The Loretto Hospital announced that it now hosts FDA-approved clinical trials.  Each clinical trial will be coordinated through the hospital’s new Clinical Research Department in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies. Current trials include sickle cell disease (SCD) and heart disease studies. Additional research studies include Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. The Loretto Hospital will be the first safety-net hospital in the State of Illinois to host clinical trials. Presently, The Loretto Hospital is collaborating with Imara, Inc, a pharmaceutical company dedicated to researching new therapies for people living with SCD and other blood disorders. Their first study is a new treatment for SCD called IMR-687. The Loretto Hospital is now accepting participants for Phase 2a clinical study evaluating IMR-687 as a potential treatment for Sickle Cell Disease. The study may take up to 28-weeks to complete. Participants will receive compensation for travel, a stipend, free medication for SCD, free health care and monitoring throughout the study. To learn more about the Sickle Cell Disease (IMR-687) Study, or to learn how to participate, or to learn more about our upcoming studies, call 866-268-2175. You may also visit our website at www.lorettohospital.org