Project establishment process

1

Enquiry - reach out to us

We understand all research projects are unique and it can be overwhelming to figure out your specific specimen needs and the process involved.

Our dedicated team is here to support you along your journey, whether it is better understanding specimen availability, assessing the feasibility of your project, obtaining support letters, or if you simply have a general enquiry.

We encourage you to enquire with us within the early stages of your project planning or grant application. Before contacting us, we suggest you consider these few steps:

1. Read our Biospecimens and Services and Project Establishment Process
2. Browse our specimen catalogue (if you are interested in our archival samples)
3. Consider the specimen requirements, such as the specimen types, size, volume, selection criteria, tumour stream, relevant to your project
4. Consider the services you require
5. Collate this information, along with your project brief, contact details, institution and the commercial interest of project for our conversation.

Upon receiving your query, we will consult your project and ethical requirements, provide a quote or letter of support, and assess the feasibility and timeline proposed.

Enquire with us

2

Project submission

Once your project requirements are finalised, you will then be advised to submit a formal project application which will be assessed by our Access Committee. You will need the following documents for submission:

1. Cirriculum Vitae
2. VCB Application Forms
3. Ethics Application
4. Ethics Approval / or Amendment Letter(s)
5. Study Protocol

After assessment, the Access Committee may provide approval, request more information, revision or resubmission of your application, or reject the application.

The Access Committee generally assess the ethical compliance of the projects, the proposed usage of samples and services, ethical compliance and the feasibility of the study.

3

Project establishment

If you receive approval from the Access Committee, you will be notified with a copy material transfer agreement or material services agreement. Negotiation of clauses are only permitted under necessary circumstances at our discretion. No materials or associated services are provided until the agreement is fully executed.

4

Project initiation

Upon execution of the agreement, the project is kickstarted. This includes the appointment of a Project Liaison Site (PLS) at one of our biobanks, who may contact you to clarify the technicalities involved in your project.

5

Timeline

It takes approximately 5.5 months to establish a project, beginning the day we first receive the project enquiry. However, this timeline can range from 1 to 11 months depending on the specific requirements of the project, such as ethics approval, funding or feasibility concerns.

Archival projects are generally delivered faster and can take between 10 and 14 weeks to establish.