Meridien Research is comprised of three multi-therapeutic, dedicated research centers specializing in central nervous system disorders, women’s health and general internal medicine. Located in densely populated Pinellas County (St. Petersburg, Florida), Hillsborough County (Tampa, Florida), and fast growing Hernando County (Brooksville, Florida). Meridien Research is uniquely situated to access the geriatric and working individual. Media advertising encompasses the Tampa Bay area, which extends the opportunity for enrollment while maximizing recruitment dollars. Each site operates independently under a set of standard operating procedures. Initial study contact and study contracting are handled through the St. Petersburg location.

Meridien Research is an independent research company, founded in January 2000 by Cathy Collins and Mildred Farmer MD, after their extensive experience in the research industry. The founding concept is to provide sponsors with the highest quality trial data in a timely fashion.

Principal Investigator/Medical Director:
Mildred V. Farmer MD
Dr. Farmer is board certified in Internal Medicine. She has over 15 years of clinical trial experience and has been the principal investigator for over 400 trials across multiple therapeutic areas

Principal Investigators:
Cynthia Huffman MD-board certified in Neurology (Tampa and Brooksville)
Robert Gillett MD- board certified in Internal Medicine
Gigi C. Lefebvre, MD – board certified in Family Practice

Sub-investigators:
Lia Nardone MD- Psychiatry board certified in psychiatry
Jennifer Vesper MD- board certified in dermatology
Paul S. Collins MD- board certified in Vascular Surgery
Naomi Korn MSW- licensed Sex Therapist
Joseph Amodeo MD- board certified in Gastroenterology
Edward Zabella MD- board certified in Gynecology
Nancy Bruemmer MD- board certified in Gynecology (Tampa)
Samir Shakfeh MD- board certified in Gynecology (Brooksville)
Robert Nelson MD- board certified in Ophthamology
Leopoldo Grauer MD-board certified in Gastroenterology (Tampa)
Arnaldo Torres MD-board certified in Rheumatology

Research Expertise:
Average staff experience of 5 years
Phase II-IV trials
Principal investigator conducted over 400 clinical trials
Standard operating procedures
Training records

Research Staff:
8 Full time coordinators/3 CCRC certified
Site Operation Managers
3 study support staff
3 Administrative staff
Staff experienced in remote data entry, IVRS, on-line CRF
Dedicated regulatory specialists at all locations

Rater Experience: Certified raters have extensive experience with Ham-D, Ham-A, MADRS, MINI, YMRS, CIBIC, ADAS, WMS-R, CDR and NetMet batteries.

Research Training: All site staff have received the following training:OSHA, IATA, CPR, SAE, ICH, GCP. Coordinators are experienced with EDC programs: Phase Forward, RAMOS, INET, IMPALA, Trial Master, In-Form and sponsor specific programs.

Recruitment Performance: Meridien Research meets or exceeds enrollment goals for the majority of trials. Statistics on screen-failure rates, retention rates and enrollment to goal rates available upon request. Patient recruitment primarily through database, print media, radio and Television.

Therapeutic Expertise: CNS/Psychiatry/Neurology/ General Medicine/Gynecology/Endocrine/Sexual dysfunction

Special Populations:
CNS: Alzheimer’s, MCI, AAMI, Depression, Anxiety, Bi-polar Disorder, Migraine (treatment, prophylaxis, menstrual, adolescent), Insomnia

Women’s Health: Hot Flash, Osteopenia, Osteoporosis, Birth Control, Fibroids, Endometriosis, Sexual dysfunction, Endometrial hyperplasia, Urinary incontinence

Internal Medicine: Diabetes, Obesity, Hypertension, Cholesterol, Osteoarthritis, Low back pain, Irritable bowel, smoking cessation (staff training at Mayo clinic Fall ’03)

Facilities & Equipment:
St. Petersburg
6000 square feet of dedicated research center/3 exam rooms
Central locked temperature monitored drug storage areas
Dedicated monitoring space with phone and internet line
Central security system/ Fire sprinkler
Interpretive ECG machine
-80 degree freezer
-20 degree freezer
CT /MRI scan, mammograms, endoscopy, with immediate scheduling at hospital and outpatient radiology facility
On site laboratory
Treadmill
T1 Internet access

Tampa
3000 square feet of dedicated research space located in a professional medical office building
which is across the street from Memorial hospital
-20 degree freezer
Interpretive ECG machine
Dedicated monitoring space with phone lines
CT/MRI scan, mammograms, endoscopy
On site laboratory

Brooksville
2400 square feet of dedicated research space located in a professional medical complex which is within one mile of Oak Hill Hospital
-20 degree freezer
Interpretive ECG machine
Dedicated monitoring space
On site laboratory, CT/MRI scan, mammograms

Locations:
Meridien Research St. Petersburg Florida
4751 66th Street North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33709
727-347-8839 phone 727-384-6440 fax

The St. Petersburg site is conveniently located 30 minutes from the Tampa International Airport with direct access from I275 and North/South and East/West main roads.

Meridien Research Tampa Florida
508 South Habana Avenue #320
Tampa, Florida 33609
813-877-8839 phone 813-873-2303 fax
813-877-8840
The Tampa site is located off 275 and close to the Cross-town Expressway, convenient for study subjects from North Tampa, South Tampa, Brandon and Lakeland. The Tampa site is 15 minutes from Tampa International Airport.

Meridien Research Brooksville Florida
Community Medical Plaza
12144 Cortez Blvd.
Brooksville, Florida 34613
352-597-8839 phone
352-597-7578 fax
This new center is located in Hernando County which is one of the fastest growing counties in Florida.
The site is located conveniently off of the Suncoast Parkway approximately 45 minutes from the Tampa International Airport. Dr. Farmer and Dr. Huffman will serve as Principal Investigators for the site.