Rigorous Respiratory Science, Led by the Physicians Who Practice it
The practicing clinicians who lead the DCRI's studies understand that respiratory therapies are only effective if they actually reach patients and fit their needs.
Attending the American Thoracic Society's International Conference (ATS 2026) in Orlando? Let's meet and discuss how the renowned academic research expertise of the DCRI brings something few CROs can offer, including:
- The academic rigor of Duke University combined with the operational capabilities of a full-service CRO.
- Practicing Duke physicians embedded into every study, bringing real-world patient experience to design, enrollment, and execution.
- The scientific integrity and operational discipline to produce results that change clinical practice.
Clinical Reality, Built into Every Protocol
The DCRI manages every operational element of respiratory clinical trials — from study design and protocol development to biostatistics and regulatory submission — with Duke physicians ensuring every stage reflects how the disease actually behaves in real patients.
- Full-service respiratory research capabilities across the complete trial lifecycle.
- Deep experience in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease (ILD), interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and other chronic lung conditions.
- An established network of 1,100+ clinical respiratory sites for broad patient reach.
At ATS 2026, DCRI faculty and operations experts are leading and contributing to sessions spanning lung transplant, ILD, IPF, COPD, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Their presence reflects the same integration of clinical insight and research rigor that defines every DCRI partnership.
Featured Event: Join DCRI Respiratory Medicine Faculty Director Scott Palmer, MD, MHS, on May 16 at 11:30 a.m. for Showcase Three: Cracking the Code of Lung Fibrosis at the Respiratory Innovation Summit.
Extensive, Integrated Clinical Trial Capabilities
From Phase I through post-marketing research, the DCRI delivers comprehensive clinical trial management tailored to your needs. Our innovative approach includes adaptive study designs, pragmatic and decentralized trial components, and specialized services like digital health solutions, advanced analytics, and safety surveillance. With decades of experience executing complex trials, we provide accelerated startup timelines, proactive site management, and FDA-ready data analysis that transforms promising therapies into approved treatments.
Explore the Opportunities
The DCRI offers an integrated suite of research capabilities, services, and partnership opportunities designed to meet the needs of sponsors, academic collaborators, and the next generation of clinical researchers wherever they are. Select any area below to learn more.
With more than 20 years of proven success in respiratory research, the DCRI offers more than a traditional full-service CRO. Our expertise spans clinical operations, outcomes research, and innovative trial design, with practicing pulmonologists embedded as subject matter experts in every study. Our faculty and operational leaders drive impactful research across COPD, IPF and ILD, progressive pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiectasis, lung transplantation, and more. Our patient-centered, outcomes-focused approach helps ensure that respiratory research translates into real-world impact, supported by a robust network of academic and community-based research sites.
The DCRI's CSI+ team delivers a cross-functional, independent approach to the core medical requirements of clinical trials. Our five specialized services — Clinical Events Classification, Safety Surveillance, Imaging Core Lab, Arrhythmia Core Lab, and Hemodynamics Core Lab — work in concert to produce validated, high-quality data that meets Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency standards. With one of the longest-running independent event adjudication programs in the world, CSI+ brings unmatched expertise, operational precision, and regulatory credibility to every engagement.
As artificial intelligence and digital technologies reshape clinical research, sponsors need a partner who can evaluate, validate, and deploy these tools with scientific rigor. The DCRI's Digital Health Solutions team bridges cutting-edge technology and real-world clinical application, from AI algorithm evaluation and digital therapeutics validation to decentralized trial design and digital biomarker development. Our clinicians use digital health tools in their own patient care, giving us a perspective that purely technical organizations cannot offer.
The DCRI believes collaboration among research sites, community partners, patients, their caregivers, and our study teams is critical to addressing current challenges in medical care. With over 1,100 U.S.-based research sites and partners in more than 40 countries, we harness the collective expertise of those who are equally committed to safe, accessible, and efficient clinical research. Join us as we build the future of clinical research.
Stay Current With DCRI's Podcast: Beyond the Endpoint
The DCRI's podcast, Beyond the Endpoint, brings faculty expertise and leading voices to the science, policy, and innovation shaping modern medicine. Join Dr. Manesh Patel and Dr. Emily O'Brien every other Wednesday as they demystify clinical research and healthcare through conversations with renowned clinicians and scientists.
Season 2 Highlighted Episodes