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.
To emphasize rigorous research fundamentals while stimulating innovation and providing the highest quality research facilities in the institution.
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
Sr. no. | Trial 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 | Completed 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 | Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra | Completed |
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 | Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra | Completed |
4. | A Multi-center, Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-controlled, Phase 3 Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety and immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Bivalent mRNA Vaccine (LVRNA021) as Booster in Participants Aged 18 Years and Older who Completed Primary/1 Booster Dose(s) of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination |
AIM Vaccine Co., Ltd. Ningbo Rongan Biological Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. LiveRNA Therapeutics Inc. |
Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra | On going |
5. | A Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of Bi-26 (strain of Bifidobacterium longum, B. infantis) supplementation versus placebo on weight gain in underweight infants | Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute | Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra | Completed |
6. | A Phase 3 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Bemnifosbuvir in High-Risk Outpatients with COVID-19 | Atea Pharmaceuticals, Inc. USA | Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra | Completed |
7. | A phase III, Randomized, Comparator-Controlled, Double-Blind, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Immunogenicity, Safety and Lot to Lot Consistency of Three Lots of a PIKA Rabies Vaccine (Vero cell) for human use, freeze-dried in Healthy Adults using a Post-Exposure Prophylaxis schedule | Yisheng Biopharma (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. | Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra | On going |
Sr. no. | Project Name | Sponsor | Principal Investigator | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 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 |
2. | Post Evaluation Campaign field activity for Lot Quality Assessment Sampling (LQAS) as a part of Polio Eradication Program after National Immunization Day (NID) | WHO EMRO, Pakistan | Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra | Completed |
Dr.Amaan Ullah, Chairman/Director, White Ribbon Alliance, visiting Al-Shifa Clinical Trial Unit. On 13-March-2024 the ASRC achieved another milestone by joining hands with White Ribbon Alliance Pakistan in a promising endeavor for "Women's Health and Well-Being". With the formalization of the Letter of Understanding (LoU), we are paving the way for enhanced collaboration and impactful research initiatives aimed at strengthening the health and well-being of women across Pakistan.
Head of Clinical Operations DRK visited ASRC to enhance collaboration and foster seamless communication between the teams.
On 29-February-2024 our team, led by Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra, Director Research, Al-Shifa Research Centre (ASRC), was honored to participate in the prestigious international conference as a speaker on innovation in Biomaterials & Nanotechnology - "BioNanoCon2024"
DRAP officials visited ASRC on September 3, 2024, for an inspection related to the renewal of the Clinical Trial Unit license.
ASRC on 01/Nov/2024 has become Pakistan's first clinical trial site to undergo a successful Good Clinical Practice (GCP) inspection by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). This landmark achievement underscores our commitment to excellence and adherence to global standards in clinical research.
Mr. Shabi Haider, CEO/Director/Chairman, AAA/Triple A Alliance, Visited ASRC and met with Director Research, Prof. Dr. Ume Sughra, to discuss future collaboration on clinical trials.
Meeting with Chinese delegation on clinical trials.
A meeting was held with DRAP CEO Dr. Asim Rauf and Director Pharmacy Service Division Dr. Obaidullah to discuss the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation clinical trial. Mr. Syed Munawar Ali, Head of Clinical Operations at IQVIA Solutions Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd., Karachi, was also present.
On 06-March-2024 the two-member delegation from Gates Medical Research Institute, USA, Dr. Alexander Schmidt and Dr. Michael Dunne Visited Al-Shifa Research Centre. Dr. Michael Dunne, serving as the Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development, brings a wealth of expertise in overseeing clinical trials that align with the Gates Medical Research Institute. Meanwhile, Dr. Alexander Schmidt, the Head of Vaccine Development, has a distinguished background in leading clinical vaccine development programs. The delegation thoroughly explored our clinical trial unit's strengths, capabilities, facilities, and resources. Their interest in Pakistan, particularly in therapeutic areas like malnutrition, underscores their commitment to global health initiatives.
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