BRANY (Biomedical Research Alliance of New York) and Montreal-based Veritas IRB have partnered to provide clinical trial review, compliance and other IRB services in both the United States and Canada.

The two organizations, both AAHRPP-accredited, will bring their expertise in regulatory and compliance issues when reviewing studies conducted in their respective countries.

“The ability to submit to just one IRB for multicenter studies in both countries will streamline the process for study sponsors,” said Raffaella Hart, director of IRB at BRANY. “BRANY shares with Veritas IRB a vision of patient protection as well as seamless services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies that conduct clinical studies in both countries.”

A centralized IRB with expertise in both the U.S. and Canada will provide an efficient approach to protocol review against a background of local legal issues, cultural attitudes and values. A 2001 National Cancer Institute (NCI) study demonstrated that centralized IRBs were associated with reduced staff effort and faster protocol reviews. 

Dr. Janice Parente, president of Veritas IRB, said, “Veritas IRB will work in concert with BRANY IRB to fulfill a combined role for sponsors of North American research. As a result, Canadian research participants can be assured that their rights and welfare will be protected by a group of individuals who understand local language, culture and laws, at both the federal and provincial levels.”