Scott & White ’ s principal investigator for the ACTIV-3 trial and an infectious disease physician on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center ( BUMC ).
Based on its high-quality scientific rigor and successful enrollment in other COVID-19 trials , Baylor Scott & White was selected to be one of this study ’ s first eight Vanguard sites . Vanguard sites are deemed by the NIH as most likely to successfully recruit patients for a scientific study . Baylor Scott & White was the first Vanguard site to be fully approved to conduct this trial , which is now taking place at 400 hospitals worldwide , and is the highest trial enroller .
“ The ACTIV-3 trial is allowing the medical and scientific community to come together to collaborate across traditional boundaries and let the best parts of humanity shine ,” said Robert Gottlieb , MD , PhD , a transplant cardiologist and specialist on viral infections on the medical staff at BUMC and Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital in Dallas .
Researching All Sides of the Pandemic Baylor Scott & White was the first Texas health system approved to conduct a number of industry-sponsored trials , including remdesivir trials for both moderately and severely ill patients with COVID-19 , as well as the first outpatient antibody clinical trial sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company and the first monoclonal antibody study led by Regeneron . The fight does not stop there , however ; BSWRI is a part of more than 20 new clinical trials and research studies that aim to help humankind understand and battle this debilitating virus .
These important research initiatives include clinical trials targeting
Additional Trials and Studies
Baylor Scott & White Research Institute continues to mobilize staff and resources for industry sponsored drug trials , investigator-initiated drug trials and research studies , and observational and data studies designed to help increase knowledge around case trends , viral epidemiology , and care best practices .
inflammation caused by the virus , research focused on plasma antibodies , and trials targeting the virus itself .
Additionally , the COVID-19 research program is committed to understanding the psychological impact this pandemic has on society through philanthropically funded studies that will help researchers understand how individuals are coping and finding mental resilience during this time . Led by Ann Marie Warren , PhD , research center director for behavioral health at BSWRI , these initiatives have already collected data on more than 5,500 participants and will investigate the wide range of psychological symptoms , including increased anxiety , depression and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic . They will also study resiliency in those subjects who seem to be coping despite the impacts of the virus to find ways to bring emotional tools to all . Communities Foundation of Texas provided a generous grant to advance the second phase of Dr . Warren ’ s research , and to support an additional
Additional Areas of Study :
• Targeting Inflammation
• Plasma and Antibodies
• Targeting the Virus
• Data , Preventative Measures and Metal Health
study being investigated by Thomas Cox , PsyD , director of faculty development and education research in graduate medical education at Baylor University Medical Center , on the risk of suicide for medical clinicians and physicians during and after a pandemic .
Funding the Innovation
Extending investigational expertise across more than 50 medical specialties , BSWRI provides the business and regulatory expertise to accelerate medical breakthroughs and innovative new treatment models through clinical and translational activities . At outpatient sites and hospitals across our system , BSWRI conducts nearly 2,000 active trials each year .
For decades , Baylor Scott & White Foundations have received generous support from donors to help advance clinical trials and investigator-initiated studies . Without this donor support and Baylor Scott & White ’ s dedication and commitment to advancing healthcare through research , these potentially lifesaving trials would not be possible .
“ It ’ s so important for people to get involved and help fund studies like these ,” said Dr . Mack . “ This is critical research that is going to not only help beat this virus but in addition make an impact on the way we practice healthcare in the future .”
Baylor Scott & White Research Institute is uniquely prepared to help fight this pandemic because of its infrastructure and experience with similar experimental research efforts .
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BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE CENTRAL TEXAS FOUNDATION NEWS / FALL 2020