About Clinical Trials

Whether you're considering joining a study or just curious to know more, we’re here to guide you.

Every morning, millions of people across the globe wake up and take some form of medication for their health. All these medications would simply not exist if it wasn’t for clinical trials, and the selfless study participants who volunteer their time to contribute to groundbreaking research.

What Are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that test new medications, vaccines, or treatments to determine their safety and effectiveness in people.
Why Join a Clinical Trial?
Joining a trial gives you access to potential new treatments before they are publicly available while contributing to medical advancements that benefit society.
Benefits of Joining a Trial
Participants receive close medical monitoring, potential access to innovative treatments, and financial reimbursement for their time and commitment
The Participant Experience
Participants receive medical care from experienced healthcare professionals, attend scheduled visits, and may undergo tests or assessments to monitor their health during the trial.
Our Commitment to Safety
All our trials are approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). HRECs in Australia abide by the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.
How to Get Involved
Getting started is easy—simply register your interest, and our team will guide you through the process, answering any questions along the way.

What to Expect

So, you've decided you'd like to volunteer for a clinical trial and registered your interest!

Here is an outline of your participant journey, so you know what to expect along the way.

1 Pre-screening phone call

The first step is a pre-screening phone call with our friendly participant recruitment team. On this call, we will outline the trial and discuss your medical history and current medications.

If you are deemed eligible on this call, we will invite you to your closest Canopy clinic for an in-person screening visit.

2 Informed Consent

While you are on site, a medical professional will review the Participant Information and Consent Form (PICF) with you.

The PICF clearly outlines all study requirements as well as drug safety information and your participant rights.

You will have the opportunity to read the PICF and ask any questions that will help you make an informed decision before participating.

3 Screening visit

If you agree to participate, the medical team will evaluate your eligibility to participate in the trial.

During this screening process, various tests may be performed to confirm you meet the trial's eligibility criteria, such as blood tests, medical history review and ECGs.

4 Follow-up visits

Once your eligibility for the study is confirmed, you will complete baseline, follow up and end of study site visits. The number and duration of these visits will vary depending on the trial.

During these visits, you may undergo further medical assessments, dosing with the investigational treatment, or complete questionnaires regarding your health and response to the treatment. The data collected during these visits is anonymously collected in a database that is later used for study analysis.

Why participate?

When you participate in a trial at Canopy Clinical, you're joining a community committed to pushing the boundaries of healthcare innovation

Clinical trials play a vital role in testing new treatments, ensuring they are safe and effective before becoming widely available. By participating, you have the opportunity to:

Make a Difference
Play an essential role in advancing medical science and improving health outcomes for others
Empower Your Health Journey
Be part of a collaborative approach to improving your health and the health of future generations
Access Advanced Care
Gain access to innovative treatments and therapies that are not yet available to the public
Receive Expert Attention
Benefit from close monitoring and care from experienced medical professionals

Frequently asked questions

What happens during a clinical trial?

A volunteer’s eligibility will be assessed at multiple stages – first, our recruitment team at Canopy Clinical will conduct a pre-screening phone call, where we will outline the trial and discuss your medical history, current medications, and general interest in taking part.  

Should it appear that you may be eligible, we will invite you to visit our clinic closest to you for a screening visit, where you will meet with our medical team for further discussion and evaluation of your eligibility to participate in the trial.  

You will also go through the process of Informed Consent, where you will review the Participant Information and Consent Form (PICF) for the trial with the help of a doctor to answer any questions you may have. All potential risks and benefits, as well as your rights and responsibilities during the trial are detailed in this document to help you make an informed decision on participation prior to enrolment. 

The Australia Charter of Healthcare Rights outlines the rights of all people in all places where healthcare is provided. Canopy Clinical acknowledges and abides by these healthcare rights at all clinical research sites. You can download a copy of your healthcare rights via this link.

Once enrolled, you will then complete a series of follow-up visits to our clinic – the number and duration of these will vary depending on the trial. During these visits, you may undergo further medical assessments, further dosing with the investigational treatment, or complete questionnaires. A description of all required activities will be listed in the Participant Informed Consent form provided before you begin the trial. 

Are clinical trials safe?

Participant safety and wellbeing is paramount at Canopy Clinical – prior to enrolment in any trial, you will be guided through the Informed Consent process, ensuring that you have a clear and thorough understanding of potential risks, restrictions and activities involved in the trial to help you make an informed decision.  

Before a trial begins recruitment, it must be approved by an independent Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), which ensures the study is scientifically valid and prioritizes participant well-being. HRECs in Australia abide by the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, which is referenced in Therapeutic Goods Regulations. 

Throughout the trial, participants are closely monitored by healthcare professionals, and safety data is regularly reviewed.  

 

Will there be any side effects?

Often, treatments and medical procedures involved in clinical trials have the potential to cause side effects. The Participant Information and Consent Form provided to you prior to enrolment in a trial will contain a full list of known side effects based on previous studies and similar existing treatments.  

Our medical team will closely monitor you throughout your participation for any side effects. 

What do you do to my results?

Once a clinical trial is complete, the results of each participant group are analyzed, summarized and published as a report on an online registry such as clinicaltrials.gov, or as a paper in a scientific journal. These results are completely de-identified. This process can take anywhere between several months to years, depending on the amount of data collected and the complexity of the trial.  

You can request the report of the whole participant group from your trial doctor once they are published. However, it is unlikely that your individual report will be provided – you can instead request the results of your individual medical tests, such as blood work, electrocardiograms and imaging conducted during the trial. 

How will my data be protected?

The Participant Information and Consent Form outlines what information will be shared and what happens with your results.   

When sharing your data with authorized agencies, your data is ‘de-identified’ and replaced with a participant ID or code – meaning that your personal details are not disclosed. This ensures that your information remains confidential and cannot be traced back to you. 

Your personal contact details will only ever be used for the purpose of research at Canopy Clinical and will not be shared with any third parties without your explicit permission, except when required by law. 

Will I be paid for taking part in a clinical trial?

Depending on the trial, participants may receive reimbursement. This could be in the form of reimbursement for expenses incurred to attend visits, such as travel costs or parking fees. It could also be a stipend payment for your time and effort invested into the study. Sometimes, you may receive a combination of both.  

Our dedicated recruitment team at Canopy Clinical will be able to provide reimbursement information for each trial during your pre-screening call.

What is a placebo?

A placebo is a substance that resembles the drug being tested in the trial, but does not contain any active ingredients that will produce a therapeutic effect. This may be in the form of a sugar pill or an injection containing saline solution, for example. 

Investigational treatments in clinical trials are often compared to a placebo group as a way of accurately measuring their effectiveness. Usually, the participants will not know which treatment they have been assigned to receive.

Participants will always be informed on whether a placebo group is being used in trial or not, as well as their chances of being assigned to the placebo group during the informed consent process. Depending on the participant, a trial involving a placebo may not be acceptable – always discuss with your doctor what may be best for you.  

Still have questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to our friendly team today!

Actively Recruiting Studies

At Canopy Clinical, we conduct trials spanning a broad range of therapeutic and interventional areas, including vaccines, metabolic, cardiovascular disease, sexual health, dermatology, and mental health research.

Find a study that’s right for you—view our current trials and register your interest today!

Coeliac Disease Research Study
Starts: 01 Aug 2025
Ages: 18 - 70

Coeliac Disease Research Study

This is a research study investigating a potential new medication for Coeliac disease.
Altona North
RSV Vaccine Study
Starts: 11 Jul 2025
Ages: 18-49

RSV Vaccine Study

This is a research study looking for people between the ages of 18 to 49 investigating a new mRNA vaccine designed to prevent against Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Wollongong
Cardiovascular and Kidney disease Study
Starts: 07 Jun 2024
Ages: 45+

Cardiovascular and Kidney disease Study

This study is researching the effects of a medication on the cardiovascular outcomes and kidney function in adults living with obesity. Living with excess weight or obesity can increase your risk of chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.  
Northern Beaches
Expressions of Interest: Respiratory virus vaccine research program
Starts: 18 Jun 2025
Ages: 18 - 45

Expressions of Interest: Respiratory virus vaccine research program

Canopy Clinical Wollongong has launched a new respiratory virus vaccine research program for local Illawarra residents between the ages of 18 and 45.
Wollongong
Influenza Vaccine Study
Starts: 09 Jun 2025
Ages: 65+

Influenza Vaccine Study

This study is researching an investigational influenza vaccine for people aged 65 and older. The vaccine aims to be more effective in preventing influenza A and B in comparison to current publicly available influenza vaccines.
Northern Beaches
Wollongong
Hypertriglyceridemia Study
Starts: 02 Jun 2025
Ages: 18 - 70

Hypertriglyceridemia Study

This study is investigating the effect of a potential new medication designed to lower triglyceride levels in people with hypertriglyceridemia.
Altona North
Chronic heart disease – Atherosclerosis study
Starts: 01 May 2025
Ages: 18+

Chronic heart disease - Atherosclerosis study

This is a research study investigating a potential new treatment for atherosclerosis, a chronic heart disease.
Altona North
Venous Leg Ulcers Study
Starts: 01 Mar 2025
Ages: 18+

Venous Leg Ulcers Study

This research study is investigating a new potential treatment for Venous Leg Ulcers (VLUs), a clear gel containing an experimental drug that is applied directly to the VLU; compared to a control placebo gel treatment.
Altona North
Wollongong
Panic disorder study
Starts: 01 Feb 2025
Ages: 18+

Panic disorder study

This study is investigating the use of a new medication that is a combination of two previously approved treatments for hypertension to target the CNS physiological stress system for patients with panic disorder.
Sutherland Shire
Wollongong
Genital Herpes Study
Starts: 01 Feb 2025
Ages: 18 - 60

Genital Herpes Study

This research study is investigating the safety and effects of a new antiviral medication to suppress recurrent genital herpes in participants living with recurrent genital herpes.
Wollongong
Northern Beaches
Sutherland Shire
Weight Management Research Program
Starts: 17 Apr 2025
Ages: 18+

Weight Management Research Program

Canopy Clinical has launched a suite of weight-management related studies. Register your interest in participating today.
Wollongong
Altona North
Sutherland Shire
Northern Beaches
Atopic Dermatitis Study
Starts: 02 Apr 2025
Ages: 18+

Atopic Dermatitis Study

This study is testing a new potential topical treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD), a long-term skin condition that causes intense itching, redness, and irritation.
Northern Beaches
Wollongong
Altona North

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Testimonials

“I participated in the trial to help everyone to develop a combined safe vaccine. I would definitely recommend the trials to anyone. The staff were all friendly and efficient!”
Deidre
Deidre
Two Trials Completed in 2023 and 2024
“Positive and welcoming and experience from staff! Really made us feel like we were making a difference, especially during the age of COVID.”
Elizabeth
Elizabeth
Three-time Trial Participant
“I'm participating in the trial to progress research and for better and more effective vaccinations for the future. The staff are very friendly and professional!”
Kim
Kim
2022 COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Participant

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