QPS invests $1M locally on clinical research

Photo courtesy QPS

QPS' Springfield campus expects to pay $840,000 in stipends next month.

QPS' Springfield campus expects to pay out more than $1 million in clinical research stipends this quarter related to COVID-19 vaccine testing.

Organized locally as QPS Missouri Holdings LLC, the clinical research organization in the fall announced COVID-19 vaccine trials would be conducted in Springfield. Stipends are expected to be roughly $840,000 in December alone, according to a news release.

"To have the opportunity and ability to provide this type of supplemental income to our local community during a pandemic is something we are very proud and honored to be a part of," said Brendon Bourg, vice president and general manager of QPS Missouri, in the release.

Bourg said via email that stipend payouts typically are around $2 million annually for QPS Missouri. He said during the first half of the year, stipend payouts were lower due to stay-at-home orders, but "we are catching up fast and are excited to see this increase in stipends and clinical trials continue for our local subjects and staff.”

QPS spokesperson Trent Chance said the company is not able to release the names of the vaccines and their makers due to confidentiality agreements.

The Springfield campus also conducts clinical trials for influenza, smallpox and other viruses. Since opening in Springfield in 1994, QPS has paid more than $35 million in stipends to local participants, according to the release.

Its Newark, Delaware-based parent company has 11 global clinical research and development sites.