Patients with a range of diseases including end- stage kidney disease, pulmonary fibrosis and cancer, donate samples to the CRC on a regular basis, and these are assessed in the context of their own treatment and for the development of more accurate therapies for these diseases in general. Clinical research directed by investigators helps discover ways to improve medical care and to establish new treatments which will improve the quality of life for patients who are living daily with chronic illness.
The Centre routinely undertakes three types of research activity:
- Clinical Trials (Phase I – Phase IV) to evaluate new medicinal products or medical devices, drug combinations or new indications.
- Observational studies to evaluate changes to clinical care protocols and undertake population studies.
- Collection of Biological Materials (e.g.DNA, Serum, Tissue) with detailed clinical phenotyping to support translational medicine research leading to biomarker, pharmacokinetic or target discovery studies.
Purpose-built clinical investigation and laboratory support facilities were established in April 2006 (at Mater Misericordiae) and in 2007 (at St Vincent's) with €7.9 million in capital and €1.6 million in recurrent funding from Cycle 3 of the Higher Education Authority's Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions. The UCD CRC has enabled investigators to leverage over €14 million in research funding, comprising industry-funded clinical trial activity and competitive peer-reviewed research funding, from charitable and public funding agencies.
Since opening in April 2006, there have been over 20,000 research patient visits to the UCD Clinical Research Centre in core areas of clinical trials, population studies and mechanisms of disease based research. As well as providing the infrastructure for development of improved healthcare practice, through its clinical facilities, the UCD CRC is also enhancing access to health services and new medicines. Currently, an average of 100 patients are being seen each week by UCD CRC staff, with a total of 18 outpatient clinics being completed on a weekly basis.
In addition to underpinning research, there is a substantial benefit to both the patient and the hospitals from rapid and early access to modern healthcare.
The CRC recognises the need for strong research partnerships to enable the development of real improvements in healthcare. Through partnerships with other academic institutions and membership of collaborative networks the CRC is optimally positioned to enhance patient outcomes. Ongoing work at the UCD Clinical Research Centre involves partnerships with 25 industry partners including 8 of the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies. The CRC also undertakes collaborative research with the UCD Conway and UCD Geary Institutes.
Featured Academic
