Greenville SC Clinical Trials
Looking for Greenville SC clinical trials? Good news — the Upstate has a solid clinical research network, and it’s growing. Between Prisma Health and several independent research sites, there are real options here.
This page breaks down what’s available, who’s running studies, and how to actually get started. No jargon, no runaround.
Notable Greenville SC Clinical Trials Sites
These aren’t the only research sites in the area, but they’re the ones with an established track record.
Prisma Health
Website: prismahealth.org/research
Focus Areas: Cancer, cardiology, stroke, sickle cell disease, heart failure, pediatrics
The details: Prisma is the big dog in the Upstate — 300+ clinical trials and an $8.2M grant from the National Cancer Institute. They’re also one of only 32 programs nationwide with NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) designation. In other words, if you’re looking at cancer trials, start here.
Tribe Clinical Research
Website: tribeclinicalresearch.com
Focus Areas: Diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular, pediatric conditions, vaccines, chronic diseases
The details: Tribe has 10 locations across South Carolina with 14 Principal Investigators and a patient network of over 150,000. What makes them different? They partner directly with primary care physicians, so there’s better continuity of care. They also run trials for kids — not just adults.
Address: 545 Verdae Blvd, Suite B, Greenville
ADAC Research (Allergic Disease and Asthma Center)
Website: allergicdisease.com/research
Principal Investigators: Dr. Emmanuel Sarmiento, Dr. Neil Kao
Focus Areas: Allergies, asthma, immunology
The details: These folks have been at it since 1986. That’s nearly 40 years of allergy and asthma research — over 90 completed studies for 20+ pharmaceutical companies. If you’re dealing with respiratory issues or allergies, they know what they’re doing. They’ve got 4 locations across Greenville, Spartanburg, and Easley.
Contact: (864) 627-3800 x221
Premier Neurology
Website: premier-neuro.com/research-trials
Principal Investigator: Dr. Mary Hughes
Focus Areas: Multiple sclerosis, neurological conditions
The details: Here’s something worth knowing — Premier Neurology is the only practice in South Carolina participating in many critical MS trials. Dr. Mary Hughes led research that contributed to the FDA approval of subcutaneous Ocrevus®. If you have MS or another neurological condition, this is the spot.
Contact: (864) 655-0880
Bon Secours St. Francis Cancer Center
Website: bonsecours.com/st-francis-cancer-center
Focus Areas: Solid tumors, blood cancers, blood disorders, immunotherapy
The details: Around 90 active clinical trials and $2M in annual research funding make this one of the largest clinical research programs in the state. If Prisma isn’t the right fit for your cancer trial, Bon Secours is the other major player in Greenville.
Address: 104 Innovation Drive, Greenville
Radiant Research (Anderson)
Website: radiantresearch.com
Focus Areas: Dermatology, women’s health, pediatrics, consumer products
The details: Technically in Anderson (about 30 minutes from Greenville), but worth the drive if you’re looking for dermatology or women’s health trials. They’ve been running Phase I-IV studies since 1992.
Address: 1657 E Greenville St, Anderson, SC
Areas of Research for Greenville SC Clinical Trials
Not every condition has a dedicated research site in Greenville — but that doesn’t mean studies aren’t recruiting here. Here’s what’s typically available:
Mental Health & Psychiatry
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and ADHD studies all recruit participants across the Upstate. These trials often provide access to new therapies plus regular check-ins with specialists — which, honestly, can be better monitoring than standard care.
Alzheimer’s & Memory
Memory studies for early-stage cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease pop up regularly in the region. Many offer free memory screenings as part of the evaluation process, so even if you don’t qualify, you walk away with useful information.
Diabetes & Metabolic Conditions
Type 2 diabetes and obesity studies are common in the Greenville area. Currently, there’s a lot of activity around GLP-1 medications like tirzepatide. If you’re managing blood sugar or trying to lose weight, these trials might be worth exploring.
Chronic Pain
Pain management trials — including medical devices, spinal cord stimulation, and new medications — recruit in the Greenville area. For people who’ve tried everything else, clinical trials can offer options that aren’t available yet.
Cardiovascular
Heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, and cholesterol studies are available through Prisma Health and other regional sites. Prisma was actually the first health system in SC to enroll patients in certain innovative heart failure trials.
Respiratory
Asthma, COPD, and allergy studies recruit across the Upstate. ADAC Research has nearly 40 years of experience here, so if breathing is your issue, they’re a solid starting point.
Dermatology
Skin condition trials — acne, eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea — are available in the region. Radiant Research in Anderson specializes in this area.
Cancer & Oncology
Between Prisma Health Cancer Institute and Bon Secours St. Francis, Greenville has strong oncology research options. Studies include immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and NCI-funded trials.
Multiple Sclerosis & Neurology
MS and other neurological trials are available through Premier Neurology. Again — they’re the only SC practice in many of these studies.
Vaccines & Infectious Disease
Healthy volunteer vaccine studies come through regularly, with compensation for time and travel. If you’re healthy and want to contribute (and get paid), keep an eye out for these.
What to Expect
Never done a clinical trial before? Here’s the basic flow:
Prescreening — Usually a phone call or online form. Takes about 10-15 minutes. They’re checking if you might qualify before bringing you in.
Screening visit — This is where they confirm eligibility. Expect lab work, medical history review, and assessments. The visit is typically free, and many sites compensate you even if you don’t end up qualifying.
Treatment period — If you’re in, you’ll have regular visits over weeks or months. You’ll receive study medication (or placebo), monitoring, and check-ins with the research team.
Follow-up — After the active treatment ends, there are usually a few check-ins to monitor your health.
And here’s the important part: You can withdraw at any time, for any reason. No penalty, no guilt trip. It’s your right.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greenville SC Clinical Trials
Compensation & Costs
How much do Greenville SC clinical trials pay?
It depends on the study. Short outpatient studies (a few visits over a few weeks) typically pay $200-$500. Longer studies requiring monthly visits for a year or more can pay $1,000-$3,000+. Inpatient studies with overnight stays pay the most — sometimes $5,000-$10,000 or more. Payment usually comes per visit or at milestones, not as a lump sum at the end.
Do I need health insurance to participate?
Nope. Clinical trials provide study-related care and medication at no cost, regardless of your insurance status. In fact, many people without insurance participate specifically because it gives them access to care they couldn’t otherwise afford.
Safety & Legitimacy
Are clinical trials safe?
They’re heavily regulated. Every study must be approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) — an independent committee that reviews the research plan to protect participants. You’ll get detailed risk information before agreeing to anything. That said, all medical treatments carry some risk. Earlier-phase studies (Phase 1) test newer treatments and carry more uncertainty than later phases.
How do I know if a study is legitimate?
Legitimate studies never ask you to pay. They should be registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The research team should provide a written informed consent document explaining the study, risks, and your rights. If something feels off — high-pressure tactics, payment requests, vague answers — walk away.
The Process
What happens at my first visit?
Your first visit is usually a screening appointment. The research team reviews your medical history, asks about current medications, and may run lab tests to see if you qualify. This visit is typically free, and many sites pay you even if you don’t qualify.
Will I definitely get the real medication?
Not always. Many studies use a placebo to compare against the study drug. The informed consent document will explain the odds (for example, “2 out of 3 participants get the active treatment”). Some studies are “open-label,” meaning everyone gets the real medication.
How long do clinical trials last?
Anywhere from a few weeks to 18+ months. Some require just 2-3 visits; others need monthly check-ins for over a year. The research team will give you the full schedule before you commit.
Flexibility
Can I quit a study if I change my mind?
Yes. You can withdraw from any clinical trial at any time, for any reason, without penalty. This is your legal right as a research participant. No explanation required.
Can I be in more than one study at a time?
Generally, no. Most studies require a “washout period” between trials to make sure previous medications don’t affect results. If you’re currently in a study, be upfront with any new sites you contact.
Finding Studies
How do I find Greenville SC clinical trials near me?
A few options:
- Contact the research sites listed above directly
- Search ClinicalTrials.gov by location and condition (though fair warning — it’s not user-friendly)
- Sign up for our newsletter — we translate the jargon and highlight what’s actually enrolling across the Carolinas
Stay Informed
We send out a newsletter highlighting Greenville SC clinical trials and studies across the Carolinas — written in plain English for real people, not regulators.
No pressure. No sales pitch. Just useful information so you can make your own decision.
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