What happens after the clinical trial ends?
When a trial ends you typically have a final 'end-of-study' visit covering a physical exam, labs, and a final symptom review. Depending on the design, several things can happen next. If the drug worked and is being further developed, the sponsor may offer an 'open-label extension' where you keep receiving the drug for free, sometimes for years until approval. If the drug is approved by the FDA, your prescriber may transition you to the commercial product. If the drug didn't work or you're randomized to placebo, the team will help you transition back to standard care, often coordinating with your treating physician. Long-term follow-up visits (6, 12, or 24 months out) are common for gene therapy, vaccine, and oncology studies to track durable safety. Final compensation, including any completion bonus, is paid at the end-of-study visit. You can request a copy of the study results when they're published — sponsors are increasingly required to share lay summaries with participants.