Announcing Pan-American Medical Research Institute (PAMRI) SA, a Joint Venture Between Physician Investigators in the US and Panama
Physicians collaborating to develop state-of-the-art clinical research sites for international multi-specialty clinical research trials.
Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) January 5, 2011
A prominent group of physician investigators today announced the opening of PAMRI, an innovative joint venture featuring physicians from Panama and Jacksonville Center for Clinical Research (JCCR). PAMRI will open under the leadership of Rita I. Trujillo, MD, site medical director, Nestor R. Sosa, MD, board member and investigator, and Michael J. Koren, MD, FACC, who will serve as CEO.
JCCR, which conducts studies at research sites under the supervision of a panel of more than 100 community-based physician investigators in Florida, now aims to work with Panamanian physicians led by Dr. Sosa and Dr. Trujillo to establish sites using the JCCR model. Panama has become increasingly recognized by research sponsors as a reliable locale in Latin America for the conduct of clinical trials.
Dr. Michael Koren expressed his excitement about the joint venture noting, “We are delighted to be working with Drs. Rita Trujillo and Nestor Sosa, two highly regarded Panamanian researchers who have participated in clinical trials for over a decade. We look forward to working collectively to grow the research capabilities of Panama using the same strategies and high standards found at our US locations.” Dr. Koren confirmed that all PAMRI sites will deploy the Encore Research platform developed by JCCR for standard operating procedures, GCP compliance, recruiting excellence and staff and investigator training. Encore’s web-based innovative tools for site management showcase technologies designed to enhance study participation and education of patients and physicians.
Dr. Sosa, the Director General of the prestigious Gorgas Institute for Health Studies in Panama commented, “We believe that the development of PAMRI and our association with JCCR will help expand our research practice and greatly encourage other physicians in our area to participate in clinical research using the highest standards”.
Dr. Sosa, a board certified infectious disease physician, and Dr. Trujillo, board certified in family practice, will lead and further develop a team of investigators to conduct future trials. The investigators’ trial experience includes vaccines, HIV/AIDS treatment, COPD, pediatrics, pneumonia and primary preventions. PAMRI will open a new physical site in the medical offices located at Consultorios Medicos Paitilla in Panama City, Panama.
The three physician leaders noted that Panama features a diverse population, a geographic middle ground between North America and rapidly developing South America, and a highly qualified – and largely bilingual -- medical community. These characteristics bode well for success within the global clinical trials community.
About Jacksonville Center for Clinical Research. JCCR is a multi-specialty research organization that operates using a business model designed to maximize the involvement of community-based physicians. Since 1997, JCCR has grown into a network of over 100 physicians working out of 7 multi-specialty outpatient research offices and several hospitals in Florida. JCCR has conducted more than 1,400 studies. Encore Research, a division of JCCR, develops software and educational tools to enhance patient recruiting, physician and staff training and day-to-day research operations. More information can be found at http://www. jaxresearch. com.
###
