A clinical trial is a research study to evaluate a new drug, a treatment or a medical device. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that improve human health. Before a new drug or treatment is tested with humans, it is carefully studied for several years in the laboratory and tested for safety. This research identifies the new methods most likely to succeed and how to use them safely and effectively. If the initial laboratory research is successful, the data is sent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval to continue research and testing in humans. Once approved, human testing of experimental drugs and devices can begin and is typically conducted in four phases. Each phase is considered a separate trial and, after completion of a phase, investigators are required to submit their data for approval from the FDA before continuing to the next phase
A good website for finding info on what is currently happening in the world of clinical trials for IVF is ClinicalTrials.gov It lists current, recruiting and past trials and information on each.