What Is a Clinical Trial?

A clinical trial is a carefully designed research study that evaluates new treatments, medications, or medical devices in human volunteers. Every FDA-approved medication you take today was once tested through clinical trials. These studies follow strict protocols reviewed by independent ethics committees (Institutional Review Boards, or IRBs) to protect your safety.

At Lung Research Florida, we conduct clinical trials focused on respiratory conditions including severe asthma, COPD, chronic cough, and bronchiectasis. Each study is led by Dr. Frank Hull, a board-certified pulmonologist with over 20 years of clinical research experience.

Are Clinical Trials Safe?

Patient safety is the top priority in every clinical trial. Multiple layers of protection exist:

• IRB oversight: An independent ethics board reviews every study before it begins and monitors it throughout.
• Informed consent: You receive a detailed explanation of all procedures, potential risks, and benefits before agreeing to participate. You can ask questions at any time.
• Continuous monitoring: Our medical team closely monitors your health at every visit with comprehensive testing including bloodwork, lung function tests, and physical examinations.
• Data safety boards: Independent committees review safety data throughout the trial and can halt a study if concerns arise.
• Voluntary participation: You can withdraw from any trial at any time, for any reason, without affecting your regular medical care.

By the time a treatment reaches our clinic for testing, it has already passed extensive laboratory and early-phase safety evaluations.

What Are the Benefits of Joining a Clinical Trial?

Participants in our clinical trials often experience benefits that go beyond their current standard of care:

• Access to investigational medications not yet available to the public — including advanced biologic therapies and novel drug classes.
• Free study-related medical care including specialist consultations, lung function testing, lab work, and imaging.
• Compensation for your time and travel expenses.
• Close medical monitoring by Dr. Hull and our experienced research coordinators at every visit.
• Contributing to medical science — helping develop treatments that may benefit millions of patients worldwide.

Who Can Participate in a Clinical Trial?

Each clinical trial has specific eligibility criteria — requirements that determine who can safely participate. These typically include:

• Age range: Most of our trials enroll adults aged 18 and older, though age ranges vary by study.
• Diagnosis: You must have the condition being studied (e.g., severe asthma, COPD, chronic cough, or bronchiectasis).
• Treatment history: Some studies require that current treatments are not adequately controlling your symptoms.
• General health: Certain medical conditions may affect eligibility for specific trials.

The best way to find out if you qualify is to contact our team for a free, no-obligation screening call. We'll review your situation and match you with appropriate studies.

View our current trials to see specific eligibility requirements.

What Happens During a Clinical Trial?

While every study is different, most trials at our Plantation, FL facility follow a similar structure:

1. Screening visit (1-2 visits): Comprehensive evaluation including medical history review, physical exam, blood tests, and lung function testing to confirm eligibility.
2. Treatment period: You receive the study medication (or placebo, depending on study design) and attend regular clinic visits for monitoring. Visit frequency varies — typically every 2 to 8 weeks.
3. Follow-up: After the treatment period ends, additional visits ensure your continued well-being and capture long-term data.

Each visit typically lasts 1-3 hours. Our team works with your schedule to find convenient appointment times. Learn more about our step-by-step process on our How to Participate page.

What Is a Placebo, and Will I Receive One?

A placebo is an inactive substance that looks identical to the study medication. Some clinical trials use placebos to scientifically measure how well the new treatment works compared to no treatment.

Important points about placebos in our studies:

• Not all trials use placebos — many compare new treatments to existing standard-of-care medications.
• You will always be told before enrolling whether a placebo is possible.
• You typically continue your regular prescribed medications throughout the trial.
• If your condition worsens significantly, safety protocols allow early intervention regardless of which group you're in.

The informed consent document for each study clearly explains the placebo design, and our team will walk you through everything before you make a decision.

Will I Be Compensated for Participating?

Yes. Participants in our clinical trials receive monetary compensation for their time and travel expenses. The exact amount varies by study and is outlined in the informed consent document before you agree to participate.

In addition to financial compensation, all study-related medical care — including doctor visits, laboratory tests, lung function testing, and investigational medications — is provided at no cost to you.

Can I Leave a Clinical Trial Once I've Started?

Absolutely. Participation in any clinical trial is completely voluntary. You may withdraw at any time, for any reason, without penalty or impact on your regular medical care. Simply inform our research team, and they will guide you through a safe discontinuation process.

Will My Personal Information Be Kept Confidential?

Yes. Your privacy is protected by multiple safeguards:

• All clinical trial data is de-identified — your name is replaced with a study number.
• Your medical records are protected under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations.
• Only authorized research personnel have access to your information.
• Published study results never include individual identifying information.

Read our full Privacy Policy for more details on how we protect your data.

Do I Need a Referral from My Doctor?

No referral is needed. You can contact us directly to learn about available studies and begin the screening process. However, we encourage you to discuss clinical trial participation with your primary care physician or specialist, as they may have valuable insights about your medical history.

If you are a physician interested in referring patients, please visit our For Physicians page for referral information.

What Conditions Do You Study?

Lung Research Florida specializes in respiratory and pulmonary clinical trials. Our current research areas include:

• Severe Asthma — Including biologic therapies targeting specific inflammatory pathways
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) — Novel anti-inflammatory treatments
• Chronic Cough — Investigational medications targeting cough-specific nerve receptors
• Bronchiectasis — Emerging bispecific antibody therapies

Visit our Conditions We Study page for detailed information, or see our Current Trials for specific studies now enrolling.

How Do I Get Started?

Getting started is simple. You have several options:

• Call us: 954-520-7296 x1 to speak with a research coordinator.
• Fill out our form: Complete the participation interest form and we'll contact you.
• Email us: Send your questions to trials@lungresearchflorida.com.

During your initial call (about 15-20 minutes), we'll discuss your condition, review your symptoms, and identify which studies might be a good fit. There is no obligation and no cost for this initial consultation.