preclinical

adjective

pre·​clin·​i·​cal (ˌ)prē-ˈkli-ni-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or concerned with the period preceding clinical manifestations

2

: of, relating to, or being the period in medical or dental education preceding the clinical study of medicine or dentistry

3

: occurring prior to clinical testing

a preclinical animal study of a new therapy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

After all, researchers often use the least complex models available for preclinical studies to reduce time and cost. —Chengpeng Chen, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2023

However, preclinical studies offer a little bit of insight as to how the cannabinoid may interact with the body. —Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2022

In addition, Xilis’ technology enables drug developers to scale and streamline all phases of preclinical and clinical development, resulting in more efficient use of resources. —Stephen Ibaraki, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2022

Companies hope the products will be authorized solely on basis of preclinical data showing adequate levels of neutralizing antibodies. —Charles Schmidt, Scientific American, 7 July 2022

For each of the candidates that have made it into clinical trials, there are several more in preclinical development. —Marla Broadfoot, Scientific American, 3 May 2022

The team is currently working on the preclinical studies that are necessary to begin human trials in 2023, Torchia said. —Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2022

The team is currently working on the preclinical studies that are necessary to begin human trials in 2023, Torchia said. —oregonlive, 7 Dec. 2022

The firm already has a pipeline of 14 preclinical protein therapies, including five with its pharmaceutical partner, Amgen. —Ryan Cross, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Dec. 2022

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

preclinical

adjective

pre·​clin·​i·​cal (ˈ)prē-ˈklin-i-kəl 

1

a

: of, relating to, concerned with, or being the period preceding clinical manifestations

the preclinical stage of diabetes mellitus

b

: occurring prior to a clinical trial

preclinical animal testing to assess a drug's safety

2

: of, relating to, or being the period in medical or dental education preceding the clinical study of medicine or dentistry

the preclinical years

specifically : of or relating to the early period of prescribed medical or dental study devoted to the basic sciences (as anatomy, physiology, and pathology)

preclinical studies

3

: of, relating to, or being a science basic to medicine

research in the preclinical sciences