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Virginia Research Institutions Conducted Over 3,400 Clinical Trials of New Medicines Since 1999

Governor McDonnell Stresses Vital Biopharmaceutical Research

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 11, 2013) – Working in collaboration with university medical schools and science centers, local hospitals and clinical research facilities, America’s biopharmaceutical companies have conducted 3,412 clinical trials of new medicines in Virginia over the last 13 years, according to a new report by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). The report – “Research in Your Backyard:  Pharmaceutical Clinical Trials in Virginia” – was released today at a news conference with Governor Robert McDonnell and Sheri Lambert, Executive Director of the Virginia Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in the West Reading Room of the Patrick Henry Building. 

The findings show the state’s clinical tests of new medicines have been beneficial to patients, the local economy and the advancement of science. 

“The impact of clinical trials cannot be overstated – our neighbors, friends and family all benefit from the advances in medical research done at the Old Dominion’s prestigious research institutions,” said Governor McDonnell.  “Realizing the power of working together, our state’s research facilities and biopharmaceutical companies have created cutting-edge research opportunities and good-paying high technology jobs in Virginia.” 

Just under half of the clinical trials in Virginia have targeted the most devastating chronic diseases, with more than 1,500 aimed at asthma, heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and mental illnesses.   

Highlights of the report illustrate the importance of clinical trials of new chronic disease medicines to Virginia patients:

  • More than 40,000 new cancer cases will be diagnosed this year in the state and 14,720 Virginians will die of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.  Biopharmaceutical companies and their local research collaborators, including the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center and Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, are currently conducting 140 trials of new cancer medicines that are recruiting patients.   
  • Nearly nine percent of the state’s adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, which, in 2010, killed 1,527 diabetics in the Commonwealth.  Currently, 45 diabetes medicine clinical tests are recruiting patients in Virginia. 
  • More than 13,000 state patients died of heart disease in 2010 and 3,259 suffered fatal strokes.  Thirty-two heart disease and 10 stroke clinical trials are seeking Virginia patients. 
  • About 262,000 Virginia adults live with serious mental illness and about 82,000 children have significant mental health conditions, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.  Twenty-eight clinical trials of new mental illness medicines are seeking patient participants in the Old Dominion. 
  • The state’s asthma toll is more than 412,000 adults and 152,000 children.  Twelve clinical trials of new asthma treatments are active and recruiting patients at institutions like the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System.          

The new report also emphasizes the positive impact of clinical trials on the state’s economy.    “At a time when trials account for 45 to 75 percent of the average $1.2 billion needed to develop a new medicine, the collaborations with Virginia’s medical schools, hospitals and clinical research facilities have contributed to the state’s economy,” said Jeffrey Bond, Senior Vice President at PhRMA.    

“These clinical trials have not only benefited our economy, they have included tests of new-generation biotechnology treatments that have helped to advance science and improve patient care,” Bond added.  “With biotechnology’s new techniques, we have the strong potential to develop safer and more effective therapies and are improving our ability to predict and even prevent disease.”

Among the 267 clinical trials still recruiting patients in the state, there are trials of a genetically-modified vaccine to treat melanoma, a fusion protein to treat diabetic macular edema and a new antibody that targets lupus and various cancers.     

Institutions conducting clinical trials of new medicines in collaboration with biopharmaceutical companies in Virginia include:

  • Eastern Virginia Medical School Strelitz Diabetes Center, Norfolk.
  • University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville.
  • Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond.
  • Lynchburg Hematology-Oncology Clinic, Lynchburg.
  • Inova Fairfax Medical Center, Falls Church.
  • Hampton Roads Center for Clinical Research, Suffolk.
  • Riverside Regional Medical Center, Newport News.
  • St. Mary’s Hospital, Richmond.
  • Blue Ridge Cancer Care, Christiansburg, Salem.
  • Burke Internal Medicine and Research, Burke.
  • Urology of Virginia, Virginia Beach.
  • Bon Secours Heart and Vascular Institute, Mechanicsville.
  • Cardiology Associates of Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg.
  • Chesapeake General Hospital, Norfolk.
  • Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk.
  • Centra Lynchburg General Hospital, Lynchburg.
  • Roanoke Heart Institute, Roanoke.   

For more on clinical trials, please visit our Clinical Research and Trials page.

About PhRMA

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to discovering and developing medicines that enable patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. Since 2000, PhRMA member companies have invested over $500 billion in the search for new treatments and cures, including an estimated $49.5 billion in 2011 alone. http://www.phrma.org/

Find PhRMA Online:

For information on how innovative medicines save lives, visit: http://www.innovation.org
For information on the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, visit: http://www.pparx.org
For information on ensuring the flow of medicines during public health emergencies, visit http://www.rxresponse.org