PatientCapsule
Discover new treatment options – through clinical trials
If your current treatment is not helping as much as you hoped, a clinical trial can give access to new treatment approaches that are being scientifically tested. We explain clearly how trials work and present selected studies.
- New treatment approaches
- Clearly explained
- Free and without obligation
Current studies
PatientCapsule is not presenting any studies at the moment. New studies appear here as soon as they are published.
When your current treatment is not enough
Many people look for new options because their treatment is not working as well as they hoped. Clinical trials test new medicines and therapies before they are generally available.
Taking part in a trial can give you access to a new treatment approach, with close medical care throughout.
A trial may be an option if …
- your therapy no longer works well enough
- side effects are limiting you a lot
- there are few options for your condition so far
- you want to know which new approaches are being researched
A trial is not a promise of a cure: finding out whether the new treatment works better is what it is for. Whether taking part makes sense for you is something to discuss with the study site – and ideally with your own doctor too.
No suitable study yet? We will let you know.
Join our study pool. As soon as there is a clinical study that may interest you, we will let you know by email.
- Free and without obligation
- Only studies for the conditions you choose
- Leave at any time with one click
You are not enrolled in a study automatically. Whether you take part is always your decision.
How it works
From first information to your decision.
Step 1
Choose a study
Read what a study is about, who can take part and what to expect.
Step 2
Fill in the questionnaire
Answer a few short questions and leave your contact details. It only takes a few minutes.
Step 3
Hear back
Your enquiry goes to the nearest participating study site. If taking part may be possible, the site will contact you.
Step 4
Decide for yourself
Whether you take part is your decision, made after the informed-consent discussion and the necessary assessments.
Clinical trials in brief
A clinical trial is a scientific study involving people. Following a detailed plan, the study protocol, it tests whether a new treatment works and how well it is tolerated.
In the European Union, a medicine trial may only start once the competent authority and an independent ethics committee have reviewed and approved it. During the trial, participants receive medical care and regular check-ups.
Taking part is voluntary. A personal benefit cannot be promised – finding out whether the new treatment is better is exactly what the trial is for.
The phases of a medicine trial
- Phase IFirst use in a small number of people. The focus is on safety and dosage.
- Phase IIPeople with the condition take part. Does the medicine work, and which dose is right?
- Phase IIILarger groups, often in several countries. Usually compared with standard treatment or a placebo.
- Phase IVAfter approval: how does the medicine perform in everyday use and over time?
Your safety and your rights
Reviewed and approved
An authority and an ethics committee review every medicine trial before it starts. Learn more: Who checks that a study is safe?
An informed decision
You are informed in detail, have time to think and only then give written consent. Learn more: What happens in the information discussion?
Stop at any time
You can end your participation at any time without giving a reason. Learn more: Can I stop taking part at any time?
Covered
Compensation for harm caused by a medicine trial must be ensured. Learn more: Am I insured during a study?
What PatientCapsule does for you
Show new options
We present selected studies testing new treatment approaches – clearly explained.
Check
A short questionnaire helps you check whether a study might suit you.
Nearby contact
Your enquiry goes to the nearest participating study site, which will get in touch with you.
Your decision
Enquiring is free and without obligation. We do not give medical advice.
Your information is protected
We treat what you tell us in the questionnaire as confidential.
Sent securely
Your answers are sent encrypted and stored securely.
Only for your study site
Only the participating study site that handles your enquiry receives it. Your answers are never used for advertising or analytics.
No names for sponsors
The company funding the study only receives aggregated figures – no names, no contact details, no answers.
Informed beforehand
Before you send the questionnaire, it shows what information is requested and what you consent to. The privacy policy explains who receives it and how long it is kept.
Who is behind PatientCapsule?
PatientCapsule is the patient portal of MediOra Health. We help people discover new treatment options – for example when previous therapies are not working as well as hoped. The way there is through clinical trials: they give access to new treatment approaches that are being scientifically tested.
We explain clearly how trials work, present selected studies and put people in touch with a participating study site near them. Medical assessments and the conduct of a study remain the responsibility of the study site. PatientCapsule is not a clinic, does not give medical advice and is free of charge and free of advertising for patients.
How our content is created
Study pages are based on each study’s documents and are checked against the approved study documents before publication. Every publication is recorded with the related ethics committee opinion.
General explanations and frequently asked questions are based on publicly available information from recognised bodies, such as the EU Clinical Trials Regulation.
- Who we are
MediOra Health – we connect patients with clinical trials
- What we offer
New treatment options, clearly explained, and contact with a participating study site
- What we do not do
Diagnoses, treatment recommendations, running studies
- For study sites and sponsors
How MediOra Health helps studies find participants: mediorahealth.com
Frequently asked questions about clinical trials
Choose a topic. The answers are written for patients and their families.
Understanding clinical trials
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a scientific study involving people. It tests, for example, whether a new medicine works, how well it is tolerated and whether it is better than the current treatment.
Every trial follows a detailed plan, the study protocol. It defines who can take part, which examinations take place and how the results are analysed. No new medicine can be approved in the European Union without clinical trials.
Can a trial be an option if my treatment is not working well enough?
Yes, this is one of the most common reasons people look into clinical trials. Trials test new medicines and therapies before they are generally available. Many trials are aimed specifically at people whose current treatment does not work well enough or is not well tolerated.
Important: finding out whether the new treatment works better is what the trial is for. Depending on the trial, participants receive the new treatment, the current standard treatment or a placebo – usually in addition to standard treatment. Whether taking part is possible and makes sense for you is something to clarify with the study site. Ideally, talk to your own doctor as well.
Why are clinical trials important?
Almost every treatment we take for granted today was tested in clinical trials. Trials show whether a new therapy really helps and what risks it has – under controlled conditions and with medical care.
For participants, a trial can mean access to a new treatment before it is generally available. Whether the new treatment works better than the current one is exactly the open question the trial tries to answer, so a personal benefit cannot be promised.
What do phases I to IV mean?
Medicine trials run in successive phases:
- Phase I: A new medicine is given to a small number of people for the first time, often healthy volunteers. The focus is on safety and dosage.
- Phase II: People with the condition take part. The trial looks at whether the medicine works and which dose is suitable.
- Phase III: Larger groups, often at many study sites in several countries. The medicine is usually compared with the standard treatment or a placebo. The results are the basis for approval.
- Phase IV: After approval, researchers observe how the medicine performs in everyday use and over a longer period.
Each study page shows the phase under “At a glance” where it has been provided.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov glossary
What types of studies are there?
There are two broad types:
- Interventional studies: Participants receive a specific treatment, such as a new medicine or a medical device. Medicine trials in phases I to IV belong to this group.
- Observational studies: No treatment is assigned. Doctors document how a condition or a usual treatment develops.
The study page says which type a study is.
What is a placebo – does that mean I get no treatment?
A placebo is a dummy medicine without an active ingredient that looks exactly like the medicine being tested. Comparing against a placebo shows reliably which effects really come from the medicine.
Importantly, where an effective treatment exists, it is usually not withheld. Often all participants receive the standard treatment, and the new medicine or the placebo is given in addition. Whether and how a study uses a placebo is stated on the study page and explained in detail in the information discussion.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov glossary
What do “randomised” and “blinded” mean?
Randomised means that a random process decides which treatment you receive in the study. This keeps the groups comparable, so the result is not distorted by who gets which treatment.
Blinded means that you do not know which treatment you receive. In double-blind studies, the study doctors do not know either. In an emergency, the assignment can be revealed at any time.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov glossary
Where can I check that a trial is officially registered?
Medicine trials in the European Union are published in the EU’s public register (euclinicaltrials.eu). Many trials are also listed in the international register ClinicalTrials.gov, and trials in Germany often in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS).
These registers contain the study description, the participating countries and, later, the results. PatientCapsule shows only some of the ongoing trials: those you can enquire about through this portal.
Taking part
Who can take part in a clinical trial?
Each trial defines who it is for. These inclusion and exclusion criteria cover, for example, the condition and its stage, age, previous treatments and other conditions. They protect your safety and make sure the results are meaningful.
Each study page lists the main requirements. Whether you can actually take part is checked by the study site in a medical consultation and with screening tests.
How does an enquiry through PatientCapsule work?
- Choose a study and read what it is about and who can take part.
- Answer a short questionnaire about your condition on the study page and enter your contact details. It takes a few minutes.
- You receive a confirmation by email.
- Your enquiry goes to the nearest participating study site. If your answers fit the study, the site contacts you, answers your questions and arranges an appointment if appropriate.
Enquiring is free and without obligation.
Am I enrolled once I have completed the questionnaire?
No. Completing the questionnaire only sends an enquiry. It is neither an enrolment nor a medical decision.
The study site will work out with you whether the trial might be suitable. You can only take part after receiving detailed information, having the chance to ask questions and giving your written consent. Until then, you can say at any time that you do not want to take part.
How soon will the study site contact me?
It varies between study sites. You will first receive an email confirming your enquiry. We cannot guarantee when the study site will contact you. If you have questions about your enquiry, email us at trials@mediorahealth.com.
What happens if the study is not suitable for me?
You receive a message that your enquiry has been closed. Your personal details are deleted six months later; the email gives the exact date.
If you have joined our study pool and confirmed this by email, we let you know about other studies that might suit you. You can leave at any time.
What happens in the information discussion?
A study doctor explains the study to you: its aim, the procedures, possible benefits and risks, other treatment options and your rights. You receive written patient information and have enough time to think it over.
Ask anything that matters to you – you are welcome to bring someone you trust. Only when you agree do you sign the consent form.
What is the screening phase?
After you consent, the study site checks with screening tests whether you meet all requirements – for example blood tests, imaging or a physical examination.
The study treatment only starts once all criteria are met. Sometimes it turns out only during screening that taking part is not possible.
Can I keep my own doctor?
Yes. Your GP and specialists remain available to you. With your consent, the study site coordinates with them, for example about your medicines and previous findings.
It is a good idea to tell your doctors if you are considering taking part. They know your medical history and can advise you.
How much time does a study take?
This varies a lot. Some studies have few appointments, others run for months or years with regular visits to the study site.
Each study page shows the duration and procedures under “At a glance” and “What to expect” where known. The information discussion tells you how many appointments there are and how long they take.
Can I enquire on behalf of a relative?
Yes, if the person concerned agrees. It is best to fill in the questionnaire together, because the questions are about their condition. Enter contact details at which the study site can reach you or the person concerned.
The information discussion and consent always involve the person who would take part in the study.
Safety and your rights
Who checks that a study is safe?
Before a medicine trial may start in the European Union, the competent medicines authority and an independent ethics committee must review and approve it. This is governed by the EU Clinical Trials Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 536/2014). In Germany the responsible authority is the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) or the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, in Austria the Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BASG).
During the trial, participants are monitored medically, and side effects are recorded and evaluated continuously. If unexpected risks arise, a trial can be changed or stopped.
What risks and side effects should I expect?
Any treatment can have side effects – including a new one. With a medicine still being tested, not all side effects are known yet. This is one reason why participants are monitored particularly closely.
The information discussion explains the known risks. During the study you have a named contact at the study site and usually receive contact details for emergencies. Always report any complaints straight away.
Am I insured during a study?
For medicine trials in the EU, it must be ensured that participants are compensated for damage caused by the trial (Article 76 of Regulation (EU) No 536/2014). In Germany this is usually done through participant insurance taken out by the sponsor.
You receive the insurance terms and what to do in case of damage with the study documents.
Can I stop taking part at any time?
Yes. Taking part in a clinical trial is voluntary. You can stop at any time without giving a reason, with no disadvantage for your further medical care.
For your safety, it is sensible to inform the study site and attend a final check-up, but you are not obliged to do so.
What are my rights as a participant?
- You are informed clearly before taking part and can ask any question.
- You decide freely and have time to think.
- You can withdraw your consent at any time.
- You are told about new findings that matter for your decision.
- You have the rights of the General Data Protection Regulation, such as access to your data.
- You have a named contact at the study site throughout the study.
Will I learn the results of the study?
For medicine trials in the EU, the sponsor generally has to publish a summary of the results within one year of the end of the trial – including a summary in plain language. It appears in the EU’s public register (euclinicaltrials.eu).
Ask the study site whether and how you will be informed about the results.
Costs and effort
What does it cost to take part in a clinical trial?
Enquiring through PatientCapsule is free. The study medicine and the examinations required for the study are usually paid for by the study sponsor, so you normally have no costs for them.
Your usual treatment continues to be covered by your health insurance as before. The study site explains the details before you take part.
Is there compensation or reimbursement of travel costs?
That depends on the study. Many studies reimburse travel costs to study appointments, some pay compensation for your time. In patient studies, compensation is not the main point – it is meant to offset your effort.
What applies to a study is shown on its page under “Compensation” where provided.
Privacy
Who sees my answers from the questionnaire?
Only these see your contact details and answers:
- the study site your enquiry goes to, and
- the MediOra Health team that handles enquiries.
Companies that fund or conduct the study (sponsors) only receive aggregated figures – no names, no contact details and no answers.
Before you send the questionnaire, it shows you what information is requested and what you consent to. Details are in the privacy policy.
How is my data protected?
Your answers are sent encrypted and stored encrypted. Only the study site handling your enquiry and authorised MediOra Health staff can access them. We do not sell data, and your answers are never used for advertising or analytics.
You can find the details in our privacy policy.
How can I withdraw my consent and have my data deleted?
You can withdraw your consent at any time – with the link in the confirmation email or by writing to trials@mediorahealth.com.
We then no longer contact you, and the study site can no longer see your enquiry. Your details are deleted 14 days later; until then you can undo the withdrawal. On request, we delete them immediately. Without a withdrawal, your details are deleted six months after your enquiry is closed.
If you have already taken part in a study, the legal rules for clinical trials also apply to the data collected in the study. The study site explains what happens to your data in that case. More in the privacy policy.
About PatientCapsule
What is PatientCapsule?
PatientCapsule is the patient portal of MediOra Health. We explain how clinical trials work and present selected studies. A short questionnaire helps you check whether a study might suit you, and we pass your enquiry on to the nearest participating study site.
MediOra Health helps study sites and sponsors find people for whom a study may be suitable. Read more about us and how our content is created under Who is behind PatientCapsule?.
Is PatientCapsule a clinic, or can I get medical advice here?
No. PatientCapsule is not a clinic or a doctor’s practice. We do not give medical advice and do not run studies ourselves. Each study is run by the participating study sites.
For questions about your condition or treatment, please talk to your doctor.
Which studies can I find on PatientCapsule?
PatientCapsule presents selected clinical trials. For each study you can see whether it is recruiting, opening soon or not recruiting at the moment. The questionnaire for your enquiry is available for every study marked “Recruiting”.
In the studies overview you can also search by postcode: studies with the nearest participating sites in your country are then shown first.
PatientCapsule is not a complete directory of all studies. Public registries such as euclinicaltrials.eu and ClinicalTrials.gov give a comprehensive overview.
How can I contact the PatientCapsule team?
Write to us at trials@mediorahealth.com. After your enquiry, questions about a specific study are answered by the responsible study site.
Find new treatment options
Search the studies overview by your condition or postcode. Each study shows whether you can take part at the moment.
Go to the studies