Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA) Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

The acronym IND stands for "Investigational New Drug." This term is crucial in the context of clinical research and the drug development process. It refers to a drug that is being studied for safety and efficacy in human subjects but has not yet received approval from the FDA for general use. The IND application is a request for permission from the FDA to begin clinical trials with the drug.

In the process of drug development, securing IND status is essential as it allows researchers to conduct trials that gather necessary data to demonstrate whether the drug is safe and effective. This is a critical step before any new medication can be marketed to the public. The importance of this designation lies in its role in ensuring that new drugs are adequately tested for risks and benefits before becoming available.

Other options listed do not accurately represent the widely accepted terminology used in clinical trials and drug development. Therefore, the correct expansion of the acronym is Investigational New Drug.