WIRB-Copernicus Group (WCG), the world's largest provider of regulatory and ethical review services for clinical research, announced that New England Independent Review Board (IRB) has joined the group of companies. Based near Boston, Massachusetts, New England IRB expands WCG’s presence in the important New England clinical research hub and further increases its expertise in all phases of drug, medical device and behavioural research.

WCG chairman and chief executive officer, Donald A. Deieso, Ph.D., commented, “We are delighted to welcome New England IRB to the WCG family. New England IRB is recognised for its focus on quality it has an exceptional regulatory and compliance record and for providing extraordinary, personalised service to its customers.” He added, “The level of innovation and clinical research leadership in the New England region has grown substantially in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. It is important that we provide a strong regional presence for our clients.”

Founded in 1988, New England IRB was one of the first national, central IRBs dedicated to ensuring the rights and welfare of research study participants.

“We are excited to begin this new phase in New England IRB’s growth,” said New England IRB President James Saunders. “We can now offer our clients access to technologies and processes that will make the clinical trial process more efficient.”

New England IRB will continue to operate independently and will retain its leadership, personnel, and brand. WCG will provide New England IRB with access to technologies, capital and corporate support.

New England IRB joins Western IRB (WIRB), Copernicus Group IRB, Midlands IRB, Aspire IRB, and IRBNet as a member of the WCG family of companies. With the addition of New England IRB, WCG has 14 individual IRB panels, all accredited by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programmes (AAHRPP), reviewing clinical research.

“Having maintained its AAHRPP accreditation since 2004, New England IRB has demonstrated itself as a very high quality review board,” said AAHRPP president and chief executive officer, Elyse Summers, J.D. “WCG’s commitment to human subjects’ protection and AAHRPP accreditation across its wide spectrum of clients redounds ultimately to the benefit of the volunteers who make the entire human research enterprise possible,” she added.