MINNEAPOLIS, June 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DaVita Clinical Research (DCR), a health care provider-based specialty research organization with services spanning the full spectrum of drug and device development, today announced the expansion of its research services to include an Alliance Site Network, a turnkey solution for pharmaceutical companies seeking high-quality, dedicated research sites that specialize in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and comorbid conditions directly related to CKD, but who are not yet on dialysis.

"Over the past few years, we have seen a growing need for clinical trials within a unified network for patients with early stage kidney disease," said Amy Young, vice president and general manager of DCR. "Our operating and quality systems, combined with our network of independent nephrologists, meet that need while driving our strategic goals: enhancing options for our patients and providing valuable insights to our clients, to DaVita and to the greater medical community."

DCR, an established industry leader in clinical trials with dialysis subjects, has opened and manages 10 Alliance Sites in seven states. Clinical trials at these Alliance Sites will focus on the growing pipeline of new therapies for CKD stages 1 through 4 and other conditions manifesting as a result of kidney disease.   

The Alliance Site Network aims to bring clinical research infrastructure to nephrology partner practices around the country, creating research sites nested within those locations. Under DCR's management, Alliance Sites will receive onsite operational support and dedicated clinical staff to perform each trial under the direction of an independent principle investigator. In addition, DCR will oversee all research aspects including start-up, trial oversight and quality management, among many other services, and will work directly with a contracted investigator within the nephrology partner practice.  

DCR plans to open an additional five Alliance Sites by the end of 2017 with further expansion planned in 2018 and beyond.

DCR continues to operate its Affiliate Site Network, a similar clinical research program conducting clinical trials with end stage renal disease patients receiving hemodialysis at approximately 200 DaVita^® dialysis centers across the U.S. 

To learn more about DCR, visit DaVitaClinicalResearch.com.

About DaVita Clinical Research
DaVita Clinical Research (DCR), a wholly owned subsidiary of DaVita Inc., uses its extensive, applied database and real-world healthcare experience to assist pharmaceutical and medical device companies in the design, recruitment and completion of retrospective, prospective and pragmatic clinical trials. DCR's scientific and clinical expertise spans the lifecycle of product development with more than 175 client companies. DCR's Early Clinical Research unit (Phase I-IIa) and Late Phase Clinical Research (Phase IIb through post-marketing) network of physicians and investigative sites, and Real-World Healthcare Data  are focused on providing world-class research in both complex/specialty populations and therapeutic areas and especially in CKD and ESRD populations. To learn more about DCR, visit DaVitaClinicalResearch.com.

About DaVita Inc.
DaVita Inc., a Fortune 500® company, is the parent company of DaVita Kidney Care and DaVita Medical Group. DaVita Kidney Care is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, delivering dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. As of March 31, 2017, DaVita Kidney Care operated or provided administrative services at 2,382 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 189,400 patients. The company also operated 162 outpatient dialysis centers located in 11 countries outside the United States. DaVita Medical Group manages and operates medical groups and affiliated physician California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Washington in its pursuit to deliver excellent-quality health care in a dignified and compassionate manner. As of December 31, 2016, DaVita Medical Group's teammates, employed clinicians and affiliated clinicians provided care for approximately 1.7 million patients. For more information, please visit DaVita.com/about. 

Contact Information
Media:
Ashley Henson
(303) 876-6626
Ashley.Henson@davita.com

SOURCE DaVita Clinical Research