The European Clinical Research Infrastructures Network (ECRIN) has been celebrating International Clinical Trials Day (ICTD) on May 20 each year since 2005. This day commemorates May 20, 1747, when James Lind, a doctor from Scotland, carried out a therapeutic experiment on board a ship in an attempt to treat sailors with scurvy. Today, his innovative approach is regarded as the birth of clinical research. You can read more about his fascinating experiment here. 

Although Dr. James Lind knew nothing about clinical trials 270 years ago, his work did more than just save the lives of many sailors on his ship. At the same time he laid the foundation for modern clinical research – randomized controlled trials – as we know it today.

Find out more about our clinical cancer trials that are currently open to patients at various locations in Switzerland here.

In these trials we are examining the efficacy, tolerability and safety of new treatments. We include different forms of treatment such as surgery, radiotherapy and drug therapy. As part of the trials we also consider issues relating to the early detection of cancer, diagnostics, therapy optimization and after-care, and investigate the patients’ quality of life and the costs of treatment.

The resulting findings have a direct influence on the day-to-day treatment of patients, therefore benefiting them immediately.

Today as in the past, trial participants make a major contribution to medical research. We would like to thank all patients for taking part in our trials and for their support. Together we can improve the treatment of cancer!