healthy subject

Clinical trials often recruit healthy volunteers for Phase 1 pharmacokinetic and safety studies, vaccine immunogenicity assessments, and normal physiological reference studies. These trials are essential for establishing safe dose ranges and understanding how drugs behave in the absence of disease before testing in patient populations.

Healthy volunteer studies include first-in-human drug trials, vaccine efficacy (flu, RSV, COVID-19, malaria), microbiome intervention studies, exercise physiology research, and device safety assessments. Compensation is often provided; eligibility typically requires no significant medical history and a negative drug screen.

Healthy volunteer trials require participants to be in good general health with no significant medications. Many exclude smokers, pregnant individuals, and those with recent prior trial participation.