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

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.

Vanda, a small biopharmaceutical company based in Washington, has completed the second phase of clinical trials of a motion-sickness drug it hopes will compete with industry leader Dramamine.