Largest Independent IRB in North America Chooses eResearch Portal Platform to Enhance Operational Efficiency and Customer Service
BEAVERTON, OR, February 2, 2010 – Click Commerce, the pioneer in customer-configurable solutions for the business of research, announced today that Western Institutional Review Board (WIRB) will use Click Commerce’s eResearch Portal software to fully automate its Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes. The software will enable WIRB, the largest independent IRB services provider in North America, to more effectively coordinate and monitor IRB submissions from investigative teams throughout the world and to improve the timely communication and disposition of each submission at each point in its lifecycle.
Established in 1968, WIRB now provides review services for more than 400 organizations (academic centers, hospitals, healthcare systems and in-house biotech research) in all 50 states and internationally. Known for its continuing commitment to adding services to meet researcher needs and improve subject protection, WIRB has in recent years sought to increase support for automated processes that accelerate and improve IRB administration and compliance oversight. WIRB implemented its own proprietary, Part 11 compliant IRB workflow system in 2003, but that system has been challenging to adapt to changes in research review and internal processes. Click Commerce’s eResearch Portal solution will allow WIRB to streamline the submission, review, monitoring and reporting of research projects involving human subjects and, at the same time, provide a better business experience for investigators and its pharmaceutical, medical device manufacturer and institutional customers.
“With the number and complexity of our clients, we were looking for a system that was flexible, could largely be maintained by WIRB staff, and could promise excellent performance with WIRB’s large volume of reviews. Most importantly, we wanted a system that would reduce the administrative burden of submission on the investigators and coordinators with whom we work,” said Dr. Stephen Rosenfeld, President of WIRB. “We knew Click Commerce had a proven solution, but needed to be convinced that it could be adapted to our volumes and the variability of the submissions we receive. From the beginning, Click Commerce was willing to listen to our unique needs and propose solutions to address our performance and complexity concerns. This combination of credible technical discussions and an established track record was a critical factor in our selection.”
“Helping customers make the most of their eResearch environment is at the heart of what we do every day,” said Nick Stier, president of Click Commerce. “WIRB presents us the opportunity to solve research review problems on a new scale. We look forward to delivering ongoing value that will help WIRB continue to move their business forward.”
About Western Institutional Review Board
WIRB is the oldest and largest independent IRB. It was the first independent IRB to be accredited by the Association for Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) in 2003, and has been reaccredited twice, most recently in 2009. WIRB reviews research conducted in the United States and internationally, and has had an office in Canada since 2001. In addition to individual investigators, academic and hospital clients, WIRB has worked with all major pharmaceutical and device manufacturers, CROs, and the biotech industry. More information about WIRB may be found at www.wirb.com.
About Click Commerce
Click Commerce provides solutions for the business of research to leading academic medical centers and research institutions throughout North America. More information can be found at www.clickcommerce.com.
