The Evolution of Clinical Trials: Can We Address the Challenges of the Future?

The authors describe key challenges facing the clinical trials community and propose solutions to these issues, including the role the Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative can play in addressing these issues. Specifically, the authors reflect on clinical trial globalization and the harmonization of frameworks and requirements across regions; the challenges associated with balancing the desire for external validity, pragmatic trials, and precision medicine; clinical trial transparency; and operational complexity and the expense of clinical trials. By addressing these challenges, future clinical trials will be more feasible, relevant, and credible, and support both the continuing altruistic contributions of patients and the collection of more meaningful data.