Obesity & Cardiometabolic
Obesity is a chronic, widespread disease, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. As of 2024, more than 2 in 5 U.S adults are affected by obesity. Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 – 29.9 kg/m2 are classified as overweight, 30.0 – 39.9 kg/m2 as obese and 40.0 kg/m2+ as severely obese. Obesity puts individuals at risk for developing other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes and heart disease.
DVCR Experience
DVCR has extensive experience conducting early phase clinical studies involving overweight and obese volunteers. The Clinic team, including Recruitment, Study Management and Clinical Operations, has supported over 10 trials in the past decade. DVCR’s Project Management team has conducted over 25 trials in this population. Furthermore, key members of DVCR’s medical teams have worked on over 10 SAD/MAD or other early phase studies involving overweight or obese subjects. Brad Vince, DO, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Dr. Vince Clinical Research, brings significant expertise in conducting multiple complex SAD/MAD studies in obesity for marketed compounds. Steven Hull, MD, FCCP, FAASM, Medical Director and Principal Investigator, has served as PI on several studies with obese subjects, including one study that enrolled over 100 overweight subjects.
This combined experience makes DVCR a highly qualified CRO for conducting obesity clinical studies.
DVCR Experience
DVCR has extensive experience conducting early phase clinical studies involving overweight and obese volunteers. The Clinic team, including Recruitment, Study Management and Clinical Operations, has supported over 10 trials in the past decade. DVCR’s Project Management team has conducted over 25 trials in this population. Furthermore, key members of DVCR’s medical teams have worked on over 10 SAD/MAD or other early phase studies involving overweight or obese subjects. Brad Vince, DO, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Dr. Vince Clinical Research, brings significant expertise in conducting multiple complex SAD/MAD studies in obesity for marketed compounds. Steven Hull, MD, FCCP, FAASM, Medical Director and Principal Investigator, has served as PI on several studies with obese subjects, including one study that enrolled over 100 overweight subjects.
This combined experience makes DVCR a highly qualified CRO for conducting obesity clinical studies.
Capabilities
Our physician-led Phase 1 clinical pharmacology unit is the most luxurious and innovative in the industry. This, combined with the high level of customer service that we provide to study volunteers, is critical for attracting and retaining overweight and obese subjects, many of whom have never been involved in clinical studies previously due to BMI. The unit houses 90 beds for overnight trials, including eight private suites for individual domiciling.
We conduct the following studies at our phase 1 unit and our global network of strategic site partners:
- First-in-Human (FIH):
- KSingle Ascending Dose (SAD) which may include:
- [Early QT/cardiac safety in partnership with Clario
- [Food Effect cohort
- KMultiple Ascending Dose (MAD) which may include:
- [Patient cohorts
- KCombined SAD/MAD which may include:
- [Patient cohorts
- NDA-enabling clinical pharmacology studies:
- KDrug-Drug Interaction
- KThorough QT/QTc in partnership with Clario
- KFood Effect
- KBioavailability/Bioequivalence
- KPharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic
- KRenal Impairment
- KHepatic Impairment
- Phase II multi-site patient trials
- Phase Ib/IIa Proof-of-Concept (POC)
Click below to receive more information on how our CRO can support your upcoming obesity trial.
Capabilities
Our physician-led Phase 1 clinical pharmacology unit is the most luxurious and innovative in the industry. This, combined with the high level of customer service that we provide to study volunteers, is critical for attracting and retaining overweight and obese subjects, many of whom have never been involved in clinical studies previously due to BMI. The unit houses 90 beds for overnight trials, including eight private suites for individual domiciling.
We conduct the following studies at our phase 1 unit and our global network of strategic site partners:
- First-in-Human (FIH):
- KSingle Ascending Dose (SAD) which may include:
- [Early QT/cardiac safety in partnership with Clario
- [Food Effect cohort
- KMultiple Ascending Dose (MAD) which may include:
- [Patient cohorts
- KCombined SAD/MAD which may include:
- [Patient cohorts
- NDA-enabling clinical pharmacology studies:
- KDrug-Drug Interaction
- KThorough QT/QTc in partnership with Clario
- KFood Effect
- KBioavailability/Bioequivalence
- KPharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic
- KRenal Impairment
- KHepatic Impairment
- Phase II multi-site patient trials
- Phase Ib/IIa Proof-of-Concept (POC)
Click below to receive more information on how our CRO can support your upcoming obesity trial.
Recruitment
DVCR has strong recruiting capabilities for overweight and obese volunteers. This is supported by our location in a geographic region with a high prevalence of this population. As of 2023, the prevalence of obesity in Kansas and Missouri was 35.9% and 35.3%, respectively. By leveraging our regional advantage, we maintain a robust volunteer database for overweight and obese individuals.
DVCR’s Obese and Overweight Volunteer Database – 2025
- BMI 27.0 - 35.0 kg/m2: 8,077
- BMI 30.0 - 40.0 kg/m2: 5,297
- BMI 30.0 - 45.0 kg/m2: 5,866
Recruitment
DVCR has strong recruiting capabilities for overweight and obese volunteers. This is supported by our location in a geographic region with a high prevalence of this population. As of 2023, the prevalence of obesity in Kansas and Missouri was 35.9% and 35.3%, respectively. By leveraging our regional advantage, we maintain a robust volunteer database for overweight and obese individuals.
DVCR’s Obese and Overweight Volunteer Database – 2025
- BMI 27.0 - 35.0 kg/m2: 8,077
- BMI 30.0 - 40.0 kg/m2: 5,297
- BMI 30.0 - 45.0 kg/m2: 5,866
Meet Our Experts
DVCR is a privately owned, physician-led CRO committed to the satisfaction of our clients and the safety of our volunteers. The following members of our company are heavily involved in the oversight, planning and day-to-day conduct of obesity clinical studies:
Bradley D. Vince, DO
CEO & Chief Medical Officer
Bio
With 25 years of experience in the clinical research industry, Dr. Brad Vince has served as an Investigator in over 700 clinical trials and authored numerous scientific publications. He also has deep industry experience in government studies, including acting as Principal Investigator for various FDA and NIH trials. In addition to founding Vince & Associates Clinical Research in 2001 and serving as president for nearly two decades, Dr. Vince has consulted for sites, CROs and biopharmaceutical companies. He is well-known in the clinical research industry for his passion, energy and 24/7/365 availability.
Steven Hull, MD, FCCP, FAASM
Medical Director & Principal Investigator
Bio
Dr. Steven Hull serves as Medical Director and a Principal Investigator at DVCR. He is a seasoned researcher, having participated in more than 550 clinical trials as an Investigator or Medical Monitor. He has over 30 years of clinical experience in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. Dr. Hull takes pride in his hands-on approach and collegiality, which provides DVCR with the medical expertise and guidance to enhance the performance, quality and oversight of the investigators and research team.
Jeff Heinzman
Senior Project Manager
Bio
Jeff Heinzman has overseen Phase 1 studies for more than 12 years, with roles in project management and clinical operations. His advocacy for transparent communication and elevating the sponsor experience guides our team to uniquely complement early phase projects from both small and large pharmaceutical clients.
Brandi Eckard
Director, Recruitment
Bio
Meet Our Experts
DVCR is a privately owned, physician-led CRO committed to the satisfaction of our clients and the safety of our volunteers. The following members of our company are heavily involved in the oversight, planning and day-to-day conduct of obesity clinical studies:
Bradley D. Vince, DO
CEO & Chief Medical Officer
Bio
With 25 years of experience in the clinical research industry, Dr. Brad Vince has served as an Investigator in over 700 clinical trials and authored numerous scientific publications. He also has deep industry experience in government studies, including acting as Principal Investigator for various FDA and NIH trials. In addition to founding Vince & Associates Clinical Research in 2001 and serving as president for nearly two decades, Dr. Vince has consulted for sites, CROs and biopharmaceutical companies. He is well-known in the clinical research industry for his passion, energy and 24/7/365 availability.
Steven Hull, MD, FCCP, FAASM
Medical Director & Principal Investigator
Bio
Dr. Steven Hull serves as Medical Director and a Principal Investigator at DVCR. He is a seasoned researcher, having participated in more than 550 clinical trials as an Investigator or Medical Monitor. He has over 30 years of clinical experience in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. Dr. Hull takes pride in his hands-on approach and collegiality, which provides DVCR with the medical expertise and guidance to enhance the performance, quality and oversight of the investigators and research team.
Jeff Heinzman
Senior Project Manager
Bio
Jeff Heinzman has overseen Phase 1 studies for more than 12 years, with roles in project management and clinical operations. His advocacy for transparent communication and elevating the sponsor experience guides our team to uniquely complement early phase projects from both small and large pharmaceutical clients.
Brandi Eckard
Director, Recruitment
Bio
Meet Our Experts
DVCR is a privately owned, physician-led CRO committed to the satisfaction of our clients and the safety of our volunteers. The following members of our company are heavily involved in the oversight, planning and day-to-day conduct of obesity clinical studies:
Bradley D. Vince, DO
CEO & Chief Medical Officer
Bio
With 25 years of experience in the clinical research industry, Dr. Brad Vince has served as an Investigator in over 700 clinical trials and authored numerous scientific publications. He also has deep industry experience in government studies, including acting as Principal Investigator for various FDA and NIH trials. In addition to founding Vince & Associates Clinical Research in 2001 and serving as president for nearly two decades, Dr. Vince has consulted for sites, CROs and biopharmaceutical companies. He is well-known in the clinical research industry for his passion, energy and 24/7/365 availability.
Steven Hull, MD, FCCP, FAASM
Medical Director & Principal Investigator
Bio
Dr. Steven Hull serves as Medical Director and a Principal Investigator at DVCR. He is a seasoned researcher, having participated in more than 550 clinical trials as an Investigator or Medical Monitor. He has over 30 years of clinical experience in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. Dr. Hull takes pride in his hands-on approach and collegiality, which provides DVCR with the medical expertise and guidance to enhance the performance, quality and oversight of the investigators and research team.
Jeff Heinzman
Senior Project Manager
Bio
Jeff Heinzman has overseen Phase 1 studies for more than 12 years, with roles in project management and clinical operations. His advocacy for transparent communication and elevating the sponsor experience guides our team to uniquely complement early phase projects from both small and large pharmaceutical clients.
Brandi Eckard
Director, Recruitment
