Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I contact Surpass if I am a new or existing sponsor?
- What is the process once an initial contact is made?
- How do I find out the status of my study?
- What type of confidentiality agreement do I need to sign?
- How long does it take to execute the Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA)?
- What services does Surpass offer?
- What are your normal hours of operation?
- How is post-operative care performed?
- How do I get a proposal for work?
- How long does it take to receive a formal proposal?
- Can Surpass work with us to develop models and procedures?
- What is the Protocol Development process?
- Is Surpass a GLP laboratory?
- How do I schedule a quality audit? How soon can the audit be scheduled?
- How often does IACUC meet?
- Can I bring my own surgeon/interventionalist?
- Is there a Quality Assurance Unit on-site?
- Does Surpass have in-house study directors?
- How quickly can I start my study?
1. How do I contact Surpass if I am a new or existing sponsor?
There are four ways to successfully make contact:
- Call the main facility at 715.294.4371 and ask to speak with the Scientific Director or President
- Call the Senior Manager of Business Development at 651.433.4277
- Contact the Study Director who last managed your study
- Email us using our contact form
2. What is the process once an initial contact is made?
Whatever your point of entry, our process for determining the scope of work and generating a proposal for your study follows a similar path.
Your contact will coordinate the execution of a Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA). Once the CDA is completed, your contact will request a study design outline or schedule a consultation for study design development. Once the study specifics are identified, Surpass will prepare and present a detailed proposal.
3. How do I find out the status of my study?
Each study performed at Surpass is assigned a team of Study Director and Study Manager. At the outset of your study, a communication plan will be established to specifically keep you informed of your study progress. Adhering to requirements set forth by GLP guidelines, our Study Directors serve as the single point of control for making decisions of study conduct.
4. What type of confidentiality agreement do I need to sign?
Surpass has a standard bilateral agreement. The agreement is intended to protect disclosure of sensitive and confidential information between the Sponsor and Surpass. Sponsors may have their own bilateral confidentiality agreement and Surpass would be pleased to consider those agreements as well.
5. How long does it take to execute the Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA)?
A CDA can typically be executed within 48 hours.
6. What services does Surpass offer?
Surpass offers non-GLP and GLP preclinical research studies that require surgical or interventional approaches to evaluate the safety and efficacy of medical devices, drugs, and biologics. Learn more about our services »
7. What are your normal hours of operation?
Procedures are typically performed between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
8. How is post-operative care performed?
Surpass has a specialized team of post-op research technicians that provide intensive and routine care seven days a week and veterinary care 24 hours, seven days a week.
9. How do I get a proposal for work?
Surpass is pleased to develop a proposal based either on a conversation or written outline detailing the requirements of your study. In some situations, Surpass and the Sponsor may participate in a conference call with one of our scientific staff to clarify the study objectives. Once the study scope of work is defined, Surpass will prepare a formal proposal including an expected study initiation date for your review and approval.
10. How long does it take to receive a formal proposal?
Surpass typically prepares a proposal in three to five business days from the time of the initial request.
11. Can Surpass work with us to develop models and procedures?
Surpass has a scientific and surgical staff that has a broad range of experience across many therapeutic areas and is prepared to work collaboratively with our sponsors. Learn more about our collective experience »
12. What is the Protocol Development process?
Surpass will work collaboratively with the Sponsors to ensure the study purpose and objectives are clearly defined. It is the responsibility of Surpass to write the protocol. A draft protocol is given to the Sponsor for critique and comments. Finalization of the protocol occurs with signature between Surpass and the Sponsor.
13. Is Surpass a GLP laboratory?
Surpass operates in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice guidelines, with Standard Operating Procedures in place for all aspects of animal care and study conduct. Learn more about our ability »
14. How do I schedule a quality audit? How soon can the audit be scheduled?
Call the main number at 715.294.4371 and ask to speak with the Director of Regulatory Compliance or the President. Surpass generally asks for 30 days notice.
15. How often does IACUC meet?
The IACUC meets bi-weekly and can be called upon for interim meetings as required.
16. Can I bring my own surgeon/interventionalist?
Surpass welcomes sponsor resources provided the resource is qualified. Written qualification must be provided to the IACUC and Surpass staff for approval.
17. Is there a Quality Assurance Unit on-site?
Yes, the Quality Assurance Unit at Surpass is led by a Director of Regulatory Compliance and a Senior Quality Auditor. Learn more about Quality Assurance Unit »
18. Does Surpass have in-house study directors?
Yes, Surpass has in-house study directors which are led by a Scientific Director. Each study director at Surpass comes with a broad range of experience across a variety of medical specialties. Learn more about our experience. »
19. How quickly can I start my study?
Average lead time for study start-up is between four and six weeks and is dependent on factors such as animal procurement, protocol development and IACUC approval, and laboratory schedule. Expedited study requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Call Surpass today for your preclinical research needs:
(715) 294-4371