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Al-Shifa Research Center

 

Vision:

To be the centre of excellence for conducting world-class and creative bio-medical research activities to enhance the knowledge base and contribute towards improving the health care system and social advancement for the people of Pakistan.

Mission:

To emphasize rigorous research fundamentals while stimulating innovation and providing the highest quality research facilities in the institution.

Aim and Objectives

  • Work in coordination with the head of departments to identify areas of research
  • Provide operational support to the institution’s research activities/program and play a central role in facilitating the research outcome
  • Enhance the capacity building of trainees and students in academic research
  • Facilitating the faculty/postgraduate students to apply for research grants to HEC and other donor agencies
  • Find and explore the collaborations with national and international organizations
  • Establish and implement appropriate procedures and guidelines for monitoring research progress

Establishing a research centre shows that we really see value in bringing scientific evidence and also appreciate the importance of scientific culture. We believe that as long as we continue to work together as a team, we can give the very best of ourselves. We are dedicated to driving impact in critical spheres of health care to create impressive and meaningful breakthroughs and to fostering innovation through partnerships and team works. Al-Shifa Research Centre also prepares an annual research report covering the diverse array of all research activities done by the faculty, students, and trainees of Al-Shifa.

Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra
MBBS, MPH, FCPS (Comm. Med),
FRCP (Glasgow), MCPS-HPE
Director Research, Al-Shifa Research Centre
Professor of Public Health
E-mail: dr_sughra@yahoo.com


Clinical Trials

Sr. no. Trial Name Sponsor Status Report
1. A Phase III Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial in 18 Years of Age and Above to Determine the Safety and Efficacy of ZF2001, a Recombinant Novel Coronavirus Vaccine (CHO cell) for Prevention of COVID-19 Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd China On going
Published in The New England Journal of Medicine
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2202261
2. A Phase III, Randomized, Observer-blind, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Immunogenicity and Safety of Seqirus Cell-Based Quadrivalent Subunit Influenza Virus Vaccine (QIVc) Compared to a Non-Influenza Vaccine when Administrated in Healthy Subjects aged 6 Months through 47 Months Seqirus On going
3. (ALVOEYE) :A Randomized, Double-masked, Parallel-group, Multicenter Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of AVT06 Compared with EU-Eylea® in Subjects with Neovascular (wet) Age-related Macular Degeneration Alvotech Swiss AG On going

Collaborators

Clinical Trial Team - ZF2001

Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra

Principal Investigator

Dr. Marriam Suleman

Sr. Research Officer

Dr. Asmaa Riaz

Sr. Research Officer

Dr. Rasikh Arif

Sr. Research Officer

Dr. Fatima Farahi

Research Officer

Dr. Amna Shahid

Research Officer

Dr. Ali Zeb Khan

Sr. Research Officer

Dr. Muhammad Hamza Rabbani

Research Officer

Dr. Azalfa Malik

Research Officer

Dr. Khizran Naseer

Research Officer

Projects

Sr. no. Project Name Sponsor Principal Investigator Status
1. A Phase III Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial in 18 Years of Age and Above to Determine the Safety and Efficacy of ZF2001, a Recombinant Novel Coronavirus Vaccine (CHO cell) for Prevention of COVID-19 Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd China Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra On going
Published in The New England Journal of Medicine
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2202261
2. A project by WHO to evaluate the preparedness of public health facilities in Islamabad Capital Territory and Rawalpindi, Pakistan, for managing (potential) CBRN events and development of a standard national tool to evaluate hospital preparedness involving Emergency Departments (ED) as well as EMS providers’ readiness for CBRN events in Pakistan WHO EMRO, Pakistan Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra Completed
3. A Phase III, Randomized, Observer-blind, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Immunogenicity and Safety of Seqirus Cell-Based Quadrivalent Subunit Influenza Virus Vaccine (QIVc) Compared to a Non-Influenza Vaccine when Administrated in Healthy Subjects aged 6 Months through 47 Months Seqirus IQVIA Solutions Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd On going
4. (ALVOEYE) :A Randomized, Double-masked, Parallel-group, Multicenter Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of AVT06 Compared with EU-Eylea® in Subjects with Neovascular (wet) Age-related Macular Degeneration Alvotech Swiss AG Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra On going

Annual Research Reports

2018

2019

2020

2021

Events

2nd International Al-Shifa Research Conference 2022

Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Al-Shifa Research Centre on Thursday hosted the 2nd International Research Conference titled ‘Landscape of Clinical Trials in Pakistan’, focusing on collaboration and integration for the rise of the clinical trial industry in Pakistan.

The conference’s purpose, held at Al-Shifa Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, was to provide a comprehensive forum for experts and participants from the industry to exchange ideas and present a way forward for the promotion of clinical trial research in Pakistan. Chief guest Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Director at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi and Coordinator General COMSTECH, highlighted the importance of promotion of the clinical trial industry which will lead to the development of the indigenous pharmaceutical sector and innovative medical devices shortly.

He pointed out that instead of being a service provider, “We can be innovators in this field with both economic benefits as well as health sector sustainability for our country.” Dr Iqbal said that China had adopted the same model, particularly in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

President Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital Maj Gen (r) Rehmat Khan shed light on the performances of the Al-Shifa Research Centre and highlighted the implication of clinical trials. He briefed how the trust worked in bringing the clinical trials industry to Pakistan under Dr Ume Sughra.

President also mentioned services of the trust in recent floods, including a donation of Rs60 million to the flood victims and providing primary medical care through free medical camps.

Dean and Chief of Medical Services Al Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Prof Dr Wajid Ali Khan, thanked Dr Choudhary for showing the way forward with Al Shifa becoming a clinical trial site as Pakistan was being recognized in the international market for conducting clinical trials, which was previously limited to India in the region. Seasoned researchers, including Prof. Dr Shahzad Ali Khan, VC and Dean Health Services Aca­demy, Islamabad, Prof. Dr Tanwir Khaliq, Vice-Chancellor PIMS Dr Sadia Asim, Director, Dow University of Health Science and Prof Dr Saima Saeed, director Indus Hospital delivered keynote speeches.

 

Maj Gen (Retd) Rehmat Khan

President
Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital

Prof. Dr. Wajid Ali Khan

Dean and Chief of Medical Services
Head of Cornea Department
Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital

Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra

Principal Investigator of ZF2001 Phase III Clinical Trial
Director Research
Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital

Chief Guest
H.E Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary

Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz
Mustafa (PBUH) Prize Laureate
Distinguished National Professor
UNESCO Chair on Medicinal and Bio-organic Natural
Product Chemistry
Director ICCBS H. E. J Karachi,
Coordinator General COMSTECH Islamabad

Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan

Vice Chancellor
Health Services Academy Islamabad

Prof. Dr. Tanwir Khaliq

Vice Chancellor
Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad

 

26-12-2022

1st Al-Shifa International Research Conference 2021

An international conference on COVID 19 Phase III Clinical Trials in Pakistan was held at Al Shifa Trust Rawalpindi on Wednesday, December 8th, 2021. It was the first international research conference by Al Shifa Trust. The theme for the research was building research expertise with changing times, research at the forefront of Pandemic. Esteemed decision-makers, researchers, academia faculty and scholars, renowned researchers, and representatives from World Health Organization and Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan took part in the conference.

The conference was put together to highlight the research opportunities generated as a result of the pandemic in Pakistan and the role of national institutes in becoming a part of global activities to combat the pandemic through research in Pakistan. The paradigm shift from curative to preventive medicine was also discussed by the national and international speakers present at the conference.

We are looking for donors who believe in eye health and a brighter world. Make a donation today, and help us continue the good cause of fighting blindness in Pakistan.

 

Maj Gen (Retd) Rehmat Khan

President
Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital

Prof. Dr. Wajid Ali Khan

Dean and Chief of Medical Services
Head of Cornea Department
Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital

Welcome Address and introduction of Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital and Establishment of Research Centre

Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra

Principal Investigator of ZF2001 Phase III Clinical Trial
Director Research

Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital
Topic: COVID-19 Phase III Clinical Trial at Al-Shifa Clinical Trial Site

Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan

Vice Chancellor
Health Services Academy Islamabad

Topic: Public Health Response In COVID-19

Dr. Palitha Mahipala

WHO Representative
Pakistan

Topic: WHO support to Government of Pakistan for COVID-19 Response

Major General Dr. Aamer Ikram, SI(M)

Executive Director
NIH Pakistan

Topic: Role of NIH in COVID-19 Response in Pakistan

Prof. Dr. Javed Akram

Vice Chancellor
University of Health Sciences Lahore
President
Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine

Topic: Institutional Experience Of COVID-19 Phase III Trials University Of Health Sciences, Lahore

Ms Maria Song

Chinese Representative

Topic: Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (CHO Cell), Zifivax®, ZF2001

Dr. Abdur Rashid

Ex-Chairman, Clinical Studies Committee & Ex-Director, Pharmacy Services, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Ex-President, Pharmacy Council of Pakistan

Topic: The Country Situation In Clinical Trials, A Drap Perspective

Dr. Jawad Gill

Head Of Clinical Operations
DRK Pharma Solutions Lahore

Topic: Role Of DRK In Bringing & Conducting Clinical Research To Pakistan

Dr. Zahid A. Butt

Assistant Professor
School Of Public Health Sciences
University of Waterloo Ontario Canada

Topic: Infodemiology and Infoveillance: An overview

 

08-12-2021

Al-Shifa Research Centre

Contact Us

Al-Shifa Research Centre,
Pakistan Institute Of Ophthalmology (PIO),
Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital,
Jhelum Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Phone: 051-5487821-5 Ext 372
Email: dr_sughra@yahoo.com

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