at a study site, including training and ensuring site readiness.

SOP -

Standard Operating Procedure

A documented step-by-step procedure that describes how specific tasks or activities should be performed in a consistent and standardized manner.

U

UI -

User Interface

The graphical or visual elements and design that allow users to interact with a software application or system.

UX -

User Experience

The overall experience and satisfaction a user has when interacting with a product, system, or service, taking into account factors such as usability, functionality, and aesthetics.