# Clinical Trials Database

Query ClinicalTrials.gov via APIv2.

- Repository: https://github.com/google-deepmind/science-skills (3377 stars)
- Category: Engineering
- License: Apache-2.0
- Last updated: 2026-10-23
- Runs scripts: yes, review before use

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add google-deepmind/science-skills --skill clinical-trials-database -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add google-deepmind/science-skills --skill clinical-trials-database -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add google-deepmind/science-skills --skill clinical-trials-database -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add google-deepmind/science-skills --skill clinical-trials-database -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Query ClinicalTrials.gov via APIv2. Use when you want to search for trials by condition, drug, location, status, or phase; retrieve trial details by NCT ID; check eligibility/inclusion criteria; count trials across conditions or time periods; identify a sponsor's trial portfolio; find recruiting trials for patient matching.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Clinical Trials Database

## Prerequisites

1.  **`uv`**: Read the `uv` skill and follow its Setup instructions to ensure
    `uv` is installed and on PATH.
2.  **User Notification**: If .licenses/clinical_trials_database_LICENSE.txt
    does not already exist in the workspace root directory then (1) prominently
    notify the user to check the terms at https://clinicaltrials.gov/, then (2)
    create the file recording the notification text and timestamp.

## Overview

Access worldwide clinical trial data from ClinicalTrials.gov via the REST API
v2. The CLI script at `scripts/clinical_trials_api.py` wraps the API with
dedicated flags for common filters (phase, age group, status, intervention,
sponsor, etc.) so you rarely need to construct raw queries.

## Core Rules

-   **Use the Wrapper**: ALWAYS execute the provided helper scripts to query the
    database rather than accessing the database directly. The scripts
    automatically enforce the required rate limit gracefully.
-   **Always use `--fields`**, trial JSON records can be very large; restrict
    to the data points you need.
-   **Use `--count-total` first**, check result volume before fetching all
    records.
-   **Paginate large result sets**, use `--limit` with `--page-token` to
    iterate.
-   **Trust Search Filters**: Do not manually re-filter results unless
    explicitly asked to verify detailed eligibility.
-   **Notification**: If this skill is used, ensure this is mentioned in the
    output.

## Context Efficiency Warning

Trial JSON records can be very large. **Always** use the `--fields` parameter to
restrict the response to only the data points you need. After writing to file,
read only the fields you need rather than the entire file.

> [!TIP] Use `references/studies_schema.md` to identify exact field paths for
> `--fields`.

## Response Layout Summary

The rest: https://github.com/google-deepmind/science-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/clinical_trials_database/SKILL.md