INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – February 17, 2015 - Pearl IRB, LLC a provider of superior central IRB review services, is proud to announce its recent accreditation by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP). Pearl IRB earned this distinction in December 2014 by demonstrating extensive safeguards in all levels of the research operations and abiding by high standards of excellence for all research.
Pearl IRB now joins an elite group of 23 commercial-independent IRB’s who hold this prestigious designation. Additionally, Pearl IRB joins Indiana University as just the second AAHRPP accredited organization in the state of Indiana.1
“We are extremely proud to have earned AAHRPP accreditation. This accreditation validates our commitment to high quality research processes and organizational excellence,” shares Pearl IRB’s President and CEO, Diana Caldwell. Pearl IRB is further differentiated by being one of only five AAHRPP accredited, commercial-independent IRB’s to also receive WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise WBE). Caldwell highlights, “Our clients want to work first and foremost with an IRB that demonstrates excellence, but many also have the business objective of engaging with diverse suppliers in the clinical research space. With Pearl IRB, they get both.”
To date, there are more than 200 AAHRPP accredited organizations in 46 states and 10 different countries.1 AAHRPP promotes high-quality research through an accreditation process that helps organizations worldwide strengthen their human research protection programs (HRPPs).
To earn AAHRPP accreditation Pearl IRB completed a voluntary, peer-driven process and provided tangible evidence through policies, procedures, and practices of its commitment to scientifically and ethically sound research and to continuous improvement. Historically, this process can take years to complete - Pearl IRB moved from Phase 1 submission to accredited in just 6 months.
As the "gold seal," AAHRPP accreditation offers assurances that Pearl IRB demonstrates its value in providing excellence and following high standards for quality, ethics, and protection to research participants, researchers, sponsors, government regulators, and the general public.
To learn more about Pearl IRB, visit
