Specialist paediatrics research and clinical expertise
The department has three main areas of focus – neonatal medicine, community health and allergies and infectious diseases. Professor John Warner is head of the Paediatrics section and specialises in the early life origins of asthma and allergies.
The section work with large pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis and Merck on a number of projects. Previous consultancy projects have included advising on clinical trial design and testing household appliances such as vacuum cleaners or dehumidifiers for their effect on asthma and allergies.
The team also have experience in large-scale commercial clinical trials. Professor Warner is the principal investigator for a trial with Danone, looking at the possible anti-allergy claims for a milk formula.
“We provide professional, independent consultancy services to the pharmaceutical industry through our clinical trial advice“ says Professor Warner. “The advantage of working at Imperial and with one of the largest NHS trusts in the country is that we can then move that early-stage consultancy work into a full research trial.”
Openness of data is particularly important in trials that involve children. “We insist that all the trials we’re involved in make their data publically available.” adds Professor Warner.
Their state-of-the-art testing facilities include research labs and a fully equipped specialist ward for children. The effect that sleep has on health is often ignored in the UK, and researchers within the section are addressing this with an additional lab to look at how pharmaceutical drugs affect sleep and a child’s ability to learn.
With their experience in paediatric clinical trials and their close working relationship with clinical colleagues, the section has a good track record of involving the patients in the trials through consumer panels.
As Professor Warner explains: “Paediatric clinical studies are extremely important – the use of pharmaceuticals in children has arisen from clinical practice and it would be unethical not to do trials. Consultancy is a way for us to engage early in trial design and make sure they’re suitable for children.”
Services provided
- Protocol and design advice for clinical studies
- Advice on ethical concerns and trial conduct
- Food allergy expertise
- Testing and analysis of devices regarding allergies
- Clinical trial independent consultancy
For more information on running clinical trials at Imperial, visit the Clinical Trials Unit. For further information on paediatrics consultancy, including early-stage clinical trial advice, please contact us.
