CDU Research Published in Prestigious Journal ‘The Lancet’
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science has turned up in The Lancet, as the prestigious medical journal has published a paper on important research underway at the University. The inclusion in the high-profile journal marks a proud moment for CDU and will help shine a spotlight on the University’s research activities while establishing its reputation around conducting and completing clinical trials.
The paper shares interim findings from a phase 2, randomized, dose-finding, study of the safety and immunogenicity of an AS03-adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 recombinant protein vaccine (CoV2 preS dTM) in adults 18 years of age or older, which is being conducted across multiple institutions worldwide, including CDU.
The paper’s second author is Dr. Arnel Joaquin, Director of CDU’s Internal Medical Residency program. A team of CDU researchers led by Dr. Jay Vadgama, Vice President for Research and Health Affairs are also involved in the ongoing Phase 3 study.
“It’s an honor to be part of our Clinical and Translational Research Center team that contributed to the representation of our underserved minority community in this clinical trial that addresses the global pandemic” shared Dr. Joaquin, who has been with the CDU family since 1995 and helped re-establish the Internal Medicine Residency Program in 2020. Dr. Joaquin, who was appointed as the CDU Site Clinical PI by Dr. Vadgama, is also a geriatrician and a practicing primary care physician in Los Angeles.
CDU’s research teams have made a difference in our community in areas ranging from cancer health disparities research, HIV/AIDS research, cardiometabolic research, mental health and health services/policy research to name a few. CDU continues to train highly competitive and award-winning students in performing multi-faceted translational research on health disparities.
“CDU President David M, Carlisle and other HBCU Presidents were approached by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and other organizations about participating in clinical trials against COVID-19, with the goal of recruiting Minority and Underrepresented Communities,” recalled Dr. Jay Vadgama. As CDU’s Vice President for Research and Health Affairs, Dr. Vadgama assembled and led the team for the project. “Nothing makes me more happy and proud than to see such an amazing outcome at this point for Dr. Joaquin and our CDU team members,” added Dr. Vadgama, who is also a Professor of Medicine In Residence at CDU and the UCLA School of Medicine, along with serving as Director for the CDU Center for Cancer Health Disparities.
The data presented in the paper support progression of the vaccine candidate to phase 3 clinical evaluation. This represents an important step in the continued efforts to expand available options for the global supply of safe and effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
This adjuvanted recombinant protein vaccine, using a well established vaccine-manufacturing platform with favorable cold-chain requirements, offers an alternative to currently approved vaccines.
“Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science has an ongoing dedication to conducting research that supports our vision of excellent health and wellness for all in a world without health disparities,” noted David M. Carlisle, President and CEO of CDU. “The research that our team is helping to conduct could not be of greater importance as we continue to navigate our way through the current worldwide public health crisis.”
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science research programs, centers, and institutes endeavor to be a leading national resource for conducting clinical and translational research that produces high-quality, cost-effective, and culturally relevant solutions that improve health and wellness in under-resourced populations.
By promoting strategies that generate research team synergy through collaboration between investigators and the community, CDU creates novel best practice solutions to transform the health of underserved communities that can serve as innovative models throughout the nation and the world.
The Lancet is an independent, international weekly general medical journal founded in 1823. The Lancet publishes some of the best science from the best scientists worldwide, providing an unparalleled global reach and impact on health. The publication has earned a reputation as an internationally trusted source of clinical, public health, and global health knowledge.
Visit cdrewu.edu/research to learn more about CDU’s research initiatives.