Research Center Profile:
Center Overview | Clinical Research Experience | Facility Description | Investigator Experience | Staff Expertise | Patient Demographics | Contact Center
Alamo Medical Research (AMR), is an organization dedicated to
clinical research. Our center is modern and well equipped. We are
knowledgeable, experienced, organized, efficient and very
motivated. We utilize Central IRBs for rapid approvals. We
routinely get projects started, enrolling and subject's
treatment initiated months before university-based researchers. We
have met all enrollment targets and are frequently the leading
enroller for multi-centered trials. We have a fully qualified and
experienced professional, research and support staff. Our mission
focus is on delivering the highest quality of products and services
to our sponsors and facilitating access to the latest and most
innovative clinical trials to our community. AMR is co-located and
associated with Digestive Diseases Center of South Texas, a
multi-physician gastroenterology practice which provides a steady
source of potential subjects. AMR is also co-located and associated
with the GAB Endoscopy Center which facilitates ready access for
endoscopic services. AMR is a well known and respected referral
center and community resource for the latest clinical trials in
Chronic Hepatitis C and other related diseases.
AMR has specialized in gastroenterology and chronic hepatitis C
since 1994. Given our ability to be high enrollers, we have had
many sponsor targeted audits and have consistently receive
complementary reviews.
Sponsors we have worked with include:
Schering-Plough Research Institute
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp
Intermune Inc.
Idenix Pharmaceuticals
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Akros Laboratories
Anadys Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Guilford Laboratories
Coley Pharmaceutical Group
Glaxo Smith Kline Group
TAP Pharmaceuticals
MGI Pharma
Roche Laboratories
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Valeant Pharmaceuticals
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Achillion Pharmaceuticals
Intarcia Therapeutics
Merck & Co.
Medarex and Echosense
We have worked with a number of CROs such
as:
PPD (Pharmaceutical Product Development)
CSMG, Inc (Clinical Studies Management Group)
Quintiles
PharmaNet
Covance.
AMR occupies a new outpatient facility, within the Camden
Medical Center, designed and built specifically to conduct clinical
research with good clinical practices in mind. AMR is conveniently
located in central San Antonio, Texas, within two blocks and easy
access to major highways (Interstates10, 35, and 37), 15 minutes
from San Antonio Airport and parking is free. AMR is located within
0.25 miles of two major hospitals.
AMR includes limited access areas, equipped with coded access
locks, for Research Administration, Research Records, Pharmacy and
Laboratory.
Our laboratory contains:
-20° freezer and a -70° freezer that is locked and has
automatic temperature monitoring with alarm, blood drawing
/processing area, locked storage, both ambient and refrigerated
centrifuges, Vortex machine, Orbital shaker, and a Puritan-Bennett
Portable Spirometer Unit
Our pharmacy contains both open shelf and locked storage, and a
locked and temperature monitored medication refrigerators.
Both the laboratory and pharmacy have emergency generator
backup to prevent power interruption.
We have a fully equipped treatment room for liver biopsies,
EKG, IV infusion and other procedures.
Our research team is adept at collecting, processing and
shipping serial PK/PD samples.
There is onsite emergency equipment; oxygen, defibrillator,
stat kit 900.
AMR also has three well equipped exam rooms with computer
equipment, locked storage, exam tables, ophthalmoscope and
otoscope.
The entire clinic has a remotely monitored security
system.
The clinic is fully equipped with the latest computer equipment
with high speed internet access for communications which allows us
to use electronic CRFs and data management.
5 bed phase 1 unit with dietician supervised meals; available
24/7.
Dedicated and experienced phase 1 staff familiar with serial
pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies.
Dr. Eric J. Lawitz is board certified in
Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and is the Medical Director
and principal investigator for AMR. Dr. Lawitz has been conducting
clinical trials for 11 years, has conducted extensive research in
Chronic Hepatitis C and is a Certified Physician Investigator. He
has been both an investigator and sponsor/investigator. Dr. Lawitz
has extensive experience in Internal Medicine and
Gastroenterology.
Dr. K.P. Ganeshappa is board certified in
Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and is a sub-investigator.
Dr. Ganeshappa has extensive experience in Gastroenterology since
1971. He has extensive experience conducting numerous clinical
trials investigating GERD, and has participated in Chronic
Hepatitis C clinical trials since 2000.
Dr. Hector D. Allende is board certified in
Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and is a sub- investigator.
Dr. Allende has extensive experience in Gastroenterology and has
been participating in clinical trials, with emphasis in IBS and
GERD, since 1981.
Dr. Ravi Botla is board certified in
Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and is a sub- investigator.
Dr. Botla has extensive experience in Gastroenterology and has been
participating in clinical trials, with emphasis in liver disease,
since 1995.
Dr. Ravi Ganeshappa is board certified in
Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and is a sub-investigator.
Dr. Ganeshappa has been participating in clinical trials, with
emphasis in Barrett's Esophagus, since 1989.
PA. Michael R. France, MPAS has experience as a
clinical research sub-investigator, with emphasis in Chronic
Hepatitis C, since 2000, and is a Certified Clinical Research
Coordinator. He has over 22 years of experience in Family and
Emergency Medicine and Otorhinolaryngology.
All investigators are trained and experienced in all facets of
clinical research to include: Good Clinical Practices, Investigator
Responsibilities, Documentation, Reporting of AEs and SAEs, working
with IRBs and CRFs.
AMR has an expert staff comprised of our Clinic Administrator
who manages budgeting and contracts of our research trials, six
experienced Clinical Research Coordinators, LVN, MA, phlebotomists
and pharmacy technician. Most of our staff are IATA certified for
shipping hazardous materials.
Our referral base includes the entire south central Texas
region. The south Texas region has many patients with Chronic
Hepatitis C. San Antonio has a population of 1.5 million, 50%
Hispanic and the community has a very positive attitude towards
research. Both treatment naive patients and relapser/nonresponder
patients are represented. Referral patterns include self referrals
from our radio advertising, Primary Care practices and
Gastroenterology practices. Many referrals occur in response to
lecturing done by AMR professional staff to individual practices,
professional organizations and medical conferences throughout the
area. Additionally, we have five Board Certified
Gastroenterologists at the Camden Medical Center who refer patients
for clinical trials. We have had no difficulty identifying
sufficient subjects for any gastroenterologic disease that needs to
be obtained.
If you are interested in contacting this center to discuss placing a clinical
trial there, please complete and send the e-mail form below. A representative from
the research center will then follow up with you.
