Unit Overview and Highlights
The Phase 1 Clinical Trials Research Unit (P1-CTRU) at VCHRI provides a specialized environment for delivering first-in-human and early-phase clinical trials. Located at UBC Hospital, the unit supports complex investigational therapies requiring close monitoring and specialized expertise.
With purpose-built inpatient capacity, standardized workflows and multidisciplinary clinical support, P1-CTRU enables investigators and industry partners to advance novel drugs, biologics, cellular therapies and medical devices while maintaining the highest standards of participant safety and research quality.
Purpose-built early-phase clinical trial infrastructure
Inpatient bed spaces and infusion chair capacity
State-of-the-art cardiac monitoring
Research-trained nursing, laboratory and pharmacy teams
Clinical Research Areas
Neurology
Immunotherapy
Gene Therapies
Autoimmune Diseases
Rare Diseases
Medical Devices
Infrastructure and Capabilities
Our Team
P1-CTRU brings together specialized clinical and research professionals dedicated to the safe delivery of early-phase clinical trials. Together, they work with investigators, sponsors and clinical programs to develop customized operational approaches aligned with each study protocol.
The team includes:
- Physician providing medical oversight
- Clinical nurse specialists leading protocol integration and clinical practice
- Research-trained critical care and high-acuity registered nurses
- Designated medical laboratory technologist
- Dedicated clinical trials pharmacist
Facilities and Capacity
P1-CTRU provides purpose-built infrastructure at UBC Hospital designed specifically for first-in-human and early-phase clinical trials requiring intensive monitoring and specialized care. The unit supports overnight, multi-day and infusion-based studies, with immediate access to critical care support through UBC Hospital’s High Acuity Unit.
Research facilities and infrastructure include:
- Four dedicated inpatient research bed spaces and capacity for up to six infusion chairs
- Advanced cardiac and physiological monitoring
- High-acuity nursing support and critical care access
- Protocol-aligned specimen collection and processing
Quality and Ethics
P1-CTRU is designed around a commitment to participant safety, ethical research and operational excellence.
Early-phase trials require careful oversight, standardized processes and experienced teams. The unit operates within VCH’s clinical research ecosystem, following established standards including Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS 2) and applicable regulatory requirements.
Leading Partnerships
The UBC Hospital P1-CTRU adds dedicated infrastructure and expertise to support early-phase clinical trials in B.C., strengthening our ability to take on innovative studies, build partnerships and attract investment, while expanding opportunities for patients to access emerging therapies closer to home.
UBC CFNBI’s partnership with P1-CTRU strengthens B.C.’s clinical trial capacity, leverages a strong track record of success to attract more investment in B.C., and expands opportunities for patients to participate in clinical trials and ultimately access tests that improve diagnosis and treatment decisions.
B.C. excels in biomedical discovery. Expanding our early-phase clinical trial capacity helps translate more homegrown innovations into new therapies — accelerating access for people who need them, while retaining talent, investment and economic opportunity in the province.
Research Pathways
Looking to Conduct a Trial?
P1-CTRU partners with investigators to translate promising discoveries into carefully monitored early-phase clinical research. You will benefit from purpose-built inpatient infrastructure, dedicated clinical research teams and access to specialized hospital services including pharmacy, laboratory support, diagnostics and acute care expertise.
Looking to Start a Phase 1 Trial?
P1-CTRU provides industry partners with a dedicated environment for conducting first-in-human and early-phase clinical trials requiring specialized monitoring, operational precision and hospital-based clinical expertise.
Looking to Participate in Research?
First-in-human and early-phase clinical trials provide opportunities for eligible participants to access emerging therapies while contributing to the advancement of future treatments. Located within UBC Hospital, P1-CTRU provides a supportive environment where you will receive care from experienced clinical and research teams.