Center for Human Drug Research (CHDR)

CHDR specialises in data-intensive early-phase drug studies focused on demonstrating proof-of-pharmacology of new compounds in healthy volunteers and patients.

It was established in 1987 in Leiden. Douwe Breimer, a renowned pharmacologist and pharmacokinetics expert predicted the need for a good clinical research unit in a university with top level medical and pharmaceutical sciences schools. CHDR’s vision since the foundation of the company is combining knowledge focus and academic collaborations with operational excellence. This long term vision has resulted in our unique market position, that helps to provide additional value to the sponsored studies.

CHDR, among others, can perform first-in-man, single- and multiple-dose, food or drug interaction, proof-of-pharmacology, imaging (e.g. PET, MRI), and proof-of-concept studies. In addition to industry sponsored studies (approximately 40 early phase trials annually for both big and small pharma), we continuously invest in own research programs to develop and optimize methods and biomarkers. CHDR collaborates very closely with a wide network of academic centers and university hospitals in the Netherlands.

In the past 28 years we produced consistent 15% growth of staff and turnover and become a well-known and respected independent research institute. We also focus on knowledge and education: in the last 5 years we have published over 250 scientific articles and awarded many PhD degrees. CHDR teaches basic and clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapy to more than 2000 students. We founded free educational pharmacology database: the TRC app.

CHDR’s facilities include a state-of-the-art Phase 1/2 unit, inaugurated in 2013, with a GMP licensed pharmacy and clinical chemical lab. We have the capability to conduct specialized assessments in a variety of therapeutic areas including neurology, psychiatry, cardiology, hematology, immunology, dermatology, and metabolic disease.

Contact details

Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR)

Zernikedreef 8

2333 CL Leiden

The Netherlands

Tel: +31 (0) 71 524 6400

e-mail: info@chdr.nl