At International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Peter Horby, FMedSci, professor of emerging infectious diseases, Global Health Director, Pandemic Sciences Institute, Oxford University, UK, and Executive Director, International Severe Acute Respiratory and emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC), discussed clinical trial design in the context of emerging infectious diseases. According to Professor Sir Horby, steps for increasing progress include smarter funding and trial design, proportionate trial regulations and guidance, and tools and services to help principal investigators.