The accrediation – which applies Celerion's clinical facilities in Lincoln, Neptune, NJ and Phoenix, Ariz – AAHRPP uses a voluntary, peer-driven, educational model to ensure that Human Research Protection Programs (HRPPs) meet rigorous standards for quality and protection.
To earn accreditation, CROs must prove their commitment to “scientifically and ethically sound research and to continuous improvement.” To this end Celerion said that it had reviewed all internal procedures and processes to ensure extensive safeguards were in place at every level of clinical research.
Celerion is the only US-based* CRO to have been rated by AAHRPP so far, however the organisation’s CEO Marjorie Speers suggested that it may not be the last.
“Celerion now offers a level of quality assurance that distinguishes it among CROs and boosts its appeal to research clients. Our hope is that Celerion's decision has a ripple effect across the research enterprise and that other CROs follow its lead."
*Outsourcing-pharma.com has been asked to point out that Canada's ethica Clinical Research Inc has been accredited by AAHRPP since 2006