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Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center |
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Center Overview
The Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed)is one of the largest independent, not-for-profit biomedical research enterprises in California and one of the top 20 in the United States. The Institute traces its roots back to 1952, when researchers and physicians joined forces with the UCLA School of Medicine on the campus of what was then known as Harbor General Hospital to conduct a handful of research studies. Today, over 600 research projects and clinical trials are being conducted at LA BioMed, advancing scientific understanding in order to improve medical outcomes and promote innovation in such areas as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infectious diseases, vaccine research, autoimmune disorders, inherited disorders, male contraception, kidney disease, developmental disorders, various aspects of women's health, and pediatric health problems. The Institute is also well-known for its training of scientists and physician-scientists, as well as serving as an important provider of public health services to the underserved in surrounding communities. Affiliated with but independent of the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, LA BioMed is making significant contributions to medical progress, building on a legacy of innovation that spans more than half a century.
Clinical Research Experience
The Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute conducts biomedical research, provides education and training of scientists and clinical researchers, and oversees a variety of community services such as nutritional assistance, childhood immunization, anti-violence programs and various disease education initiatives. LA BioMed has a long history of moving discoveries from the laboratory bench to the bedside. LA BioMed has conducted clinical trials for most major pharmaceutical companies as well as for many biotechnology and medical instrumentation firms, the National Institutes of Health, other federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and various Foundations and has participated in Phase I, II, III, IV trials as well as outcomes and epidemiological research.
LA BioMed contracts with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical instrumentation companies for over 100 new clinical trials each year. Clinical research is integrated into most of therapeutic specialty areas including:
- Cardiology & Cardiovascular Disease
- Dermatology
- Diabetes
- Emergency Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Gynecology and Women's Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Internal Medicine
- Medical Genetics
- Nephrology and Hypertension
- Neurology
- Nutrition & Metabolic Research
- Obstetrics
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology/Hematology
- Orthopaedics
- Pediatric Diseases
- Preventative Medicine (Vaccine Evaluation)
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Pulmonary Disease
- Rheumatology
- Vascular Surgery
Facility Description
LA BioMed is located in Torrance, California:
- Less than 20 minute car ride from the Los Angeles International Airport
- Reasonable driving distance from Los Angeles city and suburbs, as well as Ventura and Orange Counties
- Free parking for those who drive
LA BioMed provides both inpatient and outpatient clinics, including the General Clinical Research Center, to conduct clinical trials. LA BioMed has a network of onsite state-of-the-art research equipment including an: Imaging Center for MRI studies, Imaging Center for EBCT studies, Mass Spectrometry facility, and a Pulmonary Physiology Lab. These areas are equipped with the latest technologies necessary to perform quality clinical research.
Investigator Experience
LA BioMed has a faculty of nearly 150 investigators. Recent experiences in large scale multi-center NIH trials also demonstrates an expertise in epidemiological studies, data collection and analysis.
Staff Expertise
All Study Staff receive mandatory training in HIPAA and in human subjects protection. LA BioMed provides on-going training and educational programs for campus staff on the conduct of clinical trials, responsible conduct of research, biostatistics, study design, good clinical practices and other related topics as a means of ensuring ongoing education in clinical research.
LA BioMed operates a Pre-Clinical/Clinical Trials office specifically dedicated to processing industry sponsored proposals and to manage the administrative and financial aspects of these contracts.
Patient Demographics
Proximity to and a partnership with Harbor-UCLA Medical Center means that research at LA BioMed is conducted in a real world environment with unmatched access to highly diverse patient populations. The Medical Center draws on a catchment area with a projected population of 3.88 million residents in the year 2004, 0.55 million of whom are below the poverty level. This population represents a wide range of income levels, educational levels and ethnicity (Hispanics 39%, Whites 32%, African Americans 15%, Asians/others 14%). The ethnic distribution of the medical center's inpatients is: 51.1% Hispanic, 19.8% African American, 15.9% Caucasian, 4.7% Asian,0.3% American Indian and 7.8% others.
Other Information
LA BioMed provides a Compliance Office with a tradition of fast turnaround and individual service to the researcher. LA BioMed operates two IRB's, each meeting monthly, and processes applications using an electronic IRB submission system. The Compliance Office, Grants and Contracts Office and the Pre-Clinical/Clinical Trials Unit work together to diligently expedite clinical research applications.
LA BioMed operates an Investigational Drug Service, staffed by two full time Pharm.D.'s, to provide full service management of drug studies, including receipt, storage, dispensing and disposal of investigational agents.
LA BioMed also receives federal funding, including funding from the NIH, for basic science research. Experienced basic research scientists at LA BioMed are available for collaboration and protocol development for clinical research studies. LA BioMed currently has state-of-the-art, wet laboratory space available for qualified research on a contract basis.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact:
Lan T. Tran, MPH
Director, Pre-Clinical/Clinical Trials Unit
Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
1124 W. Carson Street
Torrance, CA 90502 USA
Phone: 310-222-5643
Fax: 310-533-6138
E-mail:
If you are interested in contacting this center to discuss placing a clinical trial there, please complete and send the E-mail form below. A representative from the research center will then follow up with you.
