Overview:

Altasciences LA (Formerly WCCT Global), is a full-service early-phase CRO for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. We are specialized regulatory and clinical development professionals who offer an innovative, agile and collaborative approach to every program we deliver. Since 1998, WCCT Global has conducted more than 600 phase 1 clinical trials for the research and development of specialized medicines and therapies. WCCT is an industry expert in managing and conducting early-phase research at its clinical phase 1 unit in Cypress, Calif.

Altasciences LA’s corporate-owned and operated phase 1 clinical trial unit is strategically situated within a large metropolitan area to recruit from a diverse ethnic population. This 80,000-square-foot facility is capable of housing up to 180 volunteers at a time for overnight stays.

We offer our clients a simple, integrated, outsourcing solution with a focus on customer service that removes the need for multiple service providers during the early stages of drug development. Whether for one study or an entire program, we are committed to helping our clients reach critical decision-making milestones sooner by improving “speed and ease” from lead candidate selection to clinical proof of concept with the goal of getting better drugs faster to the people who need them. As a partner, we continuously look for ways to build our relationships through communication and range of capabilities, offering scientific guidance and creating an environment that provides value for our clients, respect for our participants, care for our research animals and growth for our employees.

Research Experience:

Phase 1 clinical trials performed:

• First-in-human (FIH)/First-in-man (FIM) trials
• Single ascending-dose/multiple ascending-dose (SAD/MAD) trials
• Assessment of pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD)
• Establishing bioavailability/bioequivalence (BA/BE)
• Biosimilar
• Drug-drug interaction (DDI) trials
• Drug delivery
• Device
• Food effect (FE) trials
• Cardiac safety and thorough QT/QT prolongation studies (TQT)

Areas of Focus:

Facility Description:

With 80,000 sq. ft. and 180 beds, this clinical pharmacology unit is dedicated to early-phase clinical development trials involving short-term or long-term overnight confinement, serial sampling and surveillance, and in populations such as normal healthy volunteers and those of Asian descent for ethnobridging clinical trials. Specialized equipment:

• Bronchoscopy
• Bio-fluid collection: stool, sputum, semen, emesis, urine, CSF
• Biopsies
• Cystoscopy
• Glucose monitoring
• Holter monitoring and telemetry
• Skin testing
• Pulmonary function-testing, including bronchial challenge testing
• Vaginal ultrasounds and pap smears
• Various ophthalmic tests
• X-rays and MRIs

Unique features:

• 250 employees trained for emergency response situations
• Various COVID-19 screening platforms
• On-site CAP and CLIA-accredited safety reference laboratory capable of conducting hundreds of tests important for early clinical development
• Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) processing capabilities
• USP 797/800-compliant sterile room for parenteral drug preparation
• 850 sq. ft. dual chambers with fully enclosed, isolated air venting systems for clinical testing of inhaled or aerosol products

Accessibility to public transportation:

• 30 minutes from LAX
• 30 minutes from John Wayne Airport
• Close to freeways 405, 605, 91

Investigator Experience:

David Nguyen, MD, MBA
Dr. David Nguyen is an anesthesiology-trained principal investigator. He has provided anesthesia for all major inpatient surgical specialties, including neurosurgery, cardiothoracic and obstetrics, as well as outpatient procedures and GI services. He is intimately familiar with transfusion medicine, fluid management, infusion reactions and emergency anaphylactic airway response. He has also treated chronic-pain patients, which gave him a first-hand account of both the opioid crisis as well as the frustrations and poor quality of life for a patient suffering from chronic pain. This impetus drove Dr. Nguyen to research the burgeoning medical cannabis field for patients and has since become a patient advocate for responsible medical cannabis use. He has given a number of “TED”-like talks outlining the medical benefits of cannabis as well as panel discussions with community leaders about the endocannabinoid system and its effects on improving quality of life. He joined WCCT with the goal of pushing forward more high-quality pharmaceutical therapies for patients and leverages his diverse training and experience to ensure subject safety on all trials.

Dr. Nguyen received his MBA with an emphasis on healthcare. Prior to joining WCCT, he founded his medical aesthetic practice “Dr. Dave’s Dermal Institute,” where he functioned as both medical director and primary practitioner. His clinical knowledge expanded to include dermatology and regenerative medicine. He brings the same customer-focused approach from this practice to volunteers in his clinical trials, ensuring subject satisfaction at all levels.

Patient Demographics:

The patient population from which you draw

Asian ethnicity, especially in Japanese and Chinese population

Other Information:

Central IRB