Clinical Research
NCNPR conducts preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of natural products in human health applications.
While other institutions conduct pharmocokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies with prescription drugs, our center stands out as one of the few with the expertise to conduct these studies with natural products, making us the preeminent place for natural product-based pharmacokinetic studies in the country, if not the world.
Dr. Ryan Yates, Principal Scientist
Advancing public health through clinical research
Through human studies, our clinical research team evaluates the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of both established and emerging botanical dietary supplements and phytochemicals, providing evidence-based data to support their responsible development and use.
Many natural supplements on the market lack robust clinical data on how they interact with the body—how they are absorbed, metabolized, and what effects they may have. This creates uncertainty for healthcare providers and consumers. Our focus on rigorous human trials helps close this knowledge gap, offering a solid scientific foundation to inform the use of these products for health and wellness.
Our clinical research plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of natural products. By generating reliable, evidence-based data, we not only substantiate product claims but also identify the potential for new natural products that could benefit public health. Through collaboration with the dietary supplement industry, healthcare professionals, and regulatory bodies like the FDA, NCNPR ensures that emerging natural products are developed and used safely, while also paving the way for new innovations in natural medicine.
Exploring safety & efficacy
Fully equipped facility
Our facility is equipped with 10 patient bays, each with privacy curtains, phlebotomy chairs, and dedicated spaces for blood draws and other trial activities. Our unit also includes a nurse’s station, private exam room, and sample collection room, providing a fully integrated space for conducting clinical trials.
From lab to market
Through our clinical research, NCNPR bridges the gap between laboratory discoveries and large-scale, multi-center trials, contributing to the responsible development of new natural products. In collaboration with the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, we conduct larger clinical trials, ensuring that promising natural products are rigorously evaluated before reaching the market.
Pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics
Clinical research team
Bill Gurley
- Principal Scientist in NCNPR and Affiliate Professor of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery
Maddy Phillips
- Research Nurse
Ryan Yates
- Principal Scientist