Clinical Research Centre
Hospital Seberang Jaya
Pulau Pinang
WhoWe Are
Launched in 2011, Clinical Research Centre Hospital Seberang Jaya (CRC HSJ) has actively promoted and conducted clinical research through local and international collaborations, aligning with Malaysia's health research priorities. CRC HSJ offers training workshops in Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and research methodology, as well as providing research consultations. It supports Investigator Initiated Research (IIR) and Industry Sponsored Research (ISR), extending research support and training to three satellite hospitals. The hospital’s advanced facilities and diverse specialties helping to identify suitable patients for clinical trials.
OurTeam
InvestigatorsHighlight
Head of CRC, Consultant Neurologist, Hospital Seberang Jaya, Pulau Pinang
Email: irenelooi@yahoo.com
MBBS, MRCP (Edin), Fellowship of Neurology (Mal), Clinical Fellowship in Stroke (S’pore)
Areas of interest: Neurology particularly in stroke, vascular dementia and cerebral white matter lesion. Emphasize on clinical research that will ultimately translate evidence into tangible improvements in healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Awards and achievements:
- Excellent Service Award, Ministry of Health Malaysia in 2006 and 2017
- First Runner Up PhAMA Awards 2016, Ministry of Health Innovation & Research Award for Project Title VENUS Vitamin E Neuroprotective Study (collaboration between Clinical Research Centre Seberang Jaya Hospital and University Sains Malaysia)
- Established Clinical Research Centre Seberang Jaya Hospital as one of the Bioavailability and Bioequivalent (BABE) centre and has completed 14 BABE projects.
- Secured Ministry of Health Research Grant (MRG) for multiple studies which include Penang Epidemiology Stroke Research Study (PEARL), Vitamin E Tocotrienol in Acute Ischemic Stroke Study (SATURN) and A Novel Focal Seizure Screening Tool: External Validation and Evaluation Of Its Impact On Shortening The Time To Diagnosis Study.
- Reviewer of Journal Neurology Asia, Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences and The Journal of Cardiovascular , Neurovascular and Stroke.
- Principal investigator of the steering committee of the National Stroke Registry Malaysia
- Advisor of editorial board of Discover Magazine
Dr. Irene, a renowned consultant neurologist, is dedicated to improving stroke patients' outcomes. She has pioneered stroke activation pathways across Penang mainland and implemented 24/7 thrombolysis protocols. She established an acute stroke unit and a neurology rehabilitation clinic, ensuring immediate and comprehensive care for stroke patients. As a leading researcher, Dr. Irene is involved in both industrial and investigator-initiated studies, focusing on translating innovative discoveries into patient benefits and enhancing healthcare standards across Malaysia.
Research Highlights
- VENUS Vitamin E Neuroprotective Study
- This was a collaborative project between CRC HSJ and USM Penang and was funded by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). The objective of the study is to determine the effect of Vitamin E in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The study took 3 years to screen a total of 11000 diabetic patients and finally recruited 300 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The results showed Vitamin E (Tocotrienol) 200mg BD has no significant effect compared to placebo in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy except for lancinating pain. This study won the PhAMA Awards 2016, Ministry of Health Innovation & Research Award as the first runner up.
- A Visual Based Cognitive Assessment Test (VCAT) for the Early Diagnosis of Dementia in Multilingual Population in Malaysia
- This prospective multi sites study was carried out across five hospitals in Northern Malaysia to validate the VCAT among the population in Malaysia. A total of 184 subjects were recruited over a span of 2 years. Overall, this study showed that the VCAT was comparable to the MoCA. VCAT was a valid and useful screening tool for patients with cognitive impairment in Malaysia.
Recent Publications
| NMRR-20-2730-57378 | Pharmacokinetic Model Development of Insulin in Hyperglycemic Patient with Acute Ischaemic Stroke (GreenCare A1C) |
| NMRR-19-3823-52045 | A Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate the Effect of Sodium Dialysate Levels of 137mmol/L and 140mmol/L on Vascular Events in Patients on Maintenance Haemodialysis (Adapted from George Institute Protocol V3.0-01 August 2017) RESOLVE |
| NMRR-22-02260-DHZ | Attitudes and Beliefs to Use of Medical Cannabis among Malaysian's Doctors |
| NMRR-22-01199-TGT | Tranexamic Acid for Hyperacute Spontaneous IntraCerebral Haemorrhage (TICH-3) |
| NMRR-20-2706-57567 | Assessment of Knowledge of Acute Ischaemic Stroke Management among Healthcare Professionals Pre and Post Online Stroke Certification Modules |
| NMRR-21-99-58265 | The Assessment of Doctors' Knowledge, Practice and Barriers of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) in Hospital Seberang Jaya |
| NMRR-20-1140-53693 | Treatment of CVD with Low Dose Rivaroxaban in Advanced CKD (TRACK) |
| NMRR-20-2749-57043 | Quality of Life among Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Patients in Tertiary Care Hospitals |
| NMRR-20-1213-55165 | Stroke Care Performance Measures Survey: A Malaysian District Hospital Experience |
| NMRR-20-1476-55732 | A Stroke Study Project from Hospital Seberang Jaya |
| RSCH-21-00775-GLY | Telemedicine Tool for Acute Stroke Management: JOIN Apps |
| NMRR-23-03211-FYK | An Audit on The Use of Alteplase Injection for Thrombolysis in Hospital Seberang Jaya |
| NMRR-22-00677-XB8 | Association between Serum Uric Acid Levels and Perinatal Outcome in Women with Preeclampsia in Hospital Seberang Jaya |
| NMRR-23-02085-IH7 | Open, Randomized, Parallel Group Study to Assess Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Repeat Doses of Vaginal Hyaluronic (V-HYAL) Gel in Peri- and Post-Menopausal Female |
| NMRR-23-01716-LOU | Whole Exome Sequencing in Late Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in Peninsular Malaysia |
| RSCH-22-03853-8NA | Development of a Mortality Risk Score to Assess The Risk of Dying Through Antibiotics De-escalation Therapy in Patients |
| NMRR-21-1851-61427 |
Prescribing Trends and Adverse Drug Reaction in Stroke Patients in Hospital Seberang Jaya
|
| NMRR-22-00419-YJ4 | REMODEL-1: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Double Dummy, Parallel-Group Study, Comparing The Efficacy and Safety of Remibrutinib 100mg b.i.d. Versus Teriflunomide 14mg q.d. in Participants with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis, Followed by Extended Treatment with Open-Label Remibrutinib. |
| NMRR-20-1762-55983 | A Phase III, Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel Group, Double Blind, Double Dummy, Active Controlled Study of Evobrutinib Compared with Teriflunomide, in Participants with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety. |
| NMRR-20-2801-57010 | A Phase 2b/3 Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of MK-1654 in Healthy Pre-Term and Full-Term Infants |
| NMRR-21-760-59664 | Effects of Ziltivekimab versus placebo on cardiovascular outcomes in participants with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and systemic inflammation (ZEUS). |
| NMRR-22-02248-12G/S8 | A multicenter, international, randomized, active comparator-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group, 2-arm Phase 3 study to compare the efficacy and safety of the oral FXIa inhibitor asundexian (BAY 2433334) with apixaban for the prevention of stroke or systemic embolism in male and female participants aged 18 years and older with atrial fibrillation at risk for stroke |
| NMRR-23-00649-ZCJ | A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel Group, Placebo-Controlled Study to Demonstrate the Efficacy and Safety of Milvexian, an Oral Factor XIa Inhibitor, after an Ischemic Stroke or High Risk Transient Ischemic Attack |
| NMRR-23-00643-MQM | A Phase I/III Randomized, Double blind Study to Evaluate the Safety and Neutralizing Activity of AZD5156 for Pre exposure Prophylaxis of COVID 19 in Participants with Conditions Causing Immune Impairment |
| NMRR-22-023538-FTQ/S1 | A multicenter, international, randomized, placebo controlled,double blind, parallel group and event driven Phase 3 study of the oral Fxla inhibitor asundexian (BAY 2433334) for the prevention of ischaemic stroke in male and female participants aged 18 years and older after an acute non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA |
| NMRR-23-01803-SNW | A randomized, subject- and investigator-blinded, placebo-controlled, parellel group study to assess the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of EYU688 in subjetcs with dengue fever (CEYU688A12201) - Phase 2 |
| NMRR-23-00644-HN1 | A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Event-driven Study to Demonstrate the Efficacy and Safety of Milvexian, an Oral Factor XIa Inhibitor, After a Recent Acute Coronary Syndrome. |
| NMRR-24-01164-AHR | A multicenter, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose, two-part, randomized, phase 2 clinical trial to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of BB-031 in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. |
Services at CRC Hospital Seberang Jaya
CRC HSJ provides training through workshops and consultations:
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
- Scoping review
- Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)
- Introduction to Clinical Research
- Case study writing workshop
- Research methodology
- Biostatistics
- National Conference for Clinical Research (NCCR)
- Statistical software (SPSS, STATA)
- National Medical Research Register (NMRR) hands-on
- Health system research
- Protocol development workshop
- Systematic review
Research Facilities
Further info on upcoming activities
CRC Hospital Seberang Jaya, Pulau Pinang
Clinical Research Centre
Hospital Seberang Jaya,
Jalan Tun Hussein Onn,
Seberang Jaya
13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang
Main Phone: +604-3827333 Ext: 511
Fax: +604-3902192
