	[CINCINNATI, OH, JUNE 16, 2015] – Schulman Associates IRB, Inc., the industry-leading central IRB in customer service and technology, announces the acquisition of Missouri-based 

. Additionally, Absolute Research founder Rebecca Ballard will be joining the Schulman team as Vice President of Compliance and Board Operations.

	The transaction allows for significant investment to expand Absolute Research’s innovative technology offerings for the clinical research community, and Ms. Ballard’s substantial research ethics and legal expertise, as well as her leadership experience in the institutional research setting, bring valuable perspectives and knowledge to the organization.

	“We are thrilled to join forces with Absolute Research and Rebecca Ballard,” said Michael Woods, President and CEO at Schulman. “Ms. Ballard’s talents and expertise and the tools she has developed through Absolute Research provide strategic advantages never seen before in the research community and will offer Schulman’s sponsor, CRO, site and institutional clients unparalleled efficiencies in clinical research conduct.”

	Absolute Research’s technology offerings, including Animated Consent and Absolute Core, will be branded through Schulman’s joint venture 

. Ms. Ballard will join Schulman’s staff in September 2015.

	Schulman Associates IRB has been a leader in the protection of human research participants in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada since 1983. Schulman offers thorough, timely IRB review services – including dedicated review capabilities for all phases of research across all therapeutic areas – to clinical trial sponsors, CROs, investigators and institutions. Schulman also provides global consulting services through its joint venture partner Provision Research Compliance Services, offering comprehensive solutions to improve overall quality standards for clinical studies and data integrity, and to maximize the protection of human subjects. Fully accredited by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP), Schulman has an unparalleled clean audit history with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 