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About the center

The Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) Beacon of Hope Center of Excellence (COE) is dedicated to advancing health equity through clinical trial excellence, workforce development, and community-engaged research. Housed within the MSM Clinical Research Center, the Beacon of Hope COE strengthens MSM’s capacity to design, launch, and execute high-quality clinical trials that address diseases disproportionately impacting underserved populations.

Key areas of focus include clinical trial readiness, site activation efficiency, regulatory and operational optimization, and the development of diverse physician-scientists through the Beacon of Hope Clinical Trials Fellowship. The COE integrates performance metrics, monitoring frameworks, and community-embedded recruitment strategies to improve trial access, participant diversity, and outcomes.

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Clinical Trials & Research

DAL-302 (dal-GenE-2) Trial

A phase III, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study evaluating dalcetrapib on cardiovascular risk in a genetically defined population following acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

This study, sponsored by DalCor Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., will enroll approximately 2,000 North American patients. Prior studies showed that patients with the AA variant of the ADCY9 gene experienced a 39% reduction in recurrent cardiovascular events. This trial aims to confirm effectiveness in this genetically defined subgroup.

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RECOVER-VITAL Study

RECOVER-VITAL is evaluating whether PAXLOVID can be used to treat Long COVID. The study assesses whether extended use of the antiviral medication is safe and effective in reducing symptoms.

Researchers will use laboratory tests and participant-reported outcomes to evaluate symptom improvement and overall recovery.

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CTQJ230A12303 Expansion Study

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study evaluating pelacarsen in Black/African American and Hispanic populations with elevated Lp(a) and cardiovascular disease.

The study is currently in the extension phase, providing open-label pelacarsen to participants enrolled in the parent study.

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The HERMES Study: Effects of Ziltivekimab Versus Placebo on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients With Heart Failure With Mildly Reduced or Preserved Ejection Fraction and Systemic Inflammation

The HERMES study will mainly look at if the new medicine, ziltivekimab, can reduce the risk of death and hospital admissions related to heart failure in people living with heart failure and inflammation.

Completed studies showed that ziltivekimab can lower inflammation, which may have a positive effect on heart failure symptoms. The HERMES study will look more into this effect. The study is expected to last for up to 1 year and 4 months.

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PSK00026

A Phase 3, randomized, modified double-blind, active-controlled, parallel-group, 2-arm study to investigate the safety and immunogenicity of a single dose of a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in children and adolescents ages 2-17 with sickle cell disease.

The 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV21) is an investigational vaccine designed to offer broad protection against pneumococcal disease. It includes 21 serotypes—20 shared with the 20-valent PCV Prevnar 20TMa (20vPCV) plus one additional serotype (9N). These serotypes are conjugated to two carrier proteins: tetanus toxoid (TTxd) or a non-toxic mutant of diphtheria toxin (CRM197). Currently enrolling at multiple U.S. sites and in the Dominican Republic.

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