UC San Diego Expands Its Capacity to Test Innovative Treatments for Disease
An additional 3,500 square feet of space will allow the UC San Diego Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute to accelerate groundbreaking medical research to improve human health.
Story by:
Published Date
Story by:
Topics covered:
Share This:
Article Content
The University of California San Diego Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute (ACTRI) has added 3,500 square feet of new clinic space to its main facility in La Jolla. The ACTRI L2 Center for Clinical Research will boost the institute’s capacity to serve participants in groundbreaking clinical trials by more than 30%. The new addition welcomed its first study participant on July 15.
“This expansion will help accelerate discoveries that directly benefit San Diegans and patients worldwide,” said ACTRI Director David “Davey” Smith, M.D., professor of medicine and assistant vice chancellor of clinical and translational research at UC San Diego. “As a global hub for cutting-edge clinical research, ACTRI helps turn scientific breakthroughs into new treatments. The expanded space means more trials, faster answers, and better access for our community to the therapies of tomorrow.”
ACTRI staff (left to right): Morgan Gianola, Len Lazaro, Marie Sagrado, Nicolle Mendez, Katherine Bunda, Bernadette Cale, RN, Nelson Guanipa, Dennis Perpetua, Gayle Macaraeg. Photo credit: Kyle Dykes/ UC San Diego Health Sciences
Since 2016, ACTRI has facilitated clinical trials by providing research teams with shared clinical space, research coordinators, nursing staff and lab techs, in addition to comprehensive project management, regulatory guidance and medical bioinformatics services. This cost-effective approach, coupled with a commitment to partnering with local communities facing complex health challenges, serves as a national model for translating basic science to benefit human health.
The new L2 Center for Clinical Research will support more than 300 clinical research studies on diseases and conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Type 2 diabetes, chronic pain and bipolar disorder. New therapies being investigated include bacteriophage therapy (viruses that specifically target bacteria) to treat drug-resistant urinary tract infections, gene therapy for cardiomyopathy and implanted neurostimulation devices for migraines, among others. The expansion will also allow ACTRI to deliver more innovative therapies to underserved communities.
The enhanced clinic space was carefully designed to optimize both the patient experience and research efficiency. It features five exam rooms, two infusion rooms, and dedicated rooms for specialized procedures, extended stays for patients requiring longer observation, and meetings with participants and their families. In addition, it has a med prep room for precise medication handling and a state-of-the-art sample processing lab.
The expansion was made possible by the support of Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences John Carethers, M.D., and reflects UC San Diego’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of medical science and transforming basic discoveries into real-world health solutions.
The opening of the L2 Center for Clinical Research marks a pivotal moment for ACTRI's mission, according to the institute’s founding director, Gary S. Firestein, M.D., distinguished professor of medicine and senior associate vice chancellor of UC San Diego Health Sciences.
“By expanding our capacity, we will now be able to treat more patients with cutting-edge therapies and expand opportunities for innovative treatments,” said Firestein. “It reflects our commitment to improving the health of our community.”
Clinical nurse Dennis Perpetua with mock research trial participant Morgan Gianola in an exam room at the ACTRI L2 Center for Clinical Research. Photo credit: Kyle Dykes/ UC San Diego Health Sciences
Stay in the Know
Keep up with all the latest from UC San Diego. Subscribe to the newsletter today.
