Optimal Clinical Trials

27/02/2026

Our study participants gave us an NPS of 100, and it means a lot to know they feel well looked after when they visit us. Thank you to everyone who takes part in our studies and helps develop new, safer, or better treatments. And thank you to our team for the way you care for every volunteer who makes our work possible.

“Kevin, Lukas, and the doctor were all very nice and I felt relaxed and safe, and it all helped to make me calm.”
Study Participant

26/02/2026

We believe in doing research for good and always look for ways big and small to lend a hand in our communities. This week our friends from The Collective came by Optimal to collect items we’re donating for the families they support in Auckland. If you’d like to see how you could get involved, Lionel welcomes your call on 021 1621 543 or you can reach Teleaga at Teleaga02@gmail.com

26/02/2026

Thank you to Multiple Sclerosis Auckland for partnering with us at Optimal to raise awareness about our clinical trials testing a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis. More than 1,000 people in Auckland live with MS and the organisation provides valuable services for those managing the condition. You can visit their website to explore ways to get involved or join Southern Cross Round the Bays in 2026 to fundraise on their behalf. It’s a simple way to contribute to a charity supporting many local families.

Image Source: Multiple Sclerosis Auckland

26/02/2026

We recently marked Lunar New Year with good food and red envelopes for good luck, a simple way to start the Year of the Horse and appreciate the people who make our work possible. We’re lucky to have a team from many backgrounds and cultures. It helps us relate to and support the wide mix of study participants who come through our clinics. Wishing everyone good health and good luck for the year ahead.

10/02/2026

If you're 70 or older and haven’t had a shingles or chickenpox vaccine, you may be able to join a study testing an investigational vaccine that may offer better protection with fewer side effects.

Why take part?
🔹Help researchers potentially develop better vaccine options to protect older adults
🔹Receive study-related medical care at no cost
🔹All participants may receive shingles protection (either the current approved vaccine or the investigational one)
🔹It costs nothing to take part; participants get reimbursed for time and travel (up to $2850 NZD less tax)

Visit: https://www.optimalclinicaltrials.com/open-trials/auckland #!/study/179
OR
Call 0800 73 73 27 ext 1 to find out more or to register your interest.

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/