Can Patient-Led Clinical Trial Design Save Neurology Research?

Neurology clinical trials constitute a significant portion of the research market, surpassing $9.6 billion, and are expected to grow by 5.4% in the next decade. This growth reflects the stark reality of neurological disorders, which rank as the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death globally. With an estimated 15% of the global population affected, the burden of neurodegenerative conditions is predicted to double in the next 20 years.

Despite the pressing need, neurology research faces substantial challenges. Neurological drug candidates take longer to develop and encounter an 85% trial failure rate, with only 6% ultimately approved for use. These failures not only pose financial strains but also hinder efforts to address the escalating neurological disorder crisis. Understanding the factors driving these high failure rates is crucial for sponsors to navigate and improve outcomes in neurology clinical trials.