Fred Hutch opens COVID-19 Clinical Research Center

Medical director outlines goals for the new facility that will host two treatment trials right away
An exterior photo of the COVID-19 Clinical Research Center
The exterior of the COVID-19 Clinical Research Center in the Minor Building on the Fred Hutch campus Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch News Service

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center announced the opening of the COVID-19 Clinical Research Center, or CCRC. Funded by philanthropic donations and public/private partnerships, the CCRC is one of the first facilities in the nation designed to test novel interventions to treat and prevent COVID-19.

The stand-alone facility in the renovated Minor Building on Fred Hutch’s South Lake Union campus in Seattle will provide a collaborative space for scientists and clinicians to partner with study volunteers, health care providers, research institutes, foundations and the biotech/pharmaceutical industry on Phase 1 through 3 clinical trials (observational and interventional) for COVID-19-positive participants, and in the future, participants with other infectious diseases. Other capabilities include blood draws, infusions, injections, physical exams and administration of oral drugs. Pharmacy access will be provided by Fred Hutch’s clinical care partner, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, or SCCA. 

Press Release: Fred Hutch opens COVID-19 Clinical Research Center

Newly renovated facility is among the first stand-alone centers specifically designed to test novel interventions such as monoclonal antibodies and antivirals to treat and prevent COVID-19

For more information on referring volunteers, joining a trial or partnering with Fred Hutch to conduct a trial, visit the COVID-19 Clinical Research Center website.

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Press Release: Fred Hutch opens COVID-19 Clinical Research Center

Newly renovated facility is among the first stand-alone centers specifically designed to test novel interventions such as monoclonal antibodies and antivirals to treat and prevent COVID-19

For more information on referring volunteers, joining a trial or partnering with Fred Hutch to conduct a trial, visit the COVID-19 Clinical Research Center website.

Photo of Dr. Rachel Bender Ignacio
Dr. Rachel Bender Ignacio Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch News Service

Fred Hutch News sat down with Bender Ignacio to learn more about the goals for the facility and the urgent mission to control and prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. 

Why is Fred Hutch building this facility?

There’s a major need to test novel interventions to treat and prevent COVID-19. The CCRC will offer an opportunity for investigators interested in testing experimental treatments and interventions that can be safely given and evaluated in an alternative setting from a hospital or traditional medical facility.

Who’s involved in this project?

In her role as senior vice president of VIDD, Dr. Julie McElrath will oversee the CCRC along with input from Dr. Larry Corey, who had the initial vision for the dedicated center.

I’ll be the medical director of the CCRC in addition to overseeing a team of on-site clinical and support staff with Fatima Ranjbaran, our new operations director. I’ll also be responsible for ensuring that the trials are conducted safely and with the best clinical and scientific practices. Kristi Stiffler [Fred Hutch's associate vice president for Clinical Research Support] and Clinical Research Support are providing operational support for the center.

How will this facility be funded?

The facility will be funded by a mix of public and private partnerships including some generous donor contributions to Fred Hutch's COVID-19 Research Response Fund. Clinical trials will be independently funded by a sponsor, which is either the federal government or a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company. The studies will also contribute to funding the staffing and operational costs.

What kinds of trials do you expect to host at the site?

The facility can accommodate interventional and observational Phase 1-3 clinical trials. The infrastructure allows our experts to perform blood draws, infusions, injections and physical exams and to administer oral drugs. All participants must be ambulatory with mild to moderate COVID-19 disease or may also be healthy volunteers. Pharmacy access will be provided by SCCA and investigational treatments will be couriered to the CCRC. The center will only administer interventions according to study protocols. Because the CCRC is not a hospital or routine medical clinic, we will only be providing medical care within the bounds of research protocols for participants who meet eligibility for one of the trials.

What safety measures are you taking?

The center is a stand-alone building not directly connected to any other part of Fred Hutch or SCCA. It’s designed to support active COVID-19 research participants outside a hospital setting. It’s important to remember that not all participants will have COVID-19; some will be healthy volunteers and others will have recovered from COVID-19 illness and are enthusiastic about sharing their body’s response to the virus to help further science.

Safety measures to protect everyone from transmission include:

  • Separate entry/exits and restrooms for study volunteers with known or potential COVID-19 as well as separate entry/exits and restrooms for healthy volunteers who do not have infectious diseases.
  • Separate portions of the clinic to see potentially infectious participants and non-ill participants, and for staff.
  • Clear signage and wayfinding to direct participants directly to the CCRC.
  • Dedicated parking for trial participants and, in some cases, car services.
  • Restricted and secure access to the facility to prevent unauthorized or accidental access.
  • Appropriate personal protective equipment for all CCRC staff and participants.
  • Free and confidential COVID-19 testing to all CCRC employees as needed, provided by Fred Hutch Environmental Health & Safety.
  • Air circulation that meets or exceeds standards in medical facilities, including dedicated air handling/circulation and HEPA filters for each enclosed room.
  • Extensive cleaning and disinfecting protocols.

If or when safe vaccines and therapies for COVID-19 are discovered, what will happen to the center?

We don’t have any formal plans at this time, but we are exploring ideas to repurpose the space to investigate other infectious diseases.

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