A18 - How Ethical Review Occurs in Industry

Private companies, such as pharmaceutical companies and Contract Research Organizations, fund their own research and do not receive US government funding, and the ethical and compliance review of animal studies and programs are done exclusively within the company. Further, if the site does not have a USDA registration, and there are no additional requirements by state or local regulations, the company may not legally be required to have an IACUC or to perform ethical review of their studies. However, because there is a strong commitment to animal welfare, building trust with society, and the quality of in-vivo research, most private companies voluntarily pursue AAALAC accreditation, which requires all the same processes and practices as an institution that receives public funds (i.e., adhering to The Guide). Therefore, there is a robust process in place to ensure IACUC review and compliance assurances in industry. In non-US settings, external review is often still required even if they do not receive public funding. Examples of each will be discussed.