Overview

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 on 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 member 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.

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.

Research 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 2, 3 and 4 trials.

Treatment Areas

We have participated in trials for the following pharmaceutical companies:

We have participated in trials for the following Contract Research Organizations:

Our research site specializes in clinical trials for the following indications:

Facility Description

Allergy Diagnostics is conveniently located in the Texas Neurosciences Institute in the South Texas Medical Center. Our on-site capabilities include:

Investigator Experience

Charles P. Andrews, MD, CPI
Medical Director and 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 VA 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).

Experience as an investigator:

Experience as a sub-investigator:

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

John R. Holcomb, MD, CPI
Principal Investigator
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 and is board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and critical care medicine.

Experience as an investigator:

• Antibiotic/Pneumonia
• Bronchoscopy in Chronic Bronchitis
• COPD
• Chronic Cough
• Chronic Constipation
• Hypertension
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Experience as a sub-investigator:

Staff Expertise

Our clinical research staff consists of registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses and respiratory therapists. The clinical research staff is trained to conduct trials within the good clinical practice guidelines. Each clinical research coordinator is experienced in pulmonary function testing, allergy testing, ECGs, venipuncture and basic cardiac life support. The registered nurses also 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

Patient Demographics

San Antonio’s 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 Information

Special skills:

• Methacholine challenge;
• Nasal allergen provocation;
• Allergen chamber trials;
• Bronchoalveolar lavage;
• Remote data entry;
• Active subject database for patient recruitment; and
• 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.