Fairway Clinical Research Facility: Year One Update

Nov 4, 2009

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- One year after voters passed the Johnson County Education and Research Triangle (JCERT), The University of Kansas Cancer Center continues to make progress toward renovating and opening the Fairway Clinical Research Facility, most notably with the recent hire of Maxine Stoltz, PhD.

Dr. Stoltz serves as the senior executive director of the Fairway Clinical Research Facility and is responsible for the strategic planning of the facility and ultimately managing the operations of the building. She has an extensive background in early clinical drug development and applied clinical pharmacology, most recently working at Celgene Corporation.

In addition to Dr. Stoltz's hire, The University of Kansas Cancer Center has worked with several programs across the country, most notably the NCI-designated Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne State University, to learn best practices of other Phase I clinical trial operations.

"What we found from talking with other cancer programs is we are creating a Phase I clinical trials program unlike any other in the country," said Roy A. Jensen, MD, director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center. "Our program will serve as a 'one-stop shop' for Phase I clinical trials, which translates into a more efficient and easier process for patients."

The facility will house 77,000 gross square feet that will include the Phase I unit, which consists of: overnight accommodations, space for accessible outpatient rooms, specimen collection, biostatistical support and metabolic nutrition studies.

In August, the University of Kansas Medical Center selected Overland Park architecture firm HMN to manage the project. Demolition of the interior of the building, donated by the Hall Family Foundation, will begin by the end of March 2010.

"The Johnson County Education and Research Triangle was a novel and vitally important idea that has translated into something that will make a real difference in the lives of those fighting cancer," said Dr. Jensen. "We are incredibly grateful to the Kansas legislature, the voters of Johnson County, the Johnson County Education and Research Triangle Authority Board and all those who workeddiligently to bring this initiative to fruition."

Construction will take place beginning in the summer of 2010, with completion scheduled in late 2011, just after The University of Kansas Cancer Center applies for National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation.

In 2010, the Cancer Center will focus on recruiting a Phase I clinical trial specialist to oversee the program and work closely with the drug discovery, delivery and development team to translate drugs into clinical trials.

"The continued funding support we receive from this tax is crucial to expanding our Phase I program, fostering innovative discoveries that will directly improve the health of our community," Jensen said.

The University of Kansas Cancer Center is transforming cancer research and clinical care by linking our innovative approach to drug discovery, delivery and development to our nationally-accredited patient care program. Our partnership includes cancer research and healthcare professionals associated with The University of Kansas Medical Center and The University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, the University of Kansas in Lawrence, the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, and the members of the Midwest Cancer Alliance Partners Advisory Board and Clinical Trials Network. For more information on The University of Kansas Cancer Center's research and outreach programs and award-winning patient care offered at the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion and The University of Kansas Hospital, please visit www.kumed.com/cancer or call 1-800-332-6048.http://www.kumed.com/cancer