Headlands Research - Summit Portland Celebrates 50 Years of Advancing Alzheimer's and CNS Clinical Research

Headlands Research site marks five decades in Portland, Oregon, having contributed to clinical trials behind every FDA-approved class of Alzheimer's medication brought to market since 1993

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Headlands Research - Summit Portland, a Headlands Research site and medical research organization serving the greater Portland, Oregon area, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. Since its founding in 1976, Headlands Summit has partnered with pharmaceutical companies to advance the development of new medical treatments across a range of psychiatric, neurological, and other health conditions—including a role in the clinical research behind every FDA-approved class of Alzheimer's disease medication to date.

"Headlands Summit's fifty years of history and its role in the development of every FDA-approved Alzheimer's therapy have created a legacy of impact on the health and well-being of patients, families, and caregivers impacted by this disease," said Kyle Burtnett, CEO of Headlands Research. "Dr. Scott Losk and the Summit team have been committed to that work through every phase of this disease's treatment history, from the first approved therapy to today's anti-amyloid antibodies. That kind of scientific commitment drives medical innovation that improves lives, and it's what sponsors look for in a partner of choice."

Over five decades, Headlands Summit has evolved alongside the clinical research industry while maintaining a focus on helping bring better treatment options to patients. Today, the site conducts studies across mental health and central nervous system (CNS) conditions, as well as vaccines, diabetes, obesity and weight loss, and other cardiometabolic diseases. Headlands Summit's capabilities have grown to include the Memory Health Center within Headlands Summit, a dedicated program focused on dementia and other age-related memory conditions.

Dr. Scott Losk, a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist, has practiced at Headlands Summit since 1990. He has served as a principal investigator on more than 75 clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and as a sub-investigator on more than 150 clinical trials evaluating treatments for other central nervous system disorders, including depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, migraine, and fibromyalgia. Throughout his career, Dr. Losk and the Headlands Summit team have contributed to clinical research supporting every FDA-approved class of Alzheimer's disease medication brought to market since 1993, including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine), the NMDA receptor antagonist memantine, and anti-amyloid therapies (aducanumab, lecanemab and donanemab).

"Since our founding, our team has remained focused on helping advance research that can improve the lives of patients and families," said Dr. Losk. "We're proud of the role Headlands Summit has played across nearly every era of Alzheimer's drug development, and we're excited about our current work in burgeoning therapeutic areas."

"Our team is committed to bringing new research opportunities and potential treatment options to the Portland community," said Dr. Andre Barkhuizen, Principal Investigator at Headlands Summit. "That means continuing to innovate in the CNS space while also advancing research in new therapeutic areas, including diabetes, obesity and weight loss, and vaccines."

About Headlands Research - Summit Portland

Headlands Research - Summit Portland, based in Portland, Oregon, is a leading clinical research organization with nearly five decades of experience advancing medical innovation. Since 1976, the site has conducted more than 500 clinical trials in partnership with pharmaceutical companies and CROs. With a dedicated Memory Health Center and deep expertise in psychiatry, dementia, age-related memory issues, and a broad range of other health conditions, Headlands Research - Summit Portland provides clinical trial opportunities for all age groups, including adolescents, adults, and older adults. The site delivers high-quality, participant-centered research and is committed to developing better treatments and improving future health outcomes while maintaining the highest standards of care and compliance.

About Headlands Research

Headlands Research is a leading clinical trial site network with a mission to improve lives by advancing innovative medical therapies. Its group of exceptional sites focuses on large-volume recruitment of diverse and specialty participant populations while delivering the highest quality data. Headlands Research's principal investigators are proven industry leaders in their fields with expertise in a wide variety of indications. Utilizing expert recruitment strategies and access to diverse participants through its site databases and physician partnerships, Headlands Research has successfully completed more than 5,000 clinical trials. Additional information about the company is available at www.headlandsresearch.com.

SOURCE Headlands Research