Clinical Trials Group

Role

The Clinical Trials Group assesses new drugs for the treatment
of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The activities of the Group predominantly involve industry-sponsored trials.

Research

The Group has participated in several important international
trials which have provided information about new medications.
This information has guided pharmaceutical companies in their ongoing drug development programs directed towards providing new treatments for COPD and asthma.

The Clinical Trials Group has been conducting several studies of new medications in COPD. One trial is evaluating a once daily oral anti-inflammatory medication over a 12 month period, to determine whether it reduces the rate of exacerbations of COPD. Another trial is assessing the effects of a new inhaled anticholinergic drug on airway function in patients with COPD. This medication is expected to have minimal effect on the body generally as it is inactivated by enzymes in the blood.

In another study, a new inhaled delivery system with improved drug distribution in the lungs is being investigated. A study of asthmatic subjects will assess the clinical efficacy of a new inhaled corticosteroid.

For each of these studies the Woolcock is one of several sites in Australia where the studies are being carried out. The results from these Australian centres will be pooled with those from other countries to create a large population of participants for meaningful statistical analysis.