Services Clinical Research and Trials Clinical Research

Clinical Research

Clinical Research Overview

The Hattiesburg Clinic Clinical Research Department is proud to participate in clinical research studies across multiple specialties. Clinical trials allow us to learn and improve how diseases are detected, treated, and prevented. This allows us to offer our patients access to new and improved treatments that may not be available anywhere else. Participating in a research study is not the same as receiving regular medical care. The purpose of research studies is to gather information about an investigational drug, while the purpose of regular medical care is to treat a disease or condition.

Pharmaceutical companies use research studies to learn more about the effects of an investigational drug. Using the information collected in research studies, regulatory health authorities can determine if an investigational drug could one day be made available to the public. We are proud to offer clinical trials to patients all over Mississippi and beyond. Information about open trials, eligibility, and how to participate can be found below.

Clinical Study Opportunities

Hattiesburg Clinic is currently participating in the following studies:

KidCOVE Study
Cytomegalovirus Study (CMV)

Be sure to check back as our cur clinical research trials are frequently updated.

The KidCOVE Study: Now Enrolling Children for a COVID-19 Vaccine Study

Purpose: The KidCOVE Study is a clinical research study evaluating an experimental vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in children. The primary purpose of this study is to test the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine that may protect children from getting sick if they come into contact with SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. The study vaccine is being tested at the three dosing levels to find out which is the safest and most effective dose for children. Your child’s study drug could be the investigational drug or placebo, which is a saltwater solution that looks just like the study vaccine but contains no active vaccine.

Who qualifies?

We’re looking to enroll children between six months old and less than 12 years old who are in good health and free from exposure to someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 within two weeks prior to receiving the first vaccine.

What to expect?

Participation in the study lasts approximately 14 months and includes phone calls, telemedicine visits and up to seven visits to study sites.
The visits are for screening, study vaccine or placebo injections, observation and safety follow-up.
Your family will not be charged for study-related exams, procedures or visits to the study doctor.
Compensation may be provided for both your and your child’s time.
Your child will be closely monitored by the study team if any symptoms of COVID-19 are reported at any time throughout their participation.

Where will these visits be located?

Hattiesburg Clinic Clinical Research
206 Old Corinth Rd., Petal, MS 39465

How can I learn more information or sign up?

To learn more, please visit KidCOVEStudy.com or call Hattiesburg Clinic Clinical Research at (601) 544-1866.

What is Cytomegalovirus (CMV)?

Cytomegalovirus, shortened to CMV, is a leading cause of birth defects around the world. CMV is a common viral infection that usually goes unnoticed or only causes mild symptoms in most people. But if a woman becomes infected with CMV while she is pregnant, she can pass the infection to her unborn baby. This can cause her child to suffer long-term disability due to birth defects, including hearing loss, or even death in very severe cases. Currently, there is no approved vaccine against CMV.

CMV is the #1 infection that causes birth defects in the U.S. and one of the most common infectious causes of birth defects globally.

How does participation work?

The total length of participation in this clinical trial is approximately 2½ years (30 months).

Clinical trial volunteers will have a screening visit to check whether they are eligible to participate. The visit includes a wellness exam, review of your medical history, a urine pregnancy test for women and some blood tests.
During the first seven months, trial participants will attend five in-person visits, including three vaccination visits when they’ll receive injections in the upper arm.
During the follow-up portion of the trial (Month 8 through Month 30), participants will have in-person visits every three months and will provide updates via an eDiary, may be contacted by telephone or may be requested to come in for unscheduled visits in between such visits.
Each participant has a 50% chance of receiving the investigational vaccine and a 50% chance of receiving a placebo – like flipping a coin.
You will be compensated for your time and for each visit you complete. More information about reimbursement can be found in the expenses section of the Patient Information and Informed Consent Form, and your clinical trial team can also give you more details.
We will schedule your visits in a way that minimizes disruption to your work and other commitments.

Get to know the investigational vaccine: mRNA-1647

The investigational vaccine may help the body’s immune system recognize and protect itself if it comes into contact with CMV in the future. You cannot become infected with CMV from receiving the investigational vaccine. The investigational vaccine in this trial, mRNA-1647, is a newer type of vaccine known as an mRNA vaccine.

Map: Every virus has signature features on its surface that can trigger your immune system. Once the features are mapped, an mRNA vaccine provides the blueprint to create the defense that can help your body protect itself if it encounters the virus.

Read: Once your body has the blueprint, it knows exactly what to do. It reads mRNA strands to build a defense by producing antibody proteins that are a lot like the answer key to a test. This means the next time your immune system encounters this type of virus, it already has the answer to help protect you.

Neutralize: Your body now knows how to neutralize the virus and is able to defend itself against the threat if it encounters the virus in the future. The message from the blueprint that was read is retained and recalled when needed. It’s like remembering the answer from an old test without having to re-learn the material.

Activate: Moderna is developing mRNA vaccines, like the investigational vaccine mRNA-1647, that deliver blueprints to create the proteins that help activate immune responses against a variety of viruses.

Who may take part?

This clinical trial is looking for volunteers. To join this clinical trial, you must be:

Between 16-40 years of age
In good health
If you are a woman:
- In close contact with at least one child 5 years of age or younger for at least 8 hours a week, if age 20 or older
- Not pregnant and not planning on becoming pregnant within the next 9 months

Clinical trial staff will explain any additional requirements and answer any questions you or a loved one may have about participation. You may stop participation in the clinical trial at any time, and you do not have to give a reason for doing so.

Why are clinical trials important?

Vaccines aim to safely protect people against infections, and clinical trials are vital to creating vaccines. A clinical trial can help researchers understand whether an investigational vaccine is safe and effective. By participating in the CMVictory trial, you can help create a future where we may hopefully declare victory and prevent the spread of CMV.

Moderna is committed to keeping people at the center of everything we do as we continue to explore what is possible through mRNA science. Without people like you, researching potential new treatments and mRNA vaccines would not be possible.

Where will these visits be located?

Hattiesburg Clinic Clinical Research

206 Old Corinth Rd., Petal, MS 39465

How can I learn more information or sign up?

For more information about this study, visit www.CMVictory.com or contact our team at (601) 544-1866.