The Universal Trial Number (UTN)

The aim of the Universal Trial Number (UTN) is to facilitate the unambiguous identification of clinical trials. The UTN is not a registration number.

The UTN is a number that should be obtained early in the history of the trial. The UTN should:

• become permanently attached to the trial
• be used whenever information about the trial is communicated
• become part of the trial's identity
• be documented in the trial protocol
• be submitted every time the trial is registered

It is recognized that some UTNs will be attached to trials that do not progress; that is, trials that never become fully developed protocols and that never recruit participants. Some UTNs will therefore never appear attached to a registered trial.