Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

preclinical

Adjective

/ˌpriːˈklɪnɪkəl/

Definition

Relating to the phase of medical research that occurs before a drug or treatment is tested on humans.

Examples

Preclinical trials are essential for assessing the safety of a new medication.
The team completed preclinical studies to gather necessary data before moving to human trials.
Researchers are conducting preclinical experiments to evaluate the efficacy of the experimental drug.

Meaning

Preclinical refers to research and studies that are conducted before clinical trials. This phase is focused on understanding the safety and biological effects of a treatment through laboratory and animal testing.