Canadian Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Research Ethics Board (REB) Services
Localized Solutions Backed by Canada’s Most Trusted Review Partner
Studies crossing international borders can produce broad scientific insights, but different regulations for different authorities complicate study management. Advarra understands these regulatory requirements and offers reviews that can bridge countries.
Learn More About Canadian Review Services
- Single submission for cross-border Canadian and US studies
- The only IRB/REB with official Canadian provincial recognition, able to service more of Canada than any other partner
- Meetings every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Native French and English speakers; multilingual support for English, French-Canadian, and Spanish languages, including translation services and document verification
- Strong understanding of Health Canada and US FDA regulations as well as privacy requirements such as PIPEDA and HIPAA
- Full AAHRPP accreditation
- Local understanding of diverse client and research program needs
Advarra is the largest central IRB/REB in Canada that is AAHRPP accredited. Discover how we can help your research organization.
Leading Resources for Every Research Program
Rely on Advarra’s trusted experts and processes to support studies of any size in every major therapeutic area at every stage in the clinical development process.
Knowledgeable and Responsive
Advarra’s team goes the extra kilometer, taking the time to understand each client’s style and expectations. Our team can adapt to your situation, building a relationship based on trust and dependability.
Meeting the Needs of U.S. and Canadian Researchers
Fully AAHRPP accredited, the Canadian IRB/REB has decades of experience overseeing projects across all major therapeutic areas and research phases. Over 3,500 research institutions, hospitals, and academic medical centers in the U.S. and Canada rely on Advarra’s IRB/REB.
Technology-enabled Solutions for Efficient, Transparent Processes
The Advarra Center for IRB Intelligence (CIRBI) Platform is the industry’s most advanced and proven online IRB/REB platform. CIRBI enables real-time access to submit and track projects 24/7/365. We leverage experience and technology to ensure streamlined ethical review, providing you with:
- Transparency and visibility into real-time review statuses and metrics
- Efficient submissions with easier, repeatable processes
- Faster startup and review processes facilitated by concurrent workflows
- Centralized IRB documentation flowing to your eTMF via Advarra Connect
Review Solutions to Meet the Most Demanding Study Requirements
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Oncology Research
Aligned with the needs of the growing and increasingly complex field of oncology, Advarra’s Central Oncology Review (COR) provides the robust human subject protections review cancer research institutions expect. The COR IRB roster includes distinguished oncologists and individuals from leading cancer centers, including ASCO-member oncologists as well as patient advocates.
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Early Phase Bioavailability/Bioequivalence (BA/BE) Research
Advarra understands the unique demands and requirements of fast-paced early phase and Phase I BA/BE research and its nuances in both Canada and the US. Through partnerships with many of North America’s largest and most successful clinics, Advarra’s dedicated early phase capabilities facilitate rapid turnarounds while maintaining the highest quality in research participant protection, reliability, and service.
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Community-based Research
Community-based research comprises a range of activities in health, education, social, behavioral science, and other disciplines designed to systematically gather important information about various aspects of the human condition.
Advarra has broad experience in reviewing community-based research conducted in virtually every region of the globe; this experience is as diverse as the patient needs assessments, health determinants, and outcomes in various communities and strata of society.
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Minimal Risk Research and Expedited Review
Research posing no more than “minimal risk” to participants may be eligible to receive expedited review. Most new site submissions are also eligible for expedited review. Advarra’s dedicated expedited reviewers evaluate new submissions daily. A new minimal risk protocol and informed consent is typically reviewed within two business days or less.
Please note: Turnaround time is dependent upon complete and accurate submission of study documents. Any follow up requiring a response may extend this turnaround time.
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IRB/REB Exempt Research and Exemption Determinations
Certain types of research activities may be exempt from IRB review. According to U.S. regulations, there are eight categories under which the research may be exempt from IRB review. Similarly, there are specific Canadian criteria for what constitutes research, and what types of research require ethics review. Advarra’s regulatory experts can help you determine whether your project officially qualifies as exempt.
A Longtime Leader in Canadian Review
Advarra has the most extensive site reach in Canada. The Canadian review service was founded in 1993, with boards in Ontario and Quebec that handle Canada-specific research. Advarra operates fully within Canada’s Tri-Council Policy Statement for Research Involving Humans (TCPS), and we appreciate the differences between provinces.
There is no official registry for research ethics boards in Canada, though Advarra has official recognition on a provincial level and can conduct reviews in more provinces and territories in Canada than any other central IRB/REB. All boards are federally registered in the United States with U.S. FDA/OHRP. All Advarra ethics committees are individually inspected and granted full AAHRPP accreditation.
Canadian Review FAQs
What is the submission process for Canadian submissions?
Use the Advarra Center for IRB Intelligence (CIRBI) Platform for all submission activities. You will be able to track your submission status in real time and access approval documents in CIRBI.
How do I submit a protocol that has both US and Canadian sites?
Registered CIRBI users can indicate the expected number of participating U.S. and Canadian sites within the Initial Protocol Application. Our SmartForm technology will guide users through the submission process.
