Prognosis

How Do You Test a New Seasickness Drug? Take Pill, Set Sail

  • Vanda puts 126 people on boats for motion-sickness trial
  • Company hopes tradipitant will one day compete with Dramamine

A passenger sunbathes on a lounge chair aboard a cruise ship. 

Photographer: Tim Boyle/Bloomberg
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Most drug trials take place in sterile hospital labs, universities or clinics. Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. decided a boat in the Pacific Ocean would be better.

It wasn’t for relaxation; actually quite the opposite. Vanda wanted to try to make the participants in the trial seasick.