Clinical Research

The Research Center at the Maas Clinic^TM

Currently Recruiting

If you are interested in participating in one of our ongoing or prospective studies, please fill out this form:

Clinical Trials

Dr. Maas maintains an active role in evaluating emerging technologies by regularly participating in clinical trials. A clinical trial is the scientific term for a test or study of a drug, therapy, surgical procedure, medical device, or of nutrition or behavioral changes in people. The tests are done to find out if the drug, therapy, procedure, etc. is safe and effective for people to use. Interested individuals may apply to participate as patients in clinical trials. But, before you volunteer to participate in a clinical trial, you might wish to educate yourself on the basics.

Who sponsors clinical trials?

Clinical trials are sponsored or funded by a variety of organizations or individuals. They can be sponsored by doctors, medical institutions, foundations, voluntary groups, pharmaceutical companies, or federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, (NIH).

Are clinical trials safe?

Before a prospective treatment is tested on humans, it is thoroughly tested through laboratory and model studies to determine if it’s safe.

To ensure patient safety at individual testing sites, strict rules, called “good clinical practices,” are set by the federal government (the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP)), which all physicians and other medical professionals must follow. These rules dictate how to properly conduct a study and how to protect human subjects.

There is also an established policy called the “Common Rule” which applies to all research funded by the federal government. The Common Rule says an institutional review board, or IRB, must guarantee it will provide and enforce protection for people involved in its research. An IRB reviews and approves the trial protocol before the trial can even begin. It must look at the informed consent process, benefits and risks, and how volunteers will be selected.

How does a clinical trial proceed? Where would I come in?

After a device or pharmaceutical is tested in the laboratory, it can go to human testing. There are four phases of human testing.

Phase I – Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people (20-80) for the first time to evaluate safety, side effects and dosage.

Phase II – The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people (100-300) to further evaluate safety, effectiveness and to gather additional information regarding safe dose range.

Phase III – The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people (1,000-3,000) to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.

Phase IV – Phase IV trials may occur after the drug or treatment has been cleared for use by the FDA. During this phase, investigators are looking for additional information, including possible risks, benefits, and optimal use. Trials may also be conducted to evaluate new configurations, new indications and/or effects on different patient populations.

Dr. Maas typically participates in phase III or IV trials.

Why would I want to participate?

The decision to volunteer for a clinical trial is a personal one. Some reasons may include:

* Suffering from the condition that the new product is designed to treat
* Avoiding the high costs often associated with elective procedures
* Participating in research to further medical science
* Although these are common, there are many reasons an individual may (or may not) decide to volunteer for a study.

Dr. Maas

Dr. Maas has extensive experience in clinical and basic science research and has been recognized widely for his achievements. While in medical school at University of Florida, he received Graduate Honors and as a fellow at the University of California, San Francisco, he was granted the prestigious Sir Harold Delf Gilles Award by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, both given in recognition of his groundbreaking research.

In his 11 + years at UCSF and as Chief of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Maas’ research focused primarily on materials and implants for soft tissue augmentation and neurotoxins used for facial aesthetic applications. He has authored over 20 published articles highlighting the findings of his research.

Dr. Maas has been a key consultant for many pharmaceutical and surgical device manufacturers and has brought his expertise to many stages of the product development cycle; from design of the product, to design and implementation of the clinical trials, to representation at critical FDA meetings. For manufacturers attempting to expand the applications of products already in clinical use, Dr. Maas has written 510k applications that have led to additional FDA clearances.

Dr. Maas is one of the best facial plastic surgeons in San Francisco, and has participated in more than 15 FDA and non-FDA clinical trials. Currently emerging neurotoxins and soft tissue filler materials are in clinical trials at the Maas Clinic^TM. Dr. Maas’ reputation as an academician and a clinician has resulted in streamlining recruitment for clinical trials. As a result, hundreds of existing and potential patients have expressed interest in participating in current and future trials at the Maas Clinic^TM.

The Maas Clinic^TM is excited by the possibilities that arise from furthering knowledge and technology through continuous clinical research. Dr. Maas and his staff are dedicated to bringing these possibilities safely and beautifully to the forefront of aesthetic medicine.

Interested in learning more about clinical research at The Maas Clinic^TM? Call (415) 567-7000 or contact us by email.