Our Studies

New River Valley Research Institute participates in industry-sponsored pharmaceutical research studies that are designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of investigational medicines (medicines that are not yet approved by the FDA). We also participate in research studies that test medicines that are already approved and on the market for new uses and indications.

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New River Valley Research Institute participates in industry-sponsored pharmaceutical research studies
that are designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of investigational medicines (medicines that are not yet approved by the FDA). We also participate in research studies that test medicines that are already approved and on the market for new uses and indications.

Like so many other industries, many pharmaceutical companies have become global enterprises. Most of the clinical research studies that New River Valley Research Institute participates in are also being conducted in other countries around the world. Regardless of the origin of a pharmaceutical company, if they are using sites in the United States for their clinical trials they must abide by the rules and guidelines set forth by the US FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration).

In addition to the FDA guidelines, each clinical research study that will be conducted in the US must be reviewed and approved by an organization called an Institutional Review Board, or IRB. The IRB is comprised of a panel of both medical and scientific experts and of persons who do not have scientific or medical backgrounds. This is to ensure that the study protocol (the study plan) is properly designed to ensure the safety of all participants as well as to yield the best data about the medication.

No clinical research study can begin until the protocol and the consent form have been reviewed and approved by an IRB. Institutional Review Boards are independent from both the FDA and the pharmaceutical companies to ensure that their review is fair and objective

Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Con-stipation (IBS-C)
Many people with IBS-C may treat symptoms themselves because they are embarrassed to speak with their physician. In fact, up to 70% of those suffering from IBS do not receive attention for the condition.
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SERENE CD
Do you find yourself rearranging daily activities in order to manage your Crohn’s disease? Do your symptoms affect your daily nutritional choices? If you have moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease, the SERENE CD clinical research study may be for you.
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SERENE UC
Do you find yourself rearranging daily activities in order to manage your Ulcerative Colitis? Do your symptoms affect your daily nutritional choices? SERENE UC
Read more »
Eligibility for IBS-C Study
Eligibility for SERENE CD Study
Eligibility for SERENE UC Study

Our Mission

New River Valley Research Institute is an independent research office whose mission is to conduct pharmaceutical research studies for the development of safe and effective treatments for diseases and disorders of the human body. Our office is dedicated to maintaining the very highest of standards in conducting clinical trials, conforming to all FDA regulations and International Council on Harmonization guidelines. The safety, health, comfort, and education of all of our research participants is our priority.

New River Valley Research Institute is presided over by Dr. Mark A. Ringold. Dr. Ringold is board-certified in Gastroenterology. He has served as Principal Investigator for more than 125 clinical trials researching treatments for disorders of the digestive tract as well as for a variety of other health conditions.

Our research participants are highly valued and respected individuals whose contribution to the development of new medications and treatments and the identification of new indications for existing medications cannot be overstated.

Our Volunteers

E ach clinical research study enrolls study volunteers from the general population to participate in the testing phases required for FDA approval of a new medication, or for testing a new use for an existing medication. Depending on the medication being studied and the phase of testing it is in, there will be different rules for each clinical research study in regards to who is eligible to participate.
Specific requirements for eligibility may include your age, your sex, your current or past medical conditions, what medications you are taking, and/or your height and weight ratio. The number of visits to the research office and the length of those visits will also vary from study to study.
Most research studies reimburse study volunteers for their time and travel expenses. All medical testing, physician visits, and study medications are provided by the pharmaceutical company sponsoring the study.
Before joining a research study, every volunteer reads and signs an Informed Consent, which describes the rules of the study, what happens at each visit, and the rights and responsibilities of study volunteers. Your participation is voluntary from start to finish, and you can leave the study at any time and for any reason. Your health is closely monitored throughout your participation in any research study. Dr. Ringold oversees the health and care of all research participants at New River Valley Research, with the assistance of his research staff.
Our research participants are highly valued and respected individuals whose contribution to the development of new medications and treatments and the identification of new indications for existing medications cannot be overstated.

Please check your eligibility for our current studies.

Sponsors

N ew River Valley Research Institute is located in the New River Valley in Southwest Virginia. The population of this area exceeds 200,000 and is the home of two universities, Virginia Tech and Radford University. Major industry is also represented in the area with plants from Volvo, Corning, Litton PolyScientific, Pulaski Furniture, and Radford Ammunition Plant. Our site is conveniently located in Christiansburg, Virginia and easily accessible via the Roanoke Airport, located 30 minutes north.
T here is a large Corporate Research Center associated with the University so the population has had positive exposure to research and has been very receptive to clinical trials. We have used local advertising in several trials with an overwhelming response, helping us to meet or exceed enrollment goals in all studies.
N ew River Valley Research Institute is committed to providing qualified patients and clean data for all contracted studies. With over 55 years of Clinical Research Experience in Phase 2, 3, and 4 protocols we have completed the following studies:

16 Heartburn, GERD, Refractory GERD

16 Irritable Bowel Syndrome

13 Esophageal Disorders

12 Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

10 Regional Enteritis (Crohn’s Disease)

9 Herpes Labiallis

9 Ulcerative Colitis

8 Gastric Ulcer

5 Viral Infections

3 Dyspepsia

3 Pneumonia

3 Allergic Rhinitis

2 Bronchitis

2 Diabetes Mellitus

2 Duodenal Ulcer

2 Osteoarthritis

2 Sleep Disturbances

2 Smoking Cessation

1 Asthma

1 Insomnia

1 Migraine Headache

1 Red Blood Cell Disorder

1 Sinusitis

Please contact: Penny Mappin, CCRC at penny@nrvresearch.com or 540.381.3086

Contact Us

Industry-Sponsored Pharmaceutical Studies

Like so many other industries, many pharmaceutical companies have become global enterprises. Most of the clinical research studies that New River Valley Research Institute participates in are also being conducted in other countries around the world. Regardless of the origin of a pharmaceutical company, if they are using sites in the United States for their clinical trials they must abide by the rules and guidelines set forth by the US FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration). In addition to the FDA guidelines, each clinical research study that will be conducted in the US must be reviewed and approved by an organization called an Institutional Review Board, or IRB. The IRB is comprised of a panel of both medical and scientific experts and of persons who do not have scientific or medical backgrounds. This is to ensure that the study protocol (the study plan) is properly designed to ensure the safety of all participants as well as to yield the best data about the medication. No clinical research study can begin until the protocol and the consent form have been reviewed and approved by an IRB. Institutional Review Boards are independent from both the FDA and the pharmaceutical companies to ensure that their review is fair and objective.

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