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Our passion is to bring large scale clinical research to our local community in order to facilitate access to trials that are typically conducted at prominent universities and research centers in larger metropolitan areas.
Vero Beach Neurology & Research Institute was established in 2016 and is owned and operated by Dr. Stuart J. Shafer. With his team of Principal Investigators, Sub-Investigators and Study Coordinator’s they have been conducting Clinical Trials in many therapeutic areas in Indian River County. These trials are national as well as global.
Each member of the research team has brought their own individual research knowledge and experience to the company. All are well versed in all aspects of conducting clinical research from the patient level to the Sponsor level. Below you can find all available clinical trials.
Exploring the safety and tolerability of conversion from oral or injectable disease modifying therapies to dose-titrated Oral Siponimod in patients with advancing forms of relapsing multiple sclerosis: A 6 month open label, multi-center Phase IIIb study.
Protocol Number: CBAF312AUS02
Key Inclusion
Key Exclusion
A Phase IIIb multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ocrelizumab in adults with primary progressive Multiple Sclerosis.
Protocol Number: WA40404
Key Inclusion
Key Exclusion
Symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH) in patients with primary autonomic failure (Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple System Atrophy, Pure Autonomic Failure), or Non-Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy, or Dopamine Beta Hydroxylase deficiency.
Protocol NOH402
Key Inclusion
Key Exclusion
A multicenter, longitudinal, open-label, single-arm study describing cognitive processing speed changes in relapsing multiple sclerosis subjects treated with ozanimod (RPC-1063)
Key Inclusion
Key Exclusion
A phase III multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fenebrutinib compared with ocrelizumab in adult patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis.
Protocol Number: GN41791
Key Inclusion
ADX48621-301 Phase 2b/3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Dipraglurant (ADX48621) for the Treatment of Dyskinesia in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease Receiving Levodopa-based Therapy With or Without Concomitant Dopaminergic Medications.
Patients that participate in this trial will qualify for an additional 1-year extension trial.
Key Inclusion
Key Exclusion
An observational study of ocrelizumab treated patients with multiple sclerosis to determine the incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer and all malignancies.
Key Inclusion
OR
Newly treated with one of the following 6 approved MS DMTs; alemtuzumab, cladribine, dimethyl fumarate, fingolimod, natalizumab, or teriflunomide (within 30 days before baseline visit according to the local label irrespective of the reason for starting a new MS DMT (internal comparator cohort)
Key Exclusion
International Collaboration for Real-World Evidence in Alzheimer’s Disease (ICARE AD) A Prospective Real-World Observational Study of Aducanumab-avwa in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease in the US.
Key Inclusion
Key Exclusion
VBNRI is involved in national and international clinical research trials that study not only Multiple Sclerosis, but also Parkinson’s, Stroke, Migraine, and Epilepsy. In partnership with Geodyssey Research, both VBNRI and MSCVB are actively involved in ongoing research and recruitment of patients into clinical trials. Meet the team that makes all this a success.
Principal Investigator
Dr. S. James Shafer, a local resident since 1977, has practiced Adult Neurology in Vero Beach and the surrounding area since 1997. From 1997 to 2016 Dr. Shafer practiced in a multi-specialty group and in 2016 ventured in solo practice and formed Vero Beach Neurology and Research Institute. He is the founder and Medical Director of The Multiple Sclerosis Center of Vero Beach that was formed in 2001 and has cared for thousands of MS patients world-wide. While he treats all Neurological Disorders, he is a Nationally recognized MS specialist. He, additionally, has expertise in Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke being the founding and current Medical Director of the Indian River Medical Center Stroke Program.
Sub-investigator and Examining Investigator
Stacy attended Southern Adventist College in Collegedale, Tennessee graduating with her Associate of Science in Biology. She then attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, earning her Bachelor of Science as a Physician Assistant. Stacy has been Board Certified since 2001 and has successfully completed renewal of her board maintenance. Additionally, she has been designated by demonstration of competency and clinical hours as a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist.
Examining Investigator
Bryon is originally from the foothills of north Georgia. He has been in the field of neurology since 2009 and he has been focused on Electroneurodiagnostics since 2010. He is a registered nerve conduction study technologist through the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Technologists. He is also a certified medical assistant through the American Association of Medical Assistants. He is an active member of both associations as well as an active member of ASET – The Neurodiagnostic Society, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and The American Clinical Neurophysiology Society. He also has significant experience in performing other Neurodiagnostic modalities including electroencephalography and evoked potentials. His background includes motorsports, computer programming and metalworking. His hobbies include going to the beach, swimming, and as he puts it, “always learning something new.
Director, Clinical Operations
Clellia Bergamino is the Owner of Geodyssey Research, LLC. Clellia has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Florida and has worked in the medical field since 1988. Clellia began working as a Clinical Research Coordinator in 1994.
Primary responsibilities include oversite of all clinical trials within the company. Additional responsibilities include contract and budget negotiations, staff management and determining the feasibility of incoming clinical trials. In addition, she oversees the ongoing financial aspects of each clinical trial
Certified Clinical Research Coordinator
Elizabeth has working in clinical research since 2003. Her experience in research includes clinical trials working in HIV/AIDS, Cardiology, Rheumatology and Neurology. She is the senior coordinator at VBNRI, and performs all aspects of running clinical trials.
Our passion is to bring large scale clinical research to our local community in order to facilitate access to trials that are typically conducted at prominent universities and research centers in larger metropolitan areas.
