For Sponsors 

Overview

Geisinger’s Center for Clinical Studies, or CCS, collaborates with sponsors to develop and test investigational drugs and treatment therapies. With an extensive staff of coordinators, project managers, and research assistants, the CCS offers assistance throughout every stage of the clinical trial process. The CCS staff work with sponsors to determine feasibility and patient population, negotiate budget terms and conditions, and prepare IRB protocol, trial closure and archiving. 

Since its founding in 2007, the CCS has grown considerably and today offers excellent service and care as well as state-of the art facilities and resources. Specific examples of Geisinger’s unique advantages include:

  • Geisinger’s Electronic Health Record (EHR), which has garnered numerous awards for technological achievement, allows researchers to apply specific eligibility criteria to nearly three million Geisinger patient records. Since 1995, Geisinger has invested nearly $80 million in converting its patient records into electronic format and building a fully integrated accessing system across its 60 sites.
  • Geisinger provides health care services to approximately 2.6 million patients residing in 41 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Geisinger’s patients are uniquely characterized as aging, multi-generational and non-transitory, with less than 1% out-migration in most of the counties Geisinger serves.
  • Geisinger’s clinical studies employ novel methods to identify prospective subjects and to provide them with information. Recruitment strategies allow the use of “opt-in” and “opt-out” choices for patients across Geisinger’s entire health care region. “Opt in” allows patients to receive information about studies that might be of interest to them, while “opt out” allows patients to indicate their preference to not receive information about studies.
  • Geisinger Research is home to internationally-renowned investigators with expertise in epidemiology, molecular and cellular biology, rural health, genomics, healthcare information technology, development of new healthcare models and clinical trials management. Geisinger research, which in addition to the Center for Clinical Studies includes the Geisinger Center for Health Research and the Weis Center for Research, provides a state-of-the-art research facilities and support, including Geisinger’s Survey Research Unit and Genomics Core.

Because collaboration is at the core of Geisinger’s research philosophy, the CCS is involved with interdepartmental projects across a wide range of fields. These include oncology, neurology, pediatric neurology, rheumatology, nephrology, dermatology, cardiology, infectious disease, women's health, internal medicine, general surgery, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, critical care and neonatology. 

All Geisinger clinical trials are performed under the highest levels of health care safety. Geisinger utilizes the Western IRB (WIRB) which generally assumes oversight for multi-center adult oncology trials and industry-sponsored trials (except for those that involve children) and the Geisinger’s two IRBs which oversee all research that is investigator-oriented, internally funded, and/or includes individuals under the age of 18. 

Phase 3 and 4 clinical trials can be conducted at any of the care sites within Geisinger Health System, including the main hospital in Danville or within any of Geisinger’s northeastern and central Pennsylvania hospitals and outpatient clinics. 

We invite you to explore our site which provides comprehensive information about our Services and resources, the Geisinger Health System, and current Geisinger investigations. For further information, please contact us.