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.
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.
Gastroenterology
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.
Michael R. France, PA-C
Research Administrator
Alamo Medical Research
621 Camden St., Suite 202
San Antonio, TX 78215
USA
210-253-3426
210-477-1808 (fax)
mfrance@alamomedicalresearch.com