Optimal Clinical Trials

29/01/2026

Many of our clinical trial participants know Dr Zarina Williams for her warm and reassuring manner. For those who haven’t met her yet, she’s one of the reasons people feel comfortable taking part in a study at Optimal. Dr Zarina is a Senior Research Physician with a background in nursing and medicine, and she has spent years supporting people through their health journeys. She takes the time to explain every step, answer questions, and make sure our volunteers feel informed and at ease during their visits. If you’re thinking about joining a clinical trial, you’ll be well looked after by our doctors like Zarina and the wider Optimal team. Learn what it’s like to take part, visit www.optimalclinicaltrials.com or call us on 0800 73 73 27 ext 1.

25/01/2026

Our clinical trial participants experience the ‘feel-good factor’ because they:

💙 Contribute to the advancement of medicine
💙 Are helping develop new or better treatments
💙 Receive a stipend ($) for their contribution
💙 Get a warm welcome and expert care from the Optimal Clinical Trials team.

Taking part in a clinical trial can help improve treatments for people who need them now and in the future.

Clink on this link to find out more: https://www.optimalclinicaltrials.com/olderadults

24/01/2026

What would it mean if you didn’t have to deal with daily symptoms?

Clinical trials have the potential to give hope to others with medical conditions. Participants may get access to potential new or better treatments, but above all will be helping improve medicine for future patients in need.

Visit our website to find out more: https://www.optimalclinicaltrials.com/participant-hub/join-our-research-family-1

20/01/2026

Help people with MS stay active for longer.
If you’re living with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS), you may be able to join a clinical trial testing a potential new treatment that may slow decline, reduce relapses, and help people stay active for longer.

Trial participants receive study related medical care at no cost and a stipend (up to $4750 NZD before tax) for their time and travel. Medsafe and the Health and Disability Ethics Committee have approved this study to run here in New Zealand.

Click on the one of the links below to learn more:
• Auckland - https://www.optimalclinicaltrials.com/open-trials/auckland #!/study/192
• Christchurch - https://www.optimalclinicaltrials.com/open-trials/christchurch #!/study/19

24/12/2025

Migraine affects around 733,000 people in New Zealand based on 2023 data. Taking part in clinical research is one way people contribute to developing new treatment options. Working with groups such as Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand helps us share research opportunities with their community, and we appreciate the awareness they bring so their members can make informed choices. To find out more about the work they do to support people with migraine, go to https://migrainefoundation.org.nz/

Discover insights into migraine disease at Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand. Effective management, treatment options & support resources for people living with migraine.

24/12/2025

Behind every clinical trial is a person volunteering their time to help improve care and treatment options for others. That is why we make sure our participants are treated with respect, given clear information, and are well looked after. The feedback we hear from participants means a lot to our team, here’s what they say.

Click this link to learn more about what it’s like to be a participant in a clinical trial: https://www.optimalclinicaltrials.com/participant-hub/join-our-research-family-1

24/12/2025

Christmas can be a stressful time for many, so our team has continued our yearly tradition that means a lot to us. We have partnered again with Global Hope Missions and their Ark Collective Project to put together hampers filled with food and essentials for families who are doing it tough and could use some extra support. Knowing these reach people who might otherwise go without is important to us. You can read more about the Ark Collective and their community work here: https://ghm.org.nz/news/ark-collective-project/

24/12/2025

Every day, someone is waiting for a better or safer treatment. It might be a loved one, a friend, or even you. At Optimal Clinical Trials, that reality shapes everything we do. Our first responsibility is your safety, your comfort, and the quality of care you receive with us.

This year, your time and generosity helped researchers learn more about conditions such as eczema, coeliac disease, asthma, gout, menopause, and many others. To you, our study participants and community groups, thank you for being part of our research family. Better treatments can’t wait, and together, we help bring them to people sooner.

Click on the video below to watch how you’ve supported the development of better treatments in 2025.

13/11/2025

It’s World Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is a significant and growing health issue affecting around 324,000 New Zealanders, according to Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora. Globally, 14% or over 800 million adults are living with diabetes. Clinical trials help drive the development of better treatment options, improving how people with diabetes live day to day. Our Optimal team has supported multiple diabetes studies in the past and has more upcoming studies. A huge thank you to all our participants - without your time and dedication, research wouldn’t be possible.

05/11/2025

Thank you to everyone in Christchurch who put their hand up for our coeliac diseases study. Your time and effort helped us reach a world first - with our Optimal team enrolling the first global participant. You help researchers learn faster and bring potential options closer for people who need them whilewe keep data quality and participant care front of mind at every visit. Special thanks to Vaidehi, Evangeline, Virginia, Chris, and Phoebe from our Christchurch team.

02/11/2025

Many of you who visit our North Shore site will know Dr Claudette. She’s been with Optimal for many years and is one of our most experienced Principal Investigators.

Claudette led a previous asthma study at Optimal, working closely with families through each visit, even with the challenges of running a paediatric trial during COVID.

The study has now been published in a highly respected medical journal, showing a 45 percent reduction in asthma attacks with budesonide-formoterol reliever compared with salbutamol. It’s a result that means a lot for children living with asthma in New Zealand and overseas.

Claudette grew up with asthma herself and often talks about why this research matters to her. Seeing the impact of this study gives her hope for healthier futures for young people.

To the children and the families who took part, thank you. Your involvement made this possible.


Asthma New Zealand Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ

31/10/2025

Meds not working for migraine? If you're still getting migraine despite being on propranolol, topiramate or CGRP blockers you may be eligible for a clinical study testing a new preventive treatment. This Botulinum Toxin option may help reduce the number of migraine episodes.

Click on the links below or call 0800 73 73 27 for more info.

Auckland https://www.optimalclinicaltrials.com/open-trials/auckland #!/study/161

Christchurch https://www.optimalclinicaltrials.com/open-trials/christchurch #!/study/5