The Pfizer Clinical Research Unit (PCRU) is located in New Haven, Connecticut. Pfizer runs many of its phase 1 clinical trials involving healthy volunteers at this facility.
To learn more about the PCRU in New Haven, click Learn More. You may also find phase 1 clinical trials at other locations by using our Find a Trial search.
To explore clinical trials happening at the PCRU in New Haven, CT, click “Browse PCRU trials”. You may then click on a study that interests you, read more about it, and submit the volunteering form at the bottom of the study’s webpage to get in touch with the study staff.
You may also call 800-254-6398 or click here to see if you may qualify for our research unit’s ongoing clinical trials more generally. All studies have eligibility criteria that you must meet in order to participate. Our recruitment staff will identify what study or studies you might be eligible for.
Healthy volunteers in these clinical trials help us understand how a study drug or vaccine affects the body before people with a condition are included. This is one way to assess safety and learn more about how a potential treatment or vaccine affects different people before giving it to those who have an active medical condition.
The screening visit is a key step to joining a clinical trial. At this visit, you will review the informed consent document with members of the study team at the PCRU. The informed consent document describes the details of the clinical trial, including what your rights and responsibilities would be as a participant, and any potential risks, so that you can decide whether you’d like to participate. The study team will answer any questions you may have.
If you decide to participate, you will sign the informed consent document and then undergo study-required tests, procedures, or assessments to confirm whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the study. These may include blood tests, an electrocardiogram (a test that uses sensors attached to the skin to check your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity), and vital signs.
A typical clinical trial at the New Haven PCRU may have busy days with lots of study procedures, as well as rest days with lots of downtime.
For a typical clinical trial at this facility, your busy day will likely start with an overnight fast. You’ll likely wake up early in the morning for pre-dose activities, which could include an electrocardiogram (a test that uses sensors attached to the skin to check your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity), vital signs, and a blood draw. The study doctor will review your results to confirm you may receive the study drug. Staff will administer your dose according to the study requirements — it could be a tablet or capsule by mouth, a liquid that you drink, an injection, a treatment applied to the skin, or other forms. After that, you’ll likely have procedures throughout the day and into the evening, such as blood draws and safety assessments, meals, and monitoring by the staff to see how you’re feeling.
On rest days, you might have a few morning procedures, but when you are not busy with study activities, you can enjoy free time within the research unit. Within the location you’ll have access to internet, a large relaxation and reading area, and a multimedia room for entertainment. There’s also a terrace available for fresh air.
Each clinical study has its own requirements, so the answer to this depends on the study you are participating in. A participant may be required to stay overnight at the PCRU in New Haven, CT, for observation and study procedures. These details are provided in the informed consent document and are summarized on the study’s webpage. You may also ask the study team any questions you may have.
Participants in clinical trials at the PCRU receive financial compensation for their participation. The amount depends on factors like length of the stay, total number of study visits, and the nature of the study procedures. The compensation for a specific study will be listed on the study webpage and other study materials.
Yes! We love when our participants tell their friends and family about us. Please click Learn more to read the details of our Referral Program and follow the directions to refer someone for a study. As always feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
The New Haven PCRU is easily accessible from major highways if traveling by car or bus, is within 1 mile of two train stations that connect to MA and NY, and is close to several major airports for those who need to travel farther to get here. We also have a private parking lot on-site for volunteers who are visiting or staying overnight at the PCRU.
Participants are expected to arrange their own transportation to and from visits at our site. However, we understand that travel and the associated costs are a major barrier to study participation. To offset the impact of travel for our participants, we provide a monetary bonus for distance traveled as well as options for overnight accommodations for travel greater than 400miles.
Eligibility for this program is determined by the PCRU and requires submitting documentation to verify your home address as well as receipts for specific situations. Please be sure to ask your recruiter or our call center staff about our travel bonus program when you are signing up for your visit so that we can provide the most up to date information and make sure you have the correct documents before your visit.