GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Oct. 17, 2017)—Van Andel Research Institute has earned accreditation from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) in recognition of the Institute’s commitment to rigorous standards for the protection of human subjects participating in biomedical research.
“This honor validates the approach we have taken since day-one at Van Andel Research Institute—that people and their well-being are our highest priority,” says David Van Andel, the Institute’s chairman and CEO.
“Our research involves thousands of people through their participation in clinical trials and donation of samples for our studies,” he adds. “These courageous individuals literally offer their flesh and blood in search of better ways to diagnose and treat disease. We take their selfless acts very seriously, and are delighted to work with AAHRPP to reinforce that those participating in our work are respected and protected at every step in the process.”
AAHRPP has accredited 247 organizations, including 46 international entities, all of which have demonstrated extensive safeguards at every level of their research operation.
The association is an independent, non-profit accrediting body, which employs a voluntary, peer-driven, educational model to ensure that organizations meet rigorous standards for quality and protection of human research subjects.
To earn accreditation, organizations must provide tangible evidence—through policies, procedures, and practices—of their commitment to scientifically and ethically sound research and to continuous improvement.
ABOUT ASSOCIATION FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF HUMAN RESEARCH PROTECTION PROGRAMS
A nonprofit organization, AAHRPP provides accreditation for organizations that conduct or review human research and can demonstrate that their protections exceed the safeguards required by the U.S. government. To learn more, visit www.aahrpp.org.
AAHRPP has accredited organizations across the United States and in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan and Thailand. All major U.S. independent institutional review boards have earned AAHRPP accreditation. In addition, 70 percent of U.S. medical colleges and 84 percent of the top National Institute of Health-funded academic medical centers are either AAHRPP accredited or have begun the accreditation process. NIH, the world’s largest public funder of research, has earned accreditation, as has Pfizer, Inc., the largest industry sponsor of clinical research.
ABOUT VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Van Andel Institute (VAI) is an independent nonprofit biomedical research and science education organization committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations. Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, VAI has grown into a premier research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 360 scientists, educators and staff. Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), VAI’s research division, is dedicated to determining the epigenetic, genetic, molecular and cellular origins of cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases and translating those findings into effective therapies. The Institute’s scientists work in onsite laboratories and participate in collaborative partnerships that span the globe. Learn more about Van Andel Institute or donate by visiting vai.org. 100% To Research, Discovery & Hope®