
Profile
Contact Information
Contact: Brita Andrews, RN MSN, CCRC
Phone: 210.692.7157
Fax: 210.692.1999
Email: Click here to see email.
Website: http://www.dxrg.com
Center Information
Brita Andrews, RN MSN, CCRC Chief Executive Officer Allergy Diagnostics 4410 Medical Drive, Suite 360 San Antonio, TX 78229 210.692.7157 bandrews@dxrg.com www.dxrg.comOverview
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:
- Performing at the highest levels of integrity and competence as judged by our subjects and sponsors;
- Investing in the development and maintenance of competencies and productivity of all member members of our company team;
- Following good clinical practices in all instances; and
- 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
- Cardiology/vascular diseases
- Devices
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Internal medicine
- Musculoskeletal
- Nutrition and weight loss
- Obstetrics/gynecology (women’s health)
- Pulmonary/respiratory diseases
- Rheumatology
- Vaccines
We have participated in trials for the following pharmaceutical companies:
- Abbott
- Actelion
- Adams
- Afferent
- AGI
- Allergy Therapeutics
- Alcon
- Alkermes
- Almirall
- Altana
- Amgen
- Amneal
- Amphastar
- Anchen
- Apotex
- AstraZeneca
- Atenua
- Aventis
- Bayer
- BioMarck
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Bristol Meyers Squibb
- Centocor
- Cerecor
- CoTherix
- CombinatoRx
- Daiichi
- Dey
- Eisai
- Eli Lilly
- Encysive
- Epix
- Evolutec
- FAES Pharma
- Ferrer
- Forest
- Furiex
- Galapagos
- Galecto Biotech
- Gemphire
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Glenmark
- Guilford
- Inspire
- ITGI
- Intermune
- Iroko
- Ironwood
- Ista
- Johnson & Johnson
- Lek Pharmaceuticals
- Kalypsys
- KCI
- Meda
- Menlo Therapeutics
- Medicinova
- Merck
- Moderna
- Morton Grove
- Mylan
- NeRRe
- Novartis
- Noven
- OrthoMcNeil
- Otsuka
- Pearl
- Peninsula
- Perrigo
- Pharmacia
- Pozen
- Pfizer
- Purdue
- Regeneron
- Roche
- Samumed
- Sanofi Aventis
- Sanofi Pasteur
- Schering-Plough
- Sepracor
- Shionogi
- Skye Pharmaceuticals
- Stallergenes
- Sunovion
- Synergy
- Takeda
- Teva
- Verona
- Watson
- West Pharmaceuticals
- Westward
- Wyeth
We have participated in trials for the following Contract Research 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
- IQVIA
- Kendle
- MDS
- Medex
- Medpace
- Novum
- Omnicare
- PPD
- PRA
- Paragon Biomedical
- Parexel
- PharmaNet
- PharmaSeek
- Pharm-Olam
- Premier
- ProMedica
- ProSciento
- Quintiles
- Research Point
- Synteract, Inc.
- Theorem Clinical Research
- TKL Research
- UBC
Our research site specializes in clinical trials for the following indications:
- Abdominal Pain
- Allergy Chamber
- Allergy Medications
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Antibiotics
- Antihistamines
- Antihypertensives
- Asthma
- BCP’s
- Bronchodilators
- Bronchoscopy
- Cedar Allergy
- Cholesterol Studies
- Chronic Cough
- Constipation
- COPD
- Complicated Hypertension
- Device Studies
- Diabetes
- Diagnosis of Carcinoma
- Dyslipidemia
- Dyspepsia
- Fibromyalgia
- HRT
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Hyperlipidemia
- Hypertriglyceridemia
- Hypertension
- Inhaled and Nasal Corticosteroids
- Insomnia
- Interstitial Lung Disease
- Intravenous sedation
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Oak Allergy
- Obesity
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Perennial Allergy
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Ragweed Allergy
- Respiratory Medications
- Skin Infections
- Sleep Medications
- Smoking Cessation
- Sputum/Cytology
- Vaccines
- Pneumonia
- Shingles
- Ebola
- Dengue Fever
- Influenza
- C-Difficile
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- COVID-19
Facility Description
Allergy Diagnostics is conveniently located in the Texas Neurosciences Institute in the South Texas Medical Center. Our on-site capabilities include:
- Allergy skin-testing
- Biological Safety Cabinet
- Laboratory for specimen collection, processing, and send-out
- -20° IP Freezer
- -80° IP Freezer
- -20° Specimen Freezer
- -80° Specimen Freezer
- Two pharmaceutical refrigerators, hospital grade
- Five exam rooms for complete physical examination
- Complete pulmonary function laboratory including:
- spirometry
- lung volumes
- slow vital capacity
- plethysmography
- inspiratory and expiratory pressures
- diffusion
- EKG machines
- Holter & ABP Monitoring
- Chest X-Ray equipment/interpretation
- Cholestech
- Cough Monitoring
- High speed internet access
- Electronic data capture (EDC)
- Electronic diaries
- Electronic peak flow meters
- Secure, climate-controlled medication storage room
- Comfortable rooms for participants
- Dedicated rooms for monitors
- Nasal allergen challenge
- Nasal lavage
- Nasal mucosa sampling
- Remote monitoring
- Rhinoscanning
- Bronchoalveolar lavage
- Methacholine challenge
- IV drug infusion
- Access to CT, DEXA Scans, and Ultrasound within building
- Six-minute walk tests
- Colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, and endoscopy
- Access to Ophthalmology exams
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:
- Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis
- Allergen Challenge Chamber
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Allergy/Asthma
- Antibiotic Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia
- Asthma
- Asthma with Methacholine Challenge
- Asthma/COPD
- Device Investigation
- Comparative Antibiotic Treatment of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis
- Complicated Hypertension
- Complicated Urinary Tract Infection
- COPD
- Diagnosis of Lung Carcinoma
- Diabetes
- Dyslipidemia
- Dyspepsia
- Emphysema
- Interstitial Lung Disease
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Hyperlipidemia
- Hypertension
- Intravenous Sedation
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Mountain Cedar Allergic Rhinitis
- NASH
- 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
- Vaccines
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:
- Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis
- Allergy/Asthma
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Antibiotic Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia
- Phase IIa Asthma
- Dengue Vaccine,
- Complicated Hypertension
- Complicated Urinary Tract Infection
- Diabetes
- Dyspepsia
- Ebola Vaccine
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- NASH
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Pneumonia/Flu Vaccine
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
- Shingles Vaccine
- Stress Urinary Incontinence
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.