|
Our first partner hospital began sample collections in August 2007 and we now work with several hospitals across the UK. We are progressively accruing samples and data and our aim is to achieve a steady state of collection and despatch. We will begin making samples available via a web portal once we have substantial numbers of similar cancer types, which we anticipate to be in 2009. Please see our website or contact us for more current information.
onCore UK is working with the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) and the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) to develop a harmonised biosample and data access policy. We plan to make samples available for scientifically and ethically approved research on a cost-recovery basis.
It is our intention to seek ethical approval for the supply of samples. This will remove the need for researchers to seek ethical approval for projects that fall within the scope of our approval, and we anticipate that our approval will cover most projects.
Donor samples are priceless assets and onCore UK has a duty to donors to make sure the best possible value is derived from their kind donation. Researchers will undergo a vetting process to ensure that research is properly funded, ethically acceptable and under the direction or supervision of a recognised academic, industry or governmental body. We will also need to know that you have the facilities to store the samples correctly and safely and will make the best use of the samples that you possibly can.
onCore UK will strive to make biosamples available to researchers where:
- the stated research objectives are in line with the mission of onCore UK;
- the proposed research is covered by the scope of the donor consent covering the uses of the biosamples;
- the specific research plans are approved by an appropriate Research Ethics Committee;
- the research presents no undue risks to the donors of the biosamples;
- the research is sufficiently funded and otherwise resourced;
- the necessary biosamples can be sourced and supplied;
- the research project is supported by the institution or organisation in which it will take place;
- the researcher’s organisation enters into a contract that governs the transfer and use of biosamples supplied;
- the specific project is deemed to be of high priority in situations where there is competition for access to limited tissue resources.
onCore UK will distribute samples to successful research groups by the best available method of transportation. Data associated with the samples will be sent in parallel via secure electronic means.
We will make information available to patients and donors, the general public, healthcare professionals and the research community about what happens to samples in general: where they are going, what researchers are doing with them – and most importantly, the results and outcomes that have been achieved. |
