Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian (Hoag) has commenced enrolling patients in three clinical trials that offer hope against the COVID-19 pandemic. Two of the studies are testing Gilead’s Remdesivir (RDV), a potentially promising antiviral drug, while the third trial is testing the effectiveness of immune blood plasma. Hoag maintains a state-of-the-art clinical research infrastructure which prompted the study sponsors to select the Newport Beach California for these critical global clinical trials.
The Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to expand and cause personal, collective and economic turmoil. As of this writing, nearly 2 million cases have been registered worldwide with over 125,000 deaths. America is now the epicenter with over 610,000 cases and nearly 26,000 deaths. Over 25,000 cases have been reported in California.
Research and Care Options
Hoag represents not only the best in world class care representing Orange County, California, but also brings state-of-the art research with a local focus and touch. Very much a personal connection to one of TrialSite News founders, Hoag has demonstrated a relentless commitment to local Orange County residents’ well-being and health.
Hoag’s Clinical Research was built and maintained on a solid reputation for providing quality healthcare. The provider has been active in leading the way in offering state-of-the-art technologies and advanced treatment options, including groundbreaking research. The hospital has embraced innovative clinical trials to advance treatment options and improve healthcare by exploring the safety and effectiveness of new drugs, therapies and medical devices not to mention clinical and surgical methods. Hoag maintains an ongoing collaboration between physician investigators and study volunteers as a foundation for data-driven, evidence-based clinical research care as a health care option.
World-Class with a Community Focus
CEO Robert T. Braithwaite commented on the COVID-19 research efforts: “Providing patients with access to these potentially life-saving treatments underscores Hoag’s commitment—not only to the community it serves, but to the world.” The CEO continued, emphasizing the bringing of the most advanced, world-class therapies to Southern California, “While we are a world-class medical facility, our focus has always been on local community.” COVID-19 has represented an unprecedented situation, and he noted, “In these unusual and urgent circumstances, with the United States now leading the world in confirmed COVID-19 cases, we believe it important to offer our expertise and contribute to these clinical trials not only for the benefit of our patients here in Orange County, but for everyone.”
A Key Trial Site
The news that Hoag was selected as a trial site for this globally important study didn’t surprise TrialSite News. As this medical provider saved the life of a TrialSite News company founding family member, it evidences direct recognition and acknowledgment of their commitment to human life—it is palpable and personal, commented the TrialSite News founder.
Philip Robinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention at Hoag and principal investigator of the two RDV studies, reported, “Hoag’s selection as a trial site is a reflection of its reputation as Orange County’s most trusted health network, and as a nationally distinguished hospital.”
The Studies
RDV is thought to block COVID-19’s ability to replicate, making it a promising weapon in the fight against the novel coronavirus, as just reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. The experimental drug, manufactured by California-based Gilead Sciences, is being tested in 100 centers around the world. Hoag’s Phase 3 clinical trial involve both patients who have moderate and severe cases of COVID-19. Investigators will evaluate the drug relative to patients being treated with the current standard of care.
The third clinical trial will assess the safety and efficacy of using “convalescent plasma,” or plasma drawn from the blood of people who recovered from a COVID-19 infection. TrialSite News has written about this growing trend across the country and the consequent call for blood/plasma donations from those that have recovered from COVID-19 and are now healthy. Recovered patients’ plasma contains antibodies against the disease and could be helpful for patients with severe cases of COVID-19 reports principal investigator Michael Brant-Zawadzki, MD, FACR, senior physician executive and the Ron & amp, Sani Simon Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair of Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute at Hoag. Dr. Zawadzki reports, “This trial involves ‘passive antibody therapy’ which is, in essence, a bridge to eventual vaccination meant to stimulate antibody development protecting against the virus.” He continued “To fight a virus, the immune system uses these antibodies, or proteins that bind to parts of the virus to allow its destruction. Experience from prior outbreaks with other coronaviruses shows that such convalescent plasma contains these neutralizing antibodies targeting the virus. We expect that such treatment will diminish progression of active COVID-19 in already infected sick patients, and speed recovery.”
Lead Research/Investigator
Philip Robinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention at Hoag and principal investigator
Michael Brant-Zawadzki, MD, FACR, senior physician executive and the Ron & Sani Simon Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair of Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute at Hoag
About Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
Hoag is an approximately $1 billion nonprofit, regional health care delivery network in Orange County, California, that treats more than 30,000 inpatients and 480,000 outpatients annually. Hoag consists of two acute-care hospitals—Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, which opened in 1952, and Hoag Hospital Irvine, which opened in 2010—in addition to nine health centers and 13 urgent care centers. Hoag is a designated Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services that include five institutes providing specialized services in the following areas: cancer, heart and vascular, neurosciences, women’s health and orthopedics through Hoag’s affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, which consists of an orthopedic hospital and two ambulator surgical centers. Hoag has been named one of the Best Regional Hospitals in the 2019-2020 U.S. News & World Report. For an unprecedented 23 years, residents of Orange County have chosen Hoag as one of the county’s best hospitals in a local newspaper.
Call to Action: Do you have a loved one at Hoag hospitalized with COVID-19? Consider contacting them to discuss these clinical trials to determine if they think they could be an appropriate fit.
