INC Research Becomes First Global CRO to Offer Clinical Research Monitor Credential

INC Research, a therapeutically focused global clinical research organization (CRO) with a Trusted Process® for delivering reliable results, today announced it is the first global CRO to implement the Clinical Research Monitor Accreditation program, an internationally recognized standard for competence in clinical research monitoring offered through the International Academy of Clinical Research (IAoCR). The new Clinical Credentialing program standardizes training of clinical research associates (CRAs) and establishes INC Research as the first accredited training center in the U.S.

“INC Research is committed to providing the best clinical development services to our biopharmaceutical partners, including the most highly trained and competent monitoring staff in the industry,” said Alistair Macdonald, Chief Operating Officer. “The Clinical Credential program will validate INC Research monitors' capabilities against globally recognized best practices, including recognition and reporting of adverse events, understanding regulatory processes, preparing for successful site initiations and site visits and more. Customers can therefore be confident the CRAs assigned to their studies are not only well trained and field tested, but also that their skills have been certified against an independent quality standard.”

By ensuring its CRAs meet the Clinical Credentialing standard, INC is positioned to reduce risks to patients and lower error rates thereby helping to accelerate new treatments to market. Exceptional training and global recognition of skills also is expected to help attract and retain top clinical research professionals.

Launched in direct response to the industry’s growing demand for accreditation of clinical research professionals, IAoCR’s credentialing process focuses on independent verification of an individual’s ability to monitor clinical trials effectively in real-life situations. INC Research will train its CRAs, beginning with entry-level monitors, according to the new IAoCR program, a process spanning two to three months including field tests.

“Competent monitors play an essential role in getting new treatments to market faster while protecting the rights and wellbeing of patients involved in clinical trials,” said Jacqueline Johnson North, CEO of IAoCR. “That’s why offering programs that regulate and standardize training for CRAs is so important. I commend INC Research for being the first global CRO to embrace this program.”

Founded in 2011, IAoCR is fast becoming the globally recognized standard for accreditation of professionals working in the international clinical research industry. IAoCR courses and accreditations are recognized by educational institutes and employers globally and are mapped to international qualification frameworks. Accreditations cover the depth and breadth of clinical research competencies and provide a far more accurate prediction of performance than simply years of experience.