Biopharmaceutical industry-sponsored global clinical trials in emerging countries.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate biopharmaceutical industry-sponsored clinical trials placed in countries previously described as emerging regions for clinical research, and potential differences for those placed in Brazil.


METHODS
Data regarding recruitment of subjects for clinical trials were retrieved from www.clinicaltrials.gov on February 2nd 2009. Proportions of sites in each country were compared among emerging countries. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to evaluate whether trial placement in Brazil could be predicted by trial location in other countries and/or by trial features.


RESULTS
A total of 8,501 trials were then active and 1,170 (13.8%) included sites in emerging countries (i.e., Argentina, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Mexico, Poland, Russia, South Korea, and South Africa). South Korea and China presented a significantly higher proportion of sites when compared to other countries (p<0.05). Multiple logistic regressions detected no negative correlation between placement in other countries when compared to Brazil. Trials involving subjects with less than 15 years of age, those with targeted recruitment of at least 1,000 subjects, and seven sponsors were identified as significant predictors of trial placement in Brazil.


CONCLUSIONS
No clear direct competition between Brazil and other emerging countries was detected. South Korea showed the higher proportion of sites and ranked third in total number of trials, appearing as a major player in attractiveness for biopharmaceutical industry-sponsored clinical trials.
Alvarenga
Lenio Souza
LS
Instituto Paulista de Referência em Oftalmologia, São Paulo, SP. lsalvarenga@gmail.com
Martins
Elisabeth Nogueira
EN
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005378:Financial Support; D006801:Humans; D015999:Multivariate Analysis