About Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that help medical professionals improve the detection and treatment of illnesses. Our clinical trials program enrolls client-owned horses to evaluate the effectiveness of new drugs such as blood-derived biologics, mesenchymal stem cells therapies, and gene therapy techniques to treat orthopedic diseases. Many of the musculoskeletal treatments used in horses today are the result of pre-clinical trials within the Orthopaedic Research Center, specifically the use of corticosteroids and novel biologic therapies. We learn valuable information from every patient, and we use this information to improve their care as well as the care of future patients, both horses and people.
Each clinical trial has specific eligibility criteria that need to be fulfilled for a horse to participate, and these vary among studies. Some clinical trials are designed for horses with a particular diagnosis of orthopedic disease (i.e. osteoarthritis), while others are open to horses with a variety of orthopedic abnormalities. In general, to qualify for a trial, horses need to have a specific musculoskeletal problem that is diagnosed by their veterinarian or one of veterinarians, and are otherwise healthy. Owners also must be willing to comply with study protocols and commit to coming into the clinic for the visits that are required by the trial.
Why are clinical trials important?
- Contribute to research that discovers better treatments for horses and people with orthopedic disease;
- Provide an alternative when standard treatment options are no longer effective;
- Explore new therapies to treat disease that is unlikely to have a significant response to standard treatment;
- Offer financial assistance.