What Is Clinical Research?

Medical advances arise out of a partnership between physician scientists, who study ways to improve health and lessen the burden of disease, and the patient or volunteer, without whom medical progress would cease.

Clinical research involves carefully conducted investigations that uncover better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat human disease. Did you know? Antibiotics, vaccines, and cancer treatments are just a few of the many medical advancements made possible by clinical research.

HHUMC Clinical Research Unit was established in 2008, it is directed by professor Fadi Farhat a well known principal investigator in Hematology & Oncology researches. Till current date HHUMC CRU conducted and is participating in more than 70 international clinical trials in cooperation with local and international CRO’s. The majority of clinical trials are Phase II, phase III and Phase IV in  the field of Hematology & Oncology, Endocrinology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Infectious Diseases and Gastroenterology in addition to many observational trials.

An Institutional Research Board (IRB) oversees the safety and welfare of participants in human subjects’ research projects in accordance with all applicable country law and institutional policies, and national law when applicable. HHUMC assures that all research involving human subjects will comply with the principles of the Belmont Report and that all National regulations governing research involving human subjects will be followed. Additional regulations by US bodies are followed for research funded by US sponsors.  The Medical Director is the signatory official for HHUMC and assumes, on behalf of the institution, the obligations imposed by the national regulations. 

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is the committee formally designated to review the conduct of research to protect the rights, safety and well-being of all human subjects recruited to participate in research activities conducted at HHUMC regardless of funding source. At HHUMC there is one IRB, and is responsible for reviewing all research protocols that involve human subjects. It also reviews research by any Physician involving an investigational device, drug or testing, research requiring an IND (Investigational New Drug) registration. Its members are nominated by the Chairman of the Board.

The primary mission of the IRB is to protect the rights, welfare and privacy of all individuals participating in biomedical, social and behavioral research activities, including field or off-site research conducted by HHUMC staff. The IRB conducts reviews of proposed research studies employing an assessment process that determines that the methodology used is consistent with sound research design and that the risk to participants/subjects is minimized. The IRB also provides interpretive assistance and support to the research community. The IRB is guided by the ethical standards described in the Belmont Report, as well as WHO Standards and Operational Guidance for Ethics Review of Health-Related Research with Human Participants, institutional, local, and national regulations governing human subject research as applicable.