Clinical Trials
Our practice participates in clinical trials of medical devices and therapies. Patients may be offered the chance to become study subjects if appropriate. In most cases, participation in a clinical trial gives the patient access to therapeutic options that are not available outside of a clinical study. In most trials, patients who participate receive free evaluations and testing and may receive free study medications or even financial compensation to paricipate. Participation is strictly voluntary and patients will be informed of known risks and potential benefits of participation in any given study.
Current studies:
EXCELS study - This is a post-marketing study sponsored by Novartis and Genentech to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the IgE blocker drug Xolair. This study is closed for enrollment of new patients but data is still being recorded for existing patients.
VENT study This is a device study sponsored by Emphasys Medicalof a device intended to help patients with emphysema. It is currently closed for enrollment of new patients
COMPASS-2 study - This is a drug study sponsored by Actelion Pharmaceuticals testing the combination of sildenafil and bosentan for treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. This study is currently enrolling new patients.
AURA study - This is a drug study sponsored by Altana Pharma testing roflumilast, a new drug for treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is currently closed for enrollment of new patients.
Athena-1 study - This is a drug study sponsored by Gilead pharmaceuticals to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the combination of sildenafil and ambrisentan for treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
Aries-3 study - This is a drug study sponsored by Gilead pharmaceuticals to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ambrisentan for treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. This study is no longer recruiting and is in the data analysis phase and should be published later in 2009.
PROWESS study - This is a drug/device study sponsored by Actelion Pharmaceuticals testing a new disk for use with the Ventavis inhaler for treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension that results in a treatment time about half the normal treatment time. Patients will be tested to compare the effectiveness of the new disk compared to the currently approved disk. This study is currently enrolling new patients.