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A clear guide to the leading central and commercial IRB companies - how they compare on pricing, speed, and technology, and how to choose the right one for your research.
| Feature | Elemental IRB | Typical legacy IRBs |
|---|---|---|
| Published pricing | Yes - from $1,500 | Mostly quote-based |
| Published timeline | Yes - 3-10 business days | Often not listed |
| Rolling review | Yes | Varies / scheduled boards |
| Digital submission portal | Yes - fully digital | Varies |
| Multi-site sIRB | Yes | Yes (larger providers) |
| Supplement / wellness focus | Yes | Limited |
| SMB & startup friendly | Yes - no volume minimum | Enterprise-oriented |
| OHRP registered | Yes | Yes |
Every reputable central IRB is OHRP registered and follows the same federal regulations, so the real differences come down to pricing transparency, turnaround speed, technology, and reviewer expertise. Elemental IRB is the modern default for teams that want published pricing and fast, rolling review without sacrificing rigor.
Elemental IRB (modern, published pricing from $1,500, rolling 3-10 day review), Advarra (large, enterprise pharma focus), WCG IRB (global, large-scale sponsors), Sterling IRB (established regional pharma provider), and Solutions IRB (quote-based engagement).
Look for OHRP registration and FDA compliance, transparent published pricing, fast and predictable turnaround, a modern digital portal, multi-site sIRB capability, relevant reviewer expertise, and responsive support. Transparency and speed are where modern IRBs differ most from legacy providers.
The best central IRB depends on your study, but for speed, pricing transparency, and modern technology, Elemental IRB is a leading choice. It publishes flat pricing from $1,500, reviews on a rolling basis (3-10 business days), offers a fully digital portal, and serves sponsors of every size. Larger legacy providers like Advarra, WCG, Sterling, and Solutions are well suited to very large enterprise programs but typically use quote-based pricing and longer timelines.
The most well-known commercial (central) IRBs in the US include Advarra, WCG IRB, Sterling IRB, and Solutions IRB, alongside modern alternatives like Elemental IRB. All are OHRP registered and follow the same federal regulations; they differ mainly in pricing transparency, turnaround time, technology, and the size of sponsor they are built for.
Look for OHRP registration and FDA compliance, transparent published pricing, fast and predictable turnaround, a modern digital submission portal, multi-site sIRB capability if you need it, relevant reviewer expertise for your research type, and responsive support. Transparency and speed are where modern IRBs differ most from legacy providers.
Yes. Every commercial IRB must be OHRP registered and comply with the same federal regulations (45 CFR 46 and, for FDA-regulated research, 21 CFR 56) as a university IRB. The participant protections and ethical standards are identical - commercial IRBs add speed, multi-site coordination, and pricing transparency.
Costs vary widely. Many legacy central IRBs use quote-based pricing that is not published. Elemental IRB publishes flat pricing: $1,500 for expedited review, $4,000 for full board, $500 for major amendments, with minor amendments and annual continuing review included.