center overview

NOCCR and VRG are privately owned multispecialty clinical research groups dedicated to advancing medicine by evaluating investigational drugs and devices. The companies share two primary missions of equal importance: to help develop safe, advanced medical options in an ethical manner and to deliver high-quality, clean data to our sponsors. We have conducted over 1500 clinical trials in the last 25 years. With combined space exceeding 23,500 sq. ft., full-time MDs, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse/Coordinators, EMTs, nursing assistants, and separate regulatory, data and recruiting departments, we have earned a reputation for excellence and consistently exceeding enrollment goals.

NOCCR Knoxville is primarily a 52 bed Phase I unit particularly well suited for conducting First In Man trials as it is situated within the University of Tennessee Medical Center, with code team and 24 hour critical care coverage. This Unit is well known for its ability to conduct procedurally difficult trials and to recruit special populations, including volunteers with renal and hepatic insufficiency, elderly and postmenopausal volunteers, subjects with heart failure and hypertension as well as normal healthy volunteers.

VRG and NOCCR New Orleans are primarily focused on conducting later phase studies in a broad array of medical specialties. Both are staffed with dedicated clinical research professionals who are focused on delivering quality care and data. Our areas of expertise are listed on the right panel of this brochure for ease of review.

Should you have questions about our experience or capability, please contact William B Smith, MD at 865-305-9100, ext 246 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We appreciate your interest in our companies.

location matters

Since 2005 NOCCR has been headquartered in the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. With hospital code team coverage and 24-hour critical care coverage, NOCCR is ideal for first in human and complex clinical trials. In addition to its Phase I unit, NOCCR still maintains the original New Orleans location. VRG is also located in the UT Medical Center and is the research arm for the 465 University physicians who are interested in clinical trials.