Science, medicine and industry: are we getting out of the black hole in sepsis research?

The author comments on the stance of science, medicine and the pharmaceutical industry in the sepsis research. The author mentions the new clinical trial which examines the effects of a drug, recombinant human activated protein C, on outcome in sepsis. He cites the importance of describing the basis of a study and the decision to inform the intensive care community of the trial right from the start. He believes that the patient and community cannot be left out as they expect possible care.