Our Clinical Research Center is on the cutting-edge of scientific advancements!

The Clinical Research Center was established in 1976 to offer our patients a treatment alternative at a time when few effective treatments were available. Our participation in clinical research has also allowed us the opportunity to be on the “cutting edge” of new developments for the treatment of all rheumatic diseases.

We work with the latest medications and therapeutic breakthroughs.

We work with major pharmaceutical companies who sponsor our clinic to conduct research on novel medications and biologic agents and to examine new therapeutic indications for medications that have already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All investigational medications used in our clinical research department have completed animal testing and early human testing. The initial safety profiles of these medications have been established and our work is needed to determine the effectiveness of the study medication and to collect further safety information. These goals are accomplished by our patient volunteers under the guidance and constant vigilance of the physicians/advanced practice providers at the Arthritis Center of Nebraska, by the sponsor company, by an ethics committee, and by the FDA. Data is collected from medical history, physical examinations, laboratory samples, and essential patient input regarding their state of health and the investigational product effectiveness. The data is submitted to and analyzed by the sponsor before being submitted to the FDA for their review of product approval.

Patient volunteers are crucial to successful research trials.

With the help of our patient volunteers, we have been instrumental in the development and FDA approval of many of the medications that we are currently using to treat rheumatologic conditions today. Some of the most widely known medications that have been approved due to the efforts of our work here include:

• Enbrel (etanercept)
• Arava (leflunomide)
• Kineret (anakinra)
• Remicade (infliximab)
• Humira (adalimumab)
• Orencia (abatacept)
• Rituxan (rituximab)
• Cimzia (certolizumab)
• Cosentyx (secukinumab)
• Simponi (golimumab)
• Benlysta (belimumab)
• Taltz (ixekizumab)
• Actemra (tocilizumab)
• Xeljanz (tofacitinib)
• Kevzara (sarilumab)
• Otezla (apremilast)
• Olumiant (baricitinib)
• Krystexxa (pegloticase)
• Skyrizi (rizankizumab)
• Rinvoq (upadacitinib)
• CellCept (mycophenolic acid)
• Celebrex (celecoxib)
• Boniva (ibandronate)
• Uloric (febuxastat)
• Actonel (risedronate)
• Azulfidine EC (sulfasalazine EC)
• Cytotec (misoprostol)
• Daypro (oxaprozin)
• Lodine (etodolac)
• Arthrotec (diclofenac/misoprostol)
• Zometa (zolendronic acid)
• Prexige (ibandronate)
• Lyrica (pregabalin)
• Axid (nizatidine)
• Mobic (meloxicam)
• Supartz (sodium hyaluronate)
• Vimovo (naproxen + esomeprazole)
• Pennsad (diclofenac sodium topical)
• Ridaura (auranofin)
• EC-Naprosyn (naproxen enteric coated)
• Relafen (nabumetone)
• Cyltezo (biosimilar adalimumab)
• Hyrimoz (biosimilar adalimumab)
• Erelzi (biosimilar etanercept)
• Monovisc (sodium hyaluronate)
• Ocrevus (ocrelizumab)
• Fosamax (alendronate)
• Lidoderm (Lidocaine Patch neuralgia

With the essential contribution of our patient volunteers, we are working to provide a better future in the treatment and outcome of rheumatic diseases, while tirelessly searching for a cure.

Are you interested in enrolling in a clinical trial? Volunteers play an active role in the development of drugs that may lead to new disease treatments. Visit Physician Research Collaboration for more information.