Research methods
Evidence grading methodology
How we assign Preclinical / Phase 1 / Phase 2 / Phase 3 / Outcome trial evidence / Licensed medicine evidence grades to peptides and trials on this site.
Our evidence grades reflect the strongest published evidence available for the molecule or trial under review.
Grades and their meaning
Preclinical: animal or cell-culture data only. Phase 1: small human pharmacokinetic / tolerability trials. Phase 2: dose-finding human efficacy data in the target population. Phase 3: pivotal human efficacy data in the licensed-style population. Outcome trial evidence: dedicated MACE, kidney, heart-failure, MASH or mortality endpoint trials. Licensed medicine evidence: regulatory authorisation in at least one major jurisdiction, with monitored pharmacovigilance.
How we apply them
The grade reflects the strongest evidence stage reached at the time of review. We do not upgrade based on press releases ahead of peer-reviewed publication or regulatory authorisation.
Where the grade is conservative
For investigational compounds with topline data only, we keep the grade at the phase whose full publication exists. Topline-only readouts are reported as topline.
Key takeaways
- Evidence grade tracks the strongest published evidence at the time of review.
- Topline-only data is reported as such.
- Grades update with new publications, not with press cycles.
- Formal statistical training.
- Individual treatment, prescribing or dosing advice.
- Permission to skip the original publication of any trial cited.