The Early Phase (0-I-II) Clinical Drug Research Unit of Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC)

prof dr L. Van Bortel

Drug Research Unit Maastricht

Mission Statement

To contribute to the development of new drugs

by conducting early phase clinical trials (phase 0-I-II)

in compliance with (inter)national legislation and quality standards

• essential part in chain of drug developmentpreclinical → early phase → phase 3&4

• by filling the gap in the drug research chain • facilitates translational research

Position in MUMC-holding/valorisation chain

Close collaboration with Drug Research Unit Ghent (DRUG): 1 CEO for 2 units• ↑ possibilities of conducting larger trials or trials with difficult recruitment• DRUM can take advantage of the elaborated quality management

system and training at DRUG• Joint PR for internal and external sponsors• Cross-fertilisation of know-how/methods …

Strategic alliance

sponsors

•Pharmaceutical industry (+ nutriceuticals)

•Non for profit organisations

•MUMC

•Other University departments

What can DRUM offer sponsors

State of the art conduct of early phase clinical studies• High quality• Large expertise• Short timelines• High flexibility• Fair cost

What can DRUM offer sponsors

State of the art conduct of early phase clinical studies• High quality• Large expertise• Short timelines• High flexibility• Fair cost

Quality

quality control– first party (internal) audits

• scheduled on main procedures• ad hoc for (near) errors

– training in SOP (all SOP’s revised within 2 yrs)– close feedback on the spot / approval system

quality assurance– 1 GCP-ICH third party audit/yr– ISO 9001:2008 → 1 ISO audit/yr (within 1

year?)

What can DRUM offer sponsors

State of the art conduct of early phase clinical studies• High quality• Large expertise• Short timelines• High flexibility• Fair cost

Large expertise

takes advantage of experts in 2 knowledge centers: MUMC - U(Z)Gent→ many therapeutic areas→ high tec investigations

experience in early phase clinical drug research– principal investigator: 24 years– investigator: 4 years

What can DRUM offer sponsors

State of the art conduct of early phase clinical studies• High quality• Large expertise• Short timelines• High flexibility• Fair cost

Timelines (cfr DRUG)

EC: Ethics Committee www.drug-uzgent.be

Number of working days Median 2005

Median 2006

Median 2007

Median 2008

Median 2009

From submission EC to final answer EC

14,5 11 11 14 14.5

From submission EC to first dosing

23 24 24 22 18.5

From last monitoring visit to release of study data to monitor

1 3 3 3 1

What can DRUM offer sponsors

State of the art conduct of early phase clinical studies• High quality• Large expertise• Short timelines• High flexibility• Fair cost

High flexibility

•Dose adjustments•Pharmacy with GMPz•Pharmacell bv with full GMP

•Additional safety measures•Puts pressure on working hours/social environment of staff, particularly in the early years

What can DRUM offer the MUMC

• Service center for early phase drug investigations

• Take advantage of knowledge center (experts in MUMC)

• Facilitates education (training) in Medicine/ Health Sciences/clinical pharmacologist

staff

•Principal investigator - investigator - quality coordinator - managing coordinator - clinical research coordinator - trial nurse - office manager•investigator/principal investigator experienced in early phase studies•All are well-trained

training at DRUG•Highly motivated•Bank personnel: trial nurses / co-investigators

facilities

• 16 beds for clinical research and overnight stay• 2 sample handling laboratories (temperature controlled)• 1 drug storage room (temperature controlled / alarm)• 1 freezer (-18°C) + 1 (-70°C) temperature controlled / alarm)• 2 refrigerators (temperature controlled / alarm) • offices, archive, meeting room, reception, kitchen, storage room

facilities

• 16 beds for clinical research and overnight stay• 2 sample handling laboratories (temperature controlled)• 1 drug storage room (temperature controlled / alarm)• 1 freezer (-18°C) + 1 (-70°C) temperature controlled / alarm)• 2 refrigerators (temperature controlled / alarm) • offices, archive, meeting room, reception, kitchen, storage room

facilities

• 16 beds for clinical research and overnight stay• 2 sample handling laboratories (temperature controlled)• 1 drug storage room (temperature controlled / alarm)• 1 freezer (-18°C) + 1 (-70°C) temperature controlled / alarm)• 2 refrigerators (temperature controlled / alarm) • offices, archive, meeting room, reception, kitchen, storage room

Ready to start!

Summary

•Centre of Excellence (qualified staff / approval / external audits / ISO 9001:2008)

• short timelines, high flexibility

• takes advantage of university knowledge centre

YES, we can!