CONTACT US CAREERS NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP Link to home page Services Solutions Applications Resources COVID-19 About Toggle Site Search History About History 50 years of pioneering, together WCG was founded in 2012 with the goal of systematically transforming drug development by addressing the key critical pain points adversely affecting clinical trial performance. During our 50-year history through our predecessor companies, WCG has embraced its role as a “Servant to Mankind.” At the core of our mission, we apply leading scientific knowledge and proprietary technology to advance life-saving innovations. By helping to improve the clinical trial process, we allow valuable therapies to be delivered to patients sooner and at a lower cost. Since our founding, our end-to-end solutions have benefitted more than 5,000 biopharmaceutical companies and CROs, of which 4,000 are small and mid-cap biopharmaceutical companies, 10,000 research sites, and several million patients. We invite you to explore below the landmark events in the more than 50-year history of WCG. Timeline Highlights 1968 WIRB pioneers the concept of Independent Ethical Review. Western Institutional Review Board (WIRB) is founded by medical research pioneer, celebrated physician and noted philanthropist Dr. Angela J. Bowen. WIRB becomes the first organization of its kind, dedicated to protecting the rights and welfare of patients involved in clinical trials. WIRB is established three years before the National Institutes of Health (NIH) required ethics review of human research, four years before the news media brought the Tuskegee study to public awareness, and eight years before federal regulations demanded IRB review of human research. 1981 Midlands IRB is founded, soon to become the leading specialist in Early Phase review. 1989 New England IRB founded to provide regional ethical review support in Massachusetts, now the largest R&D hub in the United States. 1994 CenterWatch becomes the first publisher of clinical trials information, data, and analysis. 1996 Copernicus Group Independent Review Board founded growing to become the leading provider of independent IRB services to research sponsors and contract research organizations. 1996 Following the death of a research subject, WIRB assumes responsibility for the oversight of research at the University of Rochester, allowing research at the institution to continue. 2001 IRBNet introduces technology to institutional research management through an NIH Grant. 2001 WIRB solidifies its partnership with institutions by expanding its services to include the administration of Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs). 2002 In partnership with the World Health Organization, the NIH, and the University of Washington, WIRB establishes the International Fellows Program. 2003 WIRB is the first independent IRB to earn accreditation by the Association for Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs. 2004 Aspire is founded, becoming the first female- and minority-led independent IRB. 2010 Copernicus Group becomes the first IRB to achieve ISO Certification, in recognition of rigorous quality management. 2012 WIRB and Copernicus Group IRB become the founding members and namesakes of the WIRB-Copernicus Group (WCG). 2013 WCG named one of the “20 Innovators Changing the Face of the Clinical Trials Industry” by CenterWatch. 2014 WCG launches WCG Oncology, an oncology-focused Institutional Review Board, supported by a world-class Expert Advisory Board. 2014 ePharmaSolutions joins WCG and is named “Disruptive Innovator of the Year” by Dpharm. 2014 karmadata named Health Datapalooza Award Winner. 2015 Western Institutional Review Board Receives ISO 9001:2008 Certification 2015 WIRB expands its International Fellows Program to include the study of research ethics at New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center. 2016 WCG establishes Gene Therapy Advisory Board. 2016 CenterWatch, the leading provider of clinical trial industry news and information, joins WCG. 2017 WCG acquires ThreeWire, expanding services for clinical study patient recruitment, enrollment, and retention. 2017 WCG acquires MedAvante and ProPhase, naming Dr. Jeffrey Litwin as the CEO of the combined company. 2017 WCG celebrates milestone of 4,000 convened IBC meetings within the United States and abroad. 2017 FDAnews joins WCG, providing global regulatory information for executives in the clinical research, biopharmaceutical and medical device industries. 2017 WCG acquires Patient Genesis’ ConsentNow ™ eConsent technology. 2017 WCG acquires Vigilare International. 2018 WCG acquires ACI Clinical, a top provider of Endpoint Adjudication and Data Monitoring Safety Committees. 2018 WIRB celebrates 50 years as a trusted advisor, esteemed partner, and ethical counselor to the biomedical research industry. 2018 WCG Clinical Trial Solutions partners with InformedDNA to help sponsors design and execute more effective clinical trials. 2018 WIRB-Copernicus Group acquires KMR Group and Metrics Champion Consortium. 2018 WCG Clinical Trial Solutions partners with Inspire to improve patient recruitment in clinical trials. 2018 WCG’s MedAvante-ProPhase adds prominent thought leaders to its CNS scientific leadership team. 2019 CTMS provider Velos joins WCG. 2019 WCG partners with Prudentia Group to enhance drug safety in clinical development. 2019 WCG acquires First Clinical Research, LLC. 2019 WCG announces the acquisition of Analgesic Solutions, LLC. 2019 WCG acquires PharmaSeek, LLC. 2019 WCG introduces Velos eResearch eXpress™ 2020 WCG launches program to provide clinical research professionals with timely information during the COVID-19 pandemic 2020 WCG acquires Trifecta, a global leader in clinical trial site communications 2021 WCG acquires The Avoca Group, accelerating clinical trial quality management and compliance transformation 2021 WCG acquires Intrinsic Imaging, a medical imaging core lab supporting clinical trials 2021 WCG expands clinical trial technology and services with acquisition of VeraSci Get news and insights * First Name: * Last Name: * Email: SUBSCRIBE SERVICES Study Planning & Site Optimization Patient Engagement Scientific and Regulatory Market Insights Ethical & Biosafety Review (Opens in a New Tab) SOLUTIONS Emerging Biotech Study Fast Start CNS Oversight & Safety Managed Research Solutions Endpoint Protection Diversity, Equity & Inclusion RESOURCES WCG Institute Blog: WCG Perspectives White Papers Webinars Case Studies Events ABOUT Meet WCG Leadership Knowledge Base™ History News Events Careers COVID-19 COVID-19 Webinar Series Prioritized Review Download Change in Research Form (Opens in a New Tab) Privacy Policy Terms of Use Site Map Do Not Sell My Information Visit Us on Twitter (opens new window) Visit Us on Youtube (opens new window) Visit Us on LinkedIn (opens new window) Visit Us on Apple Podcasts (opens new window) Copyright 2021 WIRB-Copernicus Group. 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