Research and clinical trials
From discovery to treatment, we are transforming research into real-world care through clinical trials designed to improve patients’ health.
Because we are an academic health system, many of our physicians and specialists conduct research – some of which can lead to new drugs, devices or therapies that improve or save lives. But for those treatments to ever reach patients, they must be thoroughly tested, which requires clinical trials involving people.
Hundreds of trials from multiple sources
VCU and VCU Health host nearly 700 active clinical trials at any given time. The types of trials span disciplines from cardiovascular disease, cancer and pulmonology to gene therapies and diagnostics.
Clinical trials originate from two main sources.
Investigator-initiated studies, often funded by the federal government and National Institutes of Health, are where VCU researchers test novel therapies or explore new uses for existing drugs or molecules.
Industry-sponsored studies, typically later-phase trials designed to generate approval data, where pharmaceutical companies partner with VCU to test drugs, devices or diagnostics.
Success stories: the impact clinical trials have on medicine
VCU and VCU Health’s involvement has contributed to major medical advances, including a gene therapy trial to treat sickle cell disease. VCU Health’s first patient to receive the therapy is doing well, and more patients are in the pipeline.
Research facts and figures
Our impact is clear in our numbers. In fiscal year 2025, clinical research at VCU Health saw:
- 1,089 patients enrolled in clinical trials
- 1,302 patients enrolled in research studies
- 436 studies open to enrollment
- 300 clinical trials open to enrollment
- 22 departments engaged in research
- Over 200 clinician-researchers
- Over 150 clinical Research Coordinators
Our research entities across VCU and VCU Health
VCU Health Office of Clinical Research
C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research
Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation
Pediatric clinical research at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center research and clinical trials
Connect with us!
The VCU Health Office of Clinical Research is located at 1300 East Marshall Street (North Hospital, 8th floor), Richmond, Virginia 23298-1055.
- For general questions about Clinical Research at VCU Health, please send an email to clinical.research@vcuhealth.org.
- For questions about clinical trial billing, please send an email to clinicaltrialsbilling@vcuhealth.org
- For questions about Protocol Review Oversight Committees (PROCs), please send an email to PROC@vcuhealth.org.
Adult Clinical Research Unit (CRU)
Located on the 8th floor of North Hospital
Nurse’s Station: 804-828-9101
Registration Desk: 804-828-9105
To schedule a CRU study participant visit, please email
crs-scheduler@vcuhealth.org
Pediatric Clinical Research Unit (PRU)
Located on the 1st floor of the Children’s Pavilion
Nurse’s Station: 804-628-9747
To schedule a PRU study participant visit, please email pruscheduler@vcuhealth.org
