Vaccines: Researching for life without pills
Research for everything from Alzheimer’s to Zoster (Shingles)
Bill Gates (Microsoft founder) recently gave $168 million dollars for the development of a malaria vaccine. New investigational bird flu vaccines are being tested, and the U.S. government is developing vaccines against such bioterrorism threats as anthrax, smallpox and plague. Researchers are working on an invistigational ‘universal flu shot’ effective against all strains of influenza A. Experimental vaccines to treat high blood pressure and diabetes are in development. Rochester Clinical Research is testing a new investigational vaccine to see if it may help smokers kick the habit. A full-fledged rebirth of vaccine research is at hand.
Explosion of research activity . . .
The market for vaccines is expected to double between 2007 and 2014. Here at RCR we conducted 7 separate clinical trials of new investigational pneumonia, seasonal flu and bird flu vaccines involving more than 700 volunteers in 2008.
. . . And of potential future treatments
The cutting edge of vaccine research is on finding both preventive and treatment vaccines for an ever- increasing range of maladies such as cancer, HIV, hepatitis, Alzheimer’s, asthma, psoriasis, shingles and rheumatoid arthritis. In an ironic twist, there is even an experimental cancer vaccine that is being developed from genetically engineered tobacco leaves.
How will this research help others in the future?
The benefits of vaccine therapies tend to last longer, and need less frequent dosing than traditional medicines. The ‘universal flu shot’ may only require one injection, replacing annual flu shots. Vaccines can also be more effective and more targeted than some traditional medicines.
To treat high blood pressure, researchers are testing an experimental injectable vaccine that subjects receive every 4 months, instead of taking a daily pill. Will the day arrive when pills, tablets and capsules become obsolete?
How you can help
This is an exciting time in vaccine development, and we are proud to be part of moving medical science forward to confront new challenges. Please see the left side navigation for a list of our current studies or contact us.
Rochester Clinical Research performs clinical research trials and studies for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. We rapidly recruit and screen quality volunteers to participate in clinical studies, and we maintain a large database of volunteers. Study volunteers receive free study-related medical care, investigational medicines, and a monetary stipend to compensate for their time and travel. RCR studies include therapeutic areas and drug categories such as weight loss, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, flu vaccines, and smoking cessation. Our state-of-the-art medical office facility is staffed by highly qualified, caring physicians, investigators, and nurses. RCR is located in Rochester NY and serves the Finger Lakes region of New York. RCR is a WBENC-Certified Women's Business Enterprise.
