Overview

Mission Statement

Allergy Diagnostics is one of four divisions that comprise Diagnostics Research Group. Our primary objective is to conduct clinical research in accordance with the International Conference of Harmonization guidelines for Good Clinical Practice. Our mission is to become the industry leader of independent clinical research sites by:
1) performing at the highest levels of integrity and competence as judged by our subjects and sponsors
2) investing in the development and maintenance of competencies and productivity of all members of our company team
3) following Good Clinical Practices in all instances and
4) offering quality studies to diverse subject populations. We perform quality clinical trials involving pharmaceuticals and/or device testing. Our focus is on the care of the adult with Seasonal and Perennial Allergic Rhinitis.

Background

Six Board-Certified Pulmonologists and Internal medicine Specialists founded Allergy Diagnostics in 2002. The private practice has been established for 30 years. Allergy Diagnostics is affiliated with Diagnostics Research Group, a consortium of research facilities whose members conduct clinical research in their specific areas of therapeutic expertise.

Experience

Our Director of Clinical Research, Dr. Charles Andrews and Dr. John Holcomb are, Certified Principal Investigators (CPI). Additionally, six of our staff members are Certified Clinical Research Coordinators (CCRC).

Our facility has been involved in research for 19 years. Our physicians have been involved in clinical research for 39 years

We conduct phase II, III, and IV trials.

We have participated in trials for the following pharmaceutical companies:

We have participated in trials for the following ContractResearch Organizations:

• AAI
• Advanced Biologics
• Allied Research
• Cato
• Chiltern
• CTMS
• Concentrics
• Covance
• Criterium
• Duke Clinical Research Institute
• Evidera
• I3 Research
• ICON
• IHC Research
• INC Research
• Ingenix
• Integrium
• InventivHealth
• Kendle
• MDS
• Medex
• Medpace
• Novum
• Omnicare
• PPD
• PRA
• Paragon Biomedical
• Parexel
• Pharmanet
• Pharmaseek
• Pharm-Olam
• Premier
• Promedica
• Quintiles
• Research Point
• Synteract, Inc.
• Theorem Clinical Research
• TKL Research
• UBC

Our center specializes in clinical trials for:

Facility

We are conveniently located in the Texas Neurosciences Institute in the South Texas Medical Center. We offer on-site complete pulmonary function testing, Methacholine challenge, oximetry, chest x-rays, allergy testing, nasal allergen provocation, phlebotomy, electrocardiograms. We can also test for Bone Mineral Density. Within the Neurosciences Institute, there is a complete imaging center. We are affiliated with Biogenics Research Chamber, an environmental chamber for testing of up to 50 allergic subjects at a time.

Investigator

Charles P. Andrews, MD, CPI
Medical Director & Principal Investigator

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Andrews attended Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He completed his training in pulmonary medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Prior to entering private practice he taught at University Hospital and Audie Murphy V.A. Hospital in San Antonio. He is a reviewer for two pulmonary journals and has been the author of many scientific articles and chapters. He is a member of the Drug Information Association, the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, The American Thoracic Society and the American Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians. Dr. Andrews is a Certified Principal Investigator (CPI).

Investigator:

• Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis
• Allergen Challenge Chamber
• Allergic Rhinitis
• Allergy/Asthma Studies of Antihistamine
• Antibiotic Study of the Treatment of Community-AcquiredPneumonia
• Antibiotic Studies of the Treatment of Hospital AcquiredPneumonia
• Asthma Studies
• Asthma with Methacholine Challenge
• Asthma/COPD
• Device Studies
• Cholesterol Studies
• Comparative Antibiotic Study in the Treatment of AcuteExacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis
• Complicated Hypertension Studies
• Complicated Urinary Tract Infection
• COPD Studies
• Diagnosis of Lung Carcinoma
• Diabetes
• Dyslipidemia
• Dyspepsia Studies
• Emphysema Studies
• Interstitial Lung Disease
• Hyperlipidemia
• Hypertension
• Intravenous Sedation
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Mountain Cedar Allergic Rhinitis
• Oak Allergy
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Perennial Allergic Rhinitis
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Ragweed Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
• Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
• Severe Sepsis
• Spring Allergic Rhinitis
• Stress Urinary Incontinence Study
• Vaccine Studies

Sub-Investigator:

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Chronic Cough
• Constipation
• Inhaled Insulin
• Insomnia
• Parkinson’s Disease Study
• Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
• Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

John R. Holcomb, MD, CPI
A graduate of Texas A&M University, Dr. Holcomb attended Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He completed his pulmonary training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He was an attending physician at Brooke Army Medical Center. He is a member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals and The American College of Chest Physicians. He is a Certified Principal Investigator.

Board Certification: Internal Medicine, PulmonaryMedicine, and Critical Care Medicine.

Investigator:

• Antibiotic/Pneumonia study
• Bronchoscopy in Chronic Bronchitis study
• COPD studies
• Chronic Cough Studies
• Chronic Constipation studies
• Hypertension studies
• Irritable bowel syndrome studies.

Sub-investigator: Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis, Allergy/Asthma Studies, Alzheimer's Disease, Antibiotic Study of the Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia, Phase IIa Asthma Study, Cholesterol Studies, Complicated Hypertension Study, Complicated Urinary Tract Infection, Diabetes, Dyspepsia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Study, Osteoarthritis Studies, Osteoporosis Study, Parkinson’s Disease Study, Pneumonia/Flu Vaccine Study, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Studies, Pulmonary Fibrosis Study, Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis studies, Shingles Vaccine., Stress Urinary Incontinence Study.

Staff

Our clinical research staff consists of Registered Nurses,Licensed Vocational Nurses and Respiratory Therapists. The clinicalresearch staff is trained to conduct trials within the GoodClinical Practice guidelines. Each clinical research coordinator isexperienced in pulmonary function testing, allergy testing, ECG’s,venipuncture, and basic cardiac life support. The Registered Nursesalso participate in IV infusion studies.

Brita Andrews, RN, MSN, CCRC
Chief Executive Officer

Lisa Lopez, RN, CCRC
Manager of Clinical Operations
Clinical Research Coordinator

Priscilla Thomas, RN, BSN, CCRC
Manager of Clinical Operations
Clinical Research Coordinator

Cheryl Sheets, RN, BSN, CCRC
Clinical Research Coordinator

Ofelia Rodriguez, CMA
Research Assistant

Tina Morales, CMA
Research Assistant

Tiffany Mapalo, CMA
Patient Recruiter

Kelley Hablitz
Patient Recruiter

Esther Luis
Regulatory Specialist

Kimberly Riddle 
Receptionist

Patients

The San Antonio metropolitan area population is 1.5 million and has a referral area of 3.5 million. Fifty percent of the population is Hispanic. A large proportion of our patients are adult seniors due to the retired military population. San Antonio is conducive to balanced research because of its large and diverse population.

Other

Special Skills

• Experienced in Methacholine challenge
• Experienced in nasal allergen provocation
• Experienced in Allergen Chamber Trials
• Experienced in bronchoalveolar lavage
• Experienced in remote data entry.
• Active subject database for patient recruitment.
• Experienced media and marketing consultant.

At Diagnostics Research Group our commitment is to complete clinical studies in a timely and cost-effective manner while assuring safety and adherence to regulatory guidelines.