The culture of data-sharing is rapidly changing. Many funders currently require data-sharing plans and may consider the track record of research teams’ willingness to share data as a criterion for obtaining future grants. Leading academic journals also have the expectation that researchers make their data available, and some require an independent review panel to decide how these data sets can be used. Importantly, data sharing will help science to move forward and chart a new pathway that will accelerate progress in medicine. For patients who have participated in clinical trials, sharing of clinical trial data is an important way to respect their contribution.