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International Clinical Trials Day: Shaping the Future Before Symptoms Start

Every year on May 20th, we celebrate International Clinical Trials Day — a moment to thank the people who make medical progress possible: study participants. This year, the INTERCEPT project marks the day by introducing the groundbreaking PREDICT-CD study, the first-ever clinical study in Europe to explore whether Crohn’s disease can be predicted, and potentially prevented, before symptoms ever appear.

PREDICT-CD: A Study Before the Symptoms Start

The PREDICT-CD study, launching soon under the INTERCEPT project, is the first-ever European clinical study using biomarkers — tiny biological signals in your blood — to predict and potentially prevent Crohn’s disease during the pre-clinical phase. That is before symptoms appear, before damage begins and before diagnosis is even possible with today’s tools.

The study will recruit first-degree relatives of people living with Crohn’s, such as siblings, children or parents, between the ages of 16 and 35. Close family members of those with Crohn’s disease may carry a higher risk of developing the disease, and may also carry the power to help INTERCEPT change the story of Crohn’s for the next generation.

Clinical Studies: Let’s Bust the Myths

Still unsure? Let’s clear up some common misconceptions — especially for studies like PREDICT-CD.

  • “Participants are guinea pigs”: Not even close. Participants in clinical studies are partners in progress. By joining, they are not only learning about their own risk, but they are helping medical science take a leap forward.
  • “Clinical studies are unsafe or risky”: Studies like PREDICT-CD follow strict safety and ethical guidelines. Every step is carefully designed, approved and monitored by experts to protect and guide participants.
  • “It’s probably painful or intense”: For most participants, it’s a simple blood test and a few questionnaires. Participants are supported by experts — in their native language — every step of the way.
  • “Anyone can sign up”: Actually, clinical studies have clear criteria to ensure meaningful results. PREDICT-CD is specifically for first-degree relatives of people living with Crohn’s between 16 and 35 years old.
  • “My personal data won’t be safe”: Participant’s privacy is protected through secure, coded systems. Participation is voluntary and participants can withdraw at any time, no questions asked.

Why It Matters — and Why Now

With 21 partners across Europe, the US and South Korea, the PREDICT-CD study will take place in seven European countries. It is part of INTERCEPT’s broader mission to detect Crohn’s disease earlier than ever before — even before early — and work toward a future where it may one day be preventable.

Be the Reason Crohn’s Is Caught Earlier — or Stopped Altogether

If you are between 16 and 35 and have a first-degree relative living with Crohn’s disease, this is your chance to take part in something bigger — for yourself, for your loved ones and for the millions of people affected by Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease worldwide.

Visit www.intercept-ihi.eu/studies to learn more about the PREDICT-CD study, how it connects to INTERCEPT’s goals and how you or someone in your family can participate.