<Li> By contrast, a proof of technology aims to determine the solution to some technical problem (such as how two systems might integrate) or to demonstrate that a given configuration can achieve a certain throughput . No business users need be involved in a proof of technology . </Li> <Li> A pilot project refers to an initial roll - out of a system into production, targeting a limited scope of the intended final solution . The scope may be limited by the number of users who can access the system, the business processes affected, the business partners involved, or other restrictions as appropriate to the domain . The purpose of a pilot project is to test, often in a production environment . </Li> <P> Although not suggested by natural language, and in contrast to usage in other areas, Proof of Principle and Proof of Concept are not synonymous in drug development . A third term, Proof of Mechanism, is closely related and is also described here . All of these terms lack rigorous definitions and exact usage varies between authors, between institutions and over time . The descriptions given below are intended to be informative and practically useful . </P> <P> The underlying principle is related to the use of biomarkers as surrogate endpoints in early clinical trials . See for example the introductory discussion on pages 3 to 9 of Downing's Biomarkers and surrogate endpoints: clinical research and applications . In early development it is not practical to directly measure that a drug is effective in treating the desired disease, and a surrogate endpoint is used to guide whether or not it is appropriate to proceed with further testing . For example, although it cannot be determined early that a new antibiotic cures patients with pneumonia, early indicators would include that the drug is effective in killing bacteria in laboratory tests, or that it reduces temperature in infected patients - such a drug would merit further testing to determine the appropriate dose and duration of treatment . A new antihypertension drug could be shown to reduce blood pressure, indicating that it would be useful to conduct more extensive testing of long - term treatment in the expectation of showing reductions in stroke (cerebrovascular accident) or heart attack (myocardial infarction). Surrogate endpoints are often based on laboratory blood tests or imaging investigations like X-ray or CT scan . </P>

What is proof of concept in clinical trials