What CanReview does

CanReview is a pan-Canadian collaborative initiative, founded in 2024 and selected by the Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT) Consortium, that operates Canada's single national system for research ethics review of multi-site clinical trials. Institutions, research ethics boards (REBs), research teams, and sponsors across Canada use CanReview to obtain one ethical review that is recognized by every participating site, eliminating the duplication historically caused by separate provincial and institutional REB processes. The system is designed for studies involving a minimum of two sites across two or more provinces or territories and covers both clinical trials and observational studies. As of late 2025, 23 institutions had declared intent to become Participating Sites and two REBs had declared intent to serve as REB of Record under the distributed model.

The core technology is Stream, a web-based platform originally developed and operated by Clinical Trials Ontario that has managed more than 2,800 multi-site studies and approximately 12,000 users since 2015. Stream provides smart-logic application forms, role-based access controls, electronic signature workflows, and a centralized repository of REB correspondence and approval documents. CanReview layers onto Stream a distributed REB of Record model in which one validated REB reviews study-wide submissions while standardized Participating Site Initial Applications handle site-level approvals, with enforced timelines of 2 business days for REB acceptance, 28 business days for initial feedback, and 5 business days for site-level decisions. Standardized informed consent templates (including CHEER Pediatrics, OCREB Oncology, and CanReview Adults Non-Oncology) and three endorsed REB qualification pathways (CTO REB Qualification, Human Research Accreditation Canada, CHEER REB Assessment) institutionalize quality control.

CanReview's revenue model is a transaction-fee structure on industry-sponsored multi-site trials, with tiered per-site pricing ($5,100+HST base, declining to $3,600+HST at 11+ sites for general industry trials; $4,750+HST base for Canadian biotech with steeper volume discounts) plus an annual study-wide continuing review fee of $2,750+HST. Of each fee, the REB of Record and participating sites with internal REBs receive disbursements, and CanReview retains a residual margin that scales with study size (e.g., $700 retained on a 2-site industry trial, $41,000 on a 20-site trial). Investigator-initiated studies are not charged ethics review fees. The organization is supported by ACT Consortium funding rather than venture capital, and is headquartered in Toronto with operations governed by Ontario law.

Name

CanReview

Legal name

CanReview

Website

https://canreview.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CanReview operates Canada's single national research ethics review system for multi-site clinical trials, using the Stream platform and a distributed REB of Record model to serve institutions, REBs, research teams, and sponsors across Canadian provinces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical Trial Ethics Review Software

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Clinical Research Ethics & Human Subjects Protection Authorities (IRB/REC Oversight) (HLAJACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Site & Investigator Platforms (Site Payments, Feasibility, Activation) (HLACAOAJ)

Keywords

• Research ethics review
• Clinical trials platform
• REB review system
• Multi-site studies
• Ethics compliance software

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Ethics Review Service Fees (Industry-Sponsored Trials): Industry sponsors are charged fees for streamlined research ethics review services. Fee structure is tiered by number of research sites, with a base rate of $5,100 + HST per site for general industry trials, and discounted rates for Canadian biotech companies at $4,750 + HST per site for the first 2 sites. Fees are distributed between the REB of Record, participating sites with institutional REBs, and CanReview's operational costs. Continuing review fees of $2,750 + applicable tax per study-wide continuing review also apply.
2. Research Ethics Review Service Fees (Canadian Biotech): Canadian biotech companies receive discounted rates on the standard fee schedule for multi-site, pan-Canadian clinical trials conducted through CanReview, promoting use by the domestic biotech ecosystem.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CanReview provides a single national research ethics review system for multi-site clinical trials conducted across Canadian provinces and territories. It combines the Stream web-based platform (from Clinical Trials Ontario) with a distributed REB of Record model so that one qualified REB reviews all study-wide submissions and standardized site-level applications, with strict timelines of 2 business days for REB acceptance, 28 business days for initial feedback, and 5 business days for site-level decisions. The system serves industry sponsors, biotech companies, CROs, research institutions, hospitals, and universities participating in multi-site pan-Canadian studies.

Product overview

CanReview is a platform-based system for Canada's single research ethics review for multi-site clinical trials. The core offering consists of the CanReview Platform combined with Stream (an adaptable web-based platform from Clinical Trials Ontario). The system provides standardized application forms including the Clinical Trial Initial Application (CTIA) and Participating Site Initial Application (PSIA), along with Informed Consent Form Templates. Additional products include training resources, implementation guides, the CanReview Agreement legal framework, and user support services including the Stream Helpdesk. The platform supports both clinical trials and observational studies with forms for initial applications, amendments, reportable events, continuing reviews, and site closures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stream: An adaptable, user-friendly web-based platform for single research ethics review that facilitates centralized entry point for sponsors and investigators to submit studies.

Products and services

• CanReview Platform Canada's single research ethics review system for multi-site clinical trials; combines a distributed REB of Record model with the Stream online platform to enable a single ethics submission, review process, and decision across Canada for participating sites, REBs, sponsors, and CROs.
• Stream Adaptable, user-friendly web-based platform for single research ethics review provided by Clinical Trials Ontario; supports study applications, reviews, approvals, ongoing compliance submissions, smart-logic forms, role-based collaboration, electronic signatures, and a centralized document repository for both clinical trials and observational studies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 28 business days for initial country-wide review decision from REB of Record
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.

• ACT (Accelerating Clinical Trials) ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2024ACT Consortium is CanReview's parent organization and primary funder. Through an open competition and independent international review panel, ACT selected CanReview to set up, initiate, and operate a pan-Canadian single REB review and approval process with strict timelines for multi-centre RCTs in Canada. ACT's mandate is to improve Canada's clinical trials ecosystem.
• Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO)coreTechnology or IntegrationCTO provides the Stream platform for CanReview's single research ethics review system. Stream has managed 2,800+ multi-site studies and ~12,000 users since 2015. CTO also runs the REB Qualification Program, one of the three endorsed pathways for REBs to become CanReview Participating REBs. Susan Marlin, CTO's President and CEO, serves on CanReview's Leadership Team.
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIHR is Canada's federal health research funding agency and a Research Ecosystem Partner of CanReview. CIHR supports the clinical trials ecosystem that CanReview serves.
• Health Charities and Patient Organizations (Advocacy for CCNN, Arthritis Society Canada, Breakthrough T1D Canada, Canadian Cancer Survivor Network, Diabetes Canada, Heart Life, Ovarian Cancer Canada, Pancreatic Cancer Canada, ReThink Breast Cancer, Save Your Skin Foundation, and 15+ others)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 25 health charities and patient organizations are CanReview Partners, demonstrating support for the pan-Canadian initiative and sharing information about CanReview within their communities. These organizations advocate for patients who rely on clinical trials and benefit from expanded trial access and faster start-up times.
• Clinical Trials BCflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical Trials BC is a Research Ecosystem Partner of CanReview, supporting the pan-Canadian single research ethics review system and representing British Columbia's clinical trials community.
• Health Research BCflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth Research BC is a Research Ecosystem Partner of CanReview, supporting the transformation of research ethics review processes in British Columbia and across Canada.
• Health Data Research Network Canada (HDRN)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHDRN is a Research Ecosystem Partner of CanReview, supporting pan-Canadian health data and research coordination that intersects with clinical trial ethics review.
• ICESflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerICES is a Research Ecosystem Partner of CanReview, providing health data research expertise that supports the clinical trials ecosystem served by CanReview.
• Research ManitobaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch Manitoba is a Research Ecosystem Partner of CanReview, with Elizabeth Lylyk (Director, RITHIM, Research Manitoba) serving on CanReview's Leadership Team.
• Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit (OSSU)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSSU is a Research Ecosystem Partner of CanReview, supporting patient-oriented research and clinical trials in Ontario.
• VITALflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerVITAL is a Research Ecosystem Partner of CanReview, contributing to the clinical trials ecosystem in Canada.
• Unité de soutien SSA QuébecflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnité de soutien SSA Québec is a Research Ecosystem Partner of CanReview, representing Quebec's SPOR Support for Patient-Oriented Research.
• Participating Sites (23 institutions including The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Dalhousie University, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sinai Health, University Health Network, CHEO, Hamilton Health Sciences, and 17 others)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner23 institutions across Canada have registered or declared intent to become CanReview Participating Sites, enabling their researchers to submit or join pan-Canadian multi-site studies through CanReview. These include major research hospitals, universities, and health networks.
• Participating REBs (2 REBs: Queen’s University HSREB and Western University Health Sciences REB)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner2 REBs have registered or declared intent to become CanReview Participating REBs. These REBs conduct reviews as REB of Record for multi-site pan-Canadian studies under CanReview's distributed model.
• Industry Partners (AstraZeneca, Bayer, GSK, Novo Nordisk, Roche Canada, BIOTECanada, Medtech Canada, Innovative Medicines Canada, Care Access Research Canada, Vantage BioTrials, and others)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical companies (AstraZeneca, Bayer, GSK, Novo Nordisk, Roche Canada), biotech associations (BIOTECanada, Innovative Medicines Canada), medical device companies (Medtech Canada), and CROs (Care Access Research Canada, Vantage BioTrials) are CanReview Industry Partners. They are encouraged to use CanReview for their pan-Canadian trials and to become CanReview Partners.
• Research Networks (BioCanRx, Canadian Cancer Trials Group, Canadian Critical Care Trials Group, CANet, Diabetes Clinical Trials Network, Terry Fox Research Institute, The Network of Networks (N2), and 40+ others)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 40 Canadian research networks are CanReview Research Network Partners, spanning cancer, cardiology, immunology, chronic pain, nephrology, stroke, palliative care, and many other therapeutic areas. These networks benefit from streamlined multi-site ethics review for their clinical trials.
• Human Research Accreditation CanadacoreTechnology or IntegrationHuman Research Accreditation Canada is one of three endorsed REB validation pathways for becoming a CanReview Participating REB. REBs accredited through this program are eligible to participate in CanReview's single research ethics review system.
• CHEER (Children's Health for Excellence in Ethics and Research) REB Assessment ProgramcoreTechnology or IntegrationCHEER REB Assessment Program is one of three endorsed pathways for REBs to become CanReview Participating REBs. CHEER also provides pediatric oncology consent templates endorsed by CanReview for use in studies submitted through Stream.
• BioCanRxmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioCanRx is a pan-Canadian research network focused on immune effector cell therapies for cancer and is a CanReview Research Network Partner.
• Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CTG)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTG is a major Canadian cancer clinical trials research network and a CanReview Research Network Partner. Lam Pho, CTG's Chief Information Officer, serves on CanReview's Leadership Team.
• The Network of Networks (N2)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerN2 is a Canadian not-for-profit alliance of networks, organizations, and individuals committed to improving the health of Canadians through clinical research. Jacqueline Senych (Co-Chair, Canadian Research Ethics Board Standing Operating Procedures, N2) serves on CanReview's Leadership Team.
• RAN BIOLINKSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAN BIOLINKS is listed as a research network partner supporting the clinical trials community in Canada and is featured in CanReview's #KeepTrialsMoving campaign.
• International Advisory Experts (UK Health Research Authority, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, World Health Organization)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational experts including Matt Westmore (CEO, UK's Health Research Authority) and Megan Singleton (Johns Hopkins) co-chaired the independent international review panel that selected CanReview, and provide ongoing guidance. Vasee Moorthy (WHO Senior Science and Strategy Advisor) serves as an observer to CanReview's External Advisory Committee.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Research Ethics BC: Research Ethics BC provides provincial-level ethics review coordination for multi-site studies in British Columbia and is a CanReview Research Ecosystem Partner. Comparable as a provincial ethics review body that could either compete with or feed into CanReview's national model.

Emerging players

• Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO): CTO operates Stream, the technology platform that CanReview runs on, and runs the CTO REB Qualification Program used to qualify REBs of Record. CTO is both a strategic partner and a partial comparable, having previously provided Ontario-centric single-REB services before CanReview assumed the pan-Canadian mandate.
• Sciteline: Sciteline provides regulatory and ethics workflow tools for clinical research, listed as an Industry & Suppliers partner of CanReview. Comparable as a software vendor in the research ethics and clinical trial workflow space.

Direct peers

• Infonetica: Infonetica provides research ethics and governance software platforms (including its Research Ethics System) used by universities and health systems to manage ethics submissions and reviews. Comparable as a technology vendor addressing the same single-review operational use case.
• BRANY (Biomedical Research Alliance of New York): BRANY provides central IRB services for multi-site clinical trials and offers IRB reliance models similar to CanReview's distributed REB of Record approach. Comparable as an institutionally-affiliated central IRB serving multi-site research.
• Advarra (formerly IntegReview + Quorum Review): Advarra is a leading central IRB provider for multi-site clinical trials in North America, offering single-IRB review services, ethical review, and biosafety services to sponsors, CROs, and sites. Directly comparable as a centralized ethics review model for multi-site studies, though operating commercially across the US/Canada rather than as a national consortium.
• WCG IRB (formerly Western IRB): WCG is one of the largest independent central IRBs in the US, providing single-IRB review for multi-site clinical trials with defined review timelines and a technology platform for IRB submissions. Comparable as a commercial single-IRB provider targeting the same multi-site clinical trial use case.
• CHEER (Children's Health for Excellence in Ethics and Research): CHEER provides pediatric research ethics review infrastructure and the REB assessment program used as one of CanReview's three REB qualification pathways. Comparable as a pediatric-focused centralized ethics review program and endorsement pathway provider.
• OCREB (Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board): OCREB provides centralized oncology-specific research ethics review for multi-site cancer trials in Ontario, with adult oncology consent templates now adopted by CanReview. A direct predecessor-style peer for centralized oncology ethics review.

Regional players

• NHS Health Research Authority (HRA): The UK's HRA operates a national single-review model for health research ethics in England and provides international advisory input to CanReview. Comparable as a national-level single research ethics review authority, though operating in a different jurisdiction with a different governance model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CanReviewTrials
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canreview

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CanReview