Industry-related research
This policy governs the conduct of Arthritis Society Canada when reviewing and supporting research in which the research itself, the investigator or the context in which the work is carried out has, or may develop, a commercial interest. Such instances are likely to increase in frequency with the growth of industrial support for biomedical and other research and the burgeoning programs for joint action between government agencies, research entities and commercial ventures. Arthritis Society Canada believes that such activities are to be encouraged: the successful application of basic discoveries (to yield benefits for all) will in many cases require the participation of the corporate sector.
This mix between industry and academia, however desirable, also has the potential to generate conflicts of interests that may undermine the manner in which research is conducted, communicated or viewed by members of the public. These situations require special attention for funding agencies such as Arthritis Society Canada whose mission is centered on the support of high-quality arthritis research. Unlike those of Federal Government agencies, for example, the mission and mandate of Arthritis Society Canada do not include providing seed money for commercial ventures, creating employment opportunities in the private sector, or facilitating technology transfer to the private sector. Furthermore, since Arthritis Society Canada's revenues derive completely from charitable donations, there is accountability to the Canadian public.
The industry-related research policy is as follows:
- As is the case with all Arthritis Society Canada supported research, a Host Institution must take full responsibility for the conduct of the research being funded, according to all existing Arthritis Society Canada policies. These include, but are not limited to, maintaining integrity in research and scholarship, full ethical review and surveillance, compliance with accepted biohazard and animal care regulations and full financial accounting and control.
- For-profit organizations are not eligible to be Host Institutions for grant applications to Arthritis Society Canada.
- The Principal Investigator on any Research Grant or Program Project Grant administered by Arthritis Society Canada must be based in, or be formally affiliated with (but not necessarily receive salary support from), a Canadian Host Institution which will take responsibility described above, for the duration of the funding period.
- Research may be performed at the collected premises of the Host Institution, but also at any other locations as needed or as appropriate for the efficient conduct of the research. This includes the facilities of a for-profit organization, subject to the provisions above.
- Arthritis Society Canada affirms that it does not wish to own or have a vested interest in Intellectual Property (IP) which may emanate from any of the research projects it is supporting. Neither does Arthritis Society Canada wish to dictate terms to Host Institutions as to how they handle such IP. Arthritis Society Canada does, however, continue to insist that the Host Institution have a clear policy regarding IP, such policy to be in force at the time any award is made. Note, however, that it is the intent of Arthritis Society Canada that the primary objective of funded research must not be the promotion of commercial interests.
- Full disclosure of any existing or intended funding of the applicant’s research and any agreements that pertain to that research, by any other source, whether not-for-profit or for-profit, must be made by the applicants to Arthritis Society Canada to support any application for research. The details and mechanism of such disclosure must be sufficient to allow Arthritis Society Canada to make a determination of the amount of overlap, if any, with projects being submitted for support. Moreover, during the period of an Arthritis Society Canada grant, any changes in funding status that pertain to overlap are to be disclosed to Arthritis Society Canada. Arthritis Society Canada is prepared to have such disclosure made to a limited group of its senior officials, under an agreement of confidentiality, if necessary, to protect the rights of third parties.
- It is the policy of Arthritis Society Canada that investigators should be free to disseminate advances arising from its funded research to other researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and the public without undue delay.