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About the Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Clinical Trial Research Network (FSHD CTRN)

The Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Clinical Trial Research Network (FSHD CTRN) is a consortium of fifteen academic research centers (12 in the United States, and 3 in Europe) with expertise in FSHD clinical research, or in conducting neuromuscular clinical trials. These centers leverage existing clinical trials infrastructure: including clinical investigators, research coordinators, study evaluators, and institutional resources like Clinical and Translational Science Research Awards (CTSAs) and local Research Institutes for clinical trial budget and contracting, and Clinical Research Centers, which provide subsidized clinical research space and facilities.

A major hurdle to development of trial strategies and validation of outcome measures for FSHD clinical trials is the lack of an existing clinical trial network infrastructure with common standard operating procedures (SOPs). The FSHD CTRN surmounts this challenge by:

  • creating a streamlined system for regulatory/ethical oversight;
  • developing standards for what data is collected and how it is collected;
  • creating a network of well-trained and knowledgeable clinical evaluators, essential for clinical trials;
  • creating a network of trained study coordinators with strong patient engagement, recruitment, and retention skills;
  • ensuring the participation of all major stakeholders;
  • validating new outcome measures for drug registration studies; and
  • training the next generation of FSHD clinical researchers.

The FSHD CTRN helps close gaps in trial readiness, and also provides a network of sites with a centralized streamlined regulatory process, specific, common expertise in FSHD, and an engaged patient population ready to conduct efficient, high quality clinical trials.

Diagram of FSHD Trial Readiness pathway

Events

Upcoming Walk and Roll FSHD Fundraisers | FSHD Society
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Clinical Trials

View all Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy related clinical trials in the state of Kansas.

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FSHD Clinical Trial Research Network

Contact Us

Michaela Walker
Project Manager
913-945-9920
mwalker20@kumc.edu