How we source data. What we don't do.
Clinical Trial Compass is a plain-language window onto open government data — nothing more, nothing hidden. Here's exactly where every number comes from, how fresh it is, and how to check any of it yourself.
Sources
Where our data comes from
Three public sources, all run by the U.S. government. We don't add private data, and we tell you the limits of each.
ClinicalTrials.gov API v2
U.S. National Library of Medicine
Refreshed dailyThe world's largest public registry of clinical studies. We pull trial records — status, phase, eligibility criteria, locations, and contacts — straight from the official API.
Caveat: There's a reporting lag between when a sponsor changes something and when it appears in the registry. Not every record lists a real, currently recruiting site — some sites listed may already be full or closed. Always confirm status with the study team.
FDA FAERS adverse events
FDA Adverse Event Reporting System
Refreshed on FDA's quarterly cycleVoluntary reports of side effects and adverse events submitted by patients, clinicians, and manufacturers. We surface these as real-world safety signals — patterns worth asking your doctor about.
Caveat: This is spontaneous reporting, so it shows real-world safety signals, not proof of causation. A high report count can simply mean a drug is widely prescribed. Reports are unverified and a single event may be reported more than once.
openFDA drug labels
FDA Structured Product Labeling
Refreshed on FDA's update cycleThe official, FDA-approved labeling for a drug — indications, warnings, dosing, and contraindications as written for prescribers.
Caveat: Labels cover the approved-indication only. A drug may be studied or used off-label for other conditions that the label does not describe, and labeling can lag behind the latest research.
Our commitments
What we don't do
The trust model is simple: we surface raw public data with its NCT IDs, and we stay out of the way.
No pharma ranking
We never order trials or drugs to favour a sponsor. Results follow your search and the public data — nothing else.
No sponsored placement
No sponsor can pay to appear higher, be featured, or be promoted to you. There are no paid trial listings anywhere on this site.
No hidden scoring
We don't apply secret weightings that nudge you toward one option. Where we show a match or signal, we explain what it's based on.
No selling patient data
We don't sell, rent, or broker your searches or any information about you to pharma, data brokers, or anyone else.
What we do instead: surface the raw public record, attached to its NCT IDand source date, so you can trace any claim back to the original government source. The registry is the authority — we're just a clearer lens onto it.
Freshness
Data freshness & verifying it yourself
You never have to take our word for it. Every trial traces back to a public record you can open directly.
Current as of 6 Jun 2026
Trial records carry a source and last-updated date drawn from the registry. Where we show data for a specific trial or drug, we surface that date so you can judge how recent it is. The underlying ClinicalTrials.gov data behind this site is current as of 6 Jun 2026.
Check any trial directly
Every trial has an NCT identifier. To see the original record, open it on ClinicalTrials.gov by appending the ID to the study URL:
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT########Replace NCT######## with the trial's ID (for example, NCT04280705). That page is the authoritative source — if anything here disagrees with it, the registry wins.
Honest limits
Limitations
A clear-eyed list of what this tool can and can't tell you. We'd rather under-promise.
This is not medical advice
Everything here is informational. Nothing on Clinical Trial Compass should replace a conversation with your doctor, oncologist, or specialist. We surface public data — we don't interpret it for your specific situation.
Eligibility must be confirmed with the study team
Any match or eligibility signal we show is a starting point for a conversation. You may meet some major criteria — confirm with the study team. Only the trial's coordinator can determine whether you actually qualify.
Geography and contact data can be stale
Site locations, recruiting status, and contact details come from the registry and can lag reality. A listed site may have closed, filled, or moved. Verify the current status directly before travelling or making decisions.
Safety signals are not proof
Adverse event data reflects real-world safety signals, not proof of causation. Report counts are influenced by how widely a drug is used and how diligently events are reported.
Not medical advice. This page describes our data practices, not a treatment recommendation. Trial eligibility is determined by the study coordinator, not by Compass. Data current as of 6 Jun 2026.