In the never-ending war between science and disease, the heroes are many, the victories few. Human Trials is the gripping story of one of the battles in that war, an attack on autoimmune disease, and of the brave and hopeful patients, dedicated scientists, and bold venture capitalists who become allied in the struggle.

Susan Quinn's extraordinary story takes the reader into the closed world of experimental drug trials in which new drugs are developed: Her account is told from inside, from the lead investigator's diaries, the closed-door meetings with investors, and the hopeful or heartrending encounters in doctor's offices. The target of these particular “human trials” is autoimmune disease - the set of major incurable afflictions, affecting over 50 million people, which include multiple sclerosis, arthritis, lupus and diabetes - in which the body attacks its own tissue. At the same time, this is the archtypical story of all medical research: the emotion-laden roller coaster trip from the lab bench to the medicine cabinet, in which scientists risk their reputations, venture capitalists their millions, and patients, their very lives.

“An important read...a revealing inside look at the drama and frailty of our system of human experimentation.”

—Salon.com (Must log in first to see review)

“A pharmo-thriller”
—HmsBeagle.com

“A real-life thriller”
—New York Daily News

“Human Trials is a rare work that should be required reading for doctors and investors - and for patients who must decide whether or not to participate in a clinical trial.”
—Business Week

“This book is to experimental drug trials what Randy Shilts’s And the Band Played On was to the AIDS epidemic. In resonant journalistic prose, Quinn manages to capture the day-by-day human drama of high-stakes drug testing on patients with multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, everyday people who gamble with their lives to find a cure. Her case study of winner-take-all medicine is AutoImmune, a pharmaceutical company risking millions on one doctor’s big idea, with a slim chance of exponential returns should a new drug be brought successfully to market. Quinn argues that failure is progress, in this field at least, where even crushing defeat can broaden understanding. This gives some idea of the extreme emotional highs and lows in this book. Quinn, whose work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine and Atlantic Monthly, knows how to tell this story: from the lab and the conference room; over coffee in the kitchen of an MS patient’s modest split-level; in the clinic waiting room on any given weekday. AutoImmune’s big idea, called oral tolerance, is similar to the ancient idea that feeding a small bit of a poison can build tolerance to that poison. In this case, The idea is to build up immunity by administering small doses of myelin and collagen, the proteins attacked in MS and rheumatoid arthritis, respectively. There are plenty of make-or-break moments in this book, made all the more poignant by Quinn’s considerable talents as a biographer, which lend depth of character to the doctors and patients who grace these pages.”
—Publishers Weekly Starred Review

“Quinn does an impressive job of explaining complicated science and the politics of lab research. A fine writer, she brings her characters to life.”
—Institutional Investor

“Ms. Quinn deftly explores the tension between the world of science, in which researchers eager to have their work validated by other laboratories fully disclose their findings as quickly as possible, and the business world, which requires secrecy until patents can be filed. By taking readers briskly and comprehensively through the exciting process of drug discovery, Ms. Quinn has done a real service, helping laypeople appreciate why new drugs cost so much.”
—The Wall Street Journal

How are new drugs conceived and tested? Quinn (Marie Curie: A Life) attempts to answer that question as she follows the quest of Harvard neurologist Howard Weiner. Using observations from Weiner's personal journals along with interviews and videotapes of key events, Quinn portrays the personal hopes and frustrations that are part of the drug trial process. Weiner's team strives to produce safe, easy-to-ingest drugs for individuals with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Quinn's absorbing book follows the formulation of the drugs from the basic biological theory to fund-raising efforts and, finally, the formulation and execution of the trials. The human aspects of the process are very evident as the reader is introduced to the researchers, investors, doctors, and, most importantly, patients involved in the trial. ”
—The Library Jounal

“Quinn gained unusual access, sitting in on private meetings, interviewing investors, researchers, even patients, whose identities are rarely provided to journalists… Read Human Trials for a glimpse into the world of clinical trials.”
—Washington Monthly

“Quinn is especially good at describing relationships among investigators, patients, businesspeople and financiers.” “[an] important study”.
—Booklist

“The same talents that make Susan Quinn such an immensely gifted biographer serve her well in this fine new book: She is a tireless researcher, a resourceful historian, and she writes individual scenes that have the pace and power one expects to find in a novel. Human Trials is absolutely fascinating: a window into the world behind the medical marvels we often take for granted, and their very human cost”
—Chris Bohjalian, author of Trans-Sister Radio and Midwives

“A revealing window into the labyrinth of medical discovery and the scientists who are not deterred by its blind alleys and broad obstacles to pursue their dreams”
—Jerome E. Groopman, M.D., Harvard Medical School, author of The Measure of Our Days and Second Opinions

“This superbly written, keenly perceived, and poignant story shows medical science and entrepreneurs confronting both intractable disease and the still baffling placebo effect.”
—Dudley Herschbach, Harvard University, Nobel prizewinner in Chemistry

“An important book for those who want first-hand understanding of the complexities and conflicts of clinical research.”
—David Nathan, M.D., former director, Dana Farber Cancer Institute

“Susan Quinn has captured the exhilaration and frustration of translating science into treatments for patients in dire need.”
—Susan Zolla-Pazner, Professor of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine

“A very interesting and well-written story of the venture capital process”
—Peter A. Brooke, Chairman, Advent International

“A riveting drama of a doctor dedicated to conquering one of mankind's most terrible diseases, and the web he has spun to attract others to realize his goal - doctors, patients, researchers, and the business community. This book describes the partnership needed from every corner of society. I couldn't put it down.”
—Isadore Rosenfeld, M.D., Medical Editor, Parade