Glossary
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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.