In this chilling episode of Dark History of Clinical Trials, we explore the devastating 2016 Phase 1 clinical trial in Rennes, France, that left one man dead and several others with lasting neurological damage. Designed to test a new painkiller, the study went catastrophically wrong after investigators escalated the dose without properly analyzing earlier data. We uncover what went wrong, the oversight failures, and how it shook public trust in drug development.

This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of why data review, transparency, and ethical safeguards in early-phase trials are not just protocols—they are matters of life and death.

In Part 3 of our series on government-funded clinical trials, we shift the focus to the upsides of working in publicly funded research. From greater patient diversity and broader public health impact to mission-driven work and long-term study follow-through, we highlight what makes this space both rewarding and unique.

We also explore what kind of professionals thrive in this environment. Is it the detail-oriented? The mission-focused? The ones who care deeply about equity in access to care?

Tune in as we explore why some coordinators and investigators choose this path—and why they stay.

In this continuation of our deep dive into government-funded clinical trials, we explore real-world examples of how these studies operate differently from private pharma-sponsored research. Our guest shares firsthand insights into challenges like proving adverse events without medical records, navigating patient compensation differences, and the disconnect between research benchmarks and real-life feasibility. We also discuss the impact of wealth distribution on patient access and trial participation. What happens when hospitals close patient accounts, but research teams still need documentation? How do these trials ensure continuity of care? Join us as we unpack the complexities of conducting research in a government-funded setting.